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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"The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night's sleep."

E. Joseph Cossman

DICIANNOVE

Jaqueline = 20
Elena = 18
Jeremy=15

6 MONTHS LATER:

Jacqueline had been travelling the country for about a year now. She had always know that she wanted to eventually get out of Mystic Falls, but seeing the world hadn't been something she thought possible. Now though... well, now she had been all over the country and seen some amazing things.

And she loved travelling with the coven too!

A few of the other Witches from her coven had been visiting their allies. Jacqueline had mostly been along for the travel but it was a great learning experience as well.

Jacqueline learnt the supernatural community was much bigger than she'd previously thought.

It was shocking.

The general population of Nature bound witches were extremely ignorant but that wasn't to say all of them are. Jacqueline realised that there was actually a good amount of the covens allies who were witches too. It had been a nice thing to see that all other witches didn't hate Blood Witches because of some ridiculous notions passed down from some really old and really dead relatives.

Jacqueline had become far more confident in her magical ability than she thought was possible. Of course she'd known her magic was an extension of herself, she'd know she should trust it too. However, knowing something and doing it were different things.

When she found herself sat at Gloria's bar once again, Jacqueline couldn't have been more content. At least not unless she'd of had Jeremy, Enzo, Jenna and Tyler at her side, only then could life of gotten better than it currently was.

"Hey hon" Gloria smiled as she served Jacqueline with a beer

Jacqueline returned the smile easily, "Hey Gloria. Good seeing you again"

The older witch nodded in agreement but before Gloria could make more conversation, Jacqueline's phone rang loudly in the nearly empty bar. Jacqueline was surprised to see Tyler's name flash across the screen but didn't hesitate to answer his call. Pulling the phone to her ear she smiled a little as she greeted him, "Hey, Ty"

"Hey, Jacq" Tyler sounded tiered when he answered

Jacqueline frowned at that, of course she'd noticed Tyler's late responses to her texts. The fact that he didn't call as much in the last few months... but when she asked he always assured her that everything was fine. He had always sounded like he was busy with life and the teen drama he filled her in on. Nothing going on should be making him sound as worn down as he does today.

"Is everything okay? I know I keep asking but you don't sound like you're doing good, Ty" she frowned as she spoke, "If you need help you know I'm here"

"I-" Tyler sucked in a breath

Jacqueline waited a minute as she listened to his harsh breathing on the other end of the phone. She was actually really worried now and she wasn't entirely sure what to do about it. "Tyler... what's wrong?" she asked as gently as possible.

She couldn't help if he didn't tell her what was wrong.

"Everything" Tyler choked out, "Everything's wrong and I don't know how to stop it or - or to - or to make it better again"

"Okay, Ty, tell me what happened alright?" Jacqueline coaxed

"3 months ago my dad died, they said it was a heart attack but he was really murdered when the town was trying to track down vampires. My uncle Mason came back to Mystic Falls right after and he was up to something... so I followed him and-and I found out th-that my family has the werewolf gene you told me about" Tyler sounded like he was crying as he spoke, "Mason wanted a moonstone or something, I don't know, I found it and was trying to figure out what it was. I gave it to Mason. Then Mason disappeared and some cryptic text says he's going back to Florida but he didn't take any of his stuff with him"

"You think he's in trouble?" Jacqueline guessed

"No, I think he's dead" Tyler told her with a poorly supressed sob. "Because he's a werewolf and they killed him and then some girl came at me with a knife and I-I-I just pushed her... I pushed her and she's dead and I-I and I'm scared"

Jacqueline closed her eyes in realisation - Tyler's triggered the gene.

And he's gonna have to go through the transformation in 2 weeks all on his own...

"You triggered it after the last full moon, right?" Jacqueline asked knowing that since he withheld all this from her then he might have already been through the first transformation.

