Chapter 42
"You look beautiful" Tom smiled at Elena as he offered her an arm as he escorted her from the car towards the restaurant.
"Thank you," Elena murmured softly, her fingers feeling the muscle on his arm. She could yet feel a difference between Stefan and Tom. If her experiences with Katherine told her anything, it was that while they looked like twins, the two would be different in personality.
"Elena, tell me something about you. Something other than your daydreaming habit," Tom requested, offering her a playful smirk as he opened the door for her. Elena laughed as she curtsied, earning a laugh and another pro-offered arm from her escort.
"I was born and raised in Mystic Falls, Virginia," She responded with ease. She could stick to facts even if she felt a pang at the thought of her hometown.
"Small town girl," Tom said, "I like it."
"Where did you grow up?" She asked when the hostess left to go check on the wait times after taking their names.
"I grew up here" Tom shrugged.
"A city boy," She teased, earning an easy grin. "I've never dated a city boy before."
Tom's cheeks flushed red as blood rushed towards his cheeks. Elena found herself smiling at the human characteristic; unconsciously, she caressed his cheek. "I don't think anyone's blushed for me in years," She teased gently.
Her heart jumped when his hand cupped her own. He offered her a gentle smile "well then, I think I'm not so embarrassed anymore."
She pulled away and was awed at the way he easily let her go. When was the last time someone stronger than she did that? Stefan's grip was always gentle, but he struggled to let go when all he wanted was to protect her. He thought the best way was to be by her side constantly. Damon's style was more to kidnap her and force her to do his will even if she hated him for it. His grip was almost always rough before softening as if he just remembered she could bruise or break an arm with him.
Tom let her go with an easy smile, yet Elena couldn't help but notice how he leaned in as if he didn't want their distance to last. The sound of someone's throat clearing alerted them to their hostess wearing a large smile, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but your table is ready."
Tom once again offered his arm, allowing Elena to wrap her arm around his as the two followed the hostess. They shared whispers, first sharing bits of facts, things that could easily be found and verified. Elena found that she couldn't know enough about the man. She leaned in, deciding to just enjoy her first human date. After all, who knew when she would get this chance again?
"Okay, city boy. Tell me what it's like growing up where not everyone knows you and your parents?" Elena laughed at the way his eyes grew brighter the longer he looked at her.
"First off…"
XXX
It's early October, about a week since Operation Save Freya. Caroline was just getting used to her online classes. All general education courses at the moment, considering she had no frame of reference for how carrying double the amount of children will do to her energy, let alone when her children were there screaming, kicking, and biting for attention. The blonde remembered what it was like caring for twins; Caroline was taking no chances with hybrid children. So far, she had been lucky, having no symptoms other than a lack of a period. She was Caroline though it was never going to last.
Caroline bit her lip as she and Klaus waited in the examination room at St. Anne's, which was now owned by her freaking vampire family. Seriously who buys a freaking hospital?
"You buy one when one of your family members finds herself pregnant with supernatural children. Better to have a hospital you own than doctors you will have to constantly compel," Elijah argued, using her dislike for compulsion unless absolutely necessary. She had been a vampire for decades. Caroline knew that it was a helpful tool she just didn't abuse the power.
So there she sat on the annoying crinkly paper, refusing to lay down until necessary. She and Klaus had barely spoken in the past week. Caroline admitted that her plan was at best idiotic, yet things between the two of them were still tense. To be more precise, she heard Klaus and Freya arguing most days. He didn't trust a witch, family or not, that he couldn't control.
Freya's eyes narrowed down at her younger brothers. The witch hissed that she was the one who knew Dahlia best would be able to help them plan a successful strategy if only he would allow her to do so. All was not hopeless; however, Freya seemed to get along wonderfully with Finn and, surprisingly, Kol. Perhaps it was his love of magic and her ability to still practice that allowed them to bond.
"Your mind's racing," Her lover laughed, a deep baritone that vibrated down her spine.
