A/N: 'Paradise I Wish, Truly I Do!' cleared 60,000 hits, while 'Oh, This Is The Real Me' reached 50,000 hits, 'Gone' hit 20,000 and this story reached 10,000 hits. Virtual cookie for Atchleykera232 as they were the 500th reviewer for 'Oh, This Is The Real Me' xx Alexis


"Good Morning Madame LaRue. This is a not so unexpected pleasure. How can I assist you this morning?" I ask feeling very chipper,

"Elijah, I called to invite you and Miss Swan to afternoon tea tomorrow if that's convenient?" she replies with a hint of uncertainty on Isabella's name,

"We would be honoured. This is most unusual getting such a personal invite!" I say still smiling to myself,

"Yes, but Miss Swan appears to be a very unusual girl" was Josephine's answer,

"Oh, I'm aware of that. She's an innocent who has found navigating the supernatural world quite easy. In fact, you could say she was a natural!" I explain, letting her know, I also knew,

"Yes, a rare thing indeed! So tomorrow at three-thirty, I look forward to it" she says before breaking the call,

Well, it seemed to be my day for calls. First Damon to tell me Rebekah was in Mystic Falls and now Josephine La Rue. One thing at a time, I will deal with my sister once she wears out her welcome there. Which of course, she will, she always does. You would think after all this time she would realise the world is not revolving around her. Her entitled behaviour was fine, but annoying when servants were a thing but not nowadays. It wasn't transitioning from a witch to a vampire that was her problem. It was from being worshipped as a goddess to just being just another vampire! Because she herself made many traditionals who have made hundreds more.

I better tell Isabella about our impending visit to 'The Garden District', at the invitation of Madame LaRue. Now, what on earth do I give her as tribute, because no invitation from the Regent of the Nine Covens is free! One day isn't much time, but I think that's intentional!

"You look worried Elijah! What's ruining your buzz?" Isabella asks as she comes down the staircase for breakfast,

"We need a gift for Madame LaRue! I have no idea how to find something this fast that would be acceptable!" I explain,

"Well, let's have some food and wander out and have a look. Tell me everything you know about her, Elijah" Isabella says and I relax,

We eat a good breakfast before heading out and I have told her everything I know about Josephine.

"It sounds like she is very proud of her past and her family's standing in New Orleans. I think that's the place to start! It's the belonging, the history she loves" Isabella says as we head out,

We are strolling around an antique store when Isabella comes to a halt. The painting although good is not a masterpiece or anything like it. It's the Garden District, from around the eighteen hundreds. But as I get closer I see what's making her smile. The artist signed it André LaRue 1835. Was he her grandfather or another male relative? I see what Isabella is telling me, it's not the cost of the gift, but the significance of it and that will appeal to Josephine so much more than something expensive she doesn't need. I buy it immediately and have it sent to Elizabeth's while we go for a walk. I fully intend to take Isabella out to lunch in gratitude that she made this painless and meaningful.

IOOH

So what exactly does one wear to afternoon tea? Jeez, I don't think I've ever been invited to it before. I looked online and that scares the crap out of me. There will be no hat, no lacy gloves, that's not me and never will be. Hell, I'm only eighteen, well almost nineteen but still! So I'll wear a dress and that lovely shawl come scarf Elijah bought me but that's it. I'm only going because I think she knows about my ancestors, nothing else. I owe the witches of New Orleans nothing; if anything they owe me an apology. The one thing I will be doing is keeping us both under my shield. I don't trust any of them, not even there Regent. They will now have to prove themselves to me before I will be willing to listen to them.

Maybe I should demand a public apology, in front of the Regent and other heads of the covens. I think they could do with a dose of reality. Everyone knows there is always someone out there bigger and definitely stronger than you. Are all witches that arrogant, if so I'm glad I'm not one? I have noticed something else recently; I will need to discuss it with Elijah. Since I've been drinking his blood I have noticed I can now move and shield myself from traditionals. I was helping out with the late lunch crowd after Elijah and I returned and I dropped my pad. As I bent down to retrieve it I felt more than saw the guy coming up behind me and I made him slap his own face and not my ass!