"N-no I didn't have time last full moon - I went to the Lockwood cellars" Tyler sobbed, "I just... It hurts so bad and I don't want to do this! I don't know what to do! And-and you're not here and Masons' dead and Jules is gone and I can't even stand to talk to Elena and her little group of friends anymore and-"

"Wow, okay" Jacqueline soothed as best she could as he started to panic. "Tyler, I want you to listen to me, alright? Tell you're mom that you're going to stay with me or with Mason... come to Chicago, alright? Can you do that, Tyler?"

"Uh, yeah, yeah I can do that" Tyler said

"Good, that's good Tyler... I know exactly what to do, alright?" She told him trying to sound as confident as possible. "I'm gonna be with you every step of the way and you're never going to have to deal with this alone. I've got your back, Tyler"

"I- Thanks, Jacqueline" Tyler breathed out in audible relief, "I was scared and I wanted to call you but everything just happened so fast. I knew you would fix... like you always do"

"Do you need money to get to Chicago?" Jacqueline asked

"I've got it covered" Tyler sighed, "I'll be there soon... I'll call when I'm leaving. D-do you really know what to do?"

"Yeah, Ty, I'll tell you all about it when you get here. But basically I went to live with the Coven and I've been travelling all over the world for about a year now. I met a few people like you and even stayed with a few Packs... just get here and I will explain everything" Jacqueline assured him

"Yeah, see you seen, Jacq" Tyler said

"See you soon" she agreed as they hung up the phone.

Jacqueline let her shoulders drop as she placed her face in her hands over the bar. She couldn't believe she hadn't seen it sooner, that she'd just taken his word for it when he clearly hadn't been okay. Jacqueline of all people should have recognised the signs of Tyler Lockwood trying to play it cool when really he's a scared teen who's not used to having anyone care. He had been there for her and she hadn't been there when he needed her the most.

...But she was going to help him now, of that she was sure.

Jacqueline may have failed him when all this mess went down but she wouldn't fail again. No amount of playing it cool was going to fly this time around. She was going to make sure he didn't spend the rest of his life suffering. To do that, she needed to reach out to some friends for help.

Flipping out her phone again she dialled Mick from the New Orleans Pack's phone number. She was gonna need some people to show Tyler how to embrace the transformation and the wolf that's been inside him since day one - it would be the key to lessening the pain.

"Hello?" Mick's tiered voice answered the phone

"Hey, Mick, it's Jacqueline" Jacqueline said gently not knowing the time over in New Orleans at the moment. "Uh, I need a favour"

Mick chuckled, "Hmmn... I guess I'm open to negotiate"

Jacqueline snorted in amusement, her time in New Orleans had been spent mostly with Mick as they had their little fling for those two weeks after she was introduced to the Pack at the party. They had stayed in contact ever since and Jacqueline had been personally organising the delivery of vervain to Mick's pack monthly since then.

"I bet you are" She joked before sobering quickly, "But this time the favour is for my family and I need someone I can trust to help me out"

Mick seemed to catch on to how serious she was because all playfulness left his voice as he answered. "Sure, what's going on? You've been a friend to me and the Pack... anything we can help with, we will"

"He's like a little brother to me, Mick, and I need someone to teach him everything he needs to know about being a werewolf - he just triggered the gene last full moon. I've seen the difference between the people who embrace what they are and those who don't... I don't want him to suffer, I want him to see that this isn't a curse, that he can have a great life regardless... maybe even gain a family and friends in the process?" Jacqueline said quietly

"He triggered the gene?" Mick questioned, "He doesn't have family to help?"

