Circumstances

Pairing: OC/Rebekah

Summary: As much as everyone thought they knew, Jacqueline always managed to prove them wrong. People claim to know who she is, what she's done, what's she's been through - and yet none of them can see all of it. What happens when she meets a certain Original Vampire who sees every little thing about her. From the way she walks to the way she acts... but will Jacqueline allow her supernatural mate to see her past as if they experienced it themselves. Elena bashing.

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"Enemies are either defeated, befriended or bypassed"

Stewart Stafford

DICIASSETTE

Jaqueline = 19
Elena = 17
Jeremy=14

ONE YEAR LATER:

Jacqueline rolled over in bed, her body immediately curling into the warmth of her bed partner. It was too early to wake up - or at least she hoped it was too early to wake up. Cracking open and eye, she immediately regretted the previous nights decision to drink that much tequila.

"Why did I do this to myself?" She groaned and buried her face further into the chest that was now shaking with silent laughter.

Fingers wove through her messy hair before his amused voice spoke. "Well, lucky for you, I know how to remove a hangover"

That caught her attention.

Jacqueline looked up at him, admiring the dark brown eyes that stared back at her in poorly hidden amusement. She rolled her eyes at him, then groaned at the pain that caused in her head.

Yeah... she was gonna need whatever hangover fix she could find!

Jacqueline had always had a high tolerance level when drinking. That was because she'd been drinking for years though - which allowed her to develop that skill. With unleashing her magic she found that hangovers weren't as bad as they had been before... but she wasn't exempt.

Unfortunately.

"How?" She asked eager you get rid of the pounding in her head.

Jackson chuckled and pressed a lingering kiss to her lips. Jacqueline smiled a little at the action. She had met Jackson a few months back when he sought refuge at the coven after his Dad had been killed by hunters. They had become friends almost instantly. Jacqueline found they got along well because both had been raised outside the coven... their lives hadn't always been about magic and supernatural things.

The adjustment was a difficult one to make, after all.

She also really liked the fact that they could remain friends while having some fun as well. Jacqueline preferred a partner in bed who knew what worked for them and didn't fumble around. Jackson had gotten to know her well enough by now that they could remain friends with the occasional romp in bed.

It worked for them.

And Jacqueline was glad for it!

She had tried dating in the past 2 years that she had been living with the coven. Hell the place is big enough to accommodate for any awkward breakups anyway! However, none of them had worked or lasted. Though Jacqueline was proud to say that none of those failures had ended badly or awkwardly.

They were mutual.

Thankfully!

So right now she was content to just have a little fun every now and then. It just made things simpler for everyone. Jacqueline honestly doubted that she would ever find real love.

Jacqueline isn't the settling down type of person.

She didn't want kids!

Or marriage!

But Giovanni had assured her that all Blood Witch's who are truly with the love of their life will naturally form a blood-bond. Apparently it's like the supernatural version of marriage only 100x more significant. From what Jacqueline understood, one could deny the bond but not entirely. Once your magic located the person your destined to be with, then the magic reacts instinctively. Apparently there's a step the individuals choose to take after but even if they don't - they won't find someone else.

Having a Bonded is seen to be a great thing within the coven.

Although the history of it shows the creation was to ensure that no Blood Witch would attempt world domination or destruction. The theory was that if everyone had someone to live for, then none would use their gifts too harshly.

It seemed to work...

Jacqueline knew that if a blood witch tried to really do anything that bad, they'd have just about every supernatural after them. It's why the witches who are bonded for so long can't survive without the other for very long. As unfair as that all sounds - Jacqueline supposed it was effective in counterbalancing their magic.

No one person has full and complete power!

...not even Blood Witches, no matter how much it's speculated to be true.

"Okay" Jackson said, effectively drawing her out of her thoughts. He sat up against the headboard but didn't stop tracing his fingers down her arm, over her flower tattoo that covered her shoulder. "I can't believe you've never heard of this"

"Shut up!" she smacked his chest at the teasing tone of his voice but didn't take offense to the comment. While Jacqueline wasn't really new to magic anymore - having spent 2 years dedicating her life to learning and using her powers - she'd been playing catch up on the basics for so long that she had yet to really delve into the more modern possibilities.

