A/N Thank you all for reviewing!

"What do you mean you 'ran into a problem'? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on my doppelgänger?"

Stefan nodded when Klaus turned to face him, willing himself to sound obedient."Yes—"

"Yes, I did, didn't I? But, yet, just as I was planning to search for more wolves, I get a call saying she almost burned to death. Perhaps I should chain her up, hmm?"

Stefan's head snapped up, his eyes going slightly wide and he shook his head.

"You don't have to do that."

Klaus paused in his tracks, brow furrowing in a thoughtful manner and he shook his head at his old friend. Both men stared at one another before Klaus flashed over to Stefan. He reached out and picked the Salvatore brother up by his throat, lifting him into the air so that his feet dangled helplessly underneath him. Stefan gagged desperately, hands coming up to try and pull Klaus' hand from his throat.

"You still have feelings for her, don't you?"Klaus ground out through clenched teeth, his eyes clouding over with indignant rage."Don't you?!"

Stefan shook his head furiously, trying with all his might to peel Klaus' fingers from his throat.

"Do not lie to me."

Stefan's eyes flooded with crimson and he bared his fangs at Klaus."Let me go!"

Klaus huffed out a threatening yet, somehow, amused guffaw at Stefan's weak commend. He granted him his freedom, however, and loosened his grip around the Salvatore's throat. He released Stefan from his clutches long enough to hurl the vampire across the lounge.

"Don't you tell me what I can and cannot do, mate. I own you."Klaus blankly remarked when Stefan collapsed in a heap alongside the fireplace."But you've proven yourself useless."

Klaus snatched up one of his least favorite bottles of alcohol, tore off the neck of it, and reached for the boxes of matches atop the fireplace. Stefan eyed the Original warily, massaging his bruised throat and flickers of fear in his eyes.

Stefan wiped at his face as realization dawned on him."Klaus, don't do this."

Klaus blatantly paid no heed to Stefan's entreatment as he blithely rummaged inside the box for a handful of matches. Stefan's chest heaved with brimming concern when Klaus took a sip from the bottle and tauntingly tipped it forward.

Stefan rolled over onto his side when Klaus started pouring the alcohol down onto him and rose onto his knees, shoes protesting against the wood. Klaus tutted scoldingly at the younger male and propelled his foot into Stefan's knees, sending the vampire down onto the ground again. He clawed at the flooring with a wince, spluttering through his pleas when Klaus proceeded with pouring the alcohol down onto him.

"Klaus!"Stefan coughed through the heavy downpour, his eyes screwing shut.

"I wish it didn't have to come to this, my old friend..."The Original lazily murmured, brandishing the matches pinched between his fingers.

Stefan, soaked and trembling, mouthed."Don't."

"But, alas, it has."Klaus concluded with a heavy sigh, vacant blue hues trained on Stefan.

With an agonizing ache soaring throughout his body, and the fear crawling up his throat, Stefan bit down on the inside of his cheek to stop from whimpering. His eyes fought him as he forced them to open and he squinted up at Klaus, shaking his head desperately. Klaus merely kept on staring through him, the tip of the match grazing the striking surface.

"Leave him alone."

Klaus and Stefan both turned to the source of the voice, a pulsating heartbeat resounding in their ears. Stefan's horrified declaim was stuck in his throat as Klaus stepped over him, his primal gaze fixated on the uninvited presence.

"Leave him alone, should I?"Klaus drawled around an amusement smile, gesturing to the intruder with the box of matches."Who, pray tell, is the lovely lady asking this of me?"

Daniella. Stefan silently answered, striving to scramble to his feet.

Clothing damp with the alcohol, throat marked with bruises and staggering from his beating, the sight of Stefan made Daniella recoil. He winced at the lingering pain Klaus had caused but held out a shaking hand as if he were able to, somehow, make his sister disappear.

"Leave."Stefan demanded, forcing himself to look at his sister with contempt."I don't want you here."

Despite Stefan's attempt at hiding his love for his sister, for his family, Klaus saw right through it. Klaus could feel the warmth, however faint, Stefan's eyes glimmered with at the sight of his sister. It seemed that no matter how many times he compelled Stefan, no matter how many times he demanded him to rid of his feelings, the Salvatore still held some sort of humanity inside of him. And Klaus utterly loathed it.

"I won't tell you again,"Stefan warned, raising his voice as he gestured for her to turn around. But, still, his sister remained rooted in her spot, determined to stay right where she was."Dani, I don't want you here."

