Hello hello! Yes, it's me. Sorry this update took a hot minute, my new schedule is absolutely killing me. Anyway, this is my last night off, then I'm back to work for another three shifts, all twelve hours, so this should hopefully hold you guys over. This is chapter where I've started laying the foundation for Val and Elijah. In a few more chapters, I'll get started on Kol, and finally, Klaus. Then, I'll let you all read and decide who you like better. Just keep in mind, however, I do get the final say. But, I hope this chapter full of sexual tension keeps you guys happy till the next update! Enjoy!


Freddie Mercury's voice accompanied the pounding beat as her sneakers slapped the asphalt, his name sake with four legs panting along next to her with his tongue lolled out a dopey smile on his face. No matter how much it exhausted the little puppy, running with her was Freddie's favorite.

The sun was just cresting over the horizon, surrounding the world around her with pale morning light. Her chest was heaving and her legs aching, but she was in her last half mile. Digging deep, she whistled at Freddie and tugged the leash gently, urging him into a sprint as she sped up as well.

Just to the tree…

As soon as she hit her mark, her body seemed to realize it, and she slowed as she doubled over, hands on her knees, panting. Freddie laid down beside her, little chest heaving up and down as they both recovered from the runners high. Finally, after several minutes, she stood, taking another deep breath, and tugged her friend's leash.

"Alright, bud, let's go. I've got work today."


GENERAL P.O.V: MIKAELSON MANSION

The five Mikaelson siblings being all under one roof again and behaving like a 'traditional' family was…weird.

And tense.

They were all getting ready for the ball. Finn and Kol were being measured, wearing their tuxes, and having them altered as they both attempted to get used to modern fashion. Rebekah sat lounging on the couch, a compelled nail technician painting her fingernails with a clear polish to finish the manicure. Elijah was buffing his own shoes and reviewing his tux, as well, when Kol spoke up, looking at his younger sister through the mirror in front of him.

"Rebekah, tell me how handsome I look."

The blonde looked up and smirked, shaking her head. "You know I can't be compelled, Kol."

Elijah and Finn were both chuckling at their younger brothers face when Klaus came storming into the room, a vein popping out of his forehead as he approached Rebekah.

"You went after the doppelganger? What is wrong with you?"

The youngest Mikaelson merely looked up and smirked, muttering, "Here we go." Her older brother continued, face tight with fury.

"Do you want another dagger in your heart?" He threatened her, but Kol interjected, waving the tailor away.

"Again with the dagger threats? Don't you have any other tricks?"

"Oh, go back to staring at yourself." Klaus sneered at his younger brother, but Kol was far from done; he'd been in a state of death/sleep for the past one hundred years, and he was desperate for some fun.

"And who are you, my father?"

"No," Klaus growled, having reached his limit, and turned around to fully face his brother. "But you're in my house."

"Then perhaps we should go outside." Kol responded, standing to meet his halfway. But a female voice interrupted them, stopping everyone in their tracks.

"Enough!"

Esther Mikaelson stood in the doorway, now looking more like a modern woman than she had a few days ago. A haircut and a compelled stylist had seen to that. Despite the family being over a thousand years old and having unimaginable abilities, both brothers broke apart under their mother's strict gaze, looking almost sheepish. "Niklaus," she ordered, gently but firmly, "come."

Kol shot an irritating smirk at his brother as he left, before turning back to his siblings. "Well, it's still just as fun to piss him off, isn't it?"

"Behave yourself, Kol, mother would be furious if we started a fight." Elijah warned his younger brother off-handedly, still focused on his shoes. The youngest surviving brother turned to him, eyebrows raised.

"Speaking of fights, when were any of you going to mention to us that a Rodriguez was living here?" He motioned to himself and Finn, "Do we need to remember what happened in Rome?"

Rebekah snorted as she reviewed her manicure, "Trust me, Kol, I don't think any of us need reminding." Then she looked over at Finn, grimacing. "Except Finn, sorry."

The light-haired, eldest child merely rolled his eyes before speaking. "I actually find myself siding with Kol on this matter; Elijah, you know them better than most. I'm surprised we've gone this long without having our water supply poisoned or threatened with another severed head."

"Trust me, this Rodriguez is not like the rest." Elijah told them firmly, looking up from his work. "For one, she's the only one of her family here that I'm aware of; I did some digging and discovered she has half siblings, but she is the last Rodriguez child." He paused, then added, "As far as we know."