Something which Jackson knew full well!

Jackson chuckled, "Well, think about it... our magic works our will, right? Well, if our magic can cure a cold why can't it cure a hangover?"

Huh.

Now that she actually thought about it, Jacqueline supposed it was a rather obvious solution. One that had been so blatantly obvious that she had completely over looked it.

The whole thing was rather anticlimactic now...

"Oh" Jacqueline mumbled and sat up in bed as she focused her mind on the task at hand. She focused on her magic, feeling the power wrap around her in a safe cocoon that sent a feeling of power flowing down her spine. Her entire body ignited at the unleashing of her magic and she allowed herself to focus in on the hangover she felt. The thumping of her head and the grogginess behind her eyes quickly became non-existent as her magic reached out and worked her will.

Jackson smiled at her when she opened her eyes again to look at him.

"Easy, isn't it?" Jackson smirked before laying back down in bed

Jacqueline rolled her eyes at him and rolled on top of his chest with a dismissive hum in response to the sarcastic comment. She rested her chin on his chest and looked at him thoughtfully. Jackson had gotten to live out in the real work and use his magic practically. Jacqueline, while she loved the Coven and owed them all more than she could ever repay, wanted to experience more of the world. Sure, living in the coven was amazing and she never wanted to leave the coven... but Jacqueline did want to travel a little and maybe find a way to use her magic practically.

Like Ignacio Rogers who is a a surgeon in New York hospital working with children.

Of course, there are limits to what magic can do, such as cure cancer or something equally as significant... but magic can defiantly slow down the spread of cancer sometimes. When it comes to humans and their anatomy - magic can be somewhat useless. But that doesn't mean Dr. Rogers tries any less. From what Jacqueline understood, the Dr. has saved many children's lives from things they otherwise would have died from over the years.

"What's got you thinking so hard?" Jackson asked brushing some of her raven curls away from her face.

Jacqueline sighed, "I love the Coven, don't get me wrong, but there are things in life I want to do. You know?"

Jackson nodded, "Like what?"

"Travel, I guess" Jacqueline said shrugging a shoulder as she added, "Go visit my family, maybe even go see these other covens... I don't know, experience the world. Not everything in life is about the supernatural, right? I mean, sightseeing, skydiving - there's all sorts of things I want to do"

"Then why don't you go and do them then?" Jackson asked

"I've been living here with the coven for just over 2 years now. I've spent all my time learning and studying... soaking up any and all knowledge I could get. I made great friends here... I've got a family here within the coven. A family who won't ever turn their backs on me, a family who will accept me no matter what. I never want to loose that" she explained softly

"But why do you have to loose it?" Jackson countered, "I mean, so what? You want to see the world? Okay, great, go see the world. Why does wanting that mean you loose your family?"

Jacqueline scoffed, "It's gonna look like I was here to learn and now that I've learnt all that I can - I leave"

Jackson shook his head, "Sometimes you're so guarded that you just don't see what everyone else does..."

Jacqueline frowned, "What's that supposed to mean?" she snapped at him defensively

Jackson only gave a small smile in response, not even fazed by her harsh reaction to his comment. Jackson was one of the few who understood Jacqueline without being exactly the same as her. He sighed, "It means, that you've had so many people up and leave you that you think everyone else will jump to the worst conclusions. If you tell the coven that you want to go spend a few years travelling the world... that you want to see the other covens - nobody is going to think you used them. You're young, Jacqueline, and young people all want to see the world and things they haven't before"

She didn't say anything.

But she didn't think about what he was saying and decided that he might just be correct on this...

Jacqueline was aware that she was so guarded that she always seemed to expect the worst from people. Even people who she's been friends with since she got here. It was just the way she worked and most had gotten used to that by now.

Plenty of Coven leaders had travelled around the world when they were younger and even continued to do so now.

Maybe her wanting to leave for a little while may not be as big of a deal as she had originally thought it would be?