"Unfortunately for you, brother,"Daniella spat out with disappointment and refusing, for once, to comply with his demands."I don't care what you want."

"Brother?"Rolled off of Klaus' tongue with feigned amazement as the Original seated himself down on the nearest armchair."I should think you'd be insulted, love. Stefan's never mentioned you."

Stefan's jaw clenched when Klaus side-eyed him with a masqueraded expression of offense. He resolved to stare straight ahead, unwilling to give Klaus even a flash of concern when it came to his sister—he couldn't risk it.

"Dani, this has nothing to do with you."Stefan ground out, fluidly stepping in front of Klaus' chair in an attempt to block his eye-line of Daniella."Get out of here."

Daniella merely glanced at her brother and, overtly disregarding his order, she crossed the threshold into Klaus' apartment. She noted Stefan's ever stiffening body language with every step she took, his eyes following her until she stepped into Klaus' view.

"I'm here to talk to you."Daniella declared, ignoring Stefan's burning eyes, her eyes solely trained on the Original."Klaus?"

Raising his eyebrows curiously, Klaus tilted his head up to inform her that she had his attention.

"You're here for me? I'd invite you in but you've already taken that upon yourself, I see."Klaus swept a hand in the direction of the still opened door, a smile already brimming onto his face."Can i offer you a drink, perhaps?"

Even as she shook her head he still proffered the half-empty bottle, the pad of his thumb grazing a jagged piece of the neck still attached.

"My brother."Daniella sharply replied, folding her arms across her chest."Let him go."

Klaus' smile vanished before it even wholly formed. Daniella barely refrained from flinching when he straightened in his chair, clenching the bottle so tight she heard a crack.

"Excuse me?"Klaus questioned around a menacing laugh, glancing between the siblings as the grating sound waned."I see the insolence is a trait in the Salvatore bloodline."

Daniella's eyes widened slightly when Klaus' fingers reached for the box of matches again and she took another step toward his chair.

"No, i'm—"

Stefan interjected by snatching her by the forearm and all but shoving her out of the way, taking her space in front of Klaus.

"Look, she has nothing to do with this."Stefan offhandedly chimed in, huffing out a forced laugh."This is between you and me, okay? I take full responsibility for—"

Klaus' head snapped up, his eyes seeking out Daniella before they settled on Stefan. The matches scraping around inside the box when he pointed up at the Salvatore brother with it, the Original shook his head at him.

"Stefan."Klaus droned out, staring up at the aforementioned vampire until he locked eyes with him."Do me a favor, will you?"

"Yes?"

Klaus flung the matches onto the table beside his chair with a sigh, the bottle left forgotten alongside them.

"Shut your trap for me."

The Original dismissively waved Stefan off before fluidly rising to his feet, his eyes locked on Daniella.

"I've got some business to tend to."

1965—London

Five years.

She had been imprisoned in the cell for five years with only a dozen or so books, the odd newspaper now and then and Stefan to keep her company. And sane.

"Dani?"

Daniella lifted her head from her pillow at the call of her name, pushing herself up into a sitting position on her bed. She weakly smiled fondly to herself when she heard boots making their way down the staircase, praying that he'd taken the vial of blood he promised. looked up when she heard the cellar door opening and feet on the stairs.

"Stefan?"

Daniella's smile instantly vanished when she felt another presence—a human presence. As quickly as she could she got up from her bed, it creaking in protest beneath her, her vision becoming a little hazy, She fought against it, however, lured by the unfamiliar heartbeat and wandered over to the cell door.

"Stefan, what have—"

Daniella staggered back when a key slid into the lock of the heavy, wooden door and it was pulled open a second or so later, the sound of creaking making her flinch.

Daniella's cracked lips parted in astonishment at the sight of Stefan stood across from her. Unless she was restrained with the shackles he slipped through the bars on the door whenever she was to bathe, the door was never opened.

Daniella took a step forward, prepared to question him when Stefan dragged his guest into view. A young, blonde woman struggled in his arms, cheeks stained with tears.

"Are you ready to reintegrate back into the world?"

Daniella's breath caught in her throat—a mix of hope and alarm rushing throughout her body.

"Stefan..."Daniella trailed off when her brother brandished a knife, holding it over the woman's neck.

Stefan maintained their gaze as he sliced a cut onto the woman's neck, blood gathering beneath until it started to trickle. She sobbed in pain, shakily pleading to be released, her eyes round with horror.

"Do you want to feed on her?"Stefan's questioned resounded in Daniella's ears but it was faint. Her entire focus was fixated on the blood trailing from the woman's wound.