Caroline looked up to find Niklaus staring back at her with an amused grin on his face. The blonde huffed, crossing her arms, "is not."
The dirty blonde chuckled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders pressing her to his side as he whispered, "liar."
"A lot's happened this week," Caroline murmured as one of her hands automatically raised itself to play with his hair. "First off, Enzo warned us about the Traveler's wanting doppelgangers. They need to be the last, so I am unsure if their plans are still the same. Silas is still alive if not out of the way."
"Enzo is right; according to Kol, what they want to do is undo their curse, but to do that, they need doppelganger blood."
"It won't work unless it's the last pair" Caroline frowned.
"Don't worry, love. I've already sent someone to check in on the doppelganger. Camille has decided to come home."
Caroline tried to ignore the flash of irritation at the reminder that he had a bloody type. As if sensing it, Niklaus pressed his lips to hers in a possessive kiss, "I love you. No mere human is ever going to replace you."
Her eyes widened, "How?"
His blue eyes chuckled, "You are very expressive, my love. Your thoughts are an open book. I must say I enjoy your possessiveness. There is nothing for you to fear; however, I only have eyes for one blonde human."
Caroline pouted, earning a full-hearted chuckle as he pressed another kiss to her lips. "If you don't reign that in. I'm not going to be held responsible for what that doctor is going to walk in on," Nik growled in her ear, creating a shiver that ran down to between her thighs.
Thankfully the doctor chose that second to knock on the door. Caroline blushed as she called out, "Come in," shooting her boyfriend a glare. The cocky bastard only smirked at her knowing that she would have not cared if he really was cock deep inside her when the medical doctor stepped into the room. Obligingly Niklaus stepped a half step away, so his arm was still wrapped around her, but he was no longer pressed into her side.
"Good Morning. Mrs. Mikaelson" The doctor, a female, chirped, looking down at her chart. Caroline's eyebrows raised to the top of her head at the name; Niklaus chuckled darkly, whispering in her ear, "you don't mind, do you, sweetheart? I thought I'd put in a change. We are still in a conservative area."
She shot him a dark look holding back the urge to yell at him that if he wanted her to change her last name, then all he had to do was marry her. The bastard was trying to get out of the most important part!
"Now it says here, this is your first check-up?" The doctor looked up from the chart. Nik nodded, "Yes, this will be our first since confirming the pregnancy.."
"That is fine. Looks like you are about eight weeks. I wanted to make sure you know about the higher risks with pregnancy like this. You will most likely not make it to full-term. Early delivery is very common with multiples," The doctor warned them gently. "There are a few precautions I would advise, but there is no need to be excessively worried. Multi-births while usually end early as long as we reach the benchmarks we wish. I have no concerns."
"What precautions?" Niklaus asked, his grip on Caroline tightening slightly. Not enough to cause pain but signaled to the blonde that he wanted her to follow them to a bloody T.
"Vitamin supplements such as Iron, Calcium, and Folic intake. I'd advise increasing protein as well. Considering you are carrying four, this is crucial because we want everyone to get enough nutrition."
Caroline nodded her internet research had advised as much, "Do you have any brands you'd recommend?"
"I'll give you a prescription and send you to a nutritionist that specializes with pregnant women. It's an extra precaution just in case if you have any questions; the nutritionist would have more answers than myself," The doctor informed her with a smile.
XXX
The night had been a success both of them had been a hundred percent sure of that. Taking the other's easy smile as a sign that a second date would soon follow. Elena grabbed his hand, running her fingers through his own. Tom offered her a bright smile leading her back to his car, planning to return her home. Even if he was reluctant for the night to end.
"You dated two brothers?"
Elena sighed, "it's a small town. I was close to both of them…I went through a hectic last couple of years not making the best choices."
Tom chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her hands, "While I can't say I ever dated two sisters. I did join a frat during my undergrad years. I have more than a few memories of my own stupid choices."
