Chapter 5: An Old Friend

"We aren't getting anywhere!" Alexinia growled. Hermione hadn't written her back yet, which didn't really surprise her since her best friend was probably researching everything she could before sending any answers.

So maybe she was being a little ridiculous over things, but tonight was a full moon and she was pissed they hadn't found anything not even a tiny speck of information that could lead them on the right path. They had only started looking yesterday, so she shouldn't be surprised at the lack of information, but a small part of her had been hopeful that they could solve everything right away. She always had been too optimistic for her own good. Plus she might have foolishly forgotten how close the next full moon was yesterday when she had been thinking that she could get this done and over with by the next one.
Even if Nik's werewolf side was sealed he still acted strangely every time the moon was full, and she couldn't really anticipate how he would react. Her first full moon with him had Nik being amorous towards her, so she had hidden away the next one planning to stay far away, but he had found her and just acted like a big puppy. Then he had begged her not to leave him alone on a full moon again because she was the only one he could trust in that state. Each time was different and she was sometimes afraid of how he would react. Not because she thought he would hurt her, but rather she was afraid one day what he might say or do well under the moon's influence.

Bonnie looked at her sympathetically. The two of them seemed to be getting along well enough so far despite the fact that they were on different sides, and the younger witch was soaking up the stories Alexinia would tell her when she needed a bit of distraction. It was painfully obvious that the witch hadn't been trained enough and Alexinia was a little worried that one day Bonnie would push too hard like so many Wiccan witches.

"Perhaps we can stop for lunch, go to the Grill? It's probably going to be at least a month with you guys here, so you might as well get to know what places are good to hang out at." Bonnie's offer was sound, and a good idea, but she just wanted to do as much work as she could. However she knew Nik would throw a fit if he knew she skipped lunch again, so she agreed with reluctance. She really didn't want him making her breakfast in bed again, he was a great cook, the problem was how intimate that had felt like they weren't best friends in that moment, but something more.

The Grill was what you would expect from a small town restaurant/bar. It had it's charm, but didn't really hold Alexinia's attention. Her mind was basically still locked on helping Nik even as she ordered her food and was introduced to Bonnie's friend Matt who worked at the Grill. Matt seemed like a nice enough guy and had that golden boy of the small town vibe to him, but she could also sense a deep depression in him. It showed those that seemed to have it all on first glance were usually those who had suffered deeply and had just become good at hiding it from the world.

During their lunch Luka Martin had come to their table. He seemed to be nicer then his sister on the surface, but he also sort of gave her the vibe of a snake. If he had been a wizard instead of a warlock she was certain he would have been in Slytherin. A part of her wondered if she should tell him she knew his sister, but she decided against it. She just didn't see the point in giving him that information. Plus he had completely ignored her even as Bonnie tried to be polite and introduce them. He just pissed her off and she could tell Bonnie's interest in him was more because he was the first Wiccan outside of her family she had met, not romantic, so she told him to leave. Of course he had wanted to stay, but she just glared at him and told him if he didn't leave he'd learn why people didn't piss her off, and she might have used Nik's name to make sure he understood who he was dealing with. The coward had left quickly after that.

"Did you have to do that?" Bonnie asked rolling her eyes as Luka stalked off like a sad puppy, but she could see there was frustration under the surface at her being with Bonnie.

"I don't like people who don't act genuine. You know what I want up front, him he gives me a snake vibe and is probably just like his sister using people for his own gain."

Alexinia would have said more, but her eyes went wide and she squealed in happiness before jumping up from the table. Within seconds her arms were wrapped around, her probably only nonmagical/supernatural friend, who squealed as she saw her as well. It had been almost a year since they had seen each other, and well she was terrible at keeping in contact although they did text occasionally.

"Ali I can't believe you're in Mystic Falls! Why didn't you tell me?!" Jenna squealed sounding more like a teenager then an adult.

"Sorry Jen it was a last minute thing, you know how Nik is."

Bonnie's eyes went wide at that. Huh seems that Bonnie and her friends didn't realize Jenna knew all about vampires and the supernatural world. Kind of hard not to when the Sommers family were descended from Hunters, although Jenna had come around with Nik. It had been nice to have a friend she could discuss both normal human things with, and who was completely in the know about Nik. She didn't have to lie, and Jenna did understand their relationship, although she did like to tease.

"Yeah have you tapped that yet?"

"JENNA!"

"What? Anyone who saw you two together swore you were a couple, and you're telling me you two still haven't crossed that line? What are you waiting for?"
"How many times must I tell you it isn't like that between Nik and I?" She groaned as Jenna and her sat back down at the table she was sharing with Bonnie. It was only then that she realized that Alaric was with them and looking very confused and a little angry.

"The sexual tension between you two suggests otherwise."

"You two know each other?!"

