AN: I do not own the Vampire Diaries; all rights belong to the CW, Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson, and L.J. Smith, I only own what you don't recognize.

Full Summary: Bulgaria 1492 Katrina and Elizabeth Petrova; identical twins, except for one difference; their eyes. While Katrina had warm brown eyes, Elizabeth had eyes the color of shocking lapis lazul. When Katrina had a child out of wedlock, her family banished her to Europe; not wanting her twin to be alone Elizabeth followed her. Once in England the two easily became English and one of the Lords that resigned there took surprising interest in Katrina's looks and Elizabeth's powers. Modern day; Elena and Aileen Joelle aka A.J. Gilbert exact copies of Katrina and Elizabeth. After the deaths of their parents A.J. fled to a preforming arts school in Boston and Elena stayed home with what remained of her family.

****BY THE WAY ELENA'S THOUGHTS ARE IN BOLD&ITALICS AND A.J.'S ARE IN BOLD!*** (Everyone else's should be in italics)

The Secrets of the Girl

Chapter Thirty-Two

HOMECOMING

A.J. POV

I stood in the doorway of the Salvatores' library, arms crossed as Stefan called Klaus. I could feel Damon's eyes on me but I ignored him. "Your father is dead." Stefan said in a bored tone once Klaus picked up, "Oh my mistake, not your actual father and not dead. Mikael is daggered. What do you want me to do with the body?"

I let out a long sigh as we all waited for Klaus's reply. I met Elena's gaze and held it, seeing if she felt slightly guilty at all towards me. The look on her face was one of warning and distrust; clearly she didn't like me being in the room during this phone call. I rolled my eyes and glared back at my twin, just because I didn't like the plan didn't mean I was going to betray anyone.

One Hour Earlier

Stefan led Elena, Damon, and I into the library as he laid out the plan, "Alright we'll say that Mikael followed Elena and Aileen in here and he tried to grab them so he could use them as bait." Stefan told us.

"And you what vervained him?" Elena asked sarcastically.

I raised an eyebrow, "C'mon Stefan, Mikael is a thousand years old, at least make it believable." I said crossing my arms.

"No, we vervained him, like A said make it realistic." Damon said coming to stand next to me.

"Okay fine, we vervained him and in the process discovered that he had a dagger." Stefan continued.

Elena jumped in, "Which he planned to use on Rebekah but instead-"

"We drove it through his heart." Stefan finished.

I smirked, even when Stefan had no emotions they could be cute, "Awh, look at you two working together." I said causing my twin to glare at me.

"But what happens when he asks to see Mikael's body?" Elena asked pointing out an obvious flaw in the plan.

"Good point. And you, my brother, have been compelled to do what Klaus says, so if the idea is to lure him back here and kill him, the last thing we need is you getting tripped up and tongue tied." Damon said while I took a seat on the couch.

"Well don't look at me, I'm just in charge of getting him here." Stefan replied crossing his arms.

"Klaus is smart, if we tell him that Mikael's dead, he'll want proof." Elena pointed out.

"Then I shall be dead." Michael said entering with his dagger in hand.

Stefan and Elena walked down the stairs and over to him while I adjusted myself into a more comfortable position by pulling my legs up under me. "What if he wants to see you in person?" Elena asked.

"Well then it means our plan is working. Klaus will absolutely want to see my body, you lure him here and I will kill him." Mikael told the four of us.

"With what? Those daggers won't work on him." Stefan pointed out with a raised eyebrow.

"Well I am in possession of a stake fashioned from the wood of the ancient white oak tree, the one that left these ashes when it burned." Mikael answered as he prepared the dagger.

"Where is it?" Damon asked from the railing out of curiosity.

"Not here. You see knowing its location is my insurance policy." Mikael told the younger vampire.

"Against what?" Stefan asked arms crossed.

"You leaving this is my heart." Mikael replied, stepping forward with the dagger, "You see a vampire cannot dagger an Original without dying, so it falls to one of you."

