He stopped short on entry to the school, eyes going wide as he took in the wild red hair accessorized with broken twigs and ground leaves. Mud soaked the bottom of her slippers and hemline.
The boy beside her looked to have been rolling in the mud.
Kol heckled on the bench across from them, shoulders shaking and eyes shining with mirth.
"Do I want to know?" He buttoned his jacket and shoved a hand in his pocket.
"Hope had a midnight rendezvous with a boy," Kol smirked.
"I did not," she cried, hiding her mortification behind her hands, with a groan about stupid interfering uncles.
Kol laughed.
"Nik did find you in the woods with him."
Hope grumbled and crossed her arms, sinking into her seat.
The boy held up his hand.
"Just for the record, I wasn't naked, and she was wearing my jacket."
Elijah took a second to place the familiar features in the chaos of the last twenty-four hours: dark hair in tight curls, green eyes and a nervous smile.
"Landon?" He lifted his chin. "What are you doing here?"
"Nik's losing his touch in his old age," Kol grinned.
"Careful, brother," his eyes flickered to him, "I am older than Niklaus."
Landon cleared his throat and rubbed his palms over his thighs.
"Hope's dad tried to compel… compel?" He turned to Hope who nodded once. "Tried to compel me and couldn't, and then the headmistress - who is apparently a teenager - cut my hand and tasted my blood, and now they're in there arguing."
"We were gonna eavesdrop, but someone fixed the privacy spells," she sighed.
"And you have yet to clean up because?" Elijah lifted an eyebrow.
Hope's eyes darted from him to his younger brother as her fingers twisted the hem of her t-shirt.
"Uncle Kol makes Landon uncomfortable," she shrugged.
"All I said was go and relax while I question your suitor's intentions." Kol held up his hands and frowned; the picture of innocence.
"You said it in front of dad, so if I leave there's a good chance Landon disappears," she rolled her eyes.
"You're giving your father too much credit, darling," Kol smirked, ignoring Landon's nervous swallow. "Elijah's the one who makes people vanish."
Elijah rolled his eyes and took pity on the boy.
"You will not be disappearing Landon," he unbuttoned his jacket, "now I think I shall find out what has upset Niklaus this time."
He strode into Caroline's office and shut the door, somehow unsurprised to find them locked in a heated staring contest. Kol's voice sounded in the back of his mind, egging the pair to 'just shag already'.
Caroline broke eye contact first.
"I thought you were with Elena?" She checked her watch.
"Bonnie is visiting and asked for a private word. I thought I would check in here." He moved to stand near the desk. "How has my brother earned your ire today?"
"He's trying to take an active hand in enrolment…"
Klaus cut her off, eyes flashing as his voice rose.
"You cannot let that boy in here!"
"It's my school. I can let in anyone I want to," she snapped, "and I'm not going to turn away a young supernatural because you've hit the overprotective dad phase."
He's been there since day one, Elijah pressed his lips together.
"Caroline…"
"They like each other, deal with it." She rolled her eyes.
"What exactly is Landon?" He turned to Caroline as she crossed her arms.
"No idea, but there is no vervain in or on him and he can't be compelled so he's something, and now he knows about werewolves and vampires and since he's sitting out there probably witches too. He's seen the school."
"And she wants to keep him," Klaus grumbled.
"I can't exactly let him go," she shot back. "And you can't kill every boy who likes her."
"I most certainly can."
"Niklaus," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You have no control over admissions, and as far as Hope is concerned Landon is a better choice than her last boyfriend."
"According to Kol he's bumbling and sweet," Caroline frowned with amusement in her eyes, "very strange coming from him."
"I can attest to that," he nodded.
"Did everybody know about this boy but me?" Klaus grumbled petulantly.
"You would have to check with our sisters."
"I'm going to let you two has this out while I talk to Landon and then go bring Elena home."
"I can pick up Elena and the baby." He held up his hand before Caroline could move around her desk. His eyes darted to his brother. "We have nothing to 'hash out'. That way you won't have to rush what I'm sure is going to be a long conversation."