It was as if I could see what he was going to do and stopped him, but I saw it in my mind! Could my shield be sentient? I don't want it working independent of me, with me yes! I signalled to Aunt Teresa I was done and she nodded to the stairs.

"Will you want me for the dinners?" I asked as I remover my apron,

"Nah, looks like a quiet night, thank goodness" she replied and I sprinted up to Elijah's room,

I found him waiting at the door for me and threw myself into his arms. So much was happening around me and I was starting to get overwhelmed I think.

"Hey, are you okay sweetheart?" he asks concern written all over his face,

So in true Bella style, I blurt everything out, my feeling, my ideas and my worries. I don't need all this crap I have tests to do on Friday! He, of course, is perfect and soothes my fears, telling me we can leave Josephine's house if I am uncomfortable. Tells me to not waste my time on the witches, they are scared of me, nothing more. He also is relieved I can protect myself from traditional vampires and hopes that extends to Cold Ones as well. So within minutes, he has rationalised all my fears. But not once was it condescending or arrogant. He just tells me straight that I'm better than them all and they all need me for something, not the other way around!

IOOH

Stefan Salvatore seems rather dull and boring! He's no fun at and his brother has disappeared. I don't know why I came to Mystic Falls, it's so bland. I expected to be treated better than this! After all, I am an Original, without me, they wouldn't exist. Bur apparently a lot of them wish they didn't exist! Their tame witch is insufferable and ordered me to clean up behind myself! Me, Rebekah Mikaelson, why would I do that? Why have these idiots not got any staff, it's not like they can't afford it? I stomped up to my mediocre room leaving her whining behind.

"Damn it, Stefan, I'd never have made those daylight items for Damon, if I'd known he would bail and leave us with Princess Bitch! Both he and Elijah owe me big time" she ranted from the kitchen,

Who the hell does she think she is? Calling me names? I've been civil to her; she's just their tame witch of no importance to me! Why would Elijah owe her? Did she make stuff for him and Damon took it to him? Who would he need a daylight ring for, has he changed someone? He swore he never would again! Has he gotten involved with some Gold digger? Well, no little trollop is taking my brother away from me! Looks like I'm needed in New Orleans after all. They can't be left alone for five minutes before they get into trouble.

IOOH

Well, all's quiet on the home front. Now I'm in charge I've been in touch with Jenks and spoken to both Eleazar and Conrad. There has been no unusual activity, but both mentioned another Original was on the move and heading towards New Orleans. What in flying fuck is an Original?

"Carlisle, what the hell is an Original? Everyone is mentioning them and saying they are in or going to New Orleans" I ask and his head whips around fast,

I..., dear God! Well, Emmett, they are exactly that, the Original vampire family that everyone else came from! A witch, their mother, created them. But witches also created us as a deterrent to them. One that didn't work! Aro tries to keep that quiet, but the Volturi even answer to them; it was one of them that demanded Edward's death.

He is Elijah Mikaelson, but it's his brother Niklaus that everyone fears, a werewolf/vampire hybrid! Hundreds of years ago Aro refused to control our kind and Niklaus killed Caius' brother and his men as punishment. He tore them to shreds in front of everyone. They are faster, stronger and truly immortal compared to us.

Unlike us they have blood in their veins, their hearts beat slowly and they can consume human food. But sunlight does affect them. Their line, ones they changed will die in it, but not the Originals. It burns them and then they heal again, it's mind-boggling! It's said if an original dies everyone they sired will also die. So if they sired someone they too will perish and on and on down through the ages!

All those stories the human believe are based on them! They like the Quileutes call us, Cold Ones. Coven leaders are forbidden to tell about them unless they have direct contact, as we now have. Finally, Elijah Mikaelson has taken a human under his wing and it was for her he had Edward stopped. Care to hazard a guess who that might be?" he told us, I sense a little aggravation in his tone,

We sat completely gobsmacked! It was like being told Santa was real, I wasn't wrapping my head around it very well when Esme gasped.

"Bella! She runs from us, right into them. That poor child! We have to help her!" she says and my cell buzzes,

'Elijah is the good guy and Bella's, true mate. Come between them and you can kiss your ass goodbye! He'll want to meet you and Rose soon, to thank you. Carlisle might want to hide!' PW

"Peter says not! She exactly where she's meant to be and I for one am happy for her" I reply happy for my little sister,

It's then I realise Rose is staring at Carlisle and then it dawns on me! He would never have told us if I hadn't asked outright. He's still hiding things from us, even when it's okay to tell, he still has to be pushed! But it's something he should have told me as I was the one taking over the coven! Is this a mistake?