Mikael gestured to Elena and I with the dagger. Elena turned to look at me expectantly and I snorted, "I already told you I wasn't going to be a part of this, go ahead Elena." I told my twin.

Present Time

"Well he's here." Stefan said standing from his chair and walking over to where Mikael's body laid on the ground, "Come by whenever."

There was a pause and everyone waited in suspense as Stefan listened to Klaus, "It's true, saw it with my own eyes." The younger Salvatore reassured Klaus.

Rebekah entered the room and I glared at her. Klaus was her brother and she was going to allow him to be murdered. "That's not a problem she's right here." Stefan said before handing the phone to Rebekah.

"Hello, Nik." She said into the phone.

I pushed off from the doorframe and left the room. I took the stairs two at a time and hurried into Damon's bedroom. I closed the door behind me and flopped on the bed. I ran my hands through my curls, massaging my scalp as I let out a long breath. The bedroom door opened and Damon barged in, "We need to talk." He said angrily.

I sat up immediately on guard and firing back, "About what? Your constant insistence that I join your plan?" I asked just as angrily.

Damon stopped in his tracks, nostrils flaring, "No, you don't get to be angry." He scoffed.

"Why not?" I snapped standing up, "Because I don't want to kill Nik? L-"

"I'm trying to protect you!" Damon yelled clenching his fists.

"From what?!" I yelled back, "Klaus will be dead in a few days, what the hell could you possibly be protecting me from?"

"Your stupid attachment to a monster!" Damon answered, "Aileen, do you remember what he's done? Who he's killed?"

"You've killed people, Damon! You've done it just for the hell of it!" I yelled back, "Yes I have an attachment to him but it's not going to get me killed!"

There was a pause as Damon just glared at me angrily, "You said it wasn't romantic!" He finally yelled.

"Are you serious?" I whispered before letting out a chuckle, "This is about your jealousy?" I snapped.

"Aileen-"

"I don't know how many times you expect me to deny it before you'll believe it-"

"Klaus will be back soon, so just stay out of the way." Damon said before stiffly turning around and walking out of his room.

I flinched at the sound of the door slamming and sank back down onto the bed as I took deep breaths. Damon and I had been fighting more than usual lately and it was beginning to wear on my confidence in what we had…whatever that was these days. My phone rang and I turned my head towards it, staring down at it in debate of whether or not to answer. I blew out a breath and reached over for it, "Hello?" I answered trying to keep the annoyance out of my tone.

"Is it true?" Klaus snapped, "Is what Stefan said true?"

I froze as what was happening became apparent to me. Klaus didn't want to come back until he was 100% sure that this huge lie was the truth and even after the confirmation from his sister he was coming to me, because he trusted me. I closed my eyes tightly as the choice became apparent; sell out Elena, Damon, Stefan and Rebekah or lie to keep up the ruse. "Aileen." Klaus said anger building behind his 'calm' tone.

I swallowed roughly, "Yes, it's true. Mikael is dead." I said closing my eyes as I tried to force my breathing to remain even, "When are you coming home? Rebekah is starting to get anxious." I changed the subject hoping it would momentarily ease my guilt.

"Soon," Klaus said sounding almost cheerful, "I'll be back soon, Ailey."

A grimace graced my lips as I let out a forced chuckle. "I miss you." I admitted feeling almost immediately guilty when I heard a door slam downstairs.

"I'll be home soon. You should get some sleep. Goodnight, Aileen." Klaus said softly.

"Goodnight, Nik." I replied before hanging up.

I flopped back onto the bed and ran my hands over my face, was I really going to be able to sit back and watch him die?

"Yes!" I cheered as I beat Jeremy yet again at Mario Kart.

Jeremy groaned and pulled his hands through his hair, "Why?" He whined tossing the controller away from him.

I laughed and ruffled his hair before grabbing the bag of pretzels by the Wii, "Because you suck." I said matter of factly as I popped a couple of pretzels into my mouth.

Jeremy threw a pillow at me and I dodged it, laughing as I plopped down cross legged on the bed. "Do you need to talk about it?" I asked as Jer began to put away the controllers and game cases.

