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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"After all... I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."

Anna Scott, Notting Hill

CINQUANTADUE

Jacqueline shared a smirk with her girlfriend when Elijah and Hayley seemed closer than usual. Like neither were attempting to keep a distance anymore.

Nobody commented though.

When strong magic crackled in the air around them, Jacquelines head whipped up. She turned and faced the living room in time to see Tara stumble on her feet.

Tara?

What was she doing here?

"What the fuck?" Jeremy asked, voicing everyone's current thoughts, as he eyed the girl.

Tara offered a sheepish smile and wave. "Uh, hi. Sorry to drop in like this but Jacqueline didn't answer her phone" Tara said.

Jacqueline stood quickly and walked over to the girl. Ready to usher her out of the room and away from everyone else. Tara showing up here like this wasn't going to sit well with everyone. If the Coven had ordered it though... Jacqueline couldn't send the girl away.

But she could keep Tara away from Jeremy.

Jacqueline didn't want Jeremy to get worse again by the sudden reappearance.

Jeremy still wasn't doing too good.

"Tara" Jacqueline sighed and gestured for the girl to exit the room. "We can speak out here. I assume this is Coven business?"

"Not exactly" Tara winced

Jacqueline rose a brow at that.

"Uh. I really need to talk to you and Jeremy-" Tara started as she glanced over at Jeremy who was sitting at the table. "-it's really important"

"I don't think that's a good idea" Jacqueline shook her head.

"Look, please, Jacqueline I shouldn't have left" Tara urged her to listen. "Please let me explain why I'm back. I want to stay. I need an elder witch's approval. Just let me explain"

Tara cast a look in Jeremys direction.

Jeremy scoffed and sped out of the room off to god knows where. Clearly he didn't want anything to do with Tara at the moment. Jeremy wasn't even willing to hear Tara out and that told Jacqueline all she needed to know.

Tara can't stay.

"Look, Tara, this just isn't the right time" Jacqueline said to the young girl. After everything that Jeremy had been through in Tara's absence it wasn't likely he would be in the welcoming mood anytime soon. Jacqueline sighed, "It's been a difficult week. You can stay the night, but you're going to have to go back to the Coven tomorrow"

It was for the best.

Jacqueline liked Tara well enough and they are technically family. However, Jacqueline wasn't willing to welcome Tara at Jeremys detriment.

Jeremy would always come first.

After everything that had happened lately with Jeremy, it was no surprise that he didn't want Tara here. Jacqueline could only respect his decision and support it.

"I can't leave" Tara whispered thickly, tears springing in the young girls eyes as she stared at Jacqueline pleadingly.

Jacqueline sighed.

The waterworks were not going to do anything to change Jacqueline's mind on this. She would do whatever was best for her family and unfortunately, that didn't include Tara this time. Jacqueline wasn't going to change her mind just because Tara sheds a few tears over missing Jeremy's company.

Maybe that was a harsh view point to have - but it was just the reality of the situation right now.

"I'm sorry, Tara" Rebekah spoke up firmly. "Jeremy needs some space to clear his head. We can't force him to get over all of this. You need to give him some time and then maybe you can come back-"

"You don't understand" Tara sniffled, "I can't leave him. Not ever again. Jeremy is it for me and being apart hurts too much... I need him"

What the hell?

Jacqueline's eyes narrowed at the intense words coming from the young bloodwitch. Something in her mind registered the suspiciously phrased explanation. That wasn't something a 17 year old usually said. Well, not unless they've met their- Oh no.

No way!

Jacqueline paled a little as she recognised the look in Tara's eyes.

Rebekah, sensing Jacqueline's emotions immediately, turned to her with a confused frown. Rebekah's hands soothingly rubbed up and down Jacqueline's bare arms. Jacqueline only stared at Tara silently. "Jacqueline?" Rebekah whispered softly, questioningly.

"You're too young" Jacqueline insisted

Tara scoffed out a watery chuckle before hugging her arms around herself pitifully. "Yeah... that's what I had thought too" Tara admitted, "That's why I insisted we stay friends the whole time. I cared about him - but I thought I'd end up leaving him in the end anyway"

Begrudgingly Jacqueline now understood Tara's reasoning.