"You'll need a car seat, which I still haven't gone to get," she sighed, closing her eyes.
"I'll pick one up," he assured her.
"We will," Klaus amended. "I do owe her a thank you."
"Wow," she leaned back, "I thought she's be on her deathbed before you actually got to that." She moved across the room and took a key from her purse. "For the Lake house."
"I assume you've packed a bag," he tucked the key into his pocket.
"It's in the closet by the front door," she nodded, "and it's got stuff for her and the baby." She pushed her hair back from her face. "I was gonna go with her this weekend to pick up the car seat."
"I believe picking up a car seat is the very least I can do," Klaus sighed. "Let's go, I'd like to get this over with."
"Don't kill Landon on the way out," Caroline called. She took a deep breath as Klaus said something to Hope before sending the teenagers into her office.
"Landon, Hope," she nodded to the chairs in front of her desk as she smoothed out her sweater, "take a seat. We're going to be here a little while."
Serena's tiny fingers curled around her pinky, so small and helpless. She knew nothing of the cold hard world and remained innocent of the murky details surrounding her conception, depending on her mother for everything.
"Elena?"
Bonnie's voice broke through her thoughts. She looked up and locked eyes with her.
"You don't have to do this. We can…" she paused, taking a moment to search her friend's expression; when she spoke again a forced conviction laced her tone. "We can find another way. We have time."
She allowed her eyelashes to flutter until they practically lay on her cheek; Serena's eyes dropped.
Caroline's voice whispered in her ear with the occasional supplement from Klaus. The Hollow craved power, murdering indiscriminately to acquire it: witches, wolves, vampires and humans. Nobody was safe; it would kill Hope and find away to amass more strength.
The destruction of the entire world rested on her shoulders.
An hour ago I was worried about parenting, she kissed Serena's brow.
"I just had a baby," she spoke around a catch in her throat.
"We can find another way." Bonnie's hand cupped Serena's head.
It would spiral into Hope first, and depending on how long the spell held either the school or Hope's family. She thought it inevitable that it would find it's way back to Mystic Falls now that it knew about the growing power beyond the iron gates. From there it would take New Orleans. Once the supernatural population lay in smoking ruins it would focus on humanity and whatever power it could drain from the beating heart of nature.
"Another way?" She smoothed her thumb over the tiny fist and thought of Klaus' plan and Elijah's scheme. She was the other way: plan B. Whether she liked it or not. The only other option included a 'dead' Mikaelson and one broken heart either way.
"Elena?" She squeezed her friend's hand. "What are you thinking?"
"What am I thinking?" She breathed, limbs shaking as she stood and carefully placed her baby in the bassinet. "What am I thinking?"
Elena's vision tunnelled until all she could see was the stripped edge of the hospital issue baby blanket. She clutched at her elbows and shook her head, breath hitching on a sob that made her voice quake around her words.
"I think you came in here and put one of the biggest fears I had my entire pregnancy at ease," her back hit the wall. She sagged and clutched her stomach, a numbness spread through her mind; laughter bubbled out, and she couldn't stop once she started.
Bonnie approached with uncertain steps, laying her hand's on Elena's trembling shoulders. The new mom gasped on a breath, somehow managing to wheeze out the rest.
"And… and now y-you're… you're saying that to s-save ev-everyone…" her laughter turned to giggles, "I have to… have to make it a reality."
She brought a shaking hand to her forehead as the giggles shifted to sobs; the kind that wrenched her entire body and left her feeling empty with equally strong desires to be alone and feel the comfort of another person.
"We can find another way," Bonnie insisted. She ran a hand up and down Elena's spine; the words sounded hollow and forced.
"What the bloody hell is going on in here?"
Elena flinched at the sudden voice, burrowing further into Bonnie's shoulder.
"Have a little tact Niklaus."
Bonnie twisted to watch the brothers while keeping one arm around Elena's shoulders.
Klaus placed an infant carrier on the floor and leaned against the open door, crossing his arms.
Elijah strode in, pausing only to place a familiar bag on the bed, and came towards them.