"About what?" Jeremy asked obliviously.

I leaned back on my hands, "Oh you know, just the elephant in the next room." I said watching as he tensed up before releasing a long breath.

"Aileen, Bonnie's one of your best friends-"

"Not since I got back this summer." I cut him off, raising an eyebrow, "You know she's been avoiding me so spill; tell me all the juicy details." I said offering him a half smile.

Jeremy sighed as he stood up, "A, I know we tell each other everything, but this time…I think I need to figure this out by myself." He said as he turned to face me.

I froze as I realized what he was saying. Jeremy was growing up, soon he wasn't going to need me and he'd leave and get a job, and a family, and only call every other Sunday just to make sure everyone was still breathing. Jeremy grew up over the summer, he started working out and yet again I wasn't here to watch him mature. I swallowed thickly as I processed everything and stood up, "Gotcha." I said offering a smile, "I'm gonna head over to Damon's…I need to figure out where I'm supposed to not be tonight."

I quickly left the room, shutting the door behind me. I guess everything did change while I was gone.

I parked my car outside the old house and made my way inside. I followed Damon and Elena's thoughts up to his room and slowly but silently pushed open the door to the bedroom. "There are too many things that can go wrong with this plan, too many people that could make it go wrong." Elena said as I entered the room.

"Like me?" I asked crossing my arms.

Elena spun to face me, "A.J. you know that's not what I meant, I-"

"Don't lie to her, Elena, you know she can tell if you are." Damon said while keeping his attention on the wolvesbane grenades.

"So that's a yes." I said rolling my eyes as I made my way to the bedside table, "Good to know."

"Of course it's a yes! You're the one running around and proclaiming your love for the damn hybrid." Damon said as I opened the drawer, "The least you could do is try not to feed our suspicions and late night phone calls don't exactly scream innocent."

I grabbed my necklace out of the drawer and slammed it closed, "I didn't come here to fight." I spat, clasping my necklace around my neck.

Elena looked between us worriedly, "Obviously you did since that's all that ever happens when you're here." He said emotionlessly.

A lump formed in my throat as the fight left me and I stared at the man who claimed to love me, "I just came for my necklace, Damon." I said watching the way his eyes snapped up to meet mine as my voice broke, "If I'm really that much of a problem I'll move the rest of my stuff back home."

Elena took a step towards me, "I'm gonna get a nap in before Caroline comes over to do my hair, okay 'Lena?" I said steeling my voice and swallowing the lump.

My twin nodded as she watched me, her brown eyes full of confusion and worry.

I left as quickly as I could. I was serious about that nap, fighting with Damon as much as I had been was tiring me out not just emotionally. It made my entire body sag and I wasn't so sure of how much more I could take of it. For some reason I had agreed to Elena's wanting to get ready at the Salvatore's so I was stuck here until Care showed up to do my hair. I walked into the library and plopped myself down on the couch. I closed my eyes and breathed out letting my body relax, maybe I could actually get some sleep while I waited for Caroline.

"Aileen! Aileen! C'mon wake up so I can get you ready!"

I woke to Caroline shaking me and groaned as I blinked at her, "Give me a sec." I said as she pulled me to my feet, making my head spin.

"We have exactly 3 hours until the dance and it's gonna take at least one to do your hair." Care said as she pulled me up the stairs at vampire speed and pushed me into the room that had been declared as mine. Caroline sat me in front of the vanity that already had a splay of products across it. Caroline shut the door, and hung my dress in its dress bag on the back. I watched as she hurried over to me and began brushing out my hair, "So are you okay?" She asked brushing as thoroughly as humanly possible.

"What do you mean?" I asked meeting her eyes in the mirror with my confused ones.

Caroline let out a short, don't give me that crap, sigh and tapped her foot as she reached for the hairspray and curling wand. "You haven't napped since we were in kindergarten, A. What's up?" She said with that all knowing tone of hers.

