The High School
The house was quiet as Alex sat at the kitchen island nursing her third cup of black coffee as she flipped through another book. After leaving the bridge, she had driven home, trying to avoid thinking too much about a particular original vampire. Elijah had provided her comfort and allowed her to see things a bit clearer. She still regrated everything that had occurred, but she understood that what she had done wasn't cold blood murderer. It didn't hurt any less but, it had happened, there was no changing that.
What was freaking Alex out even more though was what had actually happened between her and Elijah, he had caressed her cheek and hand. He had been kind to her, and her body had reacted in an unfamiliar way. Even her mind wasn't repulsed by the idea of him touching her again, but why. For the past five years, vampires had been the most disgusting and unimaginable thing to her, but Elijah Mikealson's presence seemed to give her a sense of peace, comfort and safety; the complete opposite of what a vampire's presence should do.
When she had arrived home, Elena had gone to bed, and James was sitting in the kitchen. He had greeted her with a hug and a kiss. Typically, such a greeting would have her feeling safe and comforted. But the hug felt wrong and kissing James didn't have the same spark.
Everything was weird and Alex was desperate for something to happen to distract her. With the next step unclear, burying herself in books seemed like a great plan. She had tried to sleep but found herself unable to sleep more than a few hours. By three am, she was in the kitchen with a cup of coffee flipping through books. Elena and James were both up by 7; Elena had showered, dressed, had a quick breakfast and headed to school, promising to message between every class. James had also showered, flipped through books with her for an hour before he got called away by Renee. He left with a promise to be back later and a kiss on the cheek, that once again didn't feel right.
Alex had been left alone to wallow in her thoughts and try to find the best option for stopping Klaus. At one point, she had forced herself to take a break, shower and eat something. By ten, she had gone through so many books, it was a blur. Her phone ringing was a welcome distraction.
"Hello?" she said, nothing bothering to glance for a caller ID.
"Alexandra, you sound tired. Did our dance last night leave you a little worn out?" The hearty chuckle sent a chill through Alex.
"Klaus." Alex was going to find him and destroy him.
He hummed on the other line and said, "I enjoyed our time together so much that I thought you may be interested in round two."
Alex hissed. "I'm not going to play your game."
He snickered. "Yes, you are. Because I have Elena, Bonnie, and Matt all trapped in the high school and time is ticking."
"What do you want?" snapped Alex.
He said, "Come to the school alone. Don't think about bringing Elijah or your boy toy witch that was with you last night. For every hour you take to arrive, I kill someone you care about."
The call disconnected, and Alex felt sick. She took a deep breath. He knew about Elijah, but he hadn't mentioned Mikael. Opening her phone, she called him.
"Yes, Miss Gilbert?" said Mikael.
"Klaus is at the high school. Holding my siblings and their friends hostage." No time to lose, Alex just needed his help.
"Is he still inside the high school teacher?" Mikael asked.
"How'd you know that?" she questioned.
He chuckled. The sound was so similar to Klaus that she shivered. "I have been keeping an eye on you Miss Gilbert. You seemed rather chummy with my son last night." The judgement rolled off his words.
Alex's stomach twisted. The creepy fucker had been watching her. "I have an arrangement with Elijah."
"Of course." His tone led Alex to believe that he didn't think that was all it was. It didn't matter though.
"Just get to the school. If we can get him out of Alaric, we are one step closer to killing him." The call disconnected and Alex frowned. Fucking vampires were driving her crazy. She headed out the door, grabbed her bag as she passed and drove as fast as she could to the school.
The school car park was empty except for three familiar cars. Elena's, Bonnie's and Matt's truck. Where was the rest of the school? Alex climbed out of the car and a blonde blur appeared in front of her. "Alex, thank god."
Alex asked, "Caroline, where is everyone?"
Caroline said, "Klaus got his witchy friends to cast a spell. Everyone just got up and left, the only ones not affected was me, Stefan, Bonnie, Matt, Tyler, Elena and Jeremy."
Alex scowled. "Where are they?"
"Klaus has them in the history classroom. Tyler is with Stefan, they are trying to find a way to get them out."
"I may be able to help with that."
Alex turned to look at Mikael. He leant against a tree casually like it was a typical day. "You came," she said.
He smirked. "You doubted that I would?"
"What can I say, my trust in vampires in minimal," she remarked.
"Where is Niklaus?" he asked.
"History classroom. But he isn't alone. There is a witch with him," said Caroline.
Alex sighed. "We've met. Caroline, stay out here. I know you want to help but you will just get in the way."
Caroline nodded.
"May I suggest, Miss Gilbert if you could distract Niklaus I will be able to surprise him," said Mikael.
"You can't kill him, he is still inside Alaric," cried Caroline.
"Collateral damage." Mikael disappeared.
"Alex, please."
Alex nodded. "I'll do my best. But we can't save everyone." Alex turned away from Caroline and headed into the school.