"Well, it's obvious she's taken father's blood." Kol told them darkly, "And we all know how that turns out in the end."

"Trust me," Rebekah jumped in, "she's just as stubborn, vindictive, and temperamental as all the ones before her, but she's not quite as," the blonde paused, searching for the right word, "blood thirsty."

"Well, I guess we'll just have to meet her tonight." Kol announced, sitting down in the armchair. "So, what's the little wildcats name, then?"

"Valentina." Elijah answered, looking distracted, and both Rebekah and Kol rolled their eyes, snorting. Elijah looked up, eyes coming back into focus, and looked affronted. "What?"

"Of all the women in the world, Elijah, you fancy a Rodriguez?" Finn finally spoke up, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. His younger brother shook his head.

"I do not fancy her," he denied, (rather vehemently), "I just want to ensure that we do not have to kill another Rodriguez hunter. It's been about a thousand years of cat and mouse between us, them, and father. Now that he is gone, what better time to bury the hatchet?"

His three siblings all shot each other equally doubtful expressions, but left it alone.


VAL P.O.V; MYSTIC GRILL

Val watched Caroline and Elena from a distance, suppressing her amusement as they glared after one Rebekah Mikaelson. The blonde had just finished inviting Matt to the ball her family was hosting, and it was without a doubt she'd done it to gain a reaction. Thank God I don't have to go to that stupid thing, she thought, remembering the picture of the invitation Elena had sent here. Talk about short notice.

"Hey, Matt, can you clear that table for me?" She asked the blonde boy, nodding to the recently emptied booth. He nodded, tearing his eyes away from the retreating blonde, and moved with his busboy bin to begin grabbing the dishes. Shaking her head and smirking, she turned, grabbing a few more bottles of whiskey from the shelf and started to turn back, ready to place them on display.

"Good morning, Valentina."

Her smile dropped off her face, and her grip on the bottle necks tightened. Elijah was sitting directly in front of her, smiling politely. Taking a deep breath through her nose, she grabbed her rag, setting the bottles down a little harder than necessary.

"I didn't peg you as a day drinker." She told him casually. He cocked his head.

"And what do you peg me as?"

"I don't know." She wondered out loud, voice laced in sarcasm, as she started wiping down the counter in front of him. "Hiding away in your mansion as your drain several people into fancy crystal glasses, then drinking it."

He cocked his head, then closed his eyes and chuckled breathily. "Well, I suppose I walked into that one. But for now, I think I'll take a brandy, if you would be so kind."

She did her best to ignore his stare as she grabbed the glass and bottle, but it was pretty hard not to notice. Finally, she set the glass down in front of him firmly and braced her hands on the bar. "Ok, you have to stop doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Staring. Seriously, don't you have another 'peace treaty' to make with the mayor, or," she gestured around, "compelling yourself more stuff for you mansion, or something?"

"Is that what you think I do with my spare time?" He asked, looking extremely amused. Val sighed, defeated and annoyed.

"And what do you do in your spare time?"

"Well, I find conversations with beautiful women quite satisfying."

Her head snapped up at him and fought desperately against the heat rising in her cheeks. For fucks sake…

"Ok, look, I'm at work. You know, my job? Not all of us can compel our way out of next month's rent, so if you'll excuse me, I have other customers to serve." She nodded at his glass. "Enjoy your drink."

She turned back around so fast some of the longer layers of her hair actually slapped her in the face, but she ignored them, keeping her back to the Original as she worked. Finally, she was forced to face him again, but saw with a start that he was gone. His glass was only partly empty, and upon approaching, a white envelope sat propped against it with her name written in elegant script.

Please join the

Mikaelson Family

This evening at seven o'clock for

Dinner, cocktails, and celebration

Underneath the invitation sat two one-hundred-dollar bills and a note written on a napkin in small, neat script.

I hope to see you there.

-Elijah

"Who's that from?"

She looked up to see Caroline and Elena standing in front of the bar, watching her in interest. Recovering from her shock, she shrugged, putting the note and invitation down. "Nothing, just Elijah trying to be all fancy and shit with his suit-wearing and massive tips."

Both girls giggled as they saw the invitation and note, but their mouths dropped open at the sight of the two-hundred-dollars.

