I am so so sorry for the incredibly late update. But I managed to complete this somehow. Enjoy.
Katerina opened her eyes to the blinding sunlight flowing through the window. It took her a minute to realize that she was in Mikaelson mansion, the same place where the man she thought hunting her was, the same place where her long last daughter was. It was all still surreal for her. She even pinched herself last night when she was spending some time with her daughter.
Nadia. The mere thought of her daughter brought a light smile to her lips. She really thought that she was not going to see her daughter after she was exiled from her country. But here she was, five centuries later, reunited with her family.
She imagined many situations where she would finally get caught by Klaus and suffer, at last die. But what happened yesterday was certainly not one. She assaulted him with questions all the way back to Mystic Falls, which he answered without any trace of coldness or irritation, slight humour perhaps. But she could swear that she have never seen Klaus like that.
She rolled over in her bed and stared at the door. As if on cue, there was a knock, and followed by the door opened with Nadia poking her head in.
"Mother" she said hesitantly.
Katerina sat up instantly with a smile on her face, "Nadia, come in"
Nadia smiled at her and went inside the bedroom. Approaching the bed, she took her mother's hands and sat facing her, "Good morning, did you sleep well?" she asked.
Katerina beamed at her and said, "Yes, I did."
"Mother, I have a lot of work to do. Aunt Belle has been loading me with many chores, that include seeing to every room that my aunt and uncles are going to stay in. And Uncle Nik's been waiting for you in the foyer."
Katerina stiffened, "What?"
Nadia chuckled, "Oh don't worry mother. He said something along 'getting to know you' properly. After all you are to be his sister"
Katerina hesitated for a moment and said, "Alright. I'll join him in a minute"
Nadia smiled at her and left saying she had to start completing the tasks before Arabelle come storming into the room.
Within seconds Katerina freshened up and changed into her usual black tight jeans and sleeveless top and jacket. When she reached the stairs, she saw Klaus sitting on the last step with his hands rested on his knees. She climbed down the stairs and said, "Klaus"
Klaus looked up at her and said, "Katerina, let's get going, shall we?" as he gestured toward the door.
She gave him a slight nod. She was still nervous around him, after all she spent half a millennia running away from him, thinking if she stopped he would rip her heart out. Old habits die hard, right? But she tried to act as normal as possible around him. Mainly for Nadia's sake.
A few minutes later they were in the Mystic Grill. Katerina frowned and turned to Klaus, who was seated comfortably at the bar. She grimaced and sat next to him. As soon as they took their seats, the Donovan boy came to take the orders.
The moment he saw Klaus and Katerina sitting together, his eyes went wide. Whether it was by shock or disappointment, they didn't know. Out of the corner of her eyes, Katerina saw the sly smirk forming on Klaus' lips. Cunning bastard, Katerina thought as she let a mirroring smirk form on her lips as well. They ordered bourbon, and sat in silence, waiting for the drinks.
"Is this why you brought me here?" Katerina asked, so low that only he could hear the words.
Klaus smiled at that and said, "Well, the morons of this town must know that you are family now."
Just then they heard the tell tale sound of someone entering the Grill. Rather like a group of misfits that the two older vampires recognized instantly.
"Seems there's no need for us to wait" Katerina said.
They could feel their gazes on their backs, as well as the whispers. Katerina turned slightly to see the Salvatores, the blonde-bimbo and her less gorgeous doppelganger staring openly at them. She could practically see the wheels turning in their minds.
She smirked at them and murmured, "Their jaws are on the floor. What do you say if I tell you that I bring a horde of sheep to test whether they fit their mouth?" She was picturing what she just said in her mind and could not help but laughing.
By then Klaus started to laugh like a madman as well. "I always knew you have a sly sense of humour, sister", he managed to say in between his laughter, which was clearly heard by the three other vampires in the Grill. "It seems they got the message. If you'll excuse me sister I have loads of work Belle gave me to complete before sunset"
Katerina rose with Klaus and said, "I will help. I have no better job to do"
With that they left the Grill leaving a group of shocked said idiots behind.
Damon was sitting there still and staring at the bar where Klaus and Katherine sat a moment ago. Was this true, or was he dreaming? He wanted to know, if he was dreaming and there's only way to find out. He saw Caroline's hand on the table next to his. He pinched it, and as usual got smacked at the back of his head. He sent a death glare toward Caroline, which she didn't even notice. He would deal with her later. For, now he must tell them about the deal he and Stefan made with Klaus.