"His dad didn't even know about it I don't think, but the man was killed a few months back and then his uncle who triggered the gene already was killed a few weeks ago" Jacqueline answered, "He's been through a lot recently and all he's learnt about this gene so far is that it gets people killed"

"And you need someone who's not all doom and gloom about it to show him there's good things that come from it as well" Mick guessed, "Of course, he's one of us even if he's not from our bloodlines. We'll help him, Jacq, bring him to New Orleans and we'll teach him"

"Thank you" Jacqueline breathed out in relief, "I'll be there before the full moon for sure but I'll call when we get in town"

"You got it, Jacq" Mick agreed easily, "And for the record - you don't owe us anything for this, neither does the kid"

"Are you sure?" Jacqueline asked knowing that this was a big ask to have some stranger join a Pack as closed off as this one. The only wolves that get to join this Pack are from the bloodline or involved with someone from the bloodline.

"Positive" Mick agreed, "You're a friend to us"

"Okay, thanks Mick" Jacqueline agreed as they hung up the phone and she finally allowed herself to let out the breath she didn't realise she'd been holding in. Honestly, she was just glad that Mick had said yes and she didn't care what she'd needed to do in order to get that. However, she couldn't say she wasn't glad that Mick was willing to do this without anything in return.

She couldn't believe Tyler was a werewolf now!

How had she missed it?

Jacqueline just hoped the trauma of the past few months wasn't too much for Tyler to put aside in order to learn about his history. Cause there's a lot more to being a werewolf than one might think - this Pack in particular had kept it's old teachings and traditions in order to teach their lines history accurately. There are rules and a hierarchy that this Pack abides by which is ingrained in the more primal part of their DNA.

Tyler would have to learn that.

...But he'd have to be open to learning it or he wouldn't be allowed to stay within the Pack, not even as a favour to her.

Tyler had to give it a chance just as Jacqueline had to do back with the Coven. It wasn't easy for people who weren't used to having a big family who all care and but she'd done it with the Coven and was better off for it. She really hoped Tyler would take full advantage of being given the same opportunity.

Jacqueline couldn't help the smile on her face as she stood outside the airport at Chicago and waited for Tyler to collect his luggage to meet her out here. He had called and announced that Carol think's he's gone to live with Mason for a while and as long as he stays in contact, Carol is begrudgingly fine with it for now. Jacqueline was both glad and saddened to hear of how easy it was for Tyler to convince his mother to let him live somewhere else.

Jacqueline knew Carol loved her son... but the woman just didn't seem to have her priorities in check.

When a familiar head of dark brown hair could be spotted through the crowd Jacqueline let out a loud whistle to catch his attention. She watched as Tyler turned in her direction and grinned as he headed her way. She took the time to take in the changed in his appearance - he was taller now, more built and broad too.

He didn't look like a kid anymore, she realised.

It wasn't a bad thing that he had done some growing up since they'd last spoken in person but it saddened her to known she hadn't been there for it. Tyler was just as much a brother to her as Jeremy. Jacqueline didn't like seeing the evidence of all she has missed in their lives.

It felt wrong that she had only been there for them via texts or calls or videchats.

It wasn't the same.

However, when Tyler approached her with that happy grin on his face she smiled in return without hesitation. She was glad to see him again, glad to be here for him when he needs the help. Jacqueline grabbed him and brought him in for a long and overdue hug. Squeezing tighter she sighed, "Missed you, kid"

Tyler laughed, "I'm not a kid anymore... but I missed you too, Jacq"

Jacqueline nodded before she released him a second later, it really was good to see him again. She didn't think she could of removed the small, fond, smile from her face if she'd of tried to. Shaking her head she grabbed his luggage and threw it in the backseat of her SUV. "C'mon. Get in" she nodded to the passenger side.

Tyler nodded and got in.

She rounded to the drivers side and buckled up before she started the car and pulled out of the airport parking lot. "So? You've never been to Chicago before, have you?"

"Nope" Tyler said as he looked out his window catching as much of the city as he possibly could while inside the car. "How long have you been here for?" he asked

"About a month" Jacqueline shrugged, "This is my 2nd time visiting Chicago. You gotta love the windy city" she grinned when he chuckled. "We have 2 weeks before we need to be in New Orleans, Ty, and I figured you could use a little sightseeing to take you mind off of everything while we're at it. Sound good?"

