Grace had stood in shock at what Elijah had said it took a couple of moments before she spoke. "Is there something special about Klaus?"
"Special how?"
"Well I know that I'm part witch, I'm able to heal myself, and I have visions. I want to know what I am".
"I do have a theory about what you are, you are indeed part witch but you are also part werewolf and possibly part vampire".
"No I can't be a vampire it's impossible I haven't been bit or anything".
"I've been watching you for more than what you think Grace, ever since I got wind that your birth mother was pregnant with you I was keeping tabs on you. When your birth mother was going into labor with you another vampire had fed her blood then once she gave birth to you she had died after that but because of the blood in your system it had brought her back making her a hybrid".
The ten year old was getting confused. "I don't understand what's a hybrid? And how can I be a witch, werewolf, and vampire?"
"A hybrid is a cross between two supernatural creatures, Klaus is a hybrid of a werewolf and vampire. You are a different case however I think you are a tribrid which is a cross between three supernatural creatures".
"So my father is a werewolf vampire hybrid and I'm that but I still don't understand how I'm part witch".
"You are part witch because my mother was a witch and you inherited some of those powers. Grace you are one very powerful individual".
"Can i go back to my uncles now? I need a chance to process all this and I need to tell them. Damon has to be worried sick right now".
Salvatore Boarding House
Stefan had just arrived home as he poured himself a glass of whiskey, he was waiting for his brother to come home just then the front door was opened with a lot of force and slammed so hard it could have fell off the hinges. Damon was home and he was pissed.
"Where the hell is Gracie?!" Damon yelled.
"I don't know she wanted to go wait in the car for me and I let her, I was talking with Elena and I went to clear my head before I went to check on Gracie. When I got to the car the keys were on the ground and Grace was gone I tracked her scent before I lost it".
"So talking to Elena is more important than watching your own niece?"
"I thought Grace would be ok for a couple of minutes".
"Well she isn't ok Stefan she's missing!"
"We'll find her Damon. Don't we always".
"Only problem brother, we don't know who took her!"
"This could be Katherine's doing, maybe she wanted to wait till Gracie was alone then have someone grab her".
Damon was still too angry so he went and poured himself a drink and gulped it down fast.
Meanwhile
Grace was still talking with Elijah. "So can I go home?" She asked.
"I'm sorry Grace but you must remain with me".
"What? Why?"
"I must keep you safe so my brother cannot find you or harm you".
"Elijah please I need to go home, my uncles can protect me. They never let me out their sights. Please let me go back to them since you watch me anyway you'll know that I'm safe beside my Uncle Damon is super protective of me. Please just let me go home".
"Alright but you must not speak my name and since you have vervain in your system I cannot compel you so what you will tell them is that...
He then super sped the ten year old back to the boarding house and took off before she could blink, Grace then opened the front door entering the house she didn't see her uncles but heard them.
"Uncle Damon? Uncle Stefan?" Grace called out.
The brothers looked at each other after hearing their niece's voice they ran out towards the front to see her, Damon was the first to run and hug his niece.
"Gracie I'm so glad your ok". He whispered.
Damon held her for a couple more moments till he pulled away then scanned her over for injuries and she was fine, Stefan then moved to hug his niece he hoisted her up and held her tightly. 'Thank god she's ok'.
"Gracie what happened. Where were you?" Damon asked.
Stefan put her down but kept her close, the young girl hesitated on saying what happened. Grace bit her lip deciding on what she should say.
"I was going to the car when someone grabbed me from behind I didn't see who it was, next thing I know I'm with somebody else. I didn't see their face all they said was that they had information on my father, they know what I am". She said.
"What did they say you are?" Stefan asked.
"I'm something called a tribrid, it's a cross between three supernatural creatures. So I'm part werewolf, vampire, and witch".
"How are you part vampire unless..."
"Isobel fed Anna blood before she had Gracie, so if she had vampire blood in her system that would also go to Grace. Then once she had her Anna died with the blood in her system she came back and also because of Gracie's blood apparently that must have made her part werewolf which resulted in her being a werewolf vampire hybrid which is why she didn't die when I stabbed her". Damon explained.