I sighed, "Did Elena text you?" I asked looking down at my manicure nails.

"That and I'm your best friend, things haven't been the same for a couple days." Caroline said as she went to work on shaping my curls.

I closed my eyes tightly for a moment before opening them again, "We're fighting, Care, badly." I admitted biting my lip.

"Over Klaus?" She asked hesitantly, "Hold your breath." She instructed as she began to spray over my hair.

Caroline put down the can and I released my breath, finally able to reply, "It started over Nik. Damon thinks I have…feelings…for him." I explained, holding her gaze in the mirror.

Care dropped my gaze as she put down the curling wand and picked up the elastics and a hand full of bobby pins, "Do you?" She asked as she began tugging on my hair.

I let out a breath, "Does it even matter? He's probably not coming back, Caroline." I said as Care starting adding braids to the mix.

I had to remind myself that Caroline didn't know about the plan and that she wasn't allowed to no matter what I wanted. "How's Tyler?" I asked changing to subject swiftly as she began pinning my hair up.

"Besides the fact that he's a vampire now?" Caroline said through the bobby pins grasped in her teeth.

"Care." I said with a groan and raising my eyebrows.

"Are you asking me about the vampire sex?" She asked faking coy as she sprayed my hair over for the last time.

I giggled, "Hun, I think you're forgetting that he's a hybrid. Besides I already know about vampire sex." I said trying to keep a straight face as I began applying my makeup.

Caroline dissolved into giggles, me quickly following as I gazed at my best friend. Caroline finally straightened herself up and walked over to my dress bag, "Well what do you want to know?" She asked with a wink.

Caroline laced up my dress, the bodice was corset style with about a million different colored sequins covering the black material of the dress. The layered sheer skirt ended just above my mid-thigh and I ran my hand over the material as Caroline finished up the back of my dress. "You look absolutely amazing." She said grinning at me as I turned to face her, "Which means I have to go get ready and wait for Tyler to pick me up."

I grinned and hugged her, "Thanks Care, now go stun that boy." I said shoving her towards the door.

"Bye, Ailey!" She called over her shoulder.

I left the door open as I walked back over to the mirror and began putting in my earrings and clasping my bracelets around my right wrist. I grabbed my black pumps and slipped them on. I looked myself over in the mirror once more before heading up to Rebekah's room. My heels tapped against the ground as I hurried to her room. I pushed open her door, "Bekah I-"

I trailed off as I stepped into Rebekah's room and saw Damon and Elena sitting on the bed. Their eyes snapped up to meet mine and I looked at them with confusion, "What are you doing in here? Where's…" I trailed off yet again as I saw the tarp draped over what was obviously a body.

They daggered her, after they had gotten Rebekah to trust in them they stabbed her right in the back, literally. Elena stood up and stepped over the body, "Aileen it was too much of a risk, we couldn't just-"

"What? Let her have a fun time at a high school dance? Or let me be friends with an Original?" I asked her coldly, stopping her in her tracks.

"That's an amazing dress." Elena complimented as Damon remained silent on the bed, staring at me with calculating eyes.

"Thank you." I said with a roll of my eyes, "Damon I'm going to the dance, no matter what you say or do and afterwards I am serious about moving back into my house. I am sick and tired of fighting with you and until you stop being such a dick, I suggest you stay the hell away from me." I snapped turning on my heel and strutting out of the room.

3rd Person POV

Aileen marched out, shoulders taunt leaving Damon and Elena in Rebekah's room. Elena sat back down on the bed with a sigh, "Why are you fighting with her?" She asked Damon, concerned for her sister's 'relationship'.

"It's all part of the plan." Damon said simply.

Elena looked at him with confusion, "Making my sister want to stake you is 'all part of the plan'? What plan would that be?" She asked him.

Damon looked over at her, "You're not going to like it." He told her.

Elena raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean?" She asked still confused.

Damon sighed and clasped her knee, "When all of this goes down, I don't want either of you to have any part in it." He said sternly.

A.J. POV

"Hello?" I asked answering my phone as I drove to the high school.

