I do not own TVD or TO.

So in the show the red door was brought up before the wedding; I've moved that until afterwards. It happened in the days following Ellie's disappearance from the city. I can't remember exactly how it happened, but I clearly remember Elijah was effected by it in a huge way.

Caroline brought the car to a complete stop and turned off the ignition, but she didn't open the door. She jingled the keys in her hand and watched the gates of the Abattoir. Frowning, she blinked at the bright lights spilling out onto the formal attire of people she recognized as werewolves. Here and there among the crowds were vampires; Josh was wearing a suit.

Was Klaus having a party? Why had he invited wolves and vampires? That seemed like a recipe for disaster. Was that Davina Claire beside Josh?

"That's a lot of people," Amara toyed with the chain of her necklace. "Am I supposed to know all of them?" Her eyes were wide when she turned to Caroline.

"Just those two," Caroline pointed towards the gate. "That's Davina: the witch working with Kol's sister to bring him back. Beside her is Josh: the vampire that covered for Ellie when she left to find you." She saw Amara nod as she catalogued the faces. "Everyone else must be inside."

"Is it a festival?" Amara leaned forward and tucked her hair behind her ears. She wasn't quite used to the new length yet.

"I don't think so," Caroline shook her head. "It seems to be confined to the house. Nobody else on the street is venturing close."

"Maybe a wedding," Amara ran her hands over her jeans; the material was foreign. "Should we wait?"

Caroline's eyes flickered over the party goers.

"No," she decided, "Hayley is less likely to make a scene with this crowd." She stepped out of the car and motioned for Amara to follow her lead.

Caroline locked the car and met Amara in front of the vehicle. She could almost feel the nerves that were coiled at the base of the woman's spine. From the corner of her eyes she could see a slight twitch at the corner of Amara's mouth.

"I'll be right back," Josh saw their approach and broke away from Davina. He moved quickly and intercepted them. "You're back."

"You sound surprised," Caroline smirked. "She said she was coming back."

"I guess I didn't really believe it," he glanced over their shoulder towards the street. "Did you do it? I don't see… I wouldn't know if I did see him anyway would I? Where is he?"

"Not here," Amara blinked a few times and cast her gaze towards the ground. It was some sort of stone.

"I'm sorry," Josh's smile dropped. "Umm, you should probably know…. I uh… I told them you left."

"What exactly did you tell them?" Caroline arched an eyebrow.

"That she left, and was planning on coming back," Josh cleared his throat. "They asked why and I told them she was doing something crazy."

"So you didn't…" Caroline trailed off leaving the question unsaid.

"Nope," Josh shook his head. "Fair warning. Hayley was pissed off, and Klaus looked like he was gonna, like, murder someone when he found out."

"So stand in front of her," Caroline nodded. "Got it, thanks Josh."

Amara held tightly to Caroline's arm and let the young vampire lead her into the building. Her stomach trembled with anxiety; it twisted and writhed in her belly until all she could feel was a strong desire to not be seen by anyone. She knew these people were alive and that the slightest brush against her skin would not cause pain, but she had grown rather reserved. She had thought she would be alright with her new necklace but she was still nervous in a crowd.

Caroline blinked in surprise when nobody acknowledged their presence in the courtyard. She took immediate advantage of the fact and led Amara through the milling crowd and into the study where she heard the brunette release a relieved sigh. Before she could leave to find a Mikaelson one found them.

Amara's breath caught in her throat when she saw him. She had been forewarned by her sister, but it was still a shock to see him. She might have been surprised to see Ellie had they not been born identical twins.

"Elijah," Amara's heart stuttered. She wasn't sure what to make of the shocked expression on his face.

"Elena," Elijah froze in the door, "you're back."

He hadn't been sure she was really there until she had spoken. For a moment he thought he was back in his mother's torture chamber. She had tormented him for two days with the image of a woman he thought would never truly return.

Amara swallowed and sunk her teeth into her bottom lip. She had a feeling she couldn't let Caroline speak for her now. It was one thing when it was Josh, someone Ellie had spent next to no time speaking to, and another when it was someone she had known; if Kol's reaction to his brother's name was anything to go by Ellie had known him well.