Daniella swayed from side to side, under some sort of daze that was dominated by the lulling sound of the woman's terrified whimpers. She'd always thrived on the pain, on the torment she'd inflicted.

"Daniella!"Stefan bellowed demandingly, eliciting Daniella's instant attention. He waited until her eyes trained on him, that he had her full attention."Do you want to feed on her?"

Daniella warily nodded."Yes."

Stefan pushed the girl forward towards his sister only for her to trip over her own feet. She fell to her knees at Daniella's feet and bowed her head, shoulders shaking as her body wracked with sobs.

"Can you fight it? I want to sink my fangs into her just as much as you do. But I can fight it."

Stefan looked down at the woman, then his sister and back again."Can you?

Daniella toyed with her swollen lower lip, her eyes glazing over with desperation. Blood trickled from her wound, her heart raced against her chest, and her sobbing echoed off of the walls. It was everything Daniella had lived high off of for decades.

It was what she lived for. It was everything she longed for.

Daniella's fangs extracted menacingly, her eyes massed with crimson and her chest heaved with hunger. Daniella cried out ravenously, baring her fangs at the human who, cupping her wound, instantly scrambled back against the wall fearfully.

Daniella came to a sharp halt, her eyes returning to their blue hue and her fangs retracting. She shook her head determinedly, crossed her arms over her chest, and retreated. Guilt pooled in her stomach—she hadn't felt guilt since she was human.

"Daniella?"

Daniella nodded furiously to herself, reassuring herself that she could do it. She could resist, especially if it meant she could be free again.

"I can fight it."She whispered, her fangs retracting. She cleared her throat and, more forcefully, declared her vow."I can fight it."

Stefan beamed at her.

Stefan rushed toward her with open arms and Daniella met him halfway, exhaling a heavy breath when he embraced her. It had been the first hug in years. She slumped against him and to stop herself from falling to her knees at his feet, she clung to him.

It had felt like hell—she had been to hell and back, it seemed like. But Stefan had saved her. He had saved her, fixed her, and set her off onto the correct path. No matter how much her fangs inched to pierce human flesh, no matter how much it hurt to refuse, she wouldn't—he'd encage her again.

Daniella couldn't manage a false smile even when her brother beamed at her with pride. She couldn't.

"I'm proud of you. You're ready."

Present

"What am I going to do with you?"

"I don't care."Daniella ground out through clenched teeth, striving to catch her breath. She scratched at Klaus' hand, his fingers constricting against her breathing."All I...i ask is that you let my brother go."

Daniella's hands flattened against the wall she was pinned against, nails speckled with Klaus' blood from her futile scratching. She had no choice but to stare into his eyes that were shamelessly dancing with satiated rapture at her plight.

"I'll think about it."He lazily said, fingers slackening around her throat.

He took her in as she inhaled a much-desired breath, his eyes drawn to the marks he'd left around her throat, and allowed Daniella a moment of respite. Just a moment.

"Although, I may need more convincing."

Her eyes glassing over with pain when Klaus' fist collided with her stomach, Daniella's nails scraped against Klaus' throat before she doubled over. She strived to brace herself against in only to draw in a trembling breath when he hoisted her up and flung her across the room.

She heard Stefan wince when she barreled into the wall opposite her, her temple bouncing off of the wall when her hands reached out in search of something to grasp onto. She failed, lost her footing, and sank to the floor, stars dancing in front of her eyes.

Her vision settled on her brother perched in the seat Klaus was sat on previously, palms met in front of him, and held in front of her face. He'd attempted to intervene on her behalf during the first round but the compulsion Klaus had put him under had prevailed. He was subjected to watch, helplessly, as his sister tried to bargain for his freedom and, ultimately, her life.

I'm sorry. Stefan mouthed, flinching when Daniella tore her eyes from him.

Stefan pursed his lips anxiously before he parted them, looking as if he wanted to say something in her defense. He never got to because Klaus stalked in her direction, commanding her focus and she complied, peering up at him in a dazed fashion.

"I never expected you to last long, of course. But, still..."Klaus clapped his hands together once, palms rubbing conspiratorially."your surname makes one presume that you at least have passion!"

Klaus grimaced at her, shaking his head almost sympathetically, his fingertip tracing the edge of his glass musingly before he picked it up.

"But look at you. A weak little thing, aren't you?"

"I am not-—"Pushing herself up onto her knees, Daniella took a moment to breathe."weak."

"You're certainly not living up to what you once were."Klaus thoughtfully riposted, bringing the rim of his glass to his lips. He went to take a sip but paused, tauntingly tacking on."You do remember what you were, don't you?"