Sighing she rolled off on Jackson and laid on the bed before shaking her head and smiling at him. It didn't escape her notice that the longer she remained silent, the more Jackson's confident smirk grew to a knowing one. At least he knew better than to think she would ever admit to him being right out loud!

"Whatever" Jacqueline scoffed at him and rolled her eyes

Jackson laughed knowingly

Jacqueline walked in the common area in the apartment that she shared with Giovanni and presented the older witch with a freshly brewed mug of tea. Giovanni's favourite tea in fact. The older witch looked momentarily surprised before her eyes narrowed but Giovanni accepted the drink nonetheless. Jacqueline smiled slightly as she took a seat on the couch opposite her grandmother and mentor.

"Out with it" Giovanni said sipping the tea

Jacqueline sighed, "Well, I was thinking... I mean, I really love the coven and everyone here, you know that! It's just that I've never really been anywhere in life - I mean, I want to travel the world and see all those beautiful places the rest of the covens are located in... but I want to come back to the Coven eventually!" she started to say not really sure how Giovanni was going to react to any of it.

Giovanni chuckled, "When I was your age I went and lived in Italy for 3 years before I returned to the coven"

Jacqueline let out a breath of relief when Giovanni didn't seem anything other than accepting of Jacqueline's wish to leave the coven for a while. In fact, Giovanni looked like she was about to encourage that desire anyway.

"Really?" Jacqueline asked hopefully, "So you'd be okay with it?"

"Yes" Giovanni smiled, "Everyone leaves sooner or later at least once in their lives. There are very few witches who remain to never leave the coven at all. They're usually the coven leaders though. How do you think most of us encounter our blood-bonded?"

Jacqueline frowned, "I don't know?" she mumbled not sure what that had to do with anything. "Isn't it inevitable they meet? Cause it's fate and nobody can escape fate... at least not forever"

"Well, yes" Giovanni relented but continued on with an explanation. "However, not all of blood-bonds are formed between two blood-witches. In fact, they can be between werewolves, nature bound witches, vampires, succubus - as long as one of them is a blood-witch"

Oh.

"Really?" Jacqueline questioned not sure how it would work differently with couples who were of other species. "How does that work exactly?"

Giovanni grinned at the question. "Well, a blood-bond is the fated connection between two people who balance each other in prefect harmony. It's about the mind, soul and the person's heart that created the bind, not what abilities said person has. That is why, some less knowledgeable individuals, assume it to be called a soulmate. However, if it were only the soul's that intertwined then maybe the name would be more fitting. When one meets their Bonded they'll have more intense feelings than any previous relationships before it. The feelings of attraction and an instinctual need to seek the other out will be present whether the individuals are aware of it or not"

"What if they don't want to be bonded?" Jacqueline asked

Giovanni made a face at the mere suggestion of someone rejecting a soul-bond but decided to answer nonetheless. "Well... It's a highly disgraceful thing to do but it has happened before. Usually though, it's outside forces that keep the pair apart rather than their own choice. Uh, the separation of the two in the beginning will just feel sad and lonely - like everything brightens when you're together, and darkens when they're apart. It won't be physically painful. If the pair enter the second stage, which is intimacy, then the bond is stronger and being a part will be physically and emotionally uncomfortable"

"How many stages are there in completing the bond?" Jacqueline questioned

"The 1st is coming into contact, the 2nd is an acceptance of the instinctual pull to the other, 3rd is a physical connection, 4th is an emotional connection, 5th is a mental connection and then the 6th is what finalises the bond" Giovanni sighed, "It's the shared and intertwined powers and abilities"

Wow!

Shared abilities?

Jacqueline blinked in surprise before she frowned in thought of the implications of a connection such as that.

Looking for clarification she asked, "As in, a blood-witch bonded to a vampire would turn into a vampire?"

"No" Giovanni sighed, "It's rather complicated and not always the same. The Blood-witch would gain abilities such as speed, immortality, strength but retain their magic and wouldn't need to drink blood. In return, the vampire might gain the ability to walk in the sun and an awareness of other supernatural creatures or some form of magical advantage"

"So a vampire could, like, perform spells?" Jacqueline asked frowning at the thought of it.