Jenna blushed a little probably remembering exactly how Alexinia and her had met. Honestly Alexinia didn't blame her for being embarrassed at what had happened, especially since Jenna had believed her to be a fragile little flower in need of saving, not knowing Alexinia was a witch. That was before Jenna had found out that vampires were just like humans they could be good or bad, they just had a very different diet, and Jenna had tried to kill Nik believing him to be a normal vampire. Truthfully it was Jenna's reasoning and her friendship with Alexinia that had led to Nik not killing her for her actions. He had liked that there was a human willing to risk her life to protect Alexinia and had encouraged their friendship. Knowing that she didn't really have a lot of friends who were real friends, and not just friends with her because of who she was and what she had done.

What Elena and her friends didn't know was that Nik had known about Elena since they had met Jenna two and a half years ago. Being the loving Aunt she was at the time Jenna couldn't hold in her pride and gushed over both Elena and Jeremy, considering he grew up with Tatia Nik had recognized Elena as the doppelganger right away. However since they didn't have the moonstone and Elena was still quite young Nik had decided to leave her in Mystic Falls where she was protected. It was also why he had stopped hunting Katerina for a time, and put all of his efforts into finding the moonstone.

"Yeah Ali and I were in Uni together for a while, although Ali wasn't a full time student. She was just burning some time after Niklaus convinced her to take some courses. Apparently she had been bored and as Niklaus's always said a bored Ali is a very bad thing."

"Like you're one to talk Jen. I seem to recall you got bored enough to try and convince one of your professors to give you better grades by giving him a strip tease."

"Ah yes, the shame," the two of them burst out laughing at the looks on Bonnie's and Alaric's faces. Perhaps they hadn't realized that despite her friendship with Nik Alexinia was still human, or maybe they believed Nik wouldn't allow her to have other friends.

Discreetly taking her phone out Alexinia texted Jenna. Why aren't you telling them the truth about how we met?

They seem to believe I'm weak. I'm leaving it as my trump card. Besides it is sort of entertaining when they have to come up with lies to cover up what's really going on in this town. Since I'm not a Gilbert they seem to believe it means I'm completely clueless to the true nature of the world we are living in.

I'll make sure Nik knows. You do realize it won't stay a secret for long though right?

I know, but I sort of want them to tell me on their own. It hurts that they don't trust me enough to tell me the truth of what's going on in their lives. Especially with how much danger it puts them in!

Alexinia smiled sadly at Jenna. She completely understood what it was like for people to not trust her over life threatening secrets. Lack of trust towards her had almost gotten her godfather killed, and she knew if it hadn't been for Nik Sirius would be dead. However she did understand the other side of the spectrum as well. After all she had been willing to die to protect everyone in the wizarding world despite how often they had turned on her there had been those she wanted to keep safe. Plus if Voldemort had won the nonmagical side of the world would have been in danger as well. So she understood them wanting to keep Jenna out of their world.

Honestly the truth about what had happened in the woods that night was the only secret she had ever consciously kept from Nik. Most of the world didn't know she really had died that night, that she hadn't been faking to lull Voldemort into a false sense of security. She had never told him because she knew if he knew she had died for the wizarding world he would never let her out of his sight again. Plus she hadn't wanted to explain the consequences of that decision to him. She trusted Nik with everything, but she couldn't tell him that she had almost left him, willingly, for good. He would see it as her not caring enough for him to live for his sake if not her own, and Nik didn't understand dying to keep other's safe. Instead he believed in killing those who threatened the people he cared about. So no matter how much she explained her reasoning to him he would just think she had lost her mind, and that she had a death wish. Knowing him he would probably blame it all on what had happened when they first met. Even if she never showed it she knew that day had damaged a part of her that she doubted she would ever get back.

"You and Niklaus have to come over for supper soon. It's been way too long since we've hung out," Jenna said breaking the somewhat awkward silence that had settled over the table.

"Nik and I would love that Jen, although I think it would be best we go out to eat. I haven't forgotten how bad your cooking is."

"Nonsense it's not like Niklaus and you haven't been over before, besides I can order something in."

"I thought this was your first time in Mystic Falls?" Bonnie asked looking confused well Alaric looked worried at the possibility that Nik had been in the Gilbert house. Probably worried they might still renegade on their deal, and steal Elena away in the dead of the night.

"It is. Jen means that Nik and I used to spend a lot of time in her dorm when we went to Uni together. Besides if we're in public you might behave," she added teasingly after she switched her attention back to Jenna. She sort of wished her and Jenna had met up again on their own, since the other two made it so she had to carefully word everything she said. It was torturous! She hated twisting words around made her seem to much like a Slytherin.

"Not likely. You just want to try and keep me from asking Niklaus his opinion on why you two haven't crossed the line yet."

