Chapter 21 – Much Needed Conversations

Finn led Sage out of the Salvatore Boarding house and to the car. She waited until they were in the car and driving out of town before she asked where they were going.

"We are going to track down my mother. She's behind Elena's fall yesterday and I'm not waiting around for her to strike again." Finn answered.

Sage blinked in surprise that Finn was being proactive and not leaving it to his brothers like usual. "Why not let Elijah or Niklaus track her down?"

Finn grimaced, "One, I have an inclination of where she can be. Two, I've left things to them for too long, it's time I step up. Three, look what leaving it to them has done. Niklaus runs unchecked, and Elijah lets him, hoping Niklaus will eventually make the right choice. It's time for changes or we won't survive to have the family we want."

Sage stared at her husband in surprise, "Just what happened last night?"

Finn stopped the car and pulled over to the side of the road. He turned to look at Sage. "I realized that I had done my family a disservice by being aloof and distant. Kol and I had a heart to heart, he helped me see things differently, but even before that I knew that it was past time I stepped up. I also took Niklaus and Elijah to task for their behavior last night. They'll think twice before disobeying me again."

Sage stared at her husband in a shocked stupor. "I...wow...um." She couldn't get the words out.

Finn laughed and leaned over and kissed her. Sage kissed him back and when they broke the kiss she could finally form the words she wanted to say.

"I like this take charge side of you, it's very hot."

Finn kissed her again before getting out of the car. He vamp sped over to her door and opened it for her. "Then we'll just have to make sure this side sticks around, won't we."

Sage laughed and looked around. "Where are we?" She asked.

Finn stared out at the field next to the road. "We are really close to where the werewolf village was located. I think mother is hiding out here, she isn't in Mystic Falls or the tunnels, so this is the only other place she knows well."

Sage nodded it makes sense. Together they stared walking across the field into the woods.
They walked for a time, eventually they came to a clearing, where they found a tent.

"I think we are in the Right place," Sage muttered.

Finn nodded and reached for her hand. "Stick close to me."

As they approached the tent they saw that the tent did indeed belong to Esther. Esther had heard them approach and exited the tent looking to see who was approaching. Finn could see Esther was battling herself, trying to decide to flee or stay. Sage squeezed Finn's hand, both of them gaining courage from each other.

"Hello mother," Finn said in an emotionless tone. "We need to have a conversation."

At the same time Bonnie was on the phone with her mother asking if she would help her out. "So my history teacher has an alter ego that has been nurtured by the original witch and he's been unconsciously going on a murder spree. There's a new witch in town and she thinks we can use a spell to reach his alter ego and retrain his thoughts. We need a couple more witches, would you help us out?"

Bonnie's mother sighed, "The Original Witch? That's the same as vampire business. You don't mess with her, I don't know Bonnie."

"Please!? Just come and see what it entails and then make your decision."

Finally her mother agreed and Bonnie gave her the address of the mansion. Next she called up her cousin, Lucy who was easier to convince.

"I owe you," Lucy said. "Of course I'll be there."

Within an hour or two, Bonnie was introducing Sabrina and Kol to her mother and cousin. Sabrina explained the situation a little more in depth as well as the reason Kol was present.

"Kol knows a lot about magic since he used to be a warlock." Sabrina explained, "So he can be of use to us and with him here, the other Originals won't bother us."

After her explanation which was only fully accepted by Bonnie, the other two a bit hesitant to work with Kol, they set about studying the Grimoires Sabrina had. By the end of the day, Bonnie's mother was still a little hesitant but onboard and Lucy was fully onboard and a game plan had been set.

Caroline, Elena, and Rebekah found Matt quickly after reaching the Mystic Grill. Matt was very confused as to why Rebekah was with Caroline and Elena. Elena promised to explain after he got off, if he would come over to the mansion. Matt wasn't keen on going over the location where Kol had almost killed him. He finally consented when he found out that Caroline, Bonnie, and Elena would be there.

The girls left the Grill leaving Matt extremely confused, when he got off he went over to the mansion hoping for answers. He never expected to be told by Elena what was going on.

"This is crazy!" Matt exclaimed as he paced the living room. "You're telling me that Alaric has an alter ego that is a serial killer?!"

Caroline laughed from where she sat on the couch. "That's not even the crazy news."

Elena glared at her when Matt turned to look at her. His stare pinned her to the chair she sat in. He advanced slowly, "What does she mean Elena?" He asked harshly. "Does it have anything to do with why we are here now?"

Elena blushed, "Uh, well, kinda." She took a deep breath. "Yes, you have to understand this whole thing is crazy and I didn't really have a choice, but I'm happy."

"What!?" Matt asked her confused and frustrated.

Caroline butted in bouncing up and down in her seat. "Elena and Jeremy are being adopted by the Mikaelsons! Isn't that great?"

"Wait, what!?"

Elena glared at Caroline, "I wasn't going to tell you like that."

Matt stared incredulously at Elena advancing on her, "This is for real?"

Elena swallowed audibly, "Yes."

Rebekah breezed into the room, "Matt, give her a chance to explain. This hasn't been easy for her."

"I don't know what this is!" Matt exclaimed.

Rebekah walked over to Matt and pulled him to the live seat. "Sit down, and we'll explain."

Matt shook his head, "This better be good."

"I don't know about good, we did promise crazy." Caroline mumbled.

"Caroline," Elena growled. She turned to Matt. "The other night Elijah came to my house and brought me here. Kol's witch, Sabrina performed a blood adoption ritual."

"Blood adoption?" Matt asked. "That sounds serious."

Rebekah nodded, "It is. It's a bit complicated too. The thing to remember is that it makes it so we can't hurt Elena. Our only desire is to protect her."

"You really can't hurt her?" Matt asked.

"No, she's family now."

"This is strange." Matt said resting his head in his hands.

"Told you crazy!"

"Caroline!" Elena cried exasperated.

"What!?" Caroline whined back.

Matt and Rebekah laughed. Matt relaxed a little, still very uncertain about what was going on, but finding some comfort in the fact that his best friends were still best friends. Rebekah, Caroline, Elena, and Matt fell into a somewhat comfortable conversation each reflecting on how much their lives had changed and how much had stayed the same. Life had changed, old friendships had been tested and made stronger, and new friendships had been made. Life was crazy, but it was worth it with friends and family that stood united, at least some of the time.