"I didn't plan on staying away," she managed a small smile. "I just needed to see my family."

"Joshua made it sound as if you were doing something crazy," Elijah's eyes flickered over her. There was something different about the woman before him, but he couldn't put his finger on it.

"Well," Caroline cleared her throat and crossed her arms, "going anywhere near the place where she was physically assaulted is something I would consider crazy. Maybe that's what Josh meant."

"So," Caroline nodded to his suit; it was dressier than usual. "What's going on around here? I was only gone a few days."

"A wedding," Elijah finally stepped free of the door. He approached the brunette slowly. "You could have just told us the truth."

"I guess I panicked," Amara shrugged. "It was getting to be too much. I needed to get away; it was a split second decision."

"Alright, sweetheart," Klaus kissed the top of Hope's head, "let's get you out of the crowd for a bit." He rubbed her back and smiled softly.

They had brought her home the night before. New Orleans was as safe as they could possibly make it without burning the city to the ground and starting fresh. Hayley's marriage brought forth a new group of allies. He would have preferred they be sired to him so they had no choice but to protect his child, but this appeared to be the best he could do.

Elena's blood wouldn't work. He knew Hayley's claim that she most likely had known was unfounded; there was no possible way Elena could have known without trying to make a hybrid. He caught Davina's eyes when he was crossing the courtyard and nodded; he had every intention of having her perform a locator spell in the morning to find Elena.

He moved on when he saw her exasperated nod. She would do it, he knew, but she was not overly happy about it. She had thrown herself into Rebekah's spell to bring back Kol; he doubted it would really work. Bringing someone back was nearly impossible.

His expression shifted when he heard voices in the study. Had he not been holding Hope his limbs might have grown slack upon entering the room; instead he froze a couple of steps inside.

"Who is this?" Caroline's voice lifted half an octave and softened when she saw the baby. "Hello," she smiled and held Hope's hand when she reached. "Oh," her blue eyes widened, "hello?" The back of her hand brushed over Klaus' sleeve.

Hope pitched forwards and wrapped her arms around Caroline's neck.

"Did you make a bunch of hybrids?" Caroline was mildly surprised when Klaus surrendered the baby easily.

"No," he shook his head. "It turns out Elena's blood is useless after taking the cure, but we have 'allies' now. Which is a good thing since the long lost sister showed up and claimed we have a baby snatching aunt."

Elijah's shoulders stiffened. He turned around to face his brother when he crossed the room to stand in front of Elena. He wasn't sure who he was more afraid of in that moment: Klaus or himself. He knew now what he was truly capable of and that terrified him that he was possibly the most monstrous of his siblings.

"Are you hurt?" Klaus looked her up and down with a clenched jaw.

"No," Amara shook her head. From Ellie's description she knew this was Klaus. And from Kol's comments she knew he had a temper. Would she reveal herself in defence before she'd had a chance to truly impersonate her twin?

"Good," he nodded.

Amara's eyes grew round when his arms pulled her into a tight hug. She hesitated for a moment before bringing her hands up slowly to his back.

"Don't run off again," he let her go and backed up, "you had me worried sick."

"Sorry," Amara blinked slowly. "I didn't know you cared."

"Of course I care," Klaus blinked. He turned around with the intention of retrieving his daughter only to find her babbling happily in Caroline's arms. "Where did you go anyway?"

Amara crossed her arms and rubbed away the gooseflesh; it was the moment of truth. "I spent a few days with family," she met his blue eyes, "I missed them. I'm back now though, and I don't plan on going anywhere; although I don't know why you'd need me now," she pressed her tongue to her teeth, "since my blood doesn't work for you."

"Just because your blood doesn't work does not mean the next doppelganger's won't," Klaus shrugged. "You still have my protection Elena. There will be another doppelganger one day." He smoothed his hand over Hope's fine hair. "Any idea when that will be, love?"

"I think we've had that discussion," Amara cocked her head. She smiled at Hope when Caroline passed her back and came to join Amara on the way out the door. "You'll have to find her another playmate," she glanced over her shoulder, "goodnight."