Jenna was partially right, but the other reason was more because she was worried that the Salvatore's might think she was going behind their back if she got herself and Nik invited to Elena's home. The Salvatore's might think they were planning to double cross them or something. Not like she could explain that to Jenna right now however. At least with Bonnie and Alaric being here they could make sure the other's knew she had tried to make it a public meal.
Alright so that was a big reason, but Jenna was right. She really didn't want Jenna questioning Nik about their relationship. Jenna was the only person brave enough, or rather who knew them both well enough, to be able to get away with those sorts of questions. Nik might actually answer her, and Alexinia didn't want to know what he would say. She was so careful to make sure he didn't have any reason to think she felt anything more then friendship towards him, and she didn't want Jenna to make him question it. Jenna had a way of making people want to spill their guts.

"Like you couldn't just ask him over the phone if you really wanted to."

"Where's the fun in that? Besides people are able to misdirect so much easier over the phone then in person. Plus on the phone I wouldn't be able to watch both you and Niklaus squirm, since he would probably make it a private conversation."

"You really need to stop thinking you can shock Nik with your bluntness Jen. It's almost impossible to shock Nik."

"Oh I could think of a way to shock him, although it wouldn't be me who would shock him," she said a teasing glint in her eyes.

Like if you turned the tables on him and teased him the way he teases you.

Ok she was really regretting telling Jenna about how often she had seen Nik naked. Shortly after she had met Jenna, Nik had pulled his stunts again, and Alexinia found herself ranting over his lack of boundaries to Jenna. Now Jenna loved bringing it up, and tried to convince her that Nik did it to try and make her think of him in a sexual way. Alexinia just thought it was because Nik loved seeing her blush and it was hard to make her blush considering the life she had led.

Plus he was trying to force her to admit there was something between them even if it was only lust. She knew Nik wouldn't actually make the first move between them. As long as she fought the lust Nik wouldn't do anything other then tease her. He wouldn't force her to confront it or talk about it because he didn't want to push her away. Just like she didn't want to lose him he didn't want to lose her. They needed each other, and she wouldn't ruin it! She would fight it until there was no fight left in her and even then she would try everything in her power to make sure she didn't do anything that could make her lose Nik.

Not going to happen Jen. Besides I doubt that would shock Nik.

You're kidding right. Considering how hard you deny anything between you two I'm fairly certain if you pulled a one eighty Niklaus will be speechless!

Alexinia knew if she told Jenna about her past she would stop teasing her so much about Nik, but she liked having one true friend who didn't know how broken she was. Hermione and Ron didn't count because they were like her siblings, and she didn't think they could handle knowing what had almost happened to her before she came to the wizarding world. With Jenna she could just be Ali a normal girl, with an Immortal Hybrid best friend, not the broken Witch she was. Of course Jenna knew the basics about her past, but she didn't know all of the horrors Alexinia had faced. She knew Nik had saved Alexinia's life when she was younger, but she didn't know the details that would explain to her exactly why Alexinia fought romantic and physical feelings between them so much.

"So you and Nik will come over this weekend for supper. No ifs, ands, or buts allowed."

Alaric looked like he wanted to argue with Jenna, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. Unless if they suddenly decided to trust Jenna now nothing they said would convince her to cancel. Even if they did suddenly have a turnabout it wouldn't change Jenna's mind because then she would be able to tell them that she already knew. Well she knew almost everything. She didn't know about the ritual yet, but Alexinia would make sure Jenna knew that they didn't want to kill Elena. As long as there was a way they would find it.

Nik might want to break the curse, but she also knew that he tried not to take innocent lives since he had met her. He still killed and fed, but he tried to feed on criminals and people that wouldn't be missed if they died. She had never asked him to change his ways, but he chose to himself because he wanted to be better for her.

We need to talk privately later. About why Nik and I are in Mystic Falls.

Alright. Although it won't be tonight. I have a feeling I'm going to be interrogated by Alaric and the kids on how I know you and Niklaus. It's going to be hard to explain without giving them all the details, but they don't trust me, so they don't need to know everything right now.

It has to be soon Jenna.

I'm not going to like it am I? The use of Jen's full name probably tipped her off. Alexinia only called her Jenna when it was 100% serious. Making sure that her friend knew when she truly needed her for something, or really needed her to back off.

Probably not.

Fine pick me up tomorrow night.

Thank you Jen.

Anytime Ali. You know nothing you do will ever make me hate you, right?

We'll see.

Jen looked at her concerned at the last message, but realized they couldn't really discuss it in front of her boyfriend and Bonnie. Alexinia just hoped Jen was right about never being able to hate her, otherwise the situation with Elena would make her lose one of her dearest friends.

AN: Sorry it's been so long. The end of this chapter was evading me by a few lines. Most of it's been written since a day after the last chapter was updated, but I didn't like how it was ending, so it took me a while to get the ending of this chapter to a place I liked it. Hope you enjoy please tell me what you think. I love reading the reviews. Although I do have to admit people asking me to update makes me feel a little anxious which in turn leads to me having a bit of writers block. Thanks for reading.