AN: I hope that everyone likes this story. I wanted something different and a little more grown up. Elijah is my favorite character and I hated the ending his got. Please remember to review.
Annika stared in fear as she watched them rake the stake over her father's arm. He flinched, feeling it cut her skin but not burn him. She knew that she was going to not only be cut, but burned by the stake badly. Dimitri did as well as the priest gave her the cross. She took it with little trouble or pain. In fact, she admired the beautiful gems on the crucifix, silently praying that God would help her get through the stupid test. He watched her, seeing the look in her eyes as she reluctantly passed it back to him. Her heart beat quickened as the guardian took his place, pulling out his stake.
She bit her lip as it broke her skin, causing it to burn and blister the outside layer of skin and blood to flow. Dimitri saw her eyes as she said nothing as she jerked her arm back from the guardian. He looked shocked as she held the wounded appendage to her chest. Dimitri sighed as he looked at her mother, seeing the concern in her eyes.
When they got to the church, Rose tried to clean the wound but she kept it close as she moved away from her. She sighed as Dimitri looked at the teen. He knew that she was afraid of being there and upset by what just happened.
"Don't...she won't let you near her." He said, making her sigh. "You knew she would burn." Rose frowned. "She is half strigoi Roza, of course she was going to." He said, sounding defeated. "What is Tatiana going to do?" She sighed. "I don't know...is it bad to almost wish that she wasn't here...to keep her from going through this?" He sighed. "What do you mean...that she had been mistaken for a strigoi and staked?" Rose frowned. "Not that exactly...I don't know...I just hate that she's going to be a reminder of hell for us." Dimitri said, making her nod. "I know what you mean." Rose sighed. "I would just be kinder to her...she wouldn't have to face all this." He sighed.
Unknown to them, Annika heard them. She looked over at Mikhail and Eddie and whispered to the elder she wanted to leave. He nodded, seeing something in her eyes that was not good. He led her out the side door and away from the growing crowd.
When Dimitri got back to his cell, she was facing away from him. Usually she was up waiting for him to say good night, but she didn't seem to want to tonight. Mikhail stood outside her cell with a sad look on his face as he frowned.
"What?" He asked, making him shake his head. "Have you forgotten that your daughter has heightened hearing?" Mikhail asked. "No... she heard me?" Dimitri frowned, realizing what the problem was. "Bingo...you are an idiot. Your daughter needed you to be the strong one for her and you wished she was dead...or worse... you made her feel like shit." Mikhail told him.
The next morning, Dimitri was released. Tatiana saw him trying to talk to Annika. She just looked numb as he tried to get some response out of her.
"What happened, she was doing quite well." Tatiana frowned. "She overheard a conversation between her parents yesterday, hearing her father's regret." Mikhail told her. "And she now thinks it's her fault?" She asked. "Yes...she hasn't spoken since." Mikhail told him.
Dimitri sighed, frustrated and mumbled something in Russian. Annika made no external reaction as he left the cell. Rose saw his face as he shook his head sadly. The teen didn't move as she held her injured arm, hurt and scared for her fate.
A few days passed and neither Rose nor Dimitri showed up. Janine came by once to check on her because Tatiana was wanting to see if her condition improved before releasing her.
Mikhail tried daily to get her to eat or even drink but she didn't. He saw her wound was getting worse and tried to get her to let him clean it. She refused and shrunk back into the dark corner of the cell.
By the end of the week, Annika was no longer conscious. Mikhail called for medical and told them she was sick. When they arrived, they saw the wound and frowned.
"How long ago was this?" The medic asked. "At least ten days...she hasn't eaten or drank either." Mikhail said, making Eddie frown.
"Rose and Belikov are not here. Tatiana let them go to Russia to see his mother." Eddie said, coming over. "Of course, they would." He growled.
"Send her...I'm her acting guardian." Abe said, appearing. "Thank God someone cares." Mikhail sighed, relieved.
When they got there, Annika's body was shutting down. She was so dehydrated that the doctor could not get an IV. Abe was worried as they finally got one in.