Caroline linked arms with Amara and steered her indiscreetly up the stairs and into the bedroom.

Alenka worried her bottom lip. Her fingers drummed out a nervous beat on the armrest of the chair.

Kol tightened the belt around his waist and turned to her. He took in the rigid set of her shoulders and her shaking hands. Placing his elbow on the armrest his fingers ghosted over her wrist and threaded through hers; he rubbed his thumb over her knuckle.

"Something bothering you, kardiá mou?" He smiled when the endearment brought a small smile to her lips.

"I haven't heard that in…" she looked down to their joined hands. "It feels like lifetimes."

"Technically it has been," he murmured.

"You haven't said that to anyone else, have you?" She peeked at him through her lashes.

"Never," he brought her hand up and kissed it, "no one else holds my heart." He tilted his head when she cocked an eyebrow and blinked. "You don't believe me, do you?" The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk.

"We were apart a long time," she pointed out quietly: nervously.

"Time means nothing," he lifted his free hand and turned her chin with his knuckle. "I love you, Ellie; I've never loved another and I'll never love another again."

"I thought that once," she smirked.

"If were getting technical you didn't," his hand moved to cup her neck.

"I suppose you're right," she met his twinkling eyes, "I didn't know it at the time though." Her soft smile dropped when they lurched backwards.

"Darling?" He winced when she squeezed his hand tightly.

"I've never flown before," she admitted. "Not that I remember anyway." She followed his pointed look and loosened her grip.

"You'll be fine," he promised. "Flying is the safest and fastest way to travel. If it helps at all; this is a new experience for me as well. Shall I distract you?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"Here?" Alenka snickered. "There are quite a few people around, Kol. I don't think they'd appreciate the show."

He gasped dramatically and held his hand to his chest.

"You've a lecherous heart," his eyes glittered with suppressed amusement. "I'll not be used for my body," he pointed to her with a finger. "We can hold hands and that's it. If you want more you'll have to make an honest man out of me."

"Again?" Alenka released his hand and drew light patterns over his wrist. She smirked at the rising gooseflesh. "I thought I did that already."

"It's been awhile," he shivered. "I thought you could show me what herb we're actually looking for. I can't seem to remember what it looks like." He lifted a pen and a pad of paper from the seat back. "I don't think I ever got a good look at this one."

"I'm not really much of an artist," she warned him. "As you well recall."

"Oh this is for me," he balanced the pad on the armrest. "You can tell me and I'll draw it."

"Since when do you draw?" She drew in a deep breath when the plane leveled out.

"I believe it was the fourteenth century," he whispered.

Amara gasped when she was physically torn from Caroline's arm and pinned to the wall by her throat. The restricted airway didn't bother her, but remembered at the last moment that she was supposed to be human so she sputtered and blinked at the woman holding her.

"Oh look. The bitch is back."

Her eyes were blazing with a heat that completely ruined the innocent appearance of her dress. The white material clung to the woman's slim body. A few flowers were pinned in her hair. Amara didn't know who the woman was, but she got the sense she really her sister.

"I think I'll kill you," she tightened her hand around Amara's throat.

"Back off, Hayley," Caroline snapped. She took the woman's arm and threw her across the hall.

Hayley stood and moved as if to attack again.

"You know I'm older than you, right?" Caroline stood her ground in front of Amara. They would be in real trouble if Hayley caused her physical pain; it wouldn't last and she got the feeling that Amara would defend herself: violently if necessary.

"You know my bite is toxic, right?" Hayley sneered.

"That's enough, Hayley," Klaus paused a few feet from the trio with Hope. "This is hardly fitting behaviour for a new bride."

Hayley would have argued the point further. She would have told him that it was perfectly fitting behaviour considering what the brunette had done, but Hope was there and she didn't want to scare the little girl. Seeing her mother fly off the rails would have certainly scared her. She cast the brunette a scathing look before taking Hope and entering the nursery.

"Are you alright?" Klaus laid a hand on Caroline's shoulder and moved her aside gently.

"I'm fine," Amara lifted her chin and smiled weakly. "See," she lifted her chin, "no bruise. Caroline got her off me before she could do anything."