"Change of plans." Caroline announced sounding utterly peeved, "Homecoming is at Tyler's now."

I winced, "What happened exactly?" I dared to ask.

"If I have to recount it I seriously might lose it." Caroline said angrily, "I'll see you at the keg and beer pong homecoming."

She ended the call and I placed my phone on the dash. I quickly made a very illegal u turn and hurried to Tyler's house eager to see what had pissed Caroline off so freaking bad. I pulled into a free patch of grass and got out of my car. I heard the band as I walked up to Tyler's house and crinkled my eyebrows in confusion. "What the hell?" I asked under my breath as I noticed all of the people congregated inside.

I quickly grabbed a beer but didn't drink it as I examined all of the strangers' faces. I noticed the dazed look in their eyes and mine widened just a fraction. Nik was here and was using Tyler to hold a wake, I realized suddenly. I made my way out back, seeing a band I didn't recognize jamming out on the stage. I spotted Stefan and began to make my way over only to be stopped when Nik appeared in front of me with a grin, "What the hell is going on?" I hissed taking a step closer to the Original.

Klaus's expression changed, him dropping his smile, "And here I was thinking that we were going to have a nice reunion, you know, without all of the accusations?" He said looking slightly peeved.

I sighed and smiled, "I am glad you're back." I said reaching out to touch his forearm, "I just don't recognize any of these people." I gazed around us examining the way the strangers were acting.

My face scrunched in confusion, "That's right figure it out." Klaus whispered next to my ear.

I looked them all over, the way their backs were pin rod straight, examining the teens among them with a disdainful expression. I honed my senses and concentrated on one woman with short black spiky hair, penetrating the wall of compulsion and-"Hybrids." I breathed eyes wide, "Why are they here?" I asked turning to face him.

"To ensure my safety." Klaus said simply a he placed a hand on my waist, sending a jolt up my spine.

I smiled up at him and nudged him with my hip, "Hey, lighten up. Nobody's going to try anything, okay? Not as long as I'm here." I told him making him smile softly.

"I'd better go find Elena though, she's been texting me for the past half hour nonstop." I said with a chuckle before slowly making my way inside.

I followed Elena's texts up the stairs and into the lounge room, which was empty. "Elena?" I called, walking further into the room.

The door slammed shut and I whirled around to face Elizabeth dressed identically to me. "What are you doing here?" I snapped in angry confusion, "Where's Elena?"

"At home, where you should be." Elizabeth said taking a few steps farther inside the room, "Damon called me, said he needed help taking down Klaus."

At my worried look towards the door Elizabeth chuckled, "Don't worry, we're soundproofed." She said sitting down on the love seat and crossing her legs, "I see you're making my old mistakes. First Damon, now Klaus, my love life just keeps repeating."

"You forgot Elijah." I fired back raising an eyebrow as her anger flared, "What? Worried I'll go after him next?" I asked as she smoothed over her facial expression.

Elizabeth grinned, "You love them both; Damon and Klaus. Damon knows it, I can tell, he's somehow hotter when he's jealous." She said standing up.

Elizabeth's face suddenly became stoic, "My advice is to get away from both while you still can, believe me," She paused with a faraway look on her face, "A love triangle that powerful will be the death of you."

I opened my mouth to say that I wasn't her but she grabbed me and stabbed a syringe into my neck. I made a strangled noise of protest as my vision faded to black and I slumped against her.

3rd Person POV

Klaus approached Elena, who was standing watching across the crowd at the band. "Where's your date?" He asked making her bristle.

"Getting me a drink." She replied, obviously uncomfortable.

Klaus offered her his beer and got a scathing look in return. Klaus grinned, "Seems I have you to thank for Mikael's demise." He said.

"He came at me, I didn't have a choice." Elena replied stiffly.

"Still I'm impressed, it's not easy for a human to dagger an Original." Klaus said looking for her to slip up and give away a lie.

Elena looked at him, sensing his suspicion, "It wasn't the first time." She covered smoothly.

