"Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible."
~Mere Christianity~
...
The news of John Gilbert's sudden death rocked through Mystic Falls. A tragic tale of car malfunctions and drunk driving. Engine going up in flames following a crash into a tree. Caroline frowned deeply when the news reached her, only feeling a slight amount of sadness for her friend. Except this man was the reason her sister wasn't currently home, wasn't with her and that didn't settle well with the oldest Forbes girl.
Their mother had been outraged to learn that Caroline knew about Marcella. Knew that the younger girl had been turned into a vampire, that she hadn't said anything. Preserved her sister's secret. Caroline thought about the injustice of the whole thing. About how much blind hatred her mother harbored for vampires as if they had personally wronged her.
Except they hadn't. The only vampires Elizabeth Forbes had ever had the pleasure to meet were that of the Salvatores and her own daughter. None of which had ever caused her any harm. For the love of god Marcella still hadn't taken a single human life. Caroline knew that because her sister had told her and she always believed her.
Marcella would never lie to her about something like that. Her sister may have been a lot of things. Kind. Childish. Clever. Morally charcoal. Vindictive. But a liar, a liar she never had been. There was no pleasure in lies.
Caroline sought Damon out once Marcella had left town. The raven haired male sighed at her request admitting he had already thought of doing so. Regardless that they each knew just how against it Marcella would have been. But she wasn't here to stop them.
For once Caroline wanted to be able to protect her sister. Even if that meant locking her mother away until the vervain was out of her system. Liz would be compelled to forget everything John Gilbert ever tried to tell her. About the truth of Damon Salvatore and Marcella Forbes.
It was the only way.
Of course Caroline knew her little sister would not be happy, but it didn't really matter as long as she was home. As long as they were together. Caroline would not stand to be seperated from her sister.
The funeral for John Gilbert was a small affair, only a few members of the founding families and some close friends were in attending. Caroline took her mother's place since the woman was still in seclusion. When the pastor was done with his sermon and the body buried Caroline felt it was a good time to leave. She was just about to walk away when Bonnie grabbed her wrist.
"Elena wants us all to come back to her house, she said she didn't want to be alone." Caroline pushed back a scoff. She should have cared about what her mourning friend wanted, but there was just so much on her plate right now. The cheerleader forced a smile.
When in doubt.
"I'd love to but mom is really sick and Marcie is out of town so it's just me to take care of her." Caroline tried. But the witch was determined to make her be a good friend. Good friends didn't slap their friend's sibling's faces, didn't make snide comments about their morality. Maybe Caroline was tired of being a good friend. Maybe she just wanted to be a good big sister for once.
"Come on Care, Elena really needs us. You've been avoiding her and she could really use her friends right now." Caroline sighs defeatedly. Offering Bonnie a tired smile.
"I know, just a lot going on. Look I'll come over but I really can't stay long. Mom is sick." Bonnie smiles triumphantly as if she'd won a gold medal. Caroline does her best not to roll her eyes. It wouldn't be that bad. Right?
Wrong.
Elena was so mopy. So sad. Like she had actually cared about her biological father. Caroline was disgusted by the whole display. How utterly fake. She could hardly stand it. The blonde was just about to make her crafty getaway when Elena stopped her at the front door. Concern filled her eyes and there was also the trace was loathing in there gaze.
Caroline didn't like it at all.
"Stefan says he hasn't seen Marcella around the boarding house in few days is everything okay?" And there is was. The nosiness that Caroline couldn't stand. Elena wasn't concerned about her sister she was nosy. Prying into things that weren't her business.
A tight smile graced her lips. "Honestly Elena you shouldn't worry about my sister." Caroline tries to leave it at that. She doesn't want to cause issues with the brunette after her father had died. It's not right. But Caroline would defend her sister no matter what.
Elena shuffles in her spot looking a little uncomfortable. She reaches out a hand to touch Caroline's shoulder. "I'm just concerned about you Caroline. You know Damon is dangerous and Marcella spends a lot of time with him." Caroline bit her lip, she wanted to pull out her hair. Instead she pulled away from her friend's touch and took a step back.
Squaring her shoulders at Elena. "You mean like Stefan is dangerous? You really should mind your own business Elena. Before you go and point accusatory finger you should know that your just as guilty and have three pointing back at yourself." Elena frowned at the statement, her brow creased.
"You know." Caroline smiles her very best smile.
Her sister would have been proud.
"I do know. And based on what I know, I know better than to cast judgement on things that are far beyond my understanding. I'm sorry for your loss Elena, I'll see you on Monday." Caroline left after that leaving Elena Gilbert thoroughly flabbergasted at her doorway.
…
Elijah wasn't sure just how his brother thought he'd react to that particular bit of news. How he thought this was going to go. For a thousand years he has had his brothers back, always and forever, family above all else. But this, this surely was far past the limit that should be acceptable to just forgive. To let go.
Niklaus had killed their mother. Impulsively, in an act of hurt filled rage. Then he lied to them, making them believe it was their father who had done the deed. Elijah wasn't sure if he was more mad about what his brother had done or that fact that he had so easily accepted a lie.
What did that say about him?