"How sweet. I really hate to break the two of you up" A feminine voice spoke from up ahead of them. Tom frowned as the duo paused in their path, noticing that the strange woman was between them and his car. Elena watched Tom's face seeing the slight recognition in his eyes.
"Do you know her, Tom?" She questioned softly. An uneasy pit in her stomach began to form. Did he already have a girlfriend?
"I just met her today, actually. I was at work before I came to pick you up. She spilled coffee on me" Tom's eyes furrowed in confusion. "She asked me for coffee, but I didn't want to be late meeting you."
The woman sighed, her hands coming up to her hips, "I really am sorry about this. If I had a choice, I'd let you both go, but this is bigger than just the two of you."
The wind picked up, alerting Elena to the more supernatural feel of this wind, her brown eyes narrowed. "You're a witch" Elena started earning a bizarre look from Tom, who switched from looking over at the stranger to looking down at his date.
"What's going on?" Tom asked Elena as his date seemed to not be freaked out about what was happening with the woman. He loved a girl who wasn't afraid, but even this was a bit much for him.
Elena's eyes watered as she looked up at Tom, "I'm not sure, but I'm so sorry, Tom."
"Sorry? What are you apologizing for?" Tom questioned.
Elena shook her head, "I should have known something would happen; you're a doppelganger like me."
Now Tom was sure they were playing a prank on him. "Elena, this isn't funny anymore."
The woman rolled her eyes, "Look, lovebirds. My apologies for interrupting what I'm sure would have been a lovely love story. But Silas cannot get his hands on either of you, nor can the Travelers."
"Silas is trapped underwater," Elena hissed, turning towards the unknown witch for the first time. "We never woke him up."
"Yet the Travelers are in Mystic Falls," Hazel hummed, "for what it's worth, you both really are a pretty couple."
Before either doppelganger could say another word, both felt themselves succumbing to unconsciousness. Instinctively Tom wrapped his arms around Elena as she began to drop. He glared over at the unknown woman as she watched them feint onto the ground.
"Well, this was messier than I thought it be," Hazel muttered to herself, magically spelling the two bodies to follow her into the black van before anyone noticed something was amiss.
XXX
The witch community within New Orleans was rather complicated. Sophie rolled her eyes at the thought; there were nine covens within the city territory and its members living throughout the county. Her coven, the French Quarter aptly named for where their numbers lived right in the middle of the city. Despite being one of nine witch covens, the witches of the French Quarter held particular power. Particularly with the arrival of the Mikaelson's, who soon turned their tiny backwater province into a thriving town.
With increasing tensions as the supernatural world flocked towards their city, the covens needed to present a united front. So came the Elders, leaders of each of the nine covens acting as ambassadors, counselors to the regent. A witch of extreme power.
Almost always from the French Quarter.
As is the custom when dealing with anything that affects all nine covens living in New Orleans. Sophie was in the home of Josephine LaRue, current regent and the most powerful witch of the French Quarter coven.
Ensuring that the bickering witches had to work together if they wanted to survive. Jane-Anne just had to be desperate enough to decide that picking at the dangerous family was their only shot to deal with Marcel. If Sophie had it in her to hate her sister, this would be the time to do so. The witch watched with concern as the New Orleans witches' elders argued over each other about the bargain Sophie had offered them. Sophie thought that the deal was the best they could hope for. They had just tied Caroline to one of their own; Niklaus Mikaelson would be furious.
"The Mikaelson's will destroy us," One elder argued.
"We destroyed ourselves by lying to those girls," Sophie thought bitterly every day, increasing her understanding of just how much she didn't understand about their magic. If she had known, the witch would never have tried to stop it. Guilt wracked her body thinking about her niece and the other girls. How Davina held more power in her pinky than she would know how to channel.
"What I don't understand is why the French Quarter even started the bloody harvest, to begin with!" One elder hissed at Josephine.