IOOH

I know Isabella is both nervous and concerned about going to the LaRue Mansion. But she shouldn't be she is the one person in New Orleans that is safe from them all. If anything it's the humans who are the most dangerous to her, crazy I know. We are just about ready to leave and I'm glad to see Isabella is being true to herself, not trying to fit in any type of mould. She would never be disrespectful because that's not her but she's not dressing to impress either. She is being herself and that's what I love about her, others would have gone all out over the top, but not her. In the past, I would have too, but I'm seeing things from Isabella point of view nowadays and yes, less is more!

I got a random call this morning, not from Damon Salvatore, but from Stefan, his brother. It was to warn me Rebekah was heading this way. I think I might whisk Isabella away to New York sooner rather than later. Once she's sat her tests tomorrow, then I think we'll go. Even if Rebekah reaches Elizabeth's she'll never find the door and without the key, she'll be unable to get in either. I know that sounds cruel but she'd move in, take over and have Teresa and Gareth running after her, doing her bidding. So she'll have to stay at her own place and avoid Marcel. But first, we need to get through this meeting. Why is nothing simple, not just for me but Isabella as well?

As it was not far and the weather was nice we walked to the Garden District. I had the painting we bought wrapped nicely and Isabella had calmed down now. She had this knack of once she accepted something, then it was no longer worth worrying about. We arrived with fifteen minutes to spare, just enough time to be seated before the tea was served. I had been through this ritual many times over the last century or so and knew the drill. Although we were invited for three-thirty, you are expected to be there beforehand and Josephine will arrive at the stated time! Just another way of trying to put someone on the back foot, but she should know I wouldn't fall for that.

I keep hold of the painting, even though the butler is eyeing it up. I want to see Josephine's reaction when she opens it. Also, I know she might keep us waiting and I will compel her staff to serve us if she does. I am not one of her minions and she would do well to remember that. Unlike Klaus, I am not one to stamp my authority over everyone, but I can and if pushed too far, I will! But today is not that day, she arrives at twenty-seven minutes past the hour and the introductions are made. Isabella is polite and reserved, but calm; I smile and wink at her when no one is looking. There are no reasons she should feel stressed here, after all, she's the human, an extraordinary one yes, but still just a human.

"So, Miss Swan how are you enjoying New Orleans?" Josephine asks pointedly,

"I like it very much thank you, Madame LaRue. I think it would have been an exciting place to grow up in" Isabella replies,

"Where do you call home then dear?" she asks Isabella next,

"Nowhere actually. We moved too often to lay down roots and my father's hometown is just that, his hometown!" Isabella says now but with no grievance towards either of her parents,

"Oh, that's unfortunate. But you're young and one day you may find somewhere to call home" Josephine tells her and I hear the sadness in her tone,

"Talking of home, we brought you a gift that I felt you might like," Isabella says fetching the painting and handing it over,

Isabella was so right, this was the perfect gift. Not the most showy or expensive, but the most well-received and reflected on the giver as well.

"Oh, I don't know how to thank you. He often painted for friends and of course, the pictures were not here, not ours. But I know this was one of my grandfather's favourites as he talked about it often. So to finally see it, hold it, is amazing. Thank you, my dear, you are a very special young woman!" Josephine says quite moved by the gift,

I could see the moisture gathered in her eyes. She truly didn't expect Isabella to be so kind, so caring and so down to earth. Yes, I think many people have underestimated my sweetheart far too often. Once the tea was finished Josephine told Isabella everything she knew about her family and suggested we make enquiries in Norwell, Massachusetts next. She explained that naturals weren't that unusual, but in the human world people passed it off as ESP etc. Other's never lived near supernaturals for their differences to become apparent. She did tell us that there should have been ten covens in New Orleans, one for each point and one for each intersection point on the Pentacle.

But Edgar Swan made sure the Cormier family never practised magic again! Forever leaving the balance uneven here in New Orleans. That during major events it was left to the ancestors whether or not their pleas were heard, rather than guaranteed!