That he'd turn his back on their father because of the word of his brother. That he'd chose his siblings over his parents. It didn't make him a good son.
Good is relative.
Her voice so distinctive in the back of his mind is what draws him out of his thoughts. The memory of their first meeting. The how, the why, doesn't matter. Ultimately it didn't matter that Niklaus had lied to him, again. Elijah would always chose his brother, would always pick being a better sibling over a good son. Because he knew. Knew that deep down their mother had gotten what she deserved.
She cursed them. Took away their freedom. Forced them on this road of bloodshed and was relative because Niklaus had been justified.
Elijah saw that now. Just like he saw that unsurprisingly Niklaus would not be keeping his word about freeing the others. He supposed it was time.
Time to take the matter into his own hands.
…
There were several things she'd like to say about the French Quarter, but mostly they were as exactly as she'd remembered them to be. Following Rebekah's sudden departure and Marcel's impending arrival Marcella had been drug into a small cafe by Isadora. To no surprise both the current King and his right hand man had accompanied them.
Of course Marcel was curious about anyone who was entertaining the company of his former lover. In Marcella's defense she was just as curious about him. She wondered what was so great about him, how had he earned the love of Niklaus. Since she had the love of the hybrid but Marcella was just a lovable person in general if she did say so herself. Also she was sort of hoping to get the story out of Isadora about how she knew Thierry.
That would have been nice to know like forever ago.
Marcella couldn't decide if she was going to be herself or if Eden was required here. She wondered how Niklaus would feel once she told him Marcel was alive. He'd considered the man family, practically his son. It would prove to be interesting.
"Isadora I think you have explaining to do." Marcella finally decides, she'd get that story out of the way and then make up her mind about who she was bringing to the table.
Marcella Forbes and Eden Mikaelson both loved Niklaus fiercely. It wouldn't matter. The thing was how much did Marcel know about Kol? That would either make or break the ruse. Also was she even up to par to be Eden Mikaelson?
There was a lot to consider. Marcella wanted to keep her options open. She texted Rebekah under the table, just to check on the girl. The original would come back when she felt like it.
Isadora just smirked at her friend. "I met Thierry in nineteen fifty-eight, right after his turn. He tried to eat me." Marcella rolls her eyes, yeah that sounded like something that could have happened to the immortal woman.
"She threw me into a wall." The male in questions adds which just caused the girl to nod. Yeah definitely something Isadora would have done. Marcel actually raises a brow at his friend, surprised, before looking over at the smirking woman.
"You never said anything about her being beautiful." Marcel sounds affronted as if he had personally missed out on a good opportunity. Thierry chuckles shaking his head.
"Her partner didn't appreciate the advance I'd made." Marcella turned annoyed eyes to her, Roman knew about this. Isadora's smirk just widened.
"We aren't together Thie. Roman is just a long time friend." Isadora tries and it probably doesn't help that Marcella rolls her eyes again. Long time friend, yeah that was one way to put an over a millennium partnership.
The current King turns his attention towards the curly blonde haired baby vampire. Macel could tell those things better than most, but he was also taught too. His previous mentor had been very thorough. She tilted her head away from the immortal woman and towards him at the feel of his gaze. A frown forming at her lips the previous light hearted smile gone.
"What did you do to make my sister so mad? I've never seen Rebekah storm off like that." She mused quietly a meaningful look in her eyes as if she already knew the answer. Marcel squared his shoulders and crossed his arms over his chest.
So he hadn't imagined it, that had been Rebekah.
"He pretended to be dead for over a century." Marcel and Thierry both looked up sharply at the sudden appearance. How has she? By the way the small blonde was smirking she'd known the original would be coming back soon.
Rebekah took a seat next to Marcella and it didn't take long until the girl was encroaching on her personal space. Looping an arm through hers, head on shoulder nuzzling into her side. The original rolled her eyes at the display. She'd forgotten how cuddling the younger girl was.
Given pretty much anytime her brother, or Damon Salvatore were in the room Marcella was all over them it should have been impossible to forget. Marcella was probably the most affectionate vampire she'd ever met. Which meant only one thing, once Kol was back it would most likely be hell to get the younger girl off of him.
For now Rebekah ignored Marcella's nature and stared straight ahead at the man whose death had broken her heart. "Rebekah." Marcel breathes her name, it's longing and disbelief. Rebekah tries not to let her satisfaction show.
Instead she ignores him, Marcel would have to work for every last bit of attention she showed him. She turns her attention back to the blonde child snuggling her arm in the middle of a restaurant. Her brow raised at the younger girl who sort of half-heartedly shrugged not letting go.
"You left me." Is the only explanation given. Rebekah rolls her eyes again, this time she pulls her arm from Marcella's grip regardless of the pout that follows. That may work on Nik but it wouldn't work on her.
"Get use to it love. People come and go." Marcella just continued with her pouting crossing arms over her chest huffing petulantly. She just wanted to cuddle Rebekah, why did the other girl have to be so mean.
"I'm sure it's not my place, but how do you know each other." Marcel questions, Isadora smirks from her spot. This was where it got fun.