The regent lifted an elegant brow, "my coven decided it was the most prudent way to enhance our strength. As we are the witches who will bear the brunt of Marcel and his little army."
A plan which failed then led her in helping her distracted sister with her foolish project.
The fact Klaus had not come down on them in over a week that has passed indicated one thing. Either he had more important things to worry about, or Caroline managed her end of the bargain. Considering just who Sophie had managed to attach her health to, it was a miracle they were not already dead. Personally, Sophie thought baiting an original was a terrible idea, the fact they knew about everything already spooked her to her bones.
Caroline had known about Davina.
"The Mikaelson's already knew about Davina!" A voice cried out in an angered whisper. "The Mikaelson's don't ask questions. They will murder us all for linking their human pet to a witch!"
However, the original family had yet to interfere, either demanding Davina's return or against the coven for an act that from lore has never been deemed acceptable by the vampire family. It gave Sophie hope that perhaps they would be willing to allow the harvest to go on through, save their magic and the girls.
If not, Davina was going to die anyway.
"ENOUGH," Sophie shouted, allowing herself to feel pride at the outrageous looks on the aging witches' faces. Josephine LaRue sipped on her tea in the middle of her living room with a small smile.
"Young Sophie is right. Enough of this bickering; we are witches" The regent sniffed her nose, lowering her tea.
"Caroline, the human pet," Sophie spat, disliking the term, "says that a deal can be made. At this point, it's all we have." Having met the blonde, the witch was absolutely sure she was no mere pet to the Mikaelson family. Two of the Mikaelson siblings accompanying her, and their display of possessiveness disproved that notion.
Josephine smirked, "what would their terms be?"
Sophie sighed, "I don't know."
"Then we better get our terms out and what we are willing to do for them. First and foremost, the stop of murdering our covens for practicing magic in the quarter," The regent demanded, lifting her hand as a pad and pen floated shooting straight for Sophie.
The witch in question barely caught the paper in time. Quickly writing down what the regent has said, Sophie asked, " a council for all supernatural creatures the leaders of each faction?"
When Josephine looked over at her, Sophie flushed, "We have one of our own for the witches. It would allow all of us to bargain and hopefully avoid more bloodshed than necessary."
"Make that point two."
"Three, the harvest must be allowed to take place. Davina will not be killed in the process, but we have no power over the ancestors."
Sophie's lips thinned, "without Davina's safety…"
"She will be allowed to revive. It's part of the harvest; we simply don't know what other punishments they may deliver" One of the other elders shrugged. "I'm sure that one Mikaelson knows better than the rest."
"Anything else?" Sophie asked delicately. Looking over the list, it was not genuinely unreasonable. Still, she worried, glancing over the devious gleams in the other elder's eyes so many had been newly appointed due to Marcel's massacre. They were out for blood.
"Marcel's death."
"He was following his own rules. No harm to a child" Sophie found herself defending the man. It left a strange feeling in her chest. It's not as if she wanted to protect the man who killed her sister and so many of her sister witches. Still, even Sophie could respect that all he saw that night was children being slaughtered by those who were meant to cherish them.
"He interfered with witch business," Josephine murmured. "Yet he was protecting one of our own from a perceived threat."
"He needs to pay for interfering with witch business!" One elder threw in.
"Then we shall share this wish but I will not allow an agreement to blow up in our faces over it. I will allow Marcel to live if we can get the harvest completed and come to an agreement like Sophie's. We need our magic back, and that is our priority" The regent spoke once more, and with her words, all the arguments ended.
XXX
Freya walked the halls of the plantation with a slight frown forming across her lips. Her magic tingled with anger at the sadness the whole place radiated. It was a place of much misfortune, that was for sure. Lost in thought, the recovered witch did not notice her younger brother coming up from her behind, joining her footsteps one by one.
"You're unhappy here, sister."
Freya jumped, turning to the side to see Finn with a playful smirk on his face. Almost as if no time had passed, the dark blonde felt her hand form into a fist, landing right in the man's shoulder, "Finn, don't sneak up on me."