It was a fair point.

Tara had cared for Jeremy, but the girl had known she was yet to meet her BloodBonded. Meaning that Tara would never fully be able to love Jeremy no matter how long they were together. Tara had done the right thing by not leading Jeremy on... but that hadn't meant it didn't hurt Jeremy. Suddenly, the fact Jeremy was this hurt over a girl who he was simply friends with, made a lot more sense.

Jacqueline had just chalked it up to Jeremy being a 17 year old vampire. She'd never stopped to think about Jeremy's intense feelings being anything more.

Now she knew better.

"Jacq..." Rebekah trailed off as she seemed to catch onto what was being discussed. A worried and hesitant look appearing in Rebekah's eyes as it all started to fit together now.

Jacqueline nodded and tightly held Rebekah's hand in hers before turning back to Tara. Jacqueline gave the girl a firm look as she said, "You have to give Jeremy a choice"

"What?" Tara looked confused

"If Jeremy isn't ready for such a commitment... if he doesn't want this type of relationship... you have to give him a choice to complete the bond or not" Jacqueline stated simply

Tara opened and shut her mouth a few times before squeaking out, "You mean reject the BloodBond?"

"Yes" Jacqueline nodded, "He's not a BloodWitch. He doesn't hold the same significance to the Bond as we do. If Jeremy doesn't want this bond, Tara, you'll have to wait until he does"

Tara sighed, "I guess I get that. I- Do you think he might not want to complete the bond?" she asked

Jacqueline shrugged, "I don't know. To be honest - Jeremy doesn't even know you and you don't know him. Maybe you should suggest spending a week getting to know each other and being together before jumping into something like this. Once you do this... it can never be undone"

It's permanent.

Kids weren't supposed to have such intense relationships...

As far as Jacqueline was aware, Jeremy had only had two girlfriends before and neither ended well. Vickie only used Jeremy to make herself feel better and ended up getting him addicted to drugs in his grief. Jeremy had witnessed Vickie getting killed by Damon and Stefan before they attempted to compel him. As if that wasn't traumatic enough for a regular person - Jeremy had been 15 at the time. Then his next girlfriend had been Anna, a vampire, who convinced him to kill himself and turn. All just to run away with her and leave Mystic Falls behind. Anna was then killed and Jeremy was left even more depressed than he had been before.

Jeremy's relationships hadn't been positive before.

They'd ended only in heartbreak.

Jacqueline knew that if Tara's magic had led her to Jeremy - then it meant the two were made for each other. That type of hurt wouldn't happen this time because of the bond. However, Jacqueline figured Jeremy had a lot to work through before he was at a point where he could accept something like this.

It's a big deal.

While Tara might have been taught to embrace a bond like this, Jeremy hadn't been.

Tara sighed, "Will you talk to him? To tell him what's going on since he doesn't want to talk to me?"

Jacqueline nodded silently.

Being near Tara might not be the best idea for Jeremy right now. This information would have to come from Jacqueline first. Then once Jeremy had processed, he can talk to Tara about it.

"Why don't you just head on upstairs" Rebekah ventured carefully. "Call the Coven and let them know your here with us. Maybe you should give Davina a call?"

Tara nodded.

"Thanks for this" Tara said, "I know it's not convenient for you. For any of us"

"It'll be alright in the end" Jacqueline said, hoping like hell that was true. For all their sakes she hoped it was true.

Now they need to find Jeremy.

Jacqueline closed her eyes and reached out with her magic. Allowing her magic to pull her in his direction, to guide her to him. Jacqueline interlaced her fingers with Rebekah's and shared a worried look with her girlfriend.

This was a lot.

Fuck.

Jacqueline sighed, "What if this is too much for him to handle?" She whispered

Rebekah pursed her lips, "I don't know. But we are going to be there to help him. No matter what."

She supposed that's all they really could do in this situation...

Jacqueline sighed.

Instead of dwelling on what would happen, she headed in the direction of the art studio. Klaus had allowed Jeremy and Tyler free rein of the room and supplies. It was Jeremys sanctuary whenever he was upset. Jacqueline wasn't surprised to find him sat at the table, staring at his sketch book angrily.

She knocked on the door.