Tyler turned to her with a huge smile as he nodded, "Yeah, that sounds awesome Jacq!"

"Great" she nodded as she drove. "Cause I have a lot to catch you up on in the mean time too"

Tyler rose a brow as he nodded slowly, "Yeah, actually, you do"

"Where do I even start" Jacqueline muttered more to herself then him as she recalled all of what she had told him over their phone calls in the past 4 years. Jenna and Jeremy always got info on the touristy things she was going or seeing, pictures included sometimes. However, it was Tyler and Enzo that were briefed on the supernatural parts of whatever she was up to - though she always made sure that it wasn't all they ever talked about.

But it did mean that Tyler knew a little of what she had been doing and learning with the coven over the years... she just has to fill in the gaps.

So she did.

Jacqueline told him about when she first went to Boston with Giovanni to the coven location. She mentioned meeting the other witches seeking refuge at the coven and about the sense of community she got from it all. Jacqueline got to describe how it felt being around people where their abilities were never hidden or seen as anything but normal.

"Really?" Tyler asked with wide eyes

Jacqueline smiled as she nodded, "Yeah, Ty, really. It's amazing, I promise. I mean, I thought it was bad when I was back in Mystic Falls dealing with it on my own... but It took having someone teach me for me to realise that it didn't have to be bad"

Tyler nodded thoughtfully and she let the silence linger for a while in the car as he thought what she had said over in his head.

"It doesn't have to be bad for you, either, you know that right?" Jacqueline said after a while, glancing at him from the corner of her eye while she drove.

Tyler sighed, "Really? Cause Mason was a werewolf for 5 years and he hated every second of it. I only did it once and it's- it's painful, Jacq..."

"I know it is, Ty. I know" Jacqueline reassured him easily. "I'm taking you to a Pack in New Orleans though... they don't see it as a curse. It's so much more than that, Ty. Mason didn't have anyone to teach him but you do" she implored

"Do you really think It could ever be a good thing?" He asked a little hopeful at the notion of not always suffering, of being able to have some good come from it.

Jacqueline nodded, "I do. I've seen it before. All you have to do is be willing to put the work in, to learn their ways and you'll be better off for it. Trust me"

"I trust you" Tyler nodded easily before he went back to looking out the window. "Anyway... how do you know this - uh, Pack?"

She smirked.

Tyler groaned, "Great" he muttered sarcastically

"Nah..." Jacqueline chuckled and waved a dismissive hand at him. "My grandmother - Giovanni - she took me and a few others out to see a few of the Coven's friends in New Orleans. Just simple checkins to see if the Pack needed any help from us or anything. I entertained some of the kids with some cool little tricks and I've been using my contacts to send vervain to the Pack every month" she explained

"Oh" Tyler nodded his head before narrowing his eyes at her again. "That's all?"

"Mostly all" Jacqueline flashed him a smirk before shrugging in 'what can you do?' manner and admitting, "There might have been a casual fling with one of the guys from the Pack. Though we've been friends ever since"

"Sure... friends" Tyler echoed dryly

"Come on, Ty" Jacqueline snorted, "You're too much of a heartbreaker to be judging me" she pointed playfully

Tyler chuckled and shrugged, "Suppose so..." he relented

Jacqueline chuckled a little as she pulled into the hotel parking lot that she had been staying at since she go his call. The others that she had been travelling with to track down allies for the Coven had left after she announced that she would be staying to deal with a family issue. The Coven had been understanding and kept contact, assuring that family of hers was welcome at the Coven location any time they needed.

She was glad for it too.

If felt good to known that she didn't need to keep her two families apart. Then again it was only Enzo and Tyler who knew anything about the Coven or her adoption.

"Lets go inside" Jacqueline said as she shut off the car and got out. Waiting silently as Tyler grabbed his luggage and followed her lead. They headed into the hotel she had planned for the two of them to stay in for a couple of days.