"Right, Elijah." Klaus said chuckling.

"Elizabeth." Elena hissed through their link.

"Coming, had to lock the room." Elizabeth replied quickly as Elena looked around nervously.

Klaus followed her gaze and upon seeing nothing gazed at her with a smirk, "You seem nervous." He inquired.

"Don't forget she calls him Nik." Elena reminded Elizabeth through their link.

"Barf." Came the reply with mental laughter.

"I'm not nervous, I just don't like you." Elena replied snarkily.

Klaus's smirk dropped, "Well I'll get straight to the point then; shall I love? People have been after me for a thousand years and I am always one step ahead. So whatever it is you're thinking of trying, go for it, give it your best shot, you won't succeed." Klaus told her, his lips tugging up into a small smile.

"It won't be for lack of trying." Elena said trying to move past him only to be thwarted in her attempt.

Klaus held her off, "Now you'd be smart to tell Damon to mind his manners tonight, because if I die, I've already ensured that he'll die along with me. Even in death my hybrids have their orders so you kill me, you're killing him too." He explained, smirk firmly in place.

"Hey what are we talking about?" Aileen appeared with a smile as she looped her arm through Elena's.

Klaus smiled at her, "Nothing love, just making sure that you're friends aren't plotting again." He stated casually.

Aileen peered over at Elena, "Good thing nobody's planned anything then right, 'Lena?" She said nudging her twin.

"Right." She agreed smiling back at her twin.

"Looks like I found Elena before you, Ailey." Klaus stated with a genuine smile at the psychic.

Aileen sighed with feigned tiredness, "I got caught up with Bonnie; she finally managed to escape Caroline." She said smiling back.

Klaus's eyes darted between the twins before he took a step closer to Aileen and placed a hand on her waist, "I'll leave you girls to talk then." He said placing a kiss on Aileen's cheek and walking off.

"Ailey?" Elizabeth asked in disbelief through the link.

"Gross." Katherine commented.

Elizabeth sensed it as Damon entered the house and turned to her twin, "Damon's here." She told Katherine.

"Stefan's not back though, we need him." Katherine replied.

Out loud she smiled, "Go on then, I'll see you later."

Elizabeth smiled back before walking off, "Get to Stefan quickly, and make him feel something, anything." She said before climbing up the steps to the mayor's office with vampire speed once she was out of sight.

Elizabeth barged in to see Bonnie and Damon with Tyler slumped against the wall. "Aileen is taken care of." She stated as she closed the door.

Bonnie glared at her with disgust making Elizabeth grin. "Good, everything else ready?" Damon asked ignoring the tension.

"Everyone's ready yes." Elizabeth replied, "Klaus thinks there is a plan but he has no idea what." She said into their minds, wary of the hybrids loitering the house.

"Good." Damon replied, brushing off his guilt about Aileen, "Now let's go, Mikael will be here any minute." He whispered.

Damon exited the room leaving Bonnie and Elizabeth staring at each other. Bonnie's look was one of disgust and rage while Elizabeth's was full of amusement. "I'd be careful on who you judge, little Bennet, not everything is black and white." She said with a smirk.

"Nothing can excuse what you and your sister have done in your 500 years." Bonnie spat with clenched fists.

Elizabeth chuckled, "I'll give it until the end of the year, Aileen will be just like me in no time." Elizabeth said with a smirk, "You'll see."

"Aileen is nothing like you." Bonnie spat talking a step closer to the doppelgänger.

Elizabeth grinned, "But she is. Damon and Klaus will be the death of her, just like Klaus and Elijah were for me." She said turning to leave, "You'll see."

Klaus approached the doorway as the party-goers were moved out back, coming face to face with his 'father'. "Hello Niklaus." Mikael said with disdain.

"Hello Mikael." He replied evenly, "Won't you come in? Oh that's right, I forgot, you can't."

"Well you could come outside if you want." Mikael dared him.

"Or I could watch my hybrids tear you limb from limb." Klaus said as they gathered behind Mikael.