"That's a theory".
"Can I go to my room? I just wanna forget this night". Grace said tiredly.
"Yeah go on up we'll be up in a minute". Damon tells her.
The ten year old then goes up to her room leaving the brothers to talk.
"Damon what are we gonna do? Whoever this guy is won't stop until he has Gracie". Stefan says quietly.
"I wish I knew, maybe we call Lexi and see if she can take Gracie for a few days". Damon replies.
"Do you think that would work?"
"Won't know until we try".
"There has to be another way that doesn't involve sending Gracie anywhere".
"Really? Then what do you suggest we do brother".
"We find out who exactly took Gracie and we talk with them".
"Your talking and my version of "talking" are completely different".
"Look we'll figure it out tomorrow but now Gracie's here with us and she's safe".
"Your right".
The brothers then went to go check on their niece they quietly enter her room, Grace was half way on the bed fast asleep she didn't bother taking off her shoes or jacket. Stefan went quietly towards her taking off her sneakers then her jacket once he was finished Damon carefully put her in the middle of the bed and covered her with the blanket.
"Sleep tight sweetheart". Damon whispered.
"Sleep well honey". Stefan whispered.
They kiss her head then head to their rooms for the night, Elijah was outside watching the house the whole night.
The next morning
Grace awoke with a start she shot up looking around and realized she's home with her uncles well other uncles, the ten year old couldn't stop thinking about Elijah and he was one of her other uncles she wondered if she had any aunts or any other family. But her mind kept going back to Klaus. Would he love her? Would he try and kill her? Could be dangerous as Katherine claimed him to be? She wanted to meet him to get her own opinion of Klaus ever since finding out she's adopted she's always dreamt of meeting her birth father. Her thoughts were interrupted by Damon entering the room.
"Morning sweetheart, how are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'll be ok last night was just weird".
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about Gracie, what happened last night when Stefan told you to wait in the car".
"I was walking to the car and I heard someone behind me next thing then they sneak up on me and everything's black, I wake up in a house and hear two vampires talking-"
"How'd you know they were vampires and not regular people?"
"As I was waking up I heard one of them say they wanted my blood then I asked them where I was but they wouldn't tell me until another man came in, he knows my father he wanted me to stay there because he said he could protect me from my father".
"Did he say his name ever?"
Grace remembered Elijah's word, 'you must not speak my name'. "No not once". 'I wish I could tell you Uncle Damon but it's the only way I can stay here'.
"Alright her I'm going to Caroline's wanna come with?"
"But I have to get ready for school".
"I was thinking you can miss one more day I wanna keep an eye on you".
Stefan was outside Grace's room listening to his brother talking with their niece till he decided to step in the room.
"Damon can I have a word with you for a minute". Stefan says to his brother.
"Sure". Damon replies.
"Grace you should get ready for school". Stefan tells their niece.
"Ok". She says.
Damon went out to the hallway to talk with his brother and just as Stefan closed the door to Grace's room he faced his brother.
"Look Damon I know your scared of losing Gracie but I am too that doesn't mean you can start keeping her from going to school". Stefan says.
"I'm not scared Stefan what would give you that idea?" Damon replied.
"When you brought Gracie home that night after the carnival when she passed out from using her powers, just last night when I told you about her I saw that fear in your eyes I heard it in your voice".
"No that was me pissed off I wasn't scared".
"It's alright to be scared Damon, the night Mason turned into a wolf and he went after Gracie you don't think I wasn't scared? I had to leave our ten year old niece by herself, she has no control of her powers yet, there was Mason on the loose, when I ran back to her to see her passed out I was scared for a second I thought we lost her".
Damon knew his brother was right but he didn't want to admit it.
"I'll take Gracie to school you go see Caroline".
Damon then took off to see Caroline while Grace finished getting ready for school, after a few more minutes Grace came out from her room dressed in a gray t shirt, blue jeans, her red and black chucks, she had her black leather jacket, and she had her hair up in a ponytail.
"Come on Gracie we don't wanna be late". Stefan says to his niece.