Elena's sobs slowed. She accepted the deep purple pocket square and dried her red rimmed eyes. A persistent cold clung to her as she deliberately ignored the hybrid's curious gaze to focus on the bag. The gloriously beautiful bag Caroline stocked with cashmere clothes and toiletries for her, along with everything her daughter would need.
She needed a shower, and space, and really just two minutes alone.
"Elena," Elijah placed a hand on her elbow, "do you need anything?"
Her arm trembled beneath his touch.
"I want to shower," she sniffled, eyes flickering to the bassinet.
"Then go," he nodded to the attached bathroom, "between Miss Bennett and myself she'll be perfectly safe."
"Why was I not included in there?" Klaus arched an eyebrow.
"Do you really think that with your history she would trust you with her child?" Bonnie scoffed, gesturing between him and Elena.
"She did just save mine," he stepped into the hospital room, "causing any harm to your child…" he stooped, catch Elena's eye as she rifled through the bag. Her movements stilled, hands curled around soft material. "Well now, that would be a poor way of showing my gratitude, wouldn't it, love?"
She hardly heard the words passing though her lips; something about an extensive vocabulary and knowing the words 'thank' and 'you'. Whatever she said drew a chuckle from him.
"Thank you," Klaus smirked as the door clicked shut. He waited a moment for the water to start before turning to Bonnie. "What was that about?"
She dug into the bag for a new sleeper to replace the hospital one Serena had chosen to spit up on.
"She just had a baby," she picked up the child in question and laid her on the hospital bed, "it's not uncommon to cry after having a baby."
Her fingers worked free the snaps, baring a belly and curled umbilical cord.
"Elena seemed fine when I left," Elijah unfolded the pink outfit.
Serena squirmed, opening her mouth to protest the cold.
"That's hormones for you," Bonnie fastened the new onesie, taking care around the belly.
He recognized the attempt to evade, but allowed it. Niklaus had a fearsome temper and as of yet remained unaware of the true situation; he trusted Elena would fill him in when she felt ready.
Serena began to cry in earnest.
"You might try picking her up," Klaus leaned back on his heels.
"I've never had to calm a baby before," she admitted. "I didn't spend much time with the twins until they were four." Bonnie cradled the baby in the crook of her arm; she cried harder. "You're not wet or hungry, so what's wrong?"
Elijah draped a receiving blanket over his shoulder.
"Allow me."
Bonnie and Klaus stood froze, watching as he held the baby to his shoulder. She turned her face into his neck as he spoke in dulcet tones.
"There you go, sweetheart," he spread a large hand over her back in the way he had discovered she liked. "You're alright now… shh…" he curled the edge of the blanket up, covering her beneath his hand. "I know you don't like the cold."
"How, precisely, do you know that?" Klaus raised an eyebrow.
"I spent the morning here, enabling you and Caroline Forbes to engage in your little argument." Elijah felt her breathing even out for sleep as the shower tapered off. "Perhaps you can see about getting them discharged. I'm sure Elena would love to go home."
"That's putting it mildly," Elena stepped out. Her damp hair, piled in a messy bun, spilled loose curls around her shadowed eyes.
"I can give you a ride home," Bonnie offered.
"I've actually already installed the base in my car," Elijah went on. "I can take you both back."
Elena thought it a testament to whatever they had that after years apart and her mental exhaustion she could understand from one look that he wanted to talk to her, needed to talk to her.
"If you don't mind," eavesdropper.
Autumnal leaves whipped by the windows, slowing as Elijah drifted into the driveway. The journey had been silent, comfortable despite the looming conversation.
The comfort wouldn't last if they let things fester, so when he put them in park she unbuckled and shifted to look at his profile.
"How much did you hear?" Her fingers twisted in her sweater, catching in the vial Bonnie had slipped into her pocket; it bounced against her knuckles.
"That the spell is not yet permanent, and that you can make it so," he tapped the steering wheel, "but I did not hear how. I assume what Bonnie told you contributed to your tears."