Klaus knew what this meant, he'd been lied to which he knew was inevitable with this group, but Aileen going along with it was a low blow. "They can't kill me." Mikael stated sounding bored.

"True." Klaus said putting on a calculating mask, "But it'd make for a hell of a party game. All I have to do is rub these two fingers together," He raised his fingers feeling victorious, "And they'll pounce."

Mikael wore an amused expression, "The big bad wolf, you haven't changed. Still hiding behind your playthings, like a coward. Don't you forget they may be sired by you but they're still part vampire, and they can be compelled by me." He said as Mindy appeared with a struggling Aileen.

Aileen was thrust into Mikael's arms as Klaus's expression dropped and he was faced with a choice. "Come out and face me Niklaus or she dies." Mikael stated tightening his grip.

"Go ahead." Klaus said not believing he would do it, "Kill her."

Aileen froze in her struggling, her eyes widening, "Nik." She whimpered, "He'll do it, Nik. He'll do it."

Klaus's eyes met hers and saw her seriousness, making her smirk fall. "If she dies, you will be alone, Niklaus. If she dies the Salvatores will put the other into hiding and this lot," He gestured to the hybrids, "Will be the last of your abominations."

"I don't need them, I just need to be rid of you." Klaus barked.

"To what end, Niklaus? So you can live forever with no one at your side? Nobody cares about you anymore, boy. Not even this one." He shook Aileen slightly as she gazed at Klaus with pleading eyes. "Who do you have, other than whose loyalty you've forced? No one. No one."

"I'm calling your bluff, father. "Klaus said with angry tears in his eyes, "Kill her."

Aileen closed her eyes tightly before reopening them, "Come outside and face me you little coward and I won't have to." Mikael shot back.

"My whole life you've underestimated me. If you kill her you lose your leverage so go ahead. Go on, c'mon old man, kill her. KILL HER!" Klaus demanded.

Mikael chuckled, "Ah, your impulse, Niklaus, it has always and will forever be the one thing that keeps you from truly being great." Mikael said before swiftly pulling out a dagger and stabbing Aileen in her back.

The psychic's body arched as the dagger was twisted around and she gasped for air, tears coming to her eyes as she tried to breathe. Mikael pulled the dagger out after one last twist and let her fall to the floor to die. Klaus gripped the doorway, knuckles white, as he gasped, staring down at Aileen's unmoving body. Damon turned him around stabbing him with the stake but missing his heart. Klaus roared in disbelief and pain as Damon flipped him onto his back. Aileen stood up wearing a familiar smirk, "Elizabeth." He hissed as the doppelgänger turned around and set off the grenades in her hands.

"Kaboom." She said throwing them at the hybrids.

Damon ripped the stake out and was going in for the kill just as Stefan barreled into him, holding him down and forcing him to drop the stake. Klaus picked it up as Elizabeth disappeared and tackled Mikael back onto the patio. The stake was plunged into Mikael's chest and the Original burst into flame. "What the hell did you do?" Damon growled at Stefan as Klaus reentered the house and Stefan stood up.

"He's earned his freedom." Klaus stated.

Stefan faced him, "Thank you my friend. You no longer have to do as I say. You're free." Klaus released his compulsion.

Stefan shut his eyes tightly and looked back for Damon who had dispersed.

A.J. POV

I groaned as I woke up in the Lockwood's lounge room. I sat up quickly, remembering all that had happened with Elizabeth. I put my head in my hands as dizziness over took me, groaning again. The door opened but I kept my head in my hands, waiting out the dizzy spell. "Good to know that you're up." Damon's voice said.

I snapped my head up to glare at him, "You had Elizabeth DRUG me?" I yelled standing up to march over to him.

"You were a risk, what can I say, it was the most effective way to get you out of the picture." Damon said crossing his arms.

"So you had my doppelgänger drug me?" I yelled throwing him back into the wall, "And not even because of my safety, but because of your damn plan?"