He flashed her a knowing smile when she snapped her head in his direction, blue hues flooding with confusion. Stefan straightened on the chair cautiously eyes darting between his beaten sister and the hybrid.

"What?"Daniella shakily asked, wary of what he knew.

Klaus circled her once, twice then came to a stop, towering over her.

"See, I heard about this vampire,"Klaus smoothly ventured, ice-cubes in his glass clacking against the sides of his glass. He lowered himself to his knees until he was at eye level with Daniella, cocking his head in regalement."Infamous for both beauty and brains. She could make a thousand men weep at the sound of her name but then make them fall for her with a flutter of her eyelashes."

Daniella tilted her head up, peered up at Klaus through hooded lids, an inky curl of hair dangling in front of her eyes.

"Should I be flattered that you've heard of me?"

He elevated an eyebrow at her but, other than that, let her comment slide.

Daniella's teeth worried her lower lip when it quivered, her eyes tracking Klaus' hand uneasily when he reached out. His index finger carefully brushed the lock of hair away from her eyes so he could study her closely, and he tucked it behind her ear.

"Countless took their last breath at your hand but it was never enough, was it? And you still went strong until the very moment your brother kept you seized you,"Klaus chuckled against his glass when Daniella recoiled from him, her eyes pervading with dismay."locked you away and altered and remade you into something below what you were."

His fingers rapping against the side of his glass, his smile gradually began to falter into something akin to commiseration.

"Kept you going on three sips of animal blood a day, didn't he? He gave you no other choice. He left you in the grime, in the dark, all alone until you began yearning for it."

Daniella sagged onto the floor with a defeated mewl, unable to keep herself upright on her knees. She rubbed her fingers against her temples, striving to block out the darkness, the grime, and the loneliness Klaus had conjured up.

"How do you know about that?"She weakly demanded, eyes flickering between him and Stefan. Her brother had the decency to look as distraught as her and turned his head away, eyes boring into the floor. Klaus murmured incoherently to her, pressing his lips together ruminatively when her large, glassy eyes met his.

Klaus hummed low in his throat, tapping her temple with his finger."I know everything about you and your brothers, love. Tell me, does Damon seek the heart of the girl who was once Stefan's?"

Daniella hurriedly arose onto her knees again at the question, and Klaus had to tilt his head upwards to maintain eye contact with her. With loose wisps of hair stuck to her damp cheeks, wet eyes burning into his complacent hues, the fire igniting in her eyes had him disoriented for a moment.

"Leave my brother out of this, you bastard!"She hissed through clenched teeth, breath fanning his cheek.

Daniella was cut off when Klaus fingers locked around her throat again and he pinned her back against the wall, a growl slipping from his lips. She choked as he lifted her into the air easily, her feet dangling helplessly underneath her. Her eyes widened somewhat fearfully as she stared at the hybrid. Stefan looked like he was torn between helping her and following Klaus' compulsion and, of course, the compulsion won.

Daniella was left choking on her pique when Klaus' fingers, once again, found their previously place around her throat. She cried out against Klaus when he hauled her down closer to him, his eyes glimmering amber warning. For a moment she was alarmed more than she already was until his eyes reappeared to their wonted stormy blue.

"I'll let that slide just this once because I have an offer for you."Klaus murmured after he released her, leaving Daniella heaving for breath on the floor. He gulped down what was left of his drink before setting the glass aside."I'll let your brother go."

Stefan's head snapped up at his words, his eyes widening in hope. Daniella's eyes did the same and the siblings locked gazes for a second. She swallowed around the lump in her throat, her eyes relocating to the Original staring down at her dubiously.

"Y-You will?"

"I will,"Klaus affirmed with exaggerated fervor, rising to his feet with a moan. He kept his eyes on Daniella as he made his way over to Stefan."But first, you have to do something for me."

Daniella's gaze followed Klaus earnestly, anticipation flashing across her features.

"Anything."

"You have to agree first."The Original proclaimed, clamping a hand down on Stefan's shoulder. Stefan grimaced at the weight behind the faux friendly gesture but he kept his mouth shut."Are you willing to give anything for your brother?"

Daniella hastily nodded, sniffing, and wiping at her wet cheeks."Yes. I agree. What do you want?"

Klaus grinned with unbridled delight, his eyes gleaming with devilry.

"I want the old Daniella Salvatore back."

Chicago—1919

"I'm tired, Nik."