Jacqueline figured they could spend 2 or 3 days hitting the most popular tourist sights Tyler would be interested in seeing.

"Is there anything you wanted to see in Chicago?" Jacqueline asked

Tyler shrugged but gave her a curious look, "I've never thought much about travelling. What are the good places?"

Jacqueline grinned as they entered the elevator and hit the button to their room. "It's gonna be great, Ty" she assured him

Jacqueline finished the quick text to Mick before she got back behind the wheel of the SUV she was driving. They had a few more hours before they would be in New Orleans but all was going to plan so far.

She had taken Tyler to most of the worthwhile touristy sights in Chicago for the first 2 days.

They'd indulged in a little too much food, but it had been necessary to get a good picture of Chicago culture.

Then they had spent their third day visiting the supernatural haunts Jacqueline had found. Tyler had been particularly shocked when he met some of her friends - vampire, werewolf and witch alike. Tyler had apparently not been fully comprehending how vast the supernatural world really is until then.

Jacqueline couldn't blame him for that.

She had done the same.

Jacqueline remembered that learning about it from Enzo and the Coven had been completely different to seeing it. Even she reacted in a similar fashion to Tyler's shock.

However, Jacqueline had slightly more strategic motives for introducing him to other supernaturals than what she'd admitted to having. In all honesty, she was hoping that those positive interactions gave him a more open mindset. Tyler's only experience with the supernatural had been negative. Jacqueline hoped having him meet some cool people who're vampires, werewolves and witches... that he would not assume them all to be the same.

Blind hate never did anyone any good.

You can't hate a whole race cause a few of that race did some horrible things.

Jacqueline knew Tyler understood that in theory, but reality was always more difficult. Tyler needed to be ready to learn in the Pack and those notions of supernaturals being anything like the evil they are in movies needed to be squashed.

Sighing silently she reached over to the dashboard and turned up the music a little. Tyler nodded in approval at the song and tapped his hand on the door along with the beat. Jacqueline smiled a little at the kid she viewed as a little brother and continued to drive.

They'd be there soon.

"Anything you want to know before we get there?" Jacqueline asked when they were about 5 minutes away.

Tyler sighed, "Are you sure they can help me?"

"Absolutely positive" she nodded without hesitation. "I'll even talk to Mike about joining you guys on the full moon. I was with a Pack in Germany when Giovanni taught me how to shape shift with magic"

"Wait" Tyler gaped at her. "You're saying you transformed on a full moon?"

Jacqueline nodded, "Once, yeah. It was amazing" she smiled softly at the memory.

Tyler shrugged, "I don't see how being chained up is very amazing"

"What?" Jacqueline frowned over at him in confusion. It took a second before what he was saying hit her and she sucked in a sharp breath.

That was no way to live.

Chaining yourself up every month wasn't something he should have to do.

"What?" Tyler echoed her comment with just as much confusion as she had. As if he didn't even know there was an alternative... and maybe he doesn't.

"I didn't chain myself up, Ty" Jacqueline said softly. "We went out onto the Packs land and ran around all night. It was amazing. You should never have to chain yourself up like some monster, Ty, embrace what you are"

Tyler looked a little startled at the thought of a Pack of wolves running around.

"Mason said-" Tyler started

Jacqueline sighed, "If you truly want to learn about what possessing the gene means Tyler... you have to forget everything Mason told you. Cause clearly he'd made his mind up on this being a curse and didn't give you all the facts"

Tyler frowned but looked a little hopeful that he might have a different experience to whatever Mason had explained it to be.

Jacqueline wanted to kill Mason herself for putting such narrow minded ideas in his head!

Maybe she'd resurrect Mason so she can kill him?

Jacqueline knew she could do it if she tired.

But she supposed she shouldn't...