"I thought I was rather obvious about it," Finn mused, "forgive me. It's a rarity that we can get a drop on one of our siblings."
"This place reeks of bad magic, Finn," Freya announced after several moments of silence had passed between them. Her brother nodded to himself, placing an arm on the low of her back as he escorted her outside despite her questioning glance.
"You're a witch. Nature will soothe you" Finn shrugged.
"I thought you'd be with Sage?" At the name of her brother's paramour, Freya's brows furrowed as her mind searched for the name.
"It was Sage's idea to come find you" Finn confided as the duo took a stroll around the perimeter.
"And Caroline is the one who is with Klaus?" Freya questioned her brother using him to ensure she understood the strange bonds of her family. "Rebekah and Kol are unattached. While Elijah looks much like Father when he was away from mother for too long. Does he have a lover?"
Finn chuckled, "he refuses to admit he cares for the former doppelganger, Katerina Petrova. Caroline tends to say he has a stick up his ass and a strange definition of loyalty."
"Which brother is he trying to prove loyalty too?" Freya asked almost understanding completely. Despite not being around her family for centuries, one thing she picked up on was the damage her parents have done to her siblings.
"Niklaus of course as Katerina forced our brother to wait another 500 years to break his curse."
"It also allowed him to meet Caroline. If I was told the story correctly" Freya smiled at her brother.
"I refuse to step into their relations. Elijah and Niklaus have a complicated relationship in which Elijah is constantly trying to redeem Niklaus."
"Elijah has Caroline to help with that now, am I right?"
"Yes, sister" Finn turned Freya around once they reached the end of the property back towards the house.
XXX
Hayley and Jackson stood at the edge of the borders of the Bayou waiting for a member of the original family to appear. The fact they could come so quickly after Hayley managed to reach an agreement with Jackson… the originals were prepared. Her eyes glanced up at the moon, Jackson would only have so long before being forced to return to his wolf form. After much discussion their pack had agreed to the terms with the Mikaelson's, buy agreeing to fight for the vampire family it would guarantee more freedom for the wolves as well as an end to the curse.
"Which one are we meeting again?" Jackson asked her accidently hitting her hand with his own. Hayley licked her lips as her hand automatically went to grab his.
"Elijah. He's the most…in control of his temper" Hayley's voice dripped off as the two wolves held hands.
"You know you do have a choice in the matter. You didn't grow up knowing about your parents…the fact that you survived is a miracle to us" Jackson whispered softly. " This is your pack but I won't hold you to old promises not when you weren't raised to them."
"How sweet. Am I interrupting something?"
The two werewolves shoulder's raised amusing the noble vampire greatly. He stood on the opposite side of the border his hands tucked into his pockets. The only sign of his amusement was the glimmer Hayley saw in the vampire's eyes.
"Elijah."
"Ms. Marshall. I see it took you no time to move on, I'll ensure Mr. Lockwood is aware" Elijah's eyes glanced down her body staring momentarily. His lips perked in slight amusement, these wolves would perhaps prove to be vastly more entertaining than he thought.
Jackson frowned stepping forward placing himself between Hayley and Elijah. He watched as the original stared at the two for a moment before continuing on, "I believe I am here about our last discussion. Has your pack made a decision?"
"We accept. We will fight with you when needed if you help us with the curse" Hayley placed a hand on Jackson stepping right next to him. Hayley would never cow before an original especially when they clearly walked into a powder keg. It meant that they were more than willing to negotiate.
"Good. Hayley you remember Bonnie don't you?"
Hayley's nose twitched, "That was the witch in Mystic Falls."
"I see you do have brains" Elijah noted much to Hayley's irritation. " Bonnie Bennett the witch you would have needed if your Silas plan was successful. She's agreed to work with you on breaking the spell. She will come tomorrow to obtain information herself."