"Let's get her typed and crossed, antibiotics started and called vascular. We need this cleaned." Dr. Olenski called, making the nurses nod.
It was several hours later when she was stable. Abe was there with her, seeing her dark eyes flutter open. She didn't know him and didn't look thrilled to even be there. He sighed as he sat down next to the bed.
"The cut went septic...you are lucky." He told her, making her nod. "Where is he?" She whispered. "Russia." Abe replied, watching angry tears form in her eyes, "Are you alright?"
She quickly wiped them away and put the wall back up. Annika wasn't going to let anyone know how much she was hurt. Her father abandoned her and took off on her. Abe sighed, wishing she would trust him.
"So, when are they sending me back to the cage?" She asked, making him shake his head. "Not sure...she still hasn't decided what she's going to do yet." Abel told her. "They're going to kill me...I am a paradox that shouldn't exist." She told him. "No, they won't." He insisted. "I burn when I touch silver, I need blood and I have red rings in my eyes...if you believe that she will let me out, you are naive." Annika told him, "It's better for everyone not to get too attached to the idea I'm getting out."
Abe was shocked to hear the lack of hope in her voice. Mikhail sent him an I told you so look and shook his head. The worst part was that she was right...she wasn't getting out.
Later that night, Annika was the only one in the room when Hans and Tatiana came in. Her eyes were full of exhaustion and she looked miserable. The room felt even more like a cage to her then her cell did. At least there, she was left alone.
"How are you feeling?" Hans asked. "You don't care how I am... you're only asking to make my dad happy." She told him, seeing through the mask. "Fair point...what you told Abe has him pretty shaken." He said. "It's true, isn't it?" She asked, looking at the woman beside him.
Tatiana saw the look in her eyes and knew that she was no monster. She was a child who had her whole world ripped apart and put back together fucked up.
"I am not sure." Tatiana replied, making her smirk. "Not sure...why not just let me leave...somewhere where I won't ever come back from. Tell my father I died overnight." Annika said. "Why would we do that?" She frowned. "We both know I'm never going to get a clean slate here. Someone at some point is going to kill me and I would rather not have my father see that." Annika said. "What about your mother?" Hans frowned. "I don't know her and she obviously doesn't care enough to stick around either." Annika said, making them sigh.
Tatiana agreed with her and signed her release forms and told them to let her go. Annika was glad someone agreed with her about things and cared enough to trust her.
"Where will you go?" She asked. "I have some contacts who can get me money...I'm not sure yet." Annika replied, making her nod.
Annika got her things and left the hospital. Tatiana had a guardian, ironically Mikhail drove her to the airport. He looked sad as she sighed.
"Why are you running?" He asked, making him look at him. "I'm not running. I'm leaving a situation where I'm not wanted. Don't try to tell me otherwise. If they loved me so much, they wouldn't have taken off to Russia. They are thinking about themselves. I'm just taking the chance to start over fresh." Annika told him. "Do you have a place in mind?" He asked, making her shrug. "Somewhere warm...I hate the cold." Annika told him.
He sighed as he drove her over, knowing Janine and Abe were going to be upset. He would do whatever it took to find her and she was going to hate them for it.
When Annika arrived at the airport, Mikhail gave her some money from Tatiana and some clothes. She was stunned by the gesture and thanked him. He smiled at her and sighed.
"Be careful, Annika. Please." He replied. "I will...don't worry about me. I'll be okay." Annika told him.
Annika ended up boarding a flight to New Orleans. She didn't know why she wanted to go there but she did. Something was drawing her to the city and she just prayed it was a good something. All she wanted was to be wanted and loved.
However, unknown to her, her parents had booked an emergency return flight just as she boarded her plane. Abe still did not know about Tatiana letting her leave.
The next morning, Rose and Dimitri were called to the queen's office. She had to pretend to tell them that the teen was dead. Mikhail swore to the queen that he would as well.
"Tati, what's the meaning of this...I have to see my granddaughter." Abe frowned, making her sigh. "Abe...I'm afraid that won't be possible." She said, making Rose frown.