"So they sabotaged themselves but the Swans got the blame? Typically elitism I suppose, it never works, but they never stop trying! Why do I get the feeling I'm going to carry the can for this whole mess?" Isabella says firmly and we thank Josephine and take our leave,

IOOH

I just can't believe he's not aware of what's he's done! I saw first Rose and then Emmett's faces when they realised Carlisle had been hiding, no he was still hiding things from them. Has his many years of habitually lying to us become ingrained in his psyche? I can see that this will never work, what little residual faith they had in him, just drained away. I don't think he's doing it on purpose, it's just how Edward trained him. Well, enough is enough this family, no coven is well and truly over! It's time to cut our losses and leave. But first, we have to divide it all up as fairly as possible. I know it'll come as a shock to Carlisle but I can't pretend anymore that I don't see the damage he's doing!

"Time to end this farce, don't you all think?" I said calmly,

"What farce Esme? I don't understand what you mean!" Carlisle says blithely,

"Exactly!" we three say at the same time,

IOOH

Well, damn! If anyone was goin' to fuck it up it would be Carlisle Cullen. I can't believe anyone is that oblivious to what's happenin' around him, but apparently he is! Charlotte didn't even look surprised when I told her, more like she thought, it figures. She just told me to invite Rose and Emmett down when we got back and I nodded. They need a place to decompress and then I'll teach them all they need to survive in our world.

"It's the bunny juice ain't it? It's rotted his damn brain!" I mutter and she shakes her head walkin' away,

"Probably!" she says quietly and I shrug, cause I knew I was right!

IOOH

It's test day, I'm ready! Because damn it's the easiest thing going on in my life at the moment. Elijah's pushing us to leave for New York as soon as they are over. I know something's bothering him, but he keeps saying it's nothing and he just wants to take me away to celebrate. I will deal with this later, because we will be going nowhere until he tells me what the hell is going on. I don't want to fight with him and he must know I'm not happy about the evasion tactics! Well, I was right, not trying to blow my own trumpet but! I found that a lot simpler than I thought it would be. I even went back over everything twice to be sure, but nope it was really straightforward.

Elijah was waiting for me when I returned and he looked hopeful;, but apprehensive. I raised an eyebrow and he virtually deflated.

"You won't leave with me, will you?" he asked quietly,

"Not until you tell me the truth!" I say walking up the stairs,

"I'm trying to protect you" he mummers,

"By lying to me! Don't you remember anything I've told you about my past?" I say feeling my anger flair,

"I'm not him!" he growls,

"Then why are you acting like you are?" I snap back,

"She'll hurt you sweetheart!" he says sadly,

"Who will?" I demand,

"Rebekah, she's on her way here!" he tells me sighing,

"They can't hurt me remember" I state,

"Physically no! Mentally, emotionally yes!" he sneers,

"How?" I ask concerned now,

"When she sees she can't hurt or kill you, she'll send for Klaus and then he'll try and fail! So he'll do the one thing you can't stop. He'll dagger me and leave me for dead until you die of old age and then and only then will he release me. Making me live without you for eternity!" he sobs and I rush to hold him,

"They've done it before haven't they?" I say with a snarl in my voice, he nods,

"Elijah, you're forgetting one thing. Something they don't know yet. I won't die of old age, So I'll just have to kill myself and then transition. Then I will scour the ends of the earth to find you and set you free! If I can stop them physically now, imagine what I'll do as a traditional vampire!

They may pay lip service to your family motto. But I will tell you now, you are mine, Always and Forever. If they try to hurt us, I will be their worst nightmare! I will burn their world down around them piece by piece!" I continue to say,

How exactly we ended up in his bed, I don't quite remember. But wow, was this angry sex or makeup sex I don't actually know! What I do know is, it's mind-blowing sex and as I climax and bite down on him to drink he sighs, it's physical relief! I never realised before, just how much he too needed reassurance that everything would be okay. But Mikaelson's or not they will not be coming between us and they best learn that quickly! I have fallen in love with their brother and they will respect that and also his right to be happy without them. They are right when they say familiarity breeds contempt! They have never allowed each other to have a real-life, real relationships. But that all changes now!