"Not that much power" Giovanni disagreed immediately, "However, in some cases it's been known to give a vampire the ability to feel aura's of the supernatural. Some have gained the sight and get warnings of any potential harm to themselves of their bonded before it happens"

Jacqueline hummed, "Is it the same with werewolves? Of succubus?"

Giovanni shrugged, "There is only one recorded succubus pairing that I know of and it was fairly similar to a vampire/Blood-Witch Blood-Bond. However, werewolves are slightly different. The Blood-Witch has been given the ability to turn into a wolf on the full moon if they wished to do so. In return, the werewolf is freed from having to change if not wishing to do so. The pain is said to be lesser than before the bond and similarly the werewolves gained a small amount of magical ability"

"But they don't get immortality" Jacqueline guessed

"Indeed" Giovanni nodded

Well, Jacqueline thought that sucked majorly - but she supposed having any amount of time with someone who you love so deeply would surely be worth it in the end. Even if it meant you could never have immortality.

"Why do you have to leave the coven to find your bonded?" Jacqueline questioned, "What if that person is another blood-witch?"

Giovanni smiled, "Well, then in that case if they were from the same coven they you'd of connected as soon as you met them. There is no mistaking it for something lesser than what it is. If they're at another coven then you'll find your way to them without even knowing your doing so"

"That's kinda freaky" Jacqueline commented as she chuckled a little

Giovani smiled wider but nodded in agreement despite the amusement dancing in her eyes.

It made Jacqueline wonder if the older witch knew something she didn't and that only served to freak her out more.

"Right. Well, so, I was hoping that I'd be able to travel a little... maybe you could come with me? Show me whatever you do when you go on those outings?" Jacqueline proposed hopefully

"I'd love to" Giovanni smiled warmly, "Usually I go check in on some of the other Blood-Witches who choose to live outside the covens. I stop in and help if they have any problems or I check in with some of the Covens allies around the world"

"Coven allies?" she echoed in confusion

"Yes, allies. As much as Blood-Witches have more reason than anyone else to be wary of other supernatural's. Not everyone is our enemy. There are plenty of vampires who have great friendships with us and our covens. Some of those Vampires are former Nature bound witches who created their own version of a coven/support group in learning to live without their magic. There are even some Nature bound witches who believe if we upset the balance then we wouldn't be alive and so they don't preach the none-sense most of their kind do. Werewolves are particularly fond of us as we can locate any newly triggered werewolves and help them find a pack to teach them. Succubus were hunted down to near extinction and so the few that are still around are very old and often seek shelter with us if needed"

Wow!

Jacqueline had never really thought much of the other supernatural individuals before but she would certainly be interested in meeting them!

Especially ones' who are friends with the coven and won't be trying to kill her as soon as she sets foot within a 100 miles of them. Considering the only vampire she'd ever met was Enzo, and a few of the elders vampire Bonded, Jacqueline always did wonder what other vampires from different eras were like.

"I'd love to go with you" Jacqueline nodded and smiled widely when Giovanni grinned and pulled her into a warm hug. Jacqueline returned the hug, still baffled by the love that radiated off the woman, even after 2 years of living with it. She had wished she'd known Giovanni when she was younger and didn't have to be so surprised every time someone showed some form of parental love towards her.

...However, at this point she doubted it would be something she'd ever get used to.

"Thank you, Giovanni" Jacqueline whispered to the woman as she tried her best to hold back the feelings that stirred within her at the moment. She might love Giovanni but Jacqueline didn't love showing too much emotion.

No matter who it was she was with.

"It's alright, dear" Giovanni assured and gave her a kiss on the forehead before sauntering off to go do something else. Jacqueline watched the older witch retreat into the kitchen with a big grin on her face.

She was ready to see the world and it was gonna be great!

It was the middle of the day and everyone in the Coven was swiftly exiting the big Coven meeting they'd had to apprise them all of updates and important news. Jacqueline had graduated and was no longer considered a student within the Coven - thought she was encouraged to never stop learning something.

As Giovanni said, you could never know too much...