"Mmhmm," Caroline nodded. "Maybe I'll stick around awhile."

"You're more than welcome," Klaus smiled at her tightly. "She is perfectly safe here, though."

"I know," Caroline linked arms with Elena. "I'd just like to make extra sure."

Kol slid his arm around her waist when they stood on the stone steps of the ancient temple. He knew she was looking at the crumbling façade when she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I remember it being grander," she reached out and fingered the cracked column. "What happened?"

"People lost faith," he shrugged. "In that loss they forgot who to fear."

"I never feared the Olympians," her nail caught in a crevice.

"No," he chuckled, "you wouldn't. There are those that should have been feared."

"And evidently islands that are feared," she rolled her eyes.

"What do you think happened here?" He let her go from his arms so she could walk further into the building.

The ceiling had long since collapsed in on itself. Beyond the rubble and overgrown shrubbery were the remnants of an alter where a golden statue had once stood.

"I don't know," she ran a hand through her hair and knelt amongst the stones. Her head cocked to the side when she saw the edge of something blue sticking out from under a chunk of ceiling. Rocking back on her knee she lifted her arm and rotated her wrist; the stone moved with her hand so she could lift the dusty material into her hands.

"I think," she stood with the ivory doll, "that this was mine."

Kol leaned on the downed pillar and held out his hand. A line appeared between his brows when he examined the toy. Aside from a thick layer of dust on the blue dress the doll was undamaged.

"Were you casting preservation spells as a child, Ellie?"

"Maybe," she smirked. "I didn't want her dress to get ruined."

"It's certainly held up over time," he placed it back in her hands.

She nodded and after dusting off the doll she placed it gently on top of the alter. Turning around she climbed back over the pillar.

"What exactly did the man say?" She was careful going down the steps; they looked like they might collapse at any moment. "I understood very little of it."

"Interesting story, really," Kol fell into step as they found the remnants of a road; it was overgrown with ferns. "The dialect's changed a bit, but I got most of it. The locals say that the island is cursed and that it has been for as long as anyone can remember."

"Cursed?" Alenka tilted her head when he shifted to walk backwards in front of her.

"Mmhmm," he nodded. "The man said there was once a thriving settlement here," he held out his hands to encompass the island, "home to two of the largest covens anyone had ever seen."

"Well that we already knew," she held out her hand and skimmed the tall ferns along the path, "the Gypsies and the Gemini. Two groups you really didn't want to get on the wrong side of."

"There's more," he paused at an old fork in the road and took her hand, "the covens went to war with each other. Curses were laid on both sides until everyone was forced to flee the island as it was no longer inhabitable."

Alenka looked around when they started up the slope. The setting sun sparkled off the crashing waves to her left. On the other side of Kol to her right was an abundance of greenery.

"Looks livable to me."

"It does," he hummed in agreement, "but anyone who tries to settle here lives a cursed existence; at least according to the fisherman who sold us the boat."

"These islands are steeped in superstition," she heaved a sigh and started around the final corner before stopping. "I don't…" she bit her lip.

"I know," he shifted to stand in front of her and took her shoulders. "Do you want to wait here?"

She tipped her head back and met his shifting eyes. She could see the trepidation there. Her hands shook slightly; she brought them up to cup his cheeks and felt the rough growth of his stubble. Exhaling slowly she shook her head and closed her eyes.

"No," she inhaled sharply and looked at him, "I don't want to go back there, but I know you don't want to either."

"I thought I was hiding it so well," he chuckled wryly. His hands moved down to her waist.

"You never could lie to me," her mouth twitched with a half-smile.

"No, I couldn't," he nodded. Bending he brushed his lips over her brow and drew in a deep breath.

"Besides," her eyes twinkled, "the herb needs to be harvested with the last rays of the sun, and that picture didn't really do it justice."

"I just can't believe you would insult my artistic talents," he stepped back with an affronted expression.

"Just accept that you're not an artist, Kol," she covered her mouth with her hand, "your strengths lay in other areas."

Kol shook his head fondly and followed her up and around the turn.

He paused for a moment when he saw the