Jeremy startled and looked up with wide eyes. Clearly he was surprised he hadn't heard them approaching.

But he looked lost in his head.

Jacqueline felt like a shitty mom for not realising what was going on. Everything about his behaviour made sense now. Jacqueline hated that she hadn't seen it sooner. She hated how she had brushed it off as teenage vampire hormones.

It was so much more.

Jeremy had really been struggling and she hadn't seen it.

She hadn't helped.

Jacqueline let go of Rebekah's hand and crossed the room quickly. She wrapped her arms around him. Jeremy clung to her instantly. His arms wrapped around her waist and his face buried into her stomach as his shoulders heaved with a sob.

Her heart broke for him.

Jacqueline knew this pain from feeling it herself. She had struggled with it for only a few days. Jeremy had been feeling this pain worse than she had.

Her poor baby boy...

Rebekah walked over and rubbed Jeremys back as he let out the tears he had been holding in all this time.

"Jeremy..." Jacqueline started as crouched down to be eye level with him. "Jeremy none of this was dealt with properly. I'm sorry I didn't realise what was going on sooner - I should have seen it"

"Seen what?" Jeremy hiccuped

Jacqueline exchanged a hesitant look with Rebekah at the question.

"Seen what?" Jeremy repeated as he looked between them both.

Rebekah sighed, "Do you remember when Jacqueline and I stopped talking to each other back in Mystic Falls? Before we started dating?"

Jeremy nodded, "Yeah"

Of course he remembered, he had constantly been asking Jacqueline what was wrong all week. Jeremy had never seen her mope around looking defeated before. Jacqueline had never felt that before either... it was so intense it felt like she couldn't breathe.

He had been feeling that lately.

"That's what happens when you develop the beginning of a BloodBond with a BloodWitch" Jacqueline picked up from Rebekah with a sad smile. "Those two people aren't meant to be apart like that. They're supposed to complete the BloodBond..."

"Okay?" Jeremy frowned in confusion

"What you've been feeling lately" Jacqueline carefully ventured. "Is it like this heavy weight on your chest? Like you can't breath properly unless Tara is near you?"

"Like you can't think about anything else?" Rebekah said knowingly. "Your whole body aches at the distance?"

Jeremy opened his mouth but shut it quickly.

His eyes widened.

"I- what- Huh?" Jeremy uttered as he looked between them both quickly. The fear on his face was clear for them both to see. Jeremy shook his head, "That's what it feels like... but... I'm not- we haven't- well, Tara and I aren't dating or anything"

"I know" Jacqueline soothed. "You don't have to have dated first. A BloodBond isn't something anyone can control or pick. It just happens"

Rebekah nodded, "Tara has been feeling the same as you since she left here"

"Really?" Jeremy asked, "Then why did she leave?"

"The Coven called her back and she didn't know yet. It took me weeks to realise Rebekah and I were BloodBonded. We had been dating for a while when I finally realised. A BloodBond had been the last thing I was looking for at the time" Jacqueline explained

Jeremy nodded with a sigh.

"You should take some time to process. Then maybe you should have a conversation with Tara" Rebekah suggested kindly.

"Take a week. Get to know Tara before you agree to anything" Jacqueline advised. "This is permanent. It's marriage with no divorce. It's for hundreds of years to come, Jeremy, so put some real thought into it"

"I- okay, yeah" Jeremy nodded dazed. "It's a lot to think about"

"It is" Jacqueline agreed

"When your ready... we can explain what it's like to you both, what it means" Rebekah said. "We don't want to overwhelm you with information just yet"

Jacqueline nodded her agreement.

That was the last thing she wanted to do right now.

Jacqueline kissed Jeremy forehead before she stood up. "Find us when your ready to hear what a BloodBond is. Okay? We're here for you no matter what choice you make. I love you, Jer"

"I love you too" Jeremy nodded with a shaky smile. He looked at Rebekah and smiled before he said, "I love you too Rebekah"

Rebekah practically beamed.

Jacqueline felt her heart melt at the sight of Jeremy and Rebekah hugging. Rebekah kissed Jeremys forehead and extended a hand to Jacqueline to take. She did and allowed her girlfriend to lead her out of the room once again

"He said he loves me too" Rebekah whispered in amazement

Jacqueline grinned and planted a kiss on Rebekah's lips. "Of course he loves you" she said, "How could he not?"