Jacqueline agreed.

Which was only more motivation to go with Giovanni to go travelling and checking in on Coven contacts and friends. This would still be learning, just not of theory, but of real world experiences. It would be a chance to learn about other supernatural's and their experiences. It would also be a chance to interact with regular humans and learn all about the cultures or languages of the cities they'll be visiting.

Cause not everything revolves around the supernatural...

And Jacqueline was excited!

It had already been cleared with the rest of the Coven and she, Giovanni, Georgia and Braxton would all be leaving in three days. Their first stop is New York, New Orleans, Washington - then they'll be going to Germany and then France, Italy before coming back to America and stopping into Chicago before returning. Over all, the trip is supposed to take them 8 months with roughly a month spent in each place at a time.

And once she comes back to the Coven again there will be a new set of locations to visit if she's interested in seeing more.

Which she likely will be...

Jacqueline was glad that even though she would be travelling and engaging with non-supernatural situations that she wouldn't feel like she'd abandoning the Coven. Cause they'd found a way that she would be able to both get worldly experience and help the Coven at the same time. She couldn't have been happier and found that was equally as happy about the company she would have while on the trip too.

Georgia is a the party girl.

Braxton is the thrill seeker.

Jacqueline was sure that after just one month with the three of them, that Giovanni will be wanting to pull her own hair out!

Smirking, Jacqueline walked down the hall and bumped her shoulder playfully with Braxton's when she caught up to him. "Hey. I'm glad it's you and Georgia who're coming with" she said earning laughter from Braxton who nodded his agreement.

"Yeah... Giovanni won't be saying the same thing" Braxton smirked

Jacqueline was about to say something sarcastic in agreement when silent red lights started flashing across all the walls in the hallway. She paused and frowned as she realised the protocol she had been briefed on when she first joined.

This was an attack!

An attack on the Coven!

It took Jacqueline only a second to realise all the other witch's filing out of the meeting had fallen silent and rushed off to prepare for a fight. Even many of the older witches had fallen silent in waiting for instructions from the elders and the Coven leader who were calmly organising everyone to secure various things.

Everything was moving fast and all at once.

Jacqueline looked to Braxton to see he was taking notice of the same things as she was. "What do we do?" she asked him knowing he had been born and raised within the coven.

Braxton sighed and pulled her along with him as they approached Damien Alejandro - one of the elders and leaders of the coven.

"Sir, we're ready and willing to help" Braxton said to Damien who only spared them a brief glance before giving his orders.

"Take the South entrance" Damien instructed

Jacqueline knew she was preparing for a fight and she knew if it was causing this much of a reaction from everyone that it was a lot bigger than the one she'd fought back in Mystic Falls. Last time this had happened one of the coven leaders had dealt with the vampires lurking around the grounds in a minute flat. There had been no alarm needed and no preparations taken to combat the attack with had been an epic fail.

However, this certainly wasn't the same.

That much was obvious...

Jacqueline ran alongside Braxton as they reached the South entrance and quickly took the weapons being handed out by one of the other witches. Who, Jacqueline didn't stop to check, but took the weapons and secured them on her body.

Stakes laced with vervain.

Guns will bullets infused in both wolfsbane and vervain.

A knife.

They would all have to do anything and everything within their power to protect themselves and the coven. They could not let whoever is attacking get past them and into the Coven grounds no matter what.

Jacqueline could feel the thick and heavy crackle of magic in the air, poised and ready to strike. The hairs at the back of her neck stood up as she felt the large supernatural presence from the other side of the door. Whoever was getting through the wards had enough magic on their side to force their way past them and that wasn't a good sign. Jacqueline didn't let that intimidate her though, instead she fully embraced the anger that someone attacking them caused.

It made her magic pulse in rage.

And she allowed it to do so without restraint.

The air grew thicker as Jacqueline unleashed her magic, allowing it to surround her and be ready to strike on command. Whoever had come here tonight wasn't going to leave in one piece - not if she had anything to say about it.

Jacqueline looked at the 30 other witches surrounding her, waiting to be the first line of defence. She knew they were all a force to be reckoned with.