"Ok". She replied.
The two left the house and the whole time Elijah was keeping watch over them.
Forbes Residence
Caroline is in her room, preparing for school. Damon's there.
"So Sarah attacks Tyler and he pushed her away and she tripped and she fell and she hit her head". The blonde vampire said.
"Does Matt remember anything?" Damon replied.
"Hmm, he thinks he blacked out but I think they were both compelled by Katherine. That's why I covered for Tyler and said it was an accident".
"Yeah, I don't understand that. The guy is a tool".
"Gee, duh. Tyler getting blamed for Sarah death just opens up questions that he can't answer and do you really think that it's a good idea for him to tell his mom he's a werewolf?"
"Well, no".
"And that werewolf road leads straight to Vampire Boulevard! I thought I was thinking fast on my feet".
"Where is your mom?"
"Leading the search party for Aimee Bradley. They haven't found her body yet".
"Oh, teens today and their underage drinking. Tragic. Wait, did you see Tyler's eyes turn yellow?"
"They were more gold with amber highlights".
"Oh".
"Can he turn into a wolf now?"
"Only on a full moon but now he has increased strength and who knows what else. I wonder how much Mason told him. Does he know about us?"
She doesn't answer. She's texting.
"Hey! What did you tell him?"
"Nothing, really. I don't think he knows much of anything. He seemed really freaked out and honestly, I felt kind of bad for him".
She leaves her room and goes toward the door.
"He's got to know something".
"Alright, I'll ask him".
He rushes over her and grabs her by the collar.
"No, you won't Caroline! He cannot know about us. A bite from a werewolf can kill a vampire so don't be his friend! Do you understand me?"
"I understand. I'm late for school".
"Right. If you want to drop the hint to your mom, that Aimee's body is at the bottom of a ravine with a cracked spine. Might save your mom some time".
Damon opens the door for her. They leave.
Stefan and Grace were still walking Elijah made sure to keep his distance so Stefan doesn't pick up his scent, after a few more minutes the two have arrived at the elementary school.
"Gracie if you need me or Damon just call one of us and we'll come get you". Stefan spoke.
"Alright. Is Uncle Damon alright? He seems off". Grace said.
"Go on before your late. Have a good day sweetheart, I love you".
"I love you too Uncle Stefan". He then kissed her head and looked around to make sure no one was looking, he then super sped off.
Grace chuckled then she started to walk up the stairs and she felt someone watching her, she turned to see Elijah there while everyone was going inside she turned around going towards him.
"Elijah what are you doing here?" Grace asked.
"I'm going to keep an eye on you for the day since your other uncles are busy". Elijah responded.
"Look you can stay but at 3 you can't be here when Damon or Stefan picks me up. And I don't know how much longer I can lie to them, they're gonna know sooner or later that I was lying to them about you".
"Grace I will explain everything to them when the day comes".
"You'll give me your word?"
"I give you my word".
"I gotta get to class now".
Elijah nodded just as the ten year old took off for her class.
Mystic Falls High School
Tyler is in the hallway. There are posters for Aimee Bradley on the walls. In front of Sarah's locker, there are pictures and candles. He's uncomfortable and goes to his locker. He tries to opens it but accidentally pulls off the dial.
Stefan is closing his locker. Jeremy joins him.
"Hey Jeremy". Stefan says to the teen boy.
"Look, Elena's got to let me know if I'm supposed to cover for her. Jenna's cool with the two of you but you guys are pushing it". Jeremy replies.
"What are you talking about?"
"You and Elena. Look, I'm glad you guys are back together but if she's gonna sleep over..."
"Wait, wait...hold on a minute. We're not back together".
"Wait...she didn't stay at your place last night?"
"No, I mean I saw her at the party but that was it. She didn't sleep over".
"'Cause her bed hadn't been slept in and Mrs. Lockwood said that her car was still in the driveway. Where is she then?"
House
The SUV is parking in the driveway. Trevor is carrying Elena, who is waking up. They are in the house. He puts her on the couch. Her hand and her feet are tied. He removes the ropes.
"What do you want?" Elena asked.