"Why the hell not?" Rose demanded, making her look to Hans. "She bolted out of her room...does she burn in the sun?" He replied, making Dimitri nod.
"Badly...between what happens to a strigoi and Moroi." Dimitri told him. "These will be disturbing then." Hans said, handing him the pictures.
Rose gasped, seeing the badly disfigured body from the sun. Dimitri felt sick as well, holding her tightly. Abe looked at them, wondering why they didn't stop her.
"Why did you not stop her from running?" Abe demanded. "Abe...she was locked in a cage, tormented with tests and scared...what would you do?" She said, making him sigh.
Dimitri heard the sympathy in her voice and knew in her his heart, Annika was not dead. That girl was not there anymore either.
Meanwhile, Annika stepped off the jet in the warm summer air in New Orleans. She smiled, feeling the heat as she headed to her hotel. She just wanted to belong. The sun felt good on her cold skin as she walked along the streets, enjoying the fact she could blend in.
However, night was a totally different story. The cut on her arm hurt more and she could smell the decay on her skin from the burn. Annika could also feel the fever returning. The antibiotics were wearing out of her system.
As she walked to the hotel, she booked earlier that day, she suddenly felt the effects of not being on the IV of antibiotics anymore. Her body began to shut down as she moved to a side alley, unable to function. Her arm throbbed painfully as she leaned against the wall, unable to stay awake.
A few moments later, two figures were walking by when they smelled blood. Both of them frowned at the smell, smelling how foul it smelled. The elder of the two walked over to see the figure of a young girl. She looked sick as he spotted the bandages peeking out from under her long sleeves. Tearing both the bandage and sleeve, he saw the nearly black wound. He reached out and felt her pulse, feeling how weak it was.
"What?" The younger asked. "A girl...I've seen this wound before...only they don't have fevers." He said, making him frown. "What do you mean?" The other asked. "Strigoi...they get wounds like that when they're staked...she must be half...And I believe I know who she is." He said, lifting her up. "And?" He asked. "And she needs our protection from the witches and her family." He said.
The blonde brought her back to the plantation house where he was staying. His brother, sister and mother of his unborn child all frowned. The blonde sister smelled the wound and frowned as she seen him set her down on the sofa.
"Another lost pup?" She quibbled. "Actually, she's a vampire." He said, making her frown. "How is she like this then...did you bite her?" She asked. "No Rebekah...she's half strigoi." He said, making her eyes widen as his brother frowned. "And half what, dhampir?" He asked. "It's possible...judging by her frame I would say yes." He told him, "Elijah, she's been cut by a stake."
The brunette woman frowned as she came over and sat at the girl's head. There was something innocent about the girl that made her think of when she was that age. Her eyes met Klaus', knowing he saw the same.
"She's running." She said, making him nod. "If she is who I think she is, yes. A friend of mine from years ago was just turned back to a dhampir. He had a daughter about her age." Klaus told her. "What happened to them?" She asked. "They were brought back to the Moroi court...only two things could have happened." Klaus replied.
"I can make a call." Elijah said, making him frown. "No, not till she awakens...I want to know if I'm right." Klaus told him. "Very well, I suggest asking Marcellus to ask a doctor for an IV bag and Vancomycin...she needs something strong." Elijah said, looking at the wound. "Then why don't you help Rebekah clean it while I call him...you are the doctor after all." Klaus teased, making him roll his eyes as Hayley stared.
"Can you help her?" She asked. "I believe so...don't worry, we'll find out where she fits soon." He told her, making her nod. "I can't imagine what she went through to wind up like this...you can see it on her face that she' been through hell." Hayley said, making him nod.
An hour later, Marcel walked in with Thierry and Diego to see Elijah delicately cleaning the wound. The younger two vampires saw the kid on the sofa and how weak she looked. But there was a strength about her that made them all root for her.