And there were only more witches waiting out of sight...

The doors, and part of the wall, crumbled to the ground with a loud and startling bang. A flash of bright and blinding light momentarily flashed and Jacqueline, without seeing anything too clearly, allowed her magic to lash out instinctually. She wasn't the only one to do so either as the Blood-Witches threw waves of immobilising magic at the intruders.

There had to be at least 30 witches along with quite a few vampires on the other side!

Shit!

Jacqueline blinked when Daisey was thrown clear across the room by one of the attacking witches. Anger bubbled within in her to the point she could hear her own heart beating. Her veins filled with pure fury as a blast of magic lashed out at the attackers and caused a few necks to snap - witches and vampires alike.

Braxton glanced at her with a nod of approval before he jumped right back into the fight.

Jacqueline, with a flick of her wrist had two vampire hearts laying at her feet but the attackers didn't spare their fallen friends a glance. Instead they continued to attempt to overpower the Blood-witches. So far, only Daisey was injured and they were able to maintain their strength in fighting off the attackers. Even managing to get a group of near 40 to 50 down to an even 30 and counting.

The attacking witches were fast in their chanting for more powers, joining forces for increased strength.

But it wasn't going to be enough.

Jacqueline wasn't going to let it be enough, because this was her Coven and she wouldn't allow them to kill her family. A vampire rushed forward, so fast that Jacqueline barely even saw the movement. Had she not been obsessed with fighting and training she might have gone down when the vampire aimed the blow at her stomach.

But she knew how to take a hit.

So, she countered with a kick to the groin and a swift stake to the heart.

And then she kept going, not risking sparing a chance at the now dead vampire who's body had thumped lifelessly to the ground.

The vampires that had joined the attack were all dead because despite their speed, witches didn't need to be close to kill them. That was why their magic was the most deadly weapon. It was the attacking witches who had clearly placed protection spells on themselves that were harder to kill. In the midst of all the fighting vampires off, the attacking witches chanting held strong.

Not for long though.

Jacqueline held out her hand to Ramona, a witch in her late 30's, who was suffering from a gash to her forehead that was bleeding down her face. They allowed their magic to wrap around them and together, with double the force and animosity, to lash out at the attackers. Two of the attacking witches went spiralling back to their deaths, landing in a mangled heap behind their friends.

With the other Blood-Witches catching on... they began joining hands and together, their magic attacked without them even having to lift another finger to aid in the effort. That wasn't to say none of them were tiered or even weakened from fighting though. However, Coven training had ensured that in a situation like this - their magic was strong enough to withstand some physical damage.

Especially when it's life or death!

As soon as the last attacker's dead body hit the ground, they were working on repairing the wards in the weakened area.

Jacqueline hadn't used her magic like this since that time in Mystic Falls but she found she wasn't as hurt or exhausted as she had expected to be under the circumstances. Though she was more enraged by it all than she would have guessed possible to feel by anything.

Keeping her guard up, Jacqueline maintained her stance at the south side with the others as they all caught their breaths again.

They were ready for a second wave of attack if it came...

Thankfully though, after about an hour the walls of the Coven flashed green signalling the all-clear from all sides of the Coven. Leaving extra wards on each of the entry points, everyone filled into the main room on the first floor to see what had been done.

Anyone who needed medical attention received it.

Anyone who needed new clothes or tissues got them.

A count of all individuals was done.

Friends and families checked on each other.

Recovery of the one death on their side was done respectfully.

Clean up of the aftermath of the fight occurred.

The entire Coven was once again warded with new and more complex shields than before.

And then, the children were brought out of the secured safety room and everyone either stayed in the common room. Some seeking comfort in the presence of others after todays scare or they headed to their rooms for the night.

Jacqueline kissed Giovanni's cheek and then went to bed to re-charge for the days ahead of them. She knew a lot would need to be done in order to find out who, why and how the attack occurred today. With Jacqueline, Giovanni, Braxton and Georgia all having planned to seek out allies, she assumed they might be tasked with getting information on who attacked tonight as well.

And that didn't sound like an easy task.

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