"Ssh". Trevor replied.
"Please, I'm hurt".
"I know. Just a taste".
He's vamping and leans down to bite her wound but Rose arrives and he stops.
"Trevor! Control yourself". Rose said.
"Buzzkill".
He leaves. Rose is alone with Elena.
"What do you want with me?" Elena asked.
"Oh my god, you look just like her". Rose said.
"But I'm not. Please, whatever you-"
"Be quiet!"
"But I'm not Katherine. My name is Elena Gilbert; you don't have to do this".
"I know who you are, I said be quiet".
"What do you want?"
Rose slaps her hard. Elena falls on the couch, unconscious.
"I want you to be quiet".
Mystic Falls High School
Stefan and Damon are outside. They're talking about Elena's disappearance. Damon was also annoyed with his brother for taking their niece to school instead of leaving her with one of them.
"This has Katherine written all over it. She also probably had that done to Grace last night". Stefan says.
"Katherine's in the tomb. Trust me; I'm the one who shut her in". Damon replies.
"Did you?"
"Did I what, Stefan?"
"Well, I know the hold that Katherine has on you".
"She's in the tomb, period. End of story but she did say something to me right before I shut her in. I thought she was lying".
"What did she say?"
"Elena and Gracie are in danger".
"What? And you didn't think you should ask her to elaborate?"
"Everything she says is a lie. How am I supposed to know if she's gonna start spouting out the truth?"
"We have to go talk to her".
"No, no. Let me tell you how that's gonna go: We're gonna go ask her for help, she's gonna negotiate her release which we're gonna be dumb enough to give her and she's gonna get out and kill us! This is exactly what she wants!"
"I don't really care".
"It's a bad idea, Stefan".
"It's Elena".
"It's also Gracie who's involved with this".
"You think I don't know that? I worry my ass off every time she's not around us, thinking if she's gonna be taken again. Right now we need to put whatever differences we have aside for Gracie's sake we made a vow when we took her in that we wouldn't be at each other's throats, I don't care if you hate me still or not but I'm willing to put all that aside for Grace's sake. Are you?"
Caroline is in the hallway. She sees the candles and the pictures at Sarah's locker. Tyler joins her.
"Caroline". Tyler greeted the blonde.
"Hey! How are you doing?" She replied.
"Not good".
"How's your mom? My mom said that she was pretty freaked out about everything that happened with Sarah".
"How did you know?"
"What do you mean?"
"About me. How did you know?"
"Know what? That you were upset? I thought I was doing a good thing by covering for you".
"That's not what I am talking about".
"Look, it was an accident? Okay? And I've got to run just...please don't blame yourself".
She leaves.
House
Elena is waking up. Rose and Trevor are upstairs. They're talking.
"How's the girl?" Rose asked.
"Still passed out". Trevor answered.
"You didn't touch her, did you?"
"Give me some credit. So, you called him?"
"No, I called one of his contacts. You know how this works".
"Did you or did you not get the message to Elijah?"
"They say he got it".
"Wonderful and what?"
Elena gets up and walks upstairs. She's listening in on their conversation.
"So that's it Trevor. He either got it or he didn't. We just have to wait".
"Look, it's not too late. We can leave it here. We don't have to go through with this".
"I'm sick of running!"
"Yeah? Well, running keeps us from dying".
"Elijah's old school. If he accepts our deal, we're free".
"What if we also brought him the child".
"No the child is off limits if we go anywhere near the child Elijah will have both our heads"
Elena accidentally makes one of the boards squeak. Rose sees her.
"You! There's nothing around here for miles. If you think you're getting out of this house, you're tragically wrong. Understand?" Rose says to Elena.
"Who's Elijah?" Elena asked.
"He's your worst nightmare".
Mystic Falls High School
Stefan is talking with Bonnie.
"I can't undo the tomb spell, Stefan. Even if I wanted to. It took both me and my Grams to undo it the first time". Bonnie said.
"But I can open the door, right? I can talk to her?" Stefan responded.
"Yeah but Damon's right. She's not gonna tell you anything, not without something in return".