"That the kid you and Marcel found in the alley?" Diego asked. "Yes...I need to ask you two a favor. I know you're loyal to Marcel but I need you to tell me if there are any guardians in the city...at any time." Klaus asked, making Thierry look at the girl. "Is she one of them?" He asked. "I believe she is an outsider to them who needs protecting. If she is who I think she is, her family will stop at nothing till she is back at the hell hole." Klaus replied. "Consider it done, kids are off limits like Marcel said. Doesn't matter if they're human or not." He told him.
A moment later, her dark eyes fluttered open as Elijah saw the rings. Her eyes looked at him as she tried to move. He gently eased her back down, making her look at him with fear. He could see that she was afraid.
"You're safe." He said, making her look him. "Where am I?" She frowned. "The governor's plantation...my brother found you." Elijah replied, making her look over at Klaus.
She frowned, remembering him from when she was little. It was one of the only times her father didn't sedate her. He wasn't strigoi.
"I remember you." She said, making him nod. "And I remember you...you had escaped your nanny that day." Klaus grinned, making her nod. "Do you know then?" She asked, making him nod. "I heard...where is Dimitri?" Klaus replied, making her look at the ceiling, refusing to let the tears fall. "Don't know and don't care...he's too far up my mom's and the princess' ass to care about me anymore...I'm just a reminder of hell." She said, making him frown.
His suspicions were correct when she said that. Elijah gently put the IV catheter in and taped it gently to her hand. She looked at him, her eyes grateful for the help as he smiled at her. He could see she just wanted a place to belong.
"Do you know what they had you on?" He asked. "Nope..." She sighed. "Well, I put you on a vancomycin drip...it should clear that in a week...when was the last time you fed?" Elijah asked, making her look at him. "...A long time...my dad didn't even know." She told him. "You didn't tell him because of what happened or before that?" He frowned. "Before." She whispered. "We'll get you something...don't worry." He promised.
After getting her a couple blood bags, Annika was settled in a guest room and asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Elijah and Klaus stared from the doorway, both wanting to protect her before different reasons. Rebekah and Hayley did as well. They could only imagine what her life was like.
"So, were you right?" Hayley asked. "Yes, and I am correct to have them on the lookout for them...Annika has a target on her back. We have to handle the witches and get along, for her sake." Klaus said, making Elijah nod. "Agreed...I believe I know who her mother is as well as her grandfather...an associate of my reached out last night, asking me if I could help him. I haven't responded and won't likely." Elijah said. "Zmey?" Klaus asked. "Yes...I believe he's her grandfather...he will drag her back screaming if he has to." Elijah frowned. "I know." He replied.
For the first time in weeks, the Mikaelsons and Marcel were no longer at odds. They all knew that should the guardians arrive in the French Quarter; things were going to get a lot worse. Klaus looked up at the bedroom and wondered if Annika was going to be able to help protect his unborn child.
Meanwhile, Rose and Dimitri sat in the apartment in Annika's bedroom. They both wished they had not decided to take the trip to Russia. Their little girl would be home and safe. Dimitri felt especially guilty, wishing he had never said what he said to her.
"This is all my fault." He sighed. "What do you mean?" Rose asked. "I told her that if she had given up the so did I and I wouldn't try anymore." Dimitri told her, making her sigh. "Dimitri…this has been rough on all of us…we've all said things we didn't mean." She told him. "But she was barely hanging on by a thread of hope and I tore it from her…I should have protected her." He sighed as she pulled him into her arms. "We'll get her back." She said. "What if we don't' find her or she doesn't want to come back?" He asked, making her sigh. "Don't think that…you know her better then any of us…you will get the chance to say I'm sorry to her." Rose told him, combing her fingers through his dark waves.
He hoped she was right. All he wanted in that moment was to be holding their daughter close. To beg her forgiveness, but instead he was left with regret and heartache.
AN: Lots of drama for the first part. I will pick up with Elijah and Annika spending sometime together in the next chapter as she recovers. I want to make her relationship with the other Mikaelson siblings to be a sibling one, seeing as she is an only child. The same with Hayley. Her and Jackson will be a couple in this story so no Hailjah.