"It's just a little…" she drew in a shaky breath, sighing when he took one of her hands and stilled her fidgeting, "overwhelming."
"Tell me?" He smoothed a line over her knuckles in a motion meant to soothe.
"She summoned Qetsiyah last night," she watched his hand for a moment. "After she sent Kol to get that knife she summoned her ancestor."
"And what brought on this family reunion?" He kept his voice low in deference to Serena's slumber.
"The seal requires a living doppelgänger line; last night she found out that I am the last one." Her voice hitched. He thought she might have cried if she weren't cried out.
"That news would have been a load off you mind, and now it upsets you." He raised his hand, watching the hospital bracelet catch on her wrist. "I assume she suggested vampirism."
"No," she inhaled slowly, "I could still die that way, and the doppelgänger line would end. Then the Hollow gets out and wreaks havoc." Her free hand slipped into her pocket, extracting a vial of green liquid that she held out.
"This is an alternative to vampirism?" He lifted it to the light."
"That's the spell that made Silas and Amara, and kicked off two doppelgänger bloodlines."
"So if you take this…"
"The doppelgänger line kicks off with me as the new progenitor," her fingers tightened around his hand.
"And you have no desire to re-greet immortality." He closed his hand around the spell.
"It's not that…" she shook her head, blinking rapidly. "I didn't mind being a vampire, Elijah. I had even come to terms with it."
"Then why take the cure?" The frown lines deepened around his mouth.
"Because I lied to Damon," she shut her eyes against a wave of exhaustion. She could feel him watching and sighed before clarifying. "When I turned it back on he didn't want to hear that the sire bond was still there, so I told him what he wanted to hear. He seemed to have it in his head that I wanted the cure no matter what I said, and when he finally got hold of it he told me that the choice was mine. I thought 'finally'; finally, I'd be free."
"Were you? Finally free?" He asked, turning in time to see a single tear leak from her eye.
She stayed silent for a long moment, chest rising and falling with shallow breaths.
"I don't know," she admitted in a soft voice. "The coma happened, and then he died." She opened her eyes, turning to face him fully.
"Eternity doesn't scare me, and I suppose I would be around to protect the next one," she sighed, glancing into the backseat, "I just wish all of this information hadn't come today."
Her eyes locked on the car seat.
"You just had a baby," he nodded. "It's a lot."
"It is," she agreed. She looked from the back of Serena's car seat to his hand, coming to a decision she knew he would respect and do everything in his power to honour. "I want a year."
"A year?"
"One year to be human, and breastfeed my daughter and lost the baby weight," she gestured to her stomach. "One year and then I'll take it."
He was nodding before she finished.
"You'll understand if I remain close during that time, as my niece's life is on the line."
"Is that the only reason you want to stay close?" The corner of her mouth quirked up.
"Well," he smirked, glancing to the backseat, "Serena is very hard to resist."
"Oh, and here I thought it had something to do with me," she rolled her eyes.
He let go of her hand and cupped her jar. The callouses on his fingers skimmed the soft skin as he had more than a decade before.
"Where do you think she gets it from?" He tucked a curl behind her ear, smiling when she turned her cheek into his touch.
"I almost spelt her name with an 'I'," she huffed a laugh.
"That's would have been the Greek name for a siren," he chuckled. "Didn't a bunch of them nearly kill everyone in town years ago?"
"If they did it was before I woke up," she shrugged. "I should probably take her inside."
"Give her the tour?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I thought I'd start in the kitchen." Her stomach grumbled. "The hospital food was a little bland," her eyes drooped; she forced them back open.
"I'll tell you what," he traced her cheekbone with his thumb. "Why don't we go inside and you can take a short nap while she's still asleep? While the two of you rest I'll fix you a late lunch. How does that sound?"
"Amazing," she sighed, "like I might just keep you around."
"I hope that's not the only reason."
"There might be a few more."
She felt the softest brush of lips against her brow.
This officially marks what was supposed to be the first chapter of the story that began as a one shot.
That makes the first chapter 27,345 words.
WHAT!