"I know but Bonnie I have to do something. I have no idea who has Elena; I have no idea where she is".
"What if there was another way to find her?"
Jeremy and Bonnie are in Alaric's classroom. There is a map and two candles on the table.
"How does this is work?" Jeremy asked.
"I'll use your blood to draw energy for the tracking spell. You're blood related; it'll make the connection stronger". Bonnie answered.
Stefan arrives.
"Alright, Alaric said we've got to clear out of here within ten minutes. I've got weapons, he stocked me up". Stefan says as he entered the room.
"Are you ready?"
She cuts Jeremy's hand. His blood falls on the map. Bonnie concentrates herself to cast the spell. The blood drops and merge into one and goes toward Elena's location.
"There. She's there". Bonnie said.
"That's 300 miles away". Jeremy says.
"No, Bonnie. We need a more exact location than that". Stefan responds.
"That's as close as I can get". The witch said.
"We can map it, aerial view will show us what's around there, help us narrow down the area". Jeremy adds.
"Perfect. Call me with whatever you find". Stefan replies.
"No, no, I'm coming with you!"
"No Jeremy, you're not".
"No, I'm gonna just sit here. What if she's hurt okay?"
Bonnie has a nosebleed but the guys don't see it.
"Or worse? What if she's...?"
"She's not. You two go back to your house just in case. I'll call you the minute I find her"
"Well, you can't do this alone".
Damon arrives.
"He's not. Let's go". Damon says.
"You're coming with me?" Stefan asked his brother.
"It's Elena".
"Who's gonna watch Gracie?"
"I can watch her for you". Jeremy said approaching the brothers.
"Thanks Jeremy we owe you". Stefan said. Stefan then began pushing his brother so he couldn't fight the decision.
Damon's Car
Stefan and Damon are going to Elena's rescue. While Damon drove Stefan noticed his brother is more annoyed.
"What's wrong Damon?" Stefan asked.
"You asked little Gilbert to watch Gracie when he can't even watch himself". Damon replied.
"Ok I didn't ask he offered and it'll be for a little while not forever".
"Anything happens to her it's on him".
"I'm sure he knows that by now".
"Alaric sure likes his weapons". Damon changing the subject.
Stefan has a little bottle with vervain in it in his hands.
"What the hell is that?"
"I don't know, it's a vervain bomb or a grenade launcher or something like that".
"Weird".
"Hey, how much further is it?"
"About 80 miles".
"Who do you think took her?"
"Someone from Katherine's past. She said she was running from someone. They got the wrong girl. Gracie said that Katherine was running from the guy who she thinks is Grace's father".
"Thank you for helping me".
"Can we not do the whole road trip bonding thing? The cliche of it all makes me itch".
"Oh, come on Damon. We both know that you being in this car has absolutely nothing to do with me anyway".
"The elephant in the room lets out a mighty roar".
"Well, it doesn't have to be an elephant. Let's talk about it".
"There's nothing to talk about".
"That's not true. I'm sure there is. Just get it out. I mean, are you in this car because you want to help your little brother save the girl that he loves? Or is it because you love her too? Hmm? We could talk about who took Gracie last night. We could try and find out who her real father is. I mean come on, express yourself. I happen to like road trip bonding".
"Keep it up, Stefan. I can step out of helping as easily as I stepped in".
"No, you see that's the beauty of it. You can't".
Meanwhile
After Jeremy and Bonnie left the high school they began walking to the elementary school.
"Do you think they'll find Elena?" Jeremy asked.
"Of course they will". Bonnie answered.
"How do they do it?"
"Do what?"
"They somehow manage to always keep Grace safe even though they're vampires".
"I think that's it they're vampires, besides look how Damon acts when Grace is hurt or missing. You didn't hear this from me but Damon gets scared when something happens to Grace".
"Damon? Scared? I don't think those two belong in the same sentence."
"She's the closest thing to their humanity Jeremy if anything happened to her, who knows what'll happen to them. Damon will probably go off the ringer and on a rampage".
The two teens finally arrive to the school just as the kids were leaving and Grace came out, when the young girl came out she looked confused when she laid eyes on the teens.