Rebekah smiled

Jacqueline answered her phone with a small smile when she saw the name that flashed across the screen.

Mick.

She hadn't spoken to him in a while now, but she always enjoyed their conversations. Mick was a good friend despite the casual fling they'd had. Jacqueline always did have a habit of sleeping with people she was better off remaining friends with. Then again, that was likely because it was the strongest connection she had been capable of forming. However, that was all before she met Rebekah.

It didn't mean she wasn't still friends with Mick though.

He's a good guy.

Jacqueline answered, "Hey Mick"

"Jacqueline, hey" Mick answered, "Good to talk to you again. It's been a while"

"Too long. I've been really busy" Jacqueline agreed

"That's why I'm calling actually" Mick sighed, "The Pack knows about your involvement with Marcel..."

"Let me guess; they don't like it" Jacqueline stated already knowing it to be the case.

"Yeah..." Mick agreed

"Well don't worry, okay? My involvement with Marcel is a diversion. I have to play the part of good little witch for a while, but that's almost over now" Jacqueline assured quietly. "Marcel doesn't even know what's about to hit him"

"Your serious?" Mick asked, his voice a lot more hopeful now.

"Would I lie about this?" Jacqueline scoffed in return. "You can't share this information with anyone not in the Pack. I'm only trusting you with it because I know you're all just as eager for this as I am"

"Don't worry. We sure as shit won't be standing in the way of that" Mick chuckled. "The Pack will be happy to hear this. We'll keep tabs on what's going on"

"Okay. Just be careful" Jacqueline warned seriously. "Marcel is backed into a corner right now. If you spook him... I don't know how he'll react"

"Means your plans are working though, doesn't it?" Mick asked

"It won't be long now" Jacqueline agreed. "Whatever happens you don't have to worry. Your Pack is under my Covens protection for life. Your survival and safety comes above my plans"

It was her Coven obligation after all.

A BloodWitch alley was under her protection always. Jacqueline would never betray that responsibility. Not to mention the fact that she liked the Pack. They're her friends and Tyler's Pack as well.

"You have your hooks into new management?" Mick asked cryptically

"Yes. New management is my family" Jacqueline sighed. "Not witch family though. Your Pack will be protected by the new management"

"That's great" Mick said happily.

Jacqueline nodded in agreement. Marcel had been hunting down the New Orleans Pack for over a hundred years. Placing a curse on them had been part of that. Jacqueline was going to ensure nothing like that ever happens to them again.

Especially with Hayley and Tyler being werewolves.

Their family has a vested interest in ensuring peace amongst them all. Once upon a time when the Mikaelson family ruled, there had been peace. Marcel had destroyed it over the years.

They were getting to back.

They had to get it back to make this a place safe for their expanding family. A hybrid baby wouldn't survive in a city that hated and hunted werewolves. It wouldn't be safe for the child or their family. So they had a lot to fix in order to change that.

Which brought Jacqueline to Hayley...

And her suspicions of who exactly Hayley was related to. Jacqueline had seen the crescent birthmark on Hayleys shoulder and feared that she recognised it. Not to mention Hayley claims there's been a wolf filling her around. Jacqueline could only think of one person who would do that.

"Listen... Mick I have a question" Jacqueline was suddenly more hesitant.

"What is it?" Mick asked

"Your Pack haven't been following a pregnant wolf around, have you?" Jacqueline asked

"Why?" Mick answered evasively.

Jacqueline sighed, "Cause that woman would be my in-law. She and that baby are under my protection"

"She's under our protection too" Mick sighed. "Do you know who she is, Jacqueline? How the fuck did you find her?"

"I think I need to make a trip out to you guys..." Jacqueline stated. "This is gonna be a long conversation"

"Agreed. We'll be waiting" Mick said

Jacqueline hung up the phone and sighed as she went to look for Tyler. She was going to have to fill Tyler in as well. Considering he's part of that Pack, he deserves to know. He might even be able to help her convince the Pack not to worry about the Mikaelsons taking over New Orleans again.

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