I wanted to punch him, I wanted to stake him on the spot as he struggled to stand back up, I was furious. "You're the biggest jackass I know right now, you're worse than Stefan and he doesn't even have emotions, Damon! You couldn't just have had me stay home with Elena?" I yelled, "You let me go through the night thinking I could have a semi normal homecoming just to do this?"

Damon held up his hands, "Aileen, please just let me explain." He said trying to calm me down.

"Was that what all the fighting was about? You…you…" I trailed off as I locked eyes with him, my initial anger leaving me as I saw his facial expression, "Damon this is confusion and disappointment. I'm disappointed, Damon." I said softly.

"I'm sorry." He said stroking my skin with his thumb, "The plan failed, I shouldn't have put you through that, I'm sorry."

I let what he said sink in, the plan failed, Nik was alive, but now Damon was in danger of Nik's wrath. "How- why? What happened?" I asked as Damon dropped his hand from my face to run it through his hair.

"Stefan stepped in, Klaus promised him his freedom, so he betrayed us." Damon explained.

"Where's Stefan now?" I asked, confused.

Damon sighed, "Probably ran for the hills just like Katherine and Elizabeth." He said bitterly.

I sighed and took Damon's hands, "Let's get home, we need to tell Elena the news." I said, Damon quickly nodding in agreement.

I came out of the bathroom, towel drying my hair. I had chosen to sleep at my house with Jeremy tonight like I said I would, in an attempt to block out the crazy but I decided to shower at the Salvatores and wait for Elena to calm Damon down before I left. I walked over to the vanity and pulled my towel away from my hair, brushing it back to see the small circular bruise the syringe had left on my neck. "Did you know?" Nik's voice came from behind me making me jump.

"Jesus." I gasped turning around to see him propped against the bed.

"Did. You. Know." Nik growled, "I won't repeat it again."

"About the plan you mean?" I asked swallowing thickly, "I knew there was one yes but that's all I knew."

Nik gazed at me his anger pushing out from behind his mask of calm, "And why didn't you tell me?" He asked raising an eyebrow.

"I couldn't rat Elena out." I said truthfully, "Besides I knew you would make it out."

"How?" Nik asked curiously as he pushed off my bed and took a step closer to me.

I swallowed again, keeping my eyes on his, "You always do." I stated with a shrug as his fingers skimmed my waist.

I was suddenly very aware that I was only in an oversized sleep shirt from Victoria's Secret as I felt the warmth of his fingers through the cotton. "When did Elizabeth replace you?" He asked his face inches from mine.

"Right after I talked to you." I said keeping my gaze on his hand trying not to concentrate on the proximity of his body to mine.

Klaus hmmed as his other hand came up to play with a strand of my wet hair. "Are you leaving then?" I asked boldly, gripping the vanity behind me to keep myself rooted in reality.

"I'm not sure yet." He answered, nose skimming mine.

I covered the hand on my waist with my own, "Stay." I said as heat raced through my veins.

His eyes snapped up to meet mine with intensity and his hand moved from playing with one strand of hair to tangle through all of it. "A.J.!" Elena yelled knocking on my door, "I'm ready to go!"

I swallowed, "Okay I'll finish getting dressed and meet you at the car!" I called back hoping that my voice sounded normal.

Nik placed a lingering kiss on my cheek that sent fire straight to the pit in my stomach, "I'll take it into consideration." He whispered with a smirk before disappearing.

I slumped against the vanity, letting out a shaky breath. "God, I'm over my head." I breathed out, picking up my brush to run it through my hair in an attempt to calm myself.

AN: Hey!

I'm not even going to guess how long its been but I hope that this makes up for it!

Junior year is insane and pulling me in each and every way! I also got injured during cross country so I've been juggling my treatments for that on top of trying to get an A in chemistry! I love all of you that have stuck by the story and kept trying to get me to update! Really it means a lot! I'm going to go watch The New Deal again and make notes so that I can begin writing the chapter, I hope it will be up within a couple of weeks!

Review to let me know I still have readers!

-ConflictingLoyalties563;D