"What was that?" Elena asked no one in particular as she gestured toward the now-empty bar.
"What do you think?" Damon snapped, irritated.
He saw hurt flash through Elena's eyes, and mentally kicked himself for doing that. Stefan and Caroline were glaring at him. Lately, he has been snapping at Elena for no reason at all. Maybe it was because he was not in love with her any more. Or maybe because she reminded him about Katherine a lot. But he knew, he was only convincing himself with that. He knew very well, that the reason he was being an ass with Elena was because she was the only thing standing on his way for the pursuit of Arabelle Mikaelson.
"Sorry" he mumbled.
"Where's Alaric and Bonnie?" Caroline asked, obviously trying to smooth the awkward situation.
"I already told Ric, and I can't get Bonnie" Damon said, playing with his mobile.
"Bonnie is spending time with her mother" Elena said.
Damon nodded and started to explain the deal he and Stefan made with Klaus. And he prayed that they all stay on line.
Bonnie and Abby entered the cave in the Lockwood property. The cave was centuries old. As they entered the cave, Bonnie led her mother toward the closed coffin in the middle.
"Is this it?" Abby asked.
Bonnie nodded. She looked at her mobile, with almost 20 missed calls from Damon and Caroline. She rolled her eyes and decided to call him once it was over.
"Bonnie" Abby called, "I just wanted to tell you, that stay as far away from the doppelganger. A Bennett has the sole responsibility of guarding the supernatural world. Your association with the doppelganger will only bring the supernatural world down. What we are going to do now, is very dangerous to the supernatural world. I know you won't listen to me. But remember."
Bonnie frowned. She was about retort, when she saw honesty in her mother's eyes. She was not trying to keep her from helping her friends. She was really trying to tell her something. But she as not saying it clearly.
Abby looked at the time, it was six in the evening and she has to leave this ill-excuse of a town as soon as possible. She could not sit behind and see consequences the very thing that she shouldn't do as a Bennett. "Let's do this"
And with that they linked their hands and chanted the spell. Once the chanting rose, the coffin opened, to reveal an ancient looking woman in her mid-forties. She wore a yellow gown that was at least millennia old.
It was almost seven in the evening, and Niklaus was nervous as hell. He was in the living room. Late that afternoon, he had his hybrids move the coffins to the living room. Undaggering one person at a time was challenge enough, undaggering all of them at the same time, Niklaus would go insane.
The only thing that's keeping him sane was the support of Arabelle and Nadia. Even Katerina reassured him that she would help him with Elijah. He had a bottle of bourbon, scotch and wine with glasses on the table. A peace offering, perhaps.
Soon enough the ladies joined him. After much of a discussion it was decided that they undagger all four of them at the same time. Niklaus pulled out the daggers from Elijah and Finn's chest while Arabelle did the same with Rebekah and Kol.
The four proceeded to have some alcohol in their system to face what was to come. Niklaus knew if he just sat there in the living room, Katerina and Nadia would be in danger. So he asked them both to wait in their bedroom, until matters were settled. Katerina sent him a warning look and Nadia looked concerned. She kissed him and Arabelle in their cheek and left the living room. After what seemed like an hour, they heard a gasp. Rebekah. Then another. Elijah. Then another. Kol. And then Finn.
The newly awakened quartet rounded on the drinking duo. Niklaus gulped the bourbon he was sipping and said, "Brothers. Sister"
As soon as he said those words, Elijah threw him across the room. He stood up from where he slumped. The moment he managed to stand, Finn punched him across his face, and next came the beloved youngest brother's heavy kick over his chest. Then came little sister's hand crushing his wind pipe. He let them have their fun. After all he deserved all those things.
"Enough!" Arabelle voice rang from behind them.
After reaching her home, Bonnie decided to return the calls from Damon and Caroline. Just as he was about to reach her mobile, it vibrated from her pocket.
It was Damon.
"What do you want?" Bonnie said as soon as she hit the answer button.
"Where were you? I was calling you to let you know a good news, and you didn't answer my calls" Damon said from the other side.
"I was with my mother" she said.
"Whatever" Damon said and proceeded to tell her all about the deal they made with Klaus and also the little show that happened at the Grill. "So, Bonnie drop the plan. We are not opening the box"
Bonnie gasped. "Damon, I think it's too late. My mom and I went to the Lockwood cave and opened the box"
"What?" Damon screamed from the other end of the line.