"Hi guys um where are Damon and Stefan?" Grace asked.
"They had to go find Elena". Bonnie answered.
"We'll watch you until they get back". Jeremy said.
"Ok".
As they began walking back to the Gilbert house, Elijah had watched them. Grace looked back and saw then signed for him to follow.
Gilbert Residence
Jeremy is in his bedroom with Bonnie. He's searching for the place on his cell phone. Grace went in the back yard just as Elijah had arrived.
"Alaric just left with Jenna". Bonnie stated.
"He's getting her out of the house for a while so she doesn't ask questions about Elena. Look. I pulled this up based on that spot on the map". Jeremy responded.
He shows her his phone. His 's found a house.
"There's nothing for miles except for this old house".
"Did you send it to Stefan?"
"Yeah. I hate sitting here, waiting like this".
"Hey, she's gonna be fine".
"You don't know that".
"No I don't".
She gets up and rushes over to her handbag. She takes the grimoire and sits on Jeremy's bed with him.
"What are you doing?"
"There's something else I want to try".
"I don't get it. Do you need me to get Grace?"
"I need a candle. Grab Elena's hairbrush. No she still doesn't have control so she's not gonna be able to help".
"Okay, yeah".
Bonnie takes a paper and writes something on it beginning with "Stefan an...". Jeremy grabs Elena's hairbrush and a candle.
"What's all this stuff for?"
"I know it's crazy but I might be able to get her a message".
She crumples the paper and holds it in her hand above the candle and opens it. She closes her eyes to cast the spell. Her nose begins to bleed. Jeremy notices the bleeding and is alarmed.
"Bonnie? Bonnie! Bonnie! Bonnie!"
The paper is burning. Jeremy's tries to stop her but she keeps going. The paper disappears.
"Bonnie".
She smiles and blacks out. She falls backwards unconscious on Jeremy's bed. Jeremy tries to rouse her by shaking her.
"Bonnie! Bonnie! Bonnie!"
Grace kept a look out to make sure nobody was around till Elijah stopped her.
"Relax Grace nobody knows I'm here". Elijah said.
"Do you know anything about Elena disappearing?" She asked.
"No, I don't know anyone by that name".
"C-can I ask you something?"
"Of course you may".
"What's he like?"
"You mean Niklaus".
"Yeah".
"He's a bit hard to get along with at first but once you really get to know him you'll love him. He does get short tempered at times. But I do know one thing".
"What?"
"When you two finally meet I'm sure that you'll win him over. One thing about my brother is he has a soft spot for children we all do but especially him".
"Why".
"That's a long story".
"I got some time to kill"
"It started a thousand years ago...
House
Rose is in a room, alone. Elena joins her.
"Why am I here?" Elena asked.
"You keep asking me these questions like I'm gonna answer them". Rose responded.
"Why won't you?"
"That's another one".
"You got me, okay? It's not like I can go anywhere. The least you can do is tell me what you want with me".
"I personally want nothing; I'm just a delivery service".
"Delivery to who? Elijah?"
"Two points to the eavesdropper".
"Who is he? Is he a vampire?"
"He's one of the vampires, the originals".
"What do you mean the originals?"
"Again with the questions. Haven't the Salvatores been teaching you your vampire history?"
"So you know Stefan and Damon?"
"I know of them. A hundred years back, a friend of mine tried to set me up with Stefan. She said he was one of the good ones. I'm more of a sucker for the bad boys though but I digress".
"Who are the originals?"
"Trevor and I have been running for 500 years. We're tired, we want it over. We're using you to negotiate ourselves out of an old mess".
"But why me?"
"Because you're a Petrova Doppelgänger. You're the key to breaking the curse".
"The curse? The sun and the moon curse?"
"Oh, you do know your history".
"What do you mean I'm the key? The moonstone is what breaks the curse".
"No, the moonstone is what binds the curse. The sacrifice is what breaks it".
"The sacrifice?"
"The blood of the doppelgänger. You're the doppelgänger. Which means, in order to break the curse you're the one who has to die".