Shaking her head she pulled up near the bayou and shut off the engine. Jacqueline nodded her head at Tyler to get out of the car and follow. Neither said anything but Jacqueline lead the way after giving Tyler's shoulder a supportive squeeze.

Jacqueline paused when she reached the boundary of the Packs land.

She could feel the possessive claim in aura surrounding the land. It was an impressive sight and spoke to just how long the Pack had been here.

A chestnut brown wolf appeared almost from nowhere and crept closer to them.

"Jacq?" Tyler whispered

"It's one of the Pack protectors" Jacqueline informed him. "He's taking in our scents and then he'll lead us the rest of the way. The Pack will be waiting"

Tyler looked unsure and nervous but nodded anyway.

The brown wolf finally moved directly in front of Jacqueline and nodded its head at her. She smiled in thanks and followed as the wolf began to lead the way. Due to the spell that had been placed on this Pack all those years ago, the members had gained even more control over their wolf forms thoughts and actions.

Only newly triggered or uneducated werewolves acted purely on instincts within their Pack.

Jacqueline knew that was yet another thing that this Pack would be able to help teach Tyler. Starting this young even meant it wouldn't take him as long to get the hang of it all too.

At least there was an upside to all this... Right?

Jacqueline watched Tyler closely as he took in his surroundings. The place looked like a campsite someone might travel to for a holiday. Only there were small little houses instead of caravans or tents. The land was beautiful though and despite it being deep in the bayou it had a very welcoming feeling about it.

It was a Pack feeling that Jacqueline knew Tyler picked up on instantly. Even if Tyler didn't understand the feeling yet... it was still a part of his DNA to recognise it.

"You must be Tyler!" Mick called as he emerged from the main little house.

And naturally, as soon as Mick was greeting them, so was everyone else. The rest of the Pack who were saved from the curse all emerged - there had to be at least 30 adults and close to 20 kids.

"Jackie!" Little Mary Loo grinned and rushed over to Jacqueline

Jacqueline laughed and scooped the girl up, settling Mary Loo in her hip. "Hey Mary Loo" Jacqueline smiled and then sought out Tina, Mary Loos mother, with her eyes.

Tina nodded in return and smiled in welcome before approaching alongside her husband.

"Mick said you were staying with us again? Is that right?" Mary Loo bombarded Jacqueline with eager questions.

Jacqueline chuckled, "Well I'm going to talk to Mick about the specifics but, Tyler's going to stay with you for a while. Think you could show him around?"

Mary Loo nodded then looked over at Tyler who was watching the interaction curiously. Mary reached out for a Tyler, expecting to be picked up whether she knew Tyler or not. Tyler looked to Jacqueline who gave him a nod before he complied.

It got soft smiles from the rest of the Pack.

"You're new" Mary said after assessingly staring at Tyler for a minute. "Don't worry. Our Pack is the strongest of all Packs in the country!" The girl gushed with more pride than one thought a 7 year old capable of possessing.

"Indeed we are, Miss Mary" George nodded and smiled slightly at Tyler before taking his daughter from Tyler's arms. George extended a hand to Tyler, "I'm George. It's good to have you here, Kid"

"Thanks for having me, Sir" Tyler nodded shaking George's hand.

Mick clapped Tyler on the shoulder, "You'll be fine kid. Jacqueline brought you here cause she knew that we'd make sure of it"

"Or maybe she just wanted to see Mick again!" Lacey, Micks younger sister announced with a chuckle.

Jacqueline rolled her eyes and scoffed playfully at the suggestion. "I could think of better things to do" she denied but a smirk pulled up on her lips regardless

Mick shook his head and wore a cocky smirk as he made a show of refuting. "Now, now, Jacqueline - we both know I'm a too much of a charmer for you to pass up some time with me"

Lacey gaged with an exaggerated shudder, earning laughs from all the adults around them.

Mick chuckled and threw an arm over Tyler's shoulders. "C'mon kid, let's meet everyone"

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