Walking down the halls, nothing had changed. Alex remembered her years at the high school like they had just happened. They had once carried the illusion of happiness and popularity, but now all the walls held was a reminder of how sheltered her life had been. Her feet carried her to the history classroom and she came face to face with Klaus standing in the hallway. Alaric's arm gripped Elena's and his face was twisted into a smirk.
"You were quick." Klaus smiled. "And you follow instructions, well done."
"Let them go." Alex took a deep breath, ready to take action.
"Not so fast. You have something I want and I have something you want. I propose an exchange." Klaus pushed Elena into the classroom and the door slammed shut. The magic shook from the door. Klaus' witch was inside.
"What do you want?" asked Alex.
"The moonstone."
Alex frowned. Of course. It was the one thing he needed to break the curse. He knew where the doppelganger was, he could quickly get a vampire or a werewolf, but the moonstone was the last piece. "I don't have it." It was the truth, she didn't. But James did.
"You know where it is though. Katherina was the last one to possess it, and since she is no longer with us, it is simply to believe that it is now in your possession or you have given it to someone." Klaus took a step towards her. "From my recent observations, you are a very clever young woman and so I know that you wouldn't have kept it on you. Couldn't risk it falling into my hands if I caught you." He took another step. "So, who did you give it too? The boyfriend?"
Alex couldn't deny that he was intelligent. You didn't survive for a thousand years without being able to read people and understand how they work. "It will take some time for him to get it."
Klaus frowned. "Well, tick-tock. Hour is almost up and if I don't have it, I may get a little murder happy."
Alex glared at him. No one was going to die except him. "I don't think so." She placed her foot firmly on the ground and yelled out," Descendit!" Klaus was thrown to the ground and he groaned. "I may not be able to kill you, but your human body makes you weak."
"He was always weak."
Klaus' eyes grew wide as he heard Mikael speak.
Mikael stepped up beside him and said, "In a thousand years you would have thought that they may have become a man. But no, instead you are still a coward. Hiding behind human hostages rather than facing your enemy head-on. Pathetic."
"Oh yes, insult me, father. A thousand years of your disappointment means nothing to me anymore. I no longer care what you think of me," snapped Klaus.
Mikael shook his head. "You are an eternal child. One I will be pleased to wipe off the earth, but you'll need to be back in your body for that."
Before Alex could stop him, Mikael snapped Klaus' neck and therefore snapping Alaric's neck. Alex gasped and her magic snapped back. Alaric's body slumped to the ground and Mikael stood back up. "Do we know where Klaus would be keeping his body?"
Alex frowned. "Why did you do that?"
Mikael frowned. "I can't kill him when he is in the body of another."
"Alaric was innocent."
"As I said, collateral damage."
Alex stepped forward and threw Mikael across the hall. Her magic pushed him through the air and through the double doors. Alex approached Alaric's body and knelt down beside him. His neck twisted at an awkward angle. She placed her hand on his back and sighed. Human's dying was an unfortunate consequence, but Jenna had been fond of Alaric. The extent of her aunt's feelings was unclear to her, but she was going to come home and find out that he was dead. That wasn't fair to anyone.
The double doors flew open and Mikael glared at her. "I have no issue killing you as well, witch."
Alex returned the look. "And I, you." She stood up. "Klaus is most likely hiding his body at Alaric's apartment. Why don't you go and see if you can find him?"
Mikael didn't speak. He sneered and disappeared.
Alex rubbed her neck and then heard a crack from inside the classroom. Alex jumped and then quickly forced the door open. Inside, Elena was standing behind Stefan, Bonnie was on the other side with Matt, Caroline stood in front of them, and Tyler standing over the slumped body of the witch.
Alex frowned. "What happened?"
Tyler was standing there looking at his hands. "I—I just…" He didn't finish. He shook his head and ran out of the door.
"Tyler, wait," Caroline called out, before chasing after him.
"Tyler killed him," said Matt. "Just snapped his neck."
Alex closed her eyes and took a breath. Another dead witch. She tried to ignore the dread returning and looked at Elena. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Elena nodded. She reached out and pulled Alex into a hug. "I'm getting sick of being kidnapped."
Alex couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sure you are. But sadly, I don't think it will be the last."
"As long as you don't get sick of saving me."
Alex squeezed her. "Never."
"What happened with Klaus?" asked Stefan.
Alex sighed. "Mikael snapped his neck."
The eyes in the room grew large. "But, Alaric?" said Elena.
Alex turned and walked back out of the room. The group followed and they all saw the slumped and twisted body that once was Alaric.
"Oh, no." Elena stepped forward and knelt down beside him.
"I'm sorry," said Alex.
They stood silent for a moment. No one was sure what to do next. It was clear to Alex that Alaric had meant something to them. She had hardly known the man, wasn't even sure if she had met the real him. She still didn't know how long Klaus had been in him.
A loud gasp startled everyone as Alaric suddenly shot up gasping for air. Elena jumped back. They all stared at him, frightened.
Alex stepped forward, how the hell was he alive?