Klaus turned to look at Rebekah, patting her knee reassuringly."I know you are, sister, you aren't the only one."

Rebekah rolled her head against the back of the seat, her cerulean hues peering up at him tiredly.

"I'm tired of running. We're always running."

Klaus merely offered an understanding nod in response, unsure of how to vocally reply. He did understand, though, he truly did. They'd been running for months on end, just barely scraping their father's reign of terror. Elijah was running also, at least they hoped he was because the only other alternative was that he hadn't made it. And that thought was too much to bear.

"It won't be long now. Just rest."Rebekah against the window with an exhausted exhale, lashes fluttering against her cheek as she finally gave in to a slumber.

Klaus shrugged off his jacket once he was sure she was sleeping and shook it out before he draped it over her. He smiled softly at the tranquil expression on a face that hadn't looked relaxed in months, silently promising to mend the family's recent fracture before leaving her to rest.

He studied the street outside a moment then leaned forward, fingers rapping on the back of the seat to garner the drivers' focus.

"How long until we get there?"Klaus firmly inquired when the driver turned his head to look at him.

"Just a few more minutes, Mr. Mikaelson."

Klaus grunted in acceptance, sinking back down onto the chair, head tilted to the side so he could stare vacantly out onto the streets. Darkness loomed over the vibrant city, the moon glaring down onto the flooded streets and clamorous voices intermixed with one another.

Klaus' ears, however, picked up a particular voice—a voice that was laced with complete terror.

"No. No. Let me go!"

He turned his head to see a young woman pushing a young man up against the nearest wall, her free hand holding a young woman beside them by her throat. She was sobbing loudly and trying to get free. The woman pulled away from the man to backhand the woman across the face, sending her to the ground before she smiled and turned back to the young man, sinking her fangs back into his neck.

Klaus' eyes sought out the source of the voice and his gaze zeroed in on the cause for the shrieking. He caught a glimpse of a darkly clothed figure dragging a screaming and struggling man into the nearest wall, onlookers be damned. Klaus sat up straighter in his seat, leaning forward so he could keep his eye on them but to his luck, the car came to a stop in traffic, offering him a perfect view of what was taking place. The man's attacker, Klaus came to realize when she took off her hat and tossed it aside, was a woman.

"You really want me to let you go?"Her voice floated down the street, entwined with mirth and menace. Klaus' gaze fixated on her, memorizing her giddy smile and bared fangs."After you've spent all night chasing me?"

Whether they weren't bothered or knew better than to intervene, Klaus guessed both, those walking by simply left her to it. They didn't pause in the tracks to even question at what was taking place, not even to glance when she sank her fangs into his throat. She writhed against him, her moans intermixing with his horrified screams until he was lifeless against her.

She was fascinating.

Klaus forced his eyes away from the woman when a young-looking man strolled up to her, a sobbing woman trapped in his arms.

"Looks like someone started the party without us. Daniella, you are shameless!"

Daniella. Klaus repeated in his mind, the name instantly clicking in his head. He knew that name.

Daniella stepped away from her victim, unfazed when he slumped down to her feet. The sight of his lifeless body sent the already horrified woman into a hysterical frenzy. The man cupped a hand over her mouth with a hearty guffaw, eliciting the same merriment from Daniella.

"There are plenty more, Stefan!"

Daniella reached out and righted his bow-tie with a giggle."Trust your sister."

The siblings became tumultuous in their laughter, the noise mixing with the woman's frantic bawling. They started down the street with their future victim, Daniella's arm locked with Stefan's, her head tipped back in serenity. Klaus paid no heed to the driver as he re-entered the car after starting it up again, seating back into the driver's seat.

Klaus snapped his fingers insistently until his driver turned to look at him questioningly. He shifted forward in his seat, waiting until the car caught up with the group before he pointed at Daniella.

"Who is that woman? I believe I have heard her name before."

His driver peeled his eyes away from his sire long enough to peek at Daniella. His eyes widened a little at the sight of her, his mouth twisting up into a half-smile.

"That's..."He took a hand off the wheel to gesture theatrically at the merry vampire."That's Daniella Salvatore."

Klaus slumped back against the seat with a thoughtful murmur."Salvatore. That's it."

"Daniella Salvatore."The driver restated, chuckling low in his throat, refocusing his eyes on the road."She's made quite the name for herself if you've heard of her then, yes?"

Klaus said nothing in response and settled back in his seat, his eyes remaining fixed on Daniella and her bloody smile. He kept his eyes trained on her features, unable to resist a smile until she vanished from his sight when they turned a corner.

Daniella.

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