Hayley couldn't help but comment, "doesn't trust the information you already have?"
Elijah snorted, "Bennett witches never fully trust an original. The only reason she is willing to help you is that she believes this is an imbalance. As a witch she has a duty to help if she can."
"Thank you, Elijah."
"Just keep your end of the bargain" Elijah turned to look back at her. "I'd hate to have to get wolf blood on my suit."
XXX
Damon let out a low growl slamming an empty glass of bourbon down onto the counter. His eyes glanced over at the grandfather clock in the living room, why wasn't she back yet? The clock struck midnight and the eldest Salvatore crushed the glass in his hands.
"Relax Damon" Stefan called out to his brother shaking his head as he opened the fridge to grab a blood bag, taking a sip. His eyes closed as the human blood tingled his senses but as quick as it came he put it back.
"Elena is missing" Damon growled turning to look at his brother. Stefan sighed as he walked over to the counter sitting alongside his brother on the stool.
"She's on a date with a human. Elena is a human now this is healthy even if we both wish for a different outcome" The younger brother spoke softly watching his brother out of the corner of his eye.
"She should have been back by now."
Stefan grabbed Damon's phone from his side of the counter and tossed it to the vampire, "then call her."
"Elena would not answer for me" Damon grunted pushing the tech device far from his reach. It be far to annoying to replace if his vampire strength got out of hand.
Stefan sighed, "you shouldn't have antagonized her. It never ends well when you try to manhandle her."
"I'm trying to protect her!"
"Damon have you considered that Elena no longer wants our protection? At least not in the way she used to?"
Damon shot him a pissed off look, "What the hell are you talking about?'
Stefan scooted over much to the annoyance of Damon, "Look, Elena's been through a lot these last two years mostly stemming from her association with us. The biggest threat to Elena is Klaus right? Well Klaus is with Caroline who would never condone Elena to be hurt not really. It stands to reason now that she's human again perhaps she wants to lead a human life away from her supernatural past and we need to let her."
"You're forgetting that Klaus is a loose cannon. We can't guarantee her safety unless she is with us" Damon argued.
"She's never been safe with us!" Stefan countered his voice rising just a smidge. "It was her relationship with me and your obsession with Katherine that brought you to her. Leading to both the mess with Caroline and Bonnie's grams. Then us being here went and summoned Katherine that brought Klaus down on us."
"You really believe that little Caroline is capable of keeping Klaus inline?" Damon snorted into his glass glaring at the emptiness.
"I think he actually cares for her. He won't do a thing that will break her trust" Stefan corrected softly. "If you are truly worried about Elena. I will call her she does not screen my calls."
"Oh yes Perfect Stefan to the rescue." Stefan ignored his brother's petty response by pulling out his own cellphone pressing the buttons on the familiar number. He brought the phone to his ear knowing that his brother would be able to hear anyway. The phone rang a few times, then Stefan frowned as the normal amount of time it took Elena to pick up passed.
The phone went to voicemail. Before Damon could make a snappy comeback, Stefan pressed the number again yet Elena still did not answer. He recalled the restaurant that Elena said the boy was taking her to. He called the restaurant knowing it would be closed but the employee's would still be there.
"I'm sorry the restaurant is closed" A tired employee answered the phone.
"I'm sorry, my sister was there earlier with a Tom Avery" Stefan was thankful that Elena had informed him of at least that much.
"I remember them. I'm sorry sir, they left a couple of hours ago, by 10. You sure do sound like him though" The employee muttered.
"Strange, I never noticed" Stefan joked, "thank you for your help." Stefan hung up the phone turning to face his quiet brother.
"What did I tell you?' Damon muttered, "something is wrong."
Stefan let out a long suffering sigh, "let's go to the restaurant maybe we can catch her scent."
Damon nodded, "I can't believe she didn't tell me where she was going. Now she's in trouble again."
Stefan snorted, "you would have followed and made her night miserable that's why."