"Woah," Elena chuckled, "he really wants to see you at the dance tonight."

"Yeah, well, I'm afraid he'll be disappointed." Val shrugged off, grabbing the glass to clean it. "No way am I playing into this little game of theirs; especially if I have to act civil towards them all night. Dinner was bad enough, and that was only two of them."

"Or," Caroline suggested in her I-have-a-great-idea-voice, sharing a secretive smile with Elena, "we could head to that little boutique just a few blocks away, find you an insanely sexy dress, and you could torture Elijah all night."

Val started laughing, but then saw the girls faces. "Wait, you're serious?"

"Um, yeah!" Elena exclaimed, "He's clearly into you, Val, and I know you hate him, but I've never even seen you flirt with a man. You should get out, dance a little."

"Yeah, dangle a little something-something in his face." Caroline teased suggestively, and Val playfully whipped her rag at her, laughing with the two. Biting her lip, she shook her head.

"You guys, I can't. The ball is tonight, and I don't even have money for a dress." Both teens gaped at her, and Caroline grabbed the money, waving it around.

"Um, hello?"


The mansion was just as large, irritating, and intimidating as it had been when she'd first arrived there several nights ago. Except, now, there were multiple people walking, all dressed in their best evening wear as light and classical music poured out of the doors. They even had a valet, which shocked her, but was nice, none the less. Taking a deep breath, she approached the doors, a warm, long shawl pulled over her shoulders to combat the chill.

It hadn't taken long to find a dress, thank goodness, and it was gloriously simple. Deep red, her favorite color to wear, and floor length. The fabric hugged her figure up until about mid-thigh, where it loosened, with thin straps on her shoulders. A large slit ran up her left leg, ending a few inches below her hip. True to form, she had two stakes strapped to her other leg. Black heels clicked softly against the pavement, and her make up; smokey, dramatic eyes, even more than usual, with matte, burgundy lips. Her hair was done in a tousled, curly style, and she was wearing dangly gold earing's in one piercing on each lobe with a cuff around her cartilage, and a loose, golden, chain-like bracelet on her left hand. Last of all, the crucifix hung a little higher than normal, so it was set against her skin.

Caroline had called the look 'seductive', and Elena had agreed, but Val was simply hoping to catch some more information while she was here. The doppelganger had told her about Esther requesting a meeting, and if that wasn't suspicious, not much else was. Did Esther want to kill Klaus? He'd murdered her rather painfully and then dragged her body around in a magically sealed coffin for over a thousand years, so she was sure it had come to the witch's mind at some point. Then again, Klaus was her son.

But being a mother didn't make you compassionate. She knew that better than most.

Approaching the large, ornate doors, she greeted the man outside politely. He nodded, then gestured to the men inside. Both doors swung open, and she picked up her skirt, doing her best to be able to walk and not flash most of both legs at everyone in front of her.

Inside, a large crowd was gathered, sipping champagne and whispering eagerly about the strange new family that had invited them. As she walked in, she felt multiple sets of eyes on her, and she did her best to force her blush down, (thank goodness for makeup). Lifting her arms, she allowed her shawl to slide slowly to her elbows and began to remove it, searching for a place she could hang it. A young girl stepped forward, taking it and her name with a polite smile before disappearing with the fabric.

Val turned back to the party and inhaled deeply. Even she had to admit, it was stunning inside. A grand staircase sat in the middle of the room, lined with white lights. A large, gorgeous chandelier hung over the room, with lots of exotic looking plants and flowers set up around them. Biting her lip, she started forward, eager to find someone she knew, preferably Damon, Elena, or Caroline.

But as she walked, a figure stepped in front of her and she bumped right into it, stepping back in surprise as his hands came onto her elbows, steadying her and smiling wickedly.

And she saw with displeasure who she'd bumped into.

An Original, the one who'd unconsciously tried to pull her into his coffin. Kol, if she was correct. Upon backing up, he chuckled.

"My apologies, darling, I'm afraid I didn't notice you. I hope I didn't hurt you." He continued to smile, putting one hand in his pocket as the other held a glass of champagne. She forced a polite smile on her face.

"No, you didn't. I'm just looking for my friends."

"Ah, yes, the Salvatore brothers, correct?" His eyes raked over her form, and she suppressed a shudder as they came back up to her eyes. "I find it hilarious and a bit odd that a Rodriguez is such close friends with vampires."