Bonnie closed her eyes, cursing about her stupidity.
As soon as the word left Arabelle's mouth, her siblings stood still. "Before you all thrash him, think about yourselves first"
They looked down, unable to look into her eyes.
"You all act as if you are saints. Have you ever wondered why he daggered you all?" she asked as she moved toward them. She stopped next to Elijah and said, "You say you are noble, Elijah? Have you ever thought Niklaus only wanted you to be happy? No. Do you know why he made Katerina run for half a millennia, he knew that she was your mate and he was keeping her safe from our Father. Driving her away so she won't be in the crossfire. He killed every woman you came across after Katerina, so when you reunite with her again you won't have to feel guilty. You only saw us as you pet projects Elijah, not your siblings. So, you must stop your so called pursuit of Niklaus' redemption and look for yours"
Elijah, for his part, kept his mouth shut.
She then moved toward Finn, "And you. Did you think that Father would welcome you with his hands spread? He was planning on killing you and Sage when you were in Bulgaria that day. Niklaus had to create a distraction and move you to a safe place. But father got there and took Sage. He locked her in an abandoned house and burned it. Did you know how hard Niklaus tried to help the woman you loved? He couldn't. So he kept you daggered. Because he didn't know how to tell you that your mate was killed by our Father right in front of me and Niklaus."
Finn had tears in his eyes and looked at Niklaus, with understanding and regret.
She moved toward Kol and slapped him right across his face. He was shocked and glared at her, "That was for Spain. Did you know Father was a day away from reaching you in 1516? He killed your informer. But our informer got to us first with the news. Niklaus had to throw himself as a bait to give you enough time to get out of Spain. And this is what he gets for receiving a white oak stake in his stomach?"
Kol averted his gaze from her, his eyes filled with fury, to at Niklaus, but at himself.
She then turned toward Rebekah, who said, "I didn't anything but stick to him all these centuries"
Arabelle chuckled humourlessly, "And you sold our brother twice to our Father"
Rebekah's eyes widened, "How?"
"You think we didn't know it was you who summoned Father to New Orleans in 1919? We knew all along. Did you know sister, when Mikael sat right behind us with a stake directed toward Niklaus, he said, 'Did you think you have your siblings' loyalty, boy? Your beloved sister Rebekah wants you dead. So much that she summoned me to do that'. Did you know how it felt? We knew that he was not joking. But Niklaus even then risked everything to get you out of the burning opera. But that idiot forbid me from ever confronting you."
Rebekah's eyes glistened with tears. "I only wanted to be with someone I loved"
"And you didn't care that someone was not your soul mate? You betrayed our brother for someone who was not meant for you? Have you ever wondered, sister, why Niklaus let Stefan Salvatore live?"
Rebekah's eyes widened, "Because he was my soul mate"
Arabelle nodded, "Yes. And don't start about Mother. She only hurt Niklaus. She never stood up to Father. She cursed him, even before he could wrap his mind about the fact that he is werewolf. Made him run for a thousand years to break the curse. He only daggered you all because you were all targeted by Mikael then. He did all those mean vile things to keep you all safe."
She then moved toward the door and called, "You can come now"
After a minute two brunettes entered the room. All eyes looked at them, shocked. The resemblance was uncanny.
Rebekah was the one to break the silence. "So, you are Katerina's daughter"
Nadia smirked, "Nadia Petrova Mikaelson"
After the painful reunion, more like a soap opera, between Katerina and Elijah, they all sat in the living room. The introductions were made between the Mikaelson siblings and Nadia. As predicted by Niklaus, Nadia became the favourite Mikaelson among the siblings. Rebekah already planning shopping, Kol planning all his mischievous devious plans, and Elijah glaring at them like the overprotective father.
Niklaus rolled his eyes, which was not gone unnoticed by Nadia.
Nadia smirked and said, "Don't worry Uncle Nik, you will always be the number one on my favourite uncles list"
Niklaus smiled widely at that.
"Does that list has a place for your Grandmother as well, little one?" asked a voice from the doorway.
"Mother" Rebekah said as she ran toward the woman and hugged her.
Hope you liked it. Please leave your reviews. Next Chapter: Some getting along. Then the Ball.
Until Next Time...