She couldn't wait to see what Marcella would do, what the original would do. Rebekah scoffed raising her brow at him. "You're right love, it's not. But since you were doing such a good job at entertaining my sister and her companion I suppose a reward is in order." At the particular admission from Rebekah Marcel's brow shot up. That word again.
Sister.
He didn't believe it in the slightest.
…
Elena paced back in forth in her bedroom. Her mind in a whirlwind. She knew there were pieces missing, dark spot and wholes that didn't match up. Bruises on her skin from needles she doesn't remember having administered. There wasn't any question what was happening to her.
Compulsion.
Someone was compelling her. Taking her memory, her blood from her. To top the matter she'd lost a member of her family. John may not have been her favorite person but he was still family. Then to have Caroline brush off her concern as if it wasn't well founded just made everything worse.
Couldn't she see what sort of monster Marcella had become. No matter how many times the girl tried to claim always being like that Elena wasn't convinced. Marcella had been good, now she was just evil. She let her be sacrificed, let her die, it didn't matter that she managed to survive. The blonde would have been okay if she hadn't. Elena could see it in her eyes.
Why couldn't Caroline see that? Why couldn't she see that Marcella had changed? She was dangerous to them now. She'd watch them burn if it was what she wanted. How come Elena was the only one who could see that? It wasn't fair.
She didn't want to be a bad friend. She should have given the younger girl the benefit of a doubt but something about the way she looked at all of them as if she was above them didn't sit well with her. Or the fact that these days Marcella was always with Damon, or the mysterious vampires who came to town after the ritual. Also something about Anna and Pearl's sudden departure hadn't sat well with her either.
Marcella was a poison, she is dangerous. Why was Elena the only one worried? Something had to be done. She wanted to be free of this unsettled feeling.
"Elena?" Stefan's voice, the concern lapping at his tone is what pulls her back. His arms wrap around her shoulder stopping her pacing. He pulls her close. She turned wide doe eyes on him.
"I want my friend back, I want everything to go back to normal." He ran his hand down the length of her hair in a attempt to be comforting.
"I may have an idea." Stefan tells her seriously. He wanted things to go back too.
…
Damon grinned at the red head. She'd let herself in like she owned the place, reminding him of another girl he was seriously missing. The woman smirked at him. "Damon Salvatore, my favorite student." He snickered one arom thrown around her shoulder.
"Sage, my hottest teacher. Thanks for coming." She rolled her eyes pushing him off of her. Damon gestured for her to follow. He had no worry of his brother interrupting them since saint Stefan was with Elena for the fifth time this week. So obnoxious.
He didn't really understand the appeal. Doppelgangers no longer called to him. He was so done with the allure of Petrova women. "So as nice as this reunion is Damon, why did you call me?" Sage asks once they've settled on the couch, he offers her a glass of amber.
"A little birdie told me you know something about the originals. Then I remembered your comment about being spoken for." Damon watches as she becomes stiff, eyes darken, and narrow. Sage looked ready to rip his head from his shoulders.
"Be careful of what you say next Damon Salvatore." He rolled his eyes, Damon was use to the serious threats of powerful woman. They didn't alarm him. Marcella threatened to eat all the ice cream all the time and he knew better than to push her.
"Oh you think I'm threatening you." He holds his arms up innocently. This wasn't a threat. She takes a deep breath as if she doubts the sincerity of his action. Damon pouts, so rude.
"This isn't a threat, this is an offer for a reunion." Sage is in his face the moment the words leave his mouth, grabbing the collar of his shirt. Face half vamped, ready for a fight if he wasn't telling her the truth.
As if he'd have to audacity to lie to a woman about lost love. How preposterous. Damon would never dare, because he knew how that felt. He knew just how bad it felt, how it hurt, how your heart ached and yearned. Katherine may have been a bitch but he had once loved her. To love like that for so long and to have it thrown back in your face wasn't something you easily let go of. So why would he lie about the chance, why lie?
Lies never helped anyone. It was way he loved Marcella so much, she never lied. The truth, the facts they were much easier manipulatives. Meeting her had changed his world view. Her way was no much more fun.
"Do not test me Damon." Sage growls, he rolls his eyes carefully prying her hand off of his vintage shirt. He liked this shirt, no he did not want to see it ruined by vampire violence. He'd already lost one of his favorite shirts because of that.
"Sage, do you really think I'd lie to you? You wound me. Now be a good girl and settle down then I'll tell you everything you need to know." Damon hid the smirk as she did as told. Reluctantly.
Love, as it turned out was a great motivational piece.
XOXOX
So I really thought I wasn't going to get this done while my family was here but I managed! Woo! Anyway.. So there is a lot going on in this chapter, I hope that you were paying attention*winky face* because just letting you know this is important.
If you think for one second that Damon is doing something without Marcella knowing about it then you have another thing coming. Marcella and Damon don't have secrets. And if you think that she's going to be okay with what Caroline and Damon did… well we'll just see.
Lots going on, lots to come! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I'm looking forward to hearing from you guys!
Thank you for reading! Thank you for your continued support!
I hope you all have a wonderful day! And for those who celebrate a happy thanksgiving.
Sincerely, La'Rae