"Well, I guess that means you don't really know me, do you?" She shot back, quite proud of herself for keeping her cool.

"Well, I'd like to. Get to know you, that is, since you're alright with being friendly with vampires."

"Yeah, I don't think so."

"And why not?"

"Well, I guess it's all dependent on if I trust you, and I have to say, having only just met you, I don't yet."

He chuckled at that, looking at the ground and back at her again. "Oh, you are a Rodriguez, aren't you, darling? So paranoid. But," he took a step closer, now very much invading her personal space, "Elijah tells me you were the one to pull the daggers from our hearts. Now why would you do that?"

"Call it impulse." She quipped grimly.

"Does that mean you regret it?"

"I'm starting to."

Now he actually laughed out loud, "Well, you're a feisty little thing, aren't you? I like that."

"Kol."

Both looked over to see Elijah standing next to them holing two champagne flutes. He'd been so silent, she hadn't even heard him approach, and apparently, neither had his brother. "Mother insisted on decorum tonight, you'll do well to remember."

"I have been nothing but a gentleman!" Kol gasped mockingly, looking affronted. It lasted seconds, though, before his expression dropped back down into a smirk. Turning back to Val, he bowed. "Well, darling, it's been a pleasure. Make sure to save me a dance." Before she could pull it away, he caught her hand and raised it to his lips, pressing a firm kiss to her knuckles before he was gone.

"I'm sorry about him," Elijah apologized smoothly, "my younger brother tends to do as he pleases; he thrives on mischief."

Val hmmm'd quietly, watching the Original leave, before she felt calm enough to turn back to Elijah. In surprise, she saw he was holding one of the champagne flutes towards her. "Elijah, I already told you-"

"It's water." He interrupted with a charming smile. She stopped in her tracks, pursing her lips, and took the glass, nodding in thanks as she took a sip. "You look stunning this evening."

"Thank you." She responded tightly, gesturing with her finger around them. "Your home here is beautiful, I'm surprised Klaus was able to build it this fast."

"He tells me it was supposed to be for all of us."

They had started walking, but as he responded, Val found she simply couldn't keep up the charade anymore. Stopping in her tracks, she turned to face him.

"Ok, what's your plan here?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why did you invite me? We're not friends, Elijah; we've literally killed each other, your family hates me, and I have to say, the feeling is one-hundred percent mutual. So," she shrugged her shoulder, "what's with the sudden chivalry?"

She thought the confrontation would piss him off, but to her disappointment, he only smiled in amusement. "Well, I'm afraid there is no plan, here, Valentina. It's customary to escort a date to the ball, and when my mother asked me who I wished to take, I chose you immediately."

"You chose me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Well, why not?" He asked simply, gesturing to her. "You're courageous, intelligent, absolutely gorgeous, ambitious…who wouldn't choose you?"

"Lots of people, Elijah, lots."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Is it that, or are you simply afraid?"

Her face went from shocked to downright furious, and she felt the familiar rage pooling into her chest. Taking a step forward, she lowered her voice.

"I am not afraid of anything; least of all, you."

He watched the intensity of her gaze, eyes searching the hard set of her jaw, the fire in her amber eyes, and his smile only widened. "Excuse me."

She watched him leave in shock, and honestly had no idea what to say. What the hell was happening? He stopped at the foot of the steps, where his siblings were now gathering, and spoke up loudly. "Excuse me, could everyone gather?"

"Welcome," he greeted the guests as the group all gathered at the staircase. The Mikaelson brothers were all dressed in tux's, while Rebekah was clad in an off-shouldered, forest green mermaid dress that ruffled at the bottom and led off in a train. Soft steps coming down the stairs caused Val to look up to see a woman that looked an awful lot like Rebekah, Klaus, and Finn, dressed in a similar colored dress.

Esther.

"You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance. Tonight's pick is a centuries old waltz," his eyes fell on Val, who was standing near the front, and she felt the eyes of the rest of the Original family flicker her way as well, "so if you could all please find yourselves a partner, and join us in the ballroom."

People began to pair up with their dates, but Elijah headed straight towards her, stopping with his hand held out in front of him. "Come; if you're not afraid, that is."

You little shit.

Taking a deep breath, she forced a small smile on her face and set her glass down, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her into the ballroom. She saw Damon and Elena paired up, as well as Matt and Rebekah, and Klaus and Caroline, who looked insanely beautiful in a blue and violet ball gown.

"I hope you're ready to be embarrassed, because I have no idea how to waltz." She muttered, but he only smiled at her, and took her hands, holding them with his own and standing at her side.

"Just follow my lead."

The dance was nerve-wracking; she didn't do dances like this. But even in heels, she was keeping up as they began to dance elegantly to Give Me Love, by Ed Sheeran. She had to admit, at least the Mikaelson's had a good taste in musc. Biting her lip, she did her best to avoid looking directly at her date, thought he watched her dance without ever looking away; their proximity was making her anxious.

"You're a natural, you know." He complimented gently, leading her around the room. She smirked.

"I have experience adapting to terrifying situations."

"Well, then you'll be alright that we're switching partners."

"What?"

Without a response, he and the other men turned their dates, allowing the women to spin into the arms of another partner. Through experience running around in heels, she managed to smoothly transition into the arms of her next dance partner without tripping.

Finn.

"You must be Valentina." He greeted her politely, and the first thing she noticed was the angry and wild look she'd seen in his eyes on the first night she'd met the rest of the Originals was gone; he looked much calmer, docile even. "I'm told you're the one who pulled the daggers from our chests."

"That's me." She confirmed with a light tone, "I'm told you were in there for nine-hundred-years. That must have sucked."

"It has not been ideal, no. But I do know your ancestors, since I know that's what you're wishing to ask me."

She paused, staring at his face as their short time started to come to an end, "You and all of your sibling speak of my ancestors as assassins, blood-thirsty killers. I don't think it's wrong of me to wonder if I should follow their examples, or decide if it's time to forge a new path."

He slowed a little in what appeared to be surprise, watching her face. "Elijah was right, you're not quite like the rest, are you?"

"What?"

But he didn't even bother to try and answer her question before he spun her, and she traveled to her next dancing partner.

Kol.

"There she is." The youngest Mikaelson brother greeted, "Enjoying yourself, darling?"

"I was." She sighed, and he chuckled.

"Oh, you are quite fun, aren't you? I can tell what Elijah see's in you."

"Can you actually back up your shit talking or are you all bark and no bite?"

His smirk grew, looking downright wicked, and his hand drifted a little lower on her waist. "Well, I'll bite if that's what you like, darling."

Her muscles went rigid, and her cheeks burned as Kol laughed. "Relax, gorgeous. I won't do anything to you." He leaned closer as their partnership neared its end, whispering in her ear, "Not unless we had some more privacy, anyway."

Before she could bite back, he spun her, and her skirt came up slightly, exposing her legs as she landed in the arms of her final dance partner.

"Hello, love."

Val rolled her eyes at Klaus's cocky facial expression, mentally noting how much he and Kol looked alike when they did that. "Klaus."

"I know my brothers have already told you, but you look stunning this evening." He complimented as they spun across the floor. The corners of her lips lifted tightly, and she nodded.

"Thanks. You actually look like a gentleman and not a cold-blooded killer, so, there's a compliment to you, too."

He chuckled throatily at her sneer and shook his head. "Ah, Valentina, you are something special, did you know that?"

"Pretty sure you should be saving your compliments for Caroline; didn't you buy her that dress?" Val nodded at the blonde, who was dancing with Matt. "And a diamond bracelet? Just a word of warning, she's stubborn enough to give even me a run for my money."

"Well, of course she looks lovely, as well. I have excellent taste, as I'm sure you've noticed." The song slowed to a stop, and they both pulled back. But Klaus caught her hand, bowing, and kissed her hand while staring up at her face. "Enjoy your evening, love."


The night was slowly winding down, and Val was walking in the yard. It was so beautiful outside, even more than inside. Her black shawl was wrapped warmly around her shoulders, and her eyes roamed over the large flower plots. Roses, peonies, daisies, iris's, and some chrysanthemums. It was gorgeous, with large splashes of different colors against the dark back drop of the night. As her heels slowly clicked across the cobblestone path, she continued to observe the world around her, and then her eyes caught a flash of blue and violet.

Caroline.

The blonde was sitting on a stone bench beneath a large tree, her own shawl wrapped around her, blonde hair looking nearly silver in the moonlight. Val began walking towards her, and the young vampire looked up at the sound of footsteps.

"Oh, hey, Val." She greeted softly, offering up a half-smile that dropped soon after. Val returned it with a much more comforting look, moving to sit next to the girl. She reached up and tugged on one of her blonde ringlets that was handing out of her updo.

"You look beautiful tonight, Care. I bet Klaus is losing his mind." She teased, and the other girl rolled her eyes.

"Ugh, don't even get me started on him. With his gifts and his British accent and his smooth talking. And on top of that, we started talking about our dads, and…" she trailed off, her voice breaking at the end of her sentence. The older woman didn't say anything simply putting her arm around the girl and pulling her close as she started to sniffle quietly.

They sat for a few minutes before Caroline pulled back, delicately wiping her eyes and looking over at her.

"Val, you told me that you were there when your dad died, right?"

The huntress nodded softly. "Yeah. I was."

"What do you remember?"

The question caught her off guard, and she stopped, licking her lips and picking at a loose thread on her dress as the memories came rushing back.

Laughter. Hers, her fathers. They were in the car, he was teasing her about her obsession with Harry Potter, again. He was ruffling her hair, she shoved his hand away, a blaring car horn, the startled look on his face, the impact…

Hit from the left side, crashing through the construction for the guard rail. Tumbling down…

Her head smacking the window…

Then the console.

Then the window again.

Coming to. It's dark outside, there's glass everywhere. They're right side up, something wet is on the side of her face, and it's slowly drying. It hurts, everything hurts so much…

Her father is gasping, his chest is wet and red. Panic starts to take over, the pain fading as she scrambles to undo her tangled seat belt, but it's stuck. She almost can't recognize him, he's so bruised and cut up, and missing chunks of his cheeks…

She pleads with him, desperately. She can't remember what she said exactly, since her own voice sounded far away, but she did remember him reaching for her hand. There was glass in both of their palms, she remembers it cutting into her skin deeper. She remembers ignoring it and squeezing his hand in desperation.

"I l-love you so much. You are m-my brave, b-beautiful girl." He gasps more, and the blood on his chest is bubbling. "You…are…a Rodriguez. You don't need…anyone to save y-you. D-don't make my-my mistakes, mi corazon." He pulled his hand from hers, and lifted it to brush some matted, blood-soaked hair from her face. "Always def-defend those who n-need it. And r-remember; 'S-stand for something, or fall for anything. Te amo, mija."

Tears were stinging the cuts on her face, and she could taste the salt in her mouth, but she grabbed his hand again. "Te amo tambien, papi."

He was gone soon after. The clock on the dash was still working, somehow, and exactly four minutes and twenty-one-seconds after he died, red and blue lights flashed in her vision. The sirens signaled help, but she didn't care.

Her world had already ended.

"A lot." She answered quietly, her own throat feeling scratchy. "I remember he told me he loved me, and he was proud of me. Told me to defend others, and not to make his mistakes."

Caroline nodded, her eyes starting to feel with tears again, and they both sat there for several minutes. Not talking, just in comfortable silence, sharing their now similarity: watching the death of their father.


Once Caroline calmed down enough to go back inside, Val stayed outside. Her shawl had fallen down her arms, exposing the skin to the bitter chill in the air, but for some reason, it felt refreshing compared to the stuffy heat inside.

As she was finishing her final round about of the garden, a particular patch of flowers caught her eye. Cala lilies, her favorite. The deep purple flowers bloomed gloriously against their white neighbors, a patch of orchids, and she bent over to place her nose close to the bloom, inhaling deeply. Floral scents weren't normally her favorites, but the smell of a fresh bloom was a simple pleasure.

"You enjoy flowers?"

Elijah's voice sent her spine up, ramrod straight, as she spun around to face him. Her heart was hammering from the sudden break in the silence, and she took a deep breath upon seeing him, closing her eyes for a second before opening them to scowl at him.

"Do you enjoy sneaking up on people? Is that like, a vampire thing?" She asked, exasperated, and he only shrugged, his hands in the pockets of his trousers.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean." He responded innocently, and she rolled her eyes before turning around to begin walking the other way. Annoyingly, and unsurprisingly, Elijah stepped up next to her, walking with her down the path. She made no efforts to speak to him, and thankfully, he made none to speak to her. They simply walked in silence, and it was then Val noticed how much taller he was than her. Without her heels, she would barely reach his chest.

"Are you not cold?" His voice interrupted the still, quiet air, and she shrugged.

"I'm surprised you're asking me that; I'm pretty sure vampires are cold all the time aren't they? Cause you are, of course, dead."

He chuckled, which kind of irritated her, and nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid you do have a point there." He stared at her for a second. "You should wear this color more often." They had slowed to a stop, and he reached out to push a piece of her hair away, "It looks beautiful on you."

Val snorted, pressing her lips together. "Well, you have pulled out all the stops tonight, haven't you?"

"And yet, they don't seem to make the slightest impression on you." He observed, her words obviously doing nothing to sting him. She chuckled humorlessly, louder now, shaking her head.

"You know, you'd think my constant insults would kind of signal that I'm not interested, Elijah."

The Original stared at her for a second, eyes roaming over her face, pausing at her lips, before moving back up to her eyes. "I've learned anything worth having must be fought for."

Smirking, she began walking away, stopping to call over her shoulder, "Then I'm afraid you've picked a fight you're bound to lose."

She had walked inside, not noticing how he stared after her, eyes never leaving her retreating form as he murmured softly, "We'll see about that."


She had walked inside, and had been searching for Matt for a few minutes when the soft clink of silver against crystal and a new, female voice rose above the rest of the chatter.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen." Esther stood on the steps above the crowd, holding a glass of pale red champagne. The color made Val tilt her head to the side. I'm not a drinker, but I don't think I've ever seen that color before…

"Waiters are coming around with champagne," the matriarch continued, and Val raised a hand, politely declining the waiter and choosing to stand at the back of the room, noticing Elijah finish up a rather tense looking conversation with Elena. "I invite you all to join me in raising a glass." Esther continued, and the huntress stepped further back, amber eyes watching like a hawk at everything around her.

Something was wrong.

Well, maybe not wrong, but something was definitely up. The little compass needle in her head was shifting again, but not enough to make her think a new threat had emerged. She narrowed her eyes, carefully searching out the rest of the Original siblings to ensure something dangerous wasn't going to happen. But they were all accounted for; Rebekah, with Matt. Kol and Finn, standing next to each other. Klaus with Caroline, and Elijah next to Elena.

"It provides me with no greater joy," Esther told the crowd smoothly, "then to see my family back together as one. I'd like to thank you all for being a part of this spectacular evening." She raised her own glass. "Cheers."

The crowd joined her, and when they all took a sip from their glasses, she felt it.

The hair on the back of neck stood straight up, and goosebumps flared up across her skin. Her breathing picked up, and her heart pounded. She looked around, but nothing dangerous was happening. No, that wasn't it. Nothing dangerous was happening, but it sure felt like something was going to.

It felt as if something just started.


A small ache had started in her neck and the soles of her feet; signaling it was long past time to be heading home. Rubbing the sore spot just beneath her hair line, Val bit her lip as she searched for the exit; she'd gotten distracted talking to Caroline and was pretty sure she was lost. Her heels clacked loudly against the smooth, shiny floors as she walked down a hallway, realizing by the noise level in the mansion that she was either extremely far away from the main room, or everyone had just about gone home.

Oh great, being stuck in a mansion with the family that would kill me given a chance is exactly what I needed today, she scowled in her head.

Finally, a sigh of relief passed through her lips as she came to the end of the hallway and rounded the corner to see the ballroom straight ahead, as well as a familiar face.

"Well, I can't say I'm surprised to see you." She told Stefan in a faux light tone, coming to a stop a few feet away from him. "My guess is Damon insisted on accompanying Elena, or she attempted to come by herself."

Her old friend's hazel eyes widened just a fraction. "Did you talk to Damon tonight? I know he and Elena couldn't find you earlier."

Val rolled her eyes. "Stef, we've been insanely close over the past, what, year-and-a-half? I think I know you just well enough to guess your intentions."

"Well, that makes one of us," Stefan shrugged, his voice twinged with irritation, "Damon and Elena think I'm here to find information on Klaus, not keep her safe."

"And you're saying you aren't?"

"I thought you said you knew me, Val."

"I thought I did." Her voice was hard, harder than she intended, but she wasn't going to take it back. "But I think you're actions over the past six months have given me a reason to be cautious."

"That wasn't me-"

"Yes it was." Now her voice was more than steel, and it had a definitive bite to it. "It was you, Stef; desperation for revenge, murdering Andie in cold blood, using Bonnie, using her mother, threatening to kill the girl you once claimed to love, that was all you." She paused, then shook her head. "You know, I could go on, but I'm exhausted, so if you'll excuse me."

"Val, wait-"

He didn't get to finish his sentence, but not because the Rodriguez interrupted him. A loud, familiar cry cut them both off, and they raised their heads to the floor above them. Then, a loud thump just outside the front doors, and then the sound of a struggle. They both looked at each other and bolted for the doors.

Stefan ripped both of them open just in time to see Damon on top of Kol, the Original's neck twisting to an odd angle with a loud snap!

"Damon!" Stefan hissed, racing towards his younger brother. Val didn't have to look to see the Original family had heard the commotion as well, and had followed them outside. The loud sound of heels running caught her attention, though, and she looked over her shoulder just in time to see Elena running out of the house, face going slack in shock at the scene in front of her.

"Are you crazy?" The youngest Salvatore breathed out, but Damon only shrugged his shoulders. His face was impassive, but Val knew him well enough to see the glint of angry mischief in his eyes to know that whatever happened that night, he was pissed.

And what did Damon do when he got pissed?

Destroyed everything.

"Maybe a little." He shrugged, then smirked at Elena darkly. "Far be it from me to cause a problem."

With that, he turned on his heel and swaggered off, the group watching him leave. Val pressed her lips together in frustration, unsure if she'd appreciated what he'd done, or hated it. On one hand, the Mikaelson's weren't a family she felt the need to kiss the ass of, no matter what anyone else said. She wanted them gone just as much as anyone else. But she also knew them to be powerful, almost too powerful, and while she'd been dumb enough to underestimate them once, it would never happen again.


After checking Matt's hand and giving him firm instructions to go to the emergency room to get some X-ray's and hopefully some solid pain killers, Val found herself back at her apartment building, slipping her heels off as she headed up the walkway. She walked quickly, but still felt the ache in her feet, as she neared the door. She was desperate for a hot shower and her bed, maybe some Netflix thrown in somewhere. But a familiar sensation stopped her in her tracks, and she closed her eyes, breathing deeply in irritation as she fought for patience.

"So, why does this scene look familiar?" She asked tauntingly, turning around to see Elijah.

He was standing about five feet away, watching her carefully. Upon meeting her eyes, that familiar smile pulled at his face.

"Well, to be fair, this time I'm not threatening your life or the safety of your loved ones." He responded smoothly, and the huntress fought back an eyeroll.

"So you say." She muttered, knowing he could hear her, but then shook her head. "Look, it's been a long night. The whole 'invite-me-to-a-ball-and-compliment-me-' thing was nice, it was, but I need to get back to reality."

"Reality?" He asked innocently, cocking his head to the side, "That wasn't reality?"

"No."

"Then what is?"

She shrugged, gesturing around them. "This. My apartment, my jobs, my siblings. Look, Elijah, you're an Original, ok, and I'm a Rodriguez. I get that you really put your all into it tonight, but this thing you're chasing? It's never going to happen. So, do yourself a favor, and let it go."

His face hadn't changed through out her monologue, but she didn't bother to watch it. With that, she turned around-

-and slammed right into his chest.

Luckily, she had the reflexes to react, and her forearm came up to push against his chest while the other hand came up as well, but he caught both wrists. Anchoring her arm against his chest and wrapping her wrist in a tight grip, staring directly down into her face.

"Then I guess, in a few years time, we shall see who has won."

He paused, eyes drifting towards her lips, and then that was it. He was gone.

She nearly fell forward as the pressure left her arms, but she righted herself, turning around in a tense circle, muscles taut and ready for him to pop out again. But the sixth sense inside of her told her he was long gone. It was over, for now.

Shaking her head, the huntress merely grabbed her heels from where she'd dropped them on the ground and started inside; she was craving sleep.


You gotta be careful of those Originals, Val. Crafty little shits. Anyway, I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! Let me know how you felt by leaving a comment, and don't forget to follow and favorite if you are enjoying the story! I'm so glad you all like Val, Hector, and Ally, and don't worry! I know Ally's witch powers haven't been mentioned in a while, but that's a part of the story, I promise! Everybody stay safe, watch out for yourselves and each other, and I'll see ya next time!