I do not own Twilight or the Vampire Diaries

Edward's eyes drifted down towards the hand clamped on his shoulder. She couldn't hurt him, his body was impenetrable, but the way her nails were digging into his clothes and the soft burn of the magic beneath her palm told him she wouldn't have a problem trying. She removed her shoulder and stepped away from the car, her vicious smile disappearing in place of a disinterested scowl.

"You two should get out the car. We aren't going to need it."

Both boys looked at each other, just what was she up to? Mike shrugged and unbuckled his seat belt. Edward just watched him go, and his eyes stayed on the boy as he stretched. The hem of Mike's shirt and jacket rode up his body, giving off just a sliver of skin, but it was enough for Edward to feel a flash of heat.

Would you like a napkin for your drool? He tensed and turned his eyes on a bemused Tessa. Her hazel eyes were sparkling as she watched for him to get out the car.

"Coming along, Edward?" she questioned as Mike joined her. Edward opened the car door and exited his car. As the three headed into the forest, they vanished from sight. The forest seemed to stretch on and as they got deeper in, a dense fog began to form. Mike shivered, feeling magic.

"Tess, what is this place?" he asked his mentor.

"We're taking a bit of a short cut to our destination," Tessa said and then looked over her shoulder at the two. "You two had better get chummy. As in within the next five minutes."

Their voices seemed to merge into one "Excuse me?" but she could detect Edward's hiss of disapproval while Mike's voice raised a bit.

"You two are going to have to play the roles of madly in love partners," she turned towards them and noticed that Mike had stopped completely. "Oh hush, it's just an act. Vincent is going to ask a lot of questions and I need you two to simply go along with this."

"Tessa," Mike whined and shot a quick look at Edward before turning back to the witch. "You said Edward was coming along for protection and in case anyone was lying. Not playing the role of my b-b..."

"Boyfriend." Tessa finished and rolled her eyes skyward. "You two are playing boyfriends. Now suck it up, hold hands and look at each other with enough longing it makes me sick. Or at least more than it already does."

"What was that last part?" Mike asked, watching her walk ahead. "Qetsiyah!"

"Hurry it up!" she called back.

Mike was about to say something when Edward slipped his hand into his, and when Mike turned, he was hit with the softest look Edward had ever given. His golden eyes almost seemed to melt as he gazed at him up and down and titled Mike's chin upward, "Just let me do all the acting, okay? Although you're very convincing with the blushing and stammering, Mikhail."

Mike's heart lurched but he nodded. "O-okay."

He interlocked their fingers, and testing the waters, planted a kiss on Edward's cheek. He inhaled and turned, hoping against hope that Edward didn't see the hurt in his eyes. "Come on, honey, let's go try and con a witch."

Edward nodded, though he wasn't too fond of the term honey. He leaned against Mike as he spoke. "Whatever you say, beloved."

He caught Mike just as he was about to trip.

:

The Cullen Household

:

Matt walked out the kitchen with a glass of water. The house was fully stocked for a family of vampires, but he was pretty sure that was because Bella seemed to almost live there. The rest of the Cullens seemed to mind their own business and the only odd thing was that they didn't need to sleep like the Mikaelsons or Salvatores. Rosalie was cautious around him and it reminded him of Rebekah but that was about it. Speaking of the female Mikaelson, she had left him and Bonnie last night along with Kol. They had decided to head back to New Orleans while Elijah stayed behind.

Bonnie's body, when not looked after by him, was always changed and watched by Esme. She was up there now, giving him a chance to relax and stretch. The others were out aside from her and Matt had decided to get a workout in before he went back to watching Bonnie. Esme had refused to leave her side, showing a look Matt hadn't seen since Shelia passed; motherly love and concern.

He hadn't bought Jeremy's lies about Bonnie being with her mother. After she hadn't responded to an email about how her trip was going, he got even more suspicious. Why would Jeremy know everything about Bonnie and not him? Bonnie had been the person he could always entrust his life to. They were lifeguard buddies.

He loved her-Caroline had always said that if someone aside from her was going to love Bonnie unconditionally, it would be Matt. Elena had always been a contender, but when she started putting the Salvatores before her friends, before herself, it was like the girl Matt had loved and listened to Air Supply for; the relationship he had cherished and mourned, had gone up in smoke. Bonnie meant the world to them; it was like she was glue that held them all together. He remembered how Bonnie had to be peacemaker.

Anytime Caroline had cried over something Elena excelled at, Bonnie and Matt were there. Whenever a parent teacher conference came up and Bonnie had to tough it out when Shelia was busy in a lecture and Matt only had Vicki, they were together. She was always going to be the one he would run to.

Until she wasn't.

How could he have not seen the signs? Bonnie didn't let anyone get too close at graduation. She had disappeared during shortly after before it all went to hell.

The next time he saw her, she had been lying dead on the ground underneath the boiler room of the school. Kol had to pry her from him when he saw her. He hadn't wept that hard since learning they found Vicki's body.

He had lost two sisters, but he was going to bring one back. He had to.

For Bonnie's own happiness, he was going to do everything he could, even if it was just keeping her body safe until Qetsiyah needed it.

The door to the Cullen house opened and he turned to see Bella looking around the foyer. She caught his eye, mustered up a smile and have an awkward wave.

First human and human contact in days and this was all she had to offer? Very good work, Swan. She sized up the boy in front of her and found herself stuck on just how blue his eyes were. He had an All-American look to him, blonde hair a sweetness in his eyes. He was built, not very jock but he was athletic. He only wore a chunky looking ring, it looked rather old. A family heirloom perhaps.

"Hi there," Matt greeted and held out his hand. "We weren't properly introduced. I'm Matt Donovan."

"Bella Swan," Bella greeted, shaking his hand. He seemed to take notice of the engagement ring on her finger but made no comment. Suddenly self-conscious, she hid her hands behind her back. "Are the Cullens around?"

"Haven't seen any of them but Esme. Pretty sure everyone left in the middle of the night." Matt explained.

Bella nodded, though she had worry lines in her brow. Edward hadn't said anything about being home, so she shouldn't have assumed anything. "I see. Well I'll just make myself something small to eat. Are you hungry?"

"I had a sandwich and some water a little while ago," Matt answered, and noticed how she hummed, eyes far off. "But if you want, I can sit and chat a bit more."

It made her smile a little bit. "I'd like that."

:

New Orleans

:

Getting a meeting with the man known as Vincent Griffith hadn't been easy. Qetisyah hated the witches of New Orleans. They followed way more rules that nature bound witches and sacrificed their young to keep their magic alive. It sickened her to the core. Mike's hand squeezed her shoulder and she tuned back in as Vincent went on and on about how vampires now ruled.

She rolled her eyes. When had witches become so weak and afraid? The Mikaelsons had not caused her to cower in fear and neither would Marcel. She started this whole vampire mess indirectly—she could just as well take it away and have no problem.

"Vincent," she cut him off mid-sentence. "I didn't come here for idle chatter, or to be scared by a neglected step-child hoping to get daddy's attention."

Klaus and Marcel, who occupied the room, both looked at her. Klaus had a tick in his jaw that screamed he was going to tear out her heart at the first chance, while Marcel's was a promise of misery and torment the very chance he got. Both were amateur threats and she had no times for these games.

Her bloodline was dying. Bonnie was suffering on the other side and she wanted to rest in peace knowing that Silas was suffering.

"Tessa—" Vincent began but never continued. Tessa did that for him.

"I am far older thank the five people in this room combined and the youngest is still figuring out if he prefers cock, vagina, both or neither."

Mike did not need them to know that.

"And the three vampires in this damn room can't seem to stop having a pissing contest, so I can simply just take what I want without worrying about the blood on my hands."

"You called us here," Klaus began.

"I'm quite aware of that, Niklaus. Anything else you'd like to add? Perhaps something that doesn't involve you wanting to rip out my heart because you're the self-proclaimed King of the Quarter. Let me know when you'd done playing in the sandbox, Klaus. I'm just itching to sink this place into the ground."

Edward could only stare at the woman. He knew Qetsiyah was brazen and would much rather just take what she needed. Her thoughts usually drifted in and out like random song lyrics. He had no idea what some of them meant but at least he could put a name to them. He turned his eyes from her to the same place they kept going every so often.

Mike was jittery. He held himself together well, but Edward could see how his fingers flexed and he looked like he was itching to get out of there. Though he wasn't sure if his escape was just to get away from him or the whole building. Tessa must have seen how he was starting to crack because her thoughts suddenly drifted into Edward's mind.

Take him into the other room. He needs to relax.

Edward said nothing, simply slipped his arm around Mike's middle and guided him towards the next room. Qetsiyah was still arguing with Vincent as they passed the threshold. She turned when she noticed they weren't there.

"Where are you two going?" She asked.

"I was—" Edward never finished. An invisible forced thrusted them deep into the room and door slammed shut.

"Edward, Mikhail!" Tessa shot to her feet and her eyes landed on the next Regent. He was suddenly very calm and with a wave of his hand, Klaus and Marcel fell to the ground dead—temporarily.

"Now that everyone has been disposed of," Vincent spoke, his tone giving no room for arguments. "You don't have to lie to me, Qetsiyah. Why do you need the ingredients for a collapsing spell?"

Qetsiyah turned, her eyes dark and expression veins crawling along her skin. "What did you do them?"

"Your lovely bodyguards? I simply did what everyone seems to be thinking, except them. I gave them time alone."

"In a locked and sealed room?"

Vincent waved a hand. "Precautions. Mating bonds can be loud and rather destructive when it comes to supernatural pairs."

Qetsiyah stilled. Mating bonds...

Mikhail was too young for a mate bond. It was too much and the moment he was more than 100 feet from his other half, the spirits only know what would happen.

"You're forcing a mate bond," Tessa snapped. "Mikhail is too young. He hasn't even felt the magic that runs through Mystic Falls, let alone New Orleans. It won't take."

Vincent snorted, and arose from his seat. He crossed the room and reached for a grimoire. It was old and he began flipping through the pages.

"Let's talk, Tessa. What could make you want to collapse the Other Side?"

:

Mike was across the room, watching as Edward pounded his fists against the door. His head was still spinning as there was this annoying ringing in his ears. He slumped against the wall and continued to watch Edward.

He was still pounding against the door; god knows that wasn't going to let up. He was a very stubborn man and Mike knew firsthand because he had almost given him several heart attacks the night after their botched date. Mike had a morning shift and thankful had to open alone.

Edward has snuck up behind him while he was stocking and apologized. Mike had never whirled around so fast to punch someone before. His knuckles had bruised but Edward had staggered back.

It wasn't the best start to their estranged friendship, but it was one. Mike's feelings only deepened, and he did damn good at holding them in.

Except now, when Edward was pacing like a caged animal. He pushed off the wall and crossed the room. "Edward," he called, and the vampire turned, eyes glaring daggers at him. Mike frowned. "Don't look at me like that."

"I'm sorry if I'm pissed off, Mikhail."

Mike groaned and grabbed a fist full of Edward's shirt and pulled him close. He could feel the magic in the air, it felt like Vincent's. Was he watching them? Trying to see if they were playing the part?

Mike didn't know but he hoped Tessa would hurry up and get them out. He pushed that thought down and wrapped an arm the back of Edward's neck. He glanced around, checking for a security camera.

He didn't see any, but he knew vampires had very good hearing. "Hey baby," he said playing along but then he frowned. Baby was a terrible nickname for Edward. "Edward, we'll get out of here, okay?"

Edward read his eyes. He was scared but he wasn't going to let that deter him. He nodded and hugged Mike in return. He breathed in his scent, like pinecones and the woods.

Edward could get lost in that scent.

"We just have to stay strong," Mike said, trying hard to ignore the piercing ringing in his ears. For quick measure, he placed a quick kiss in the curve of Edward's neck.

Edward pulled back and nodded, kissing Mike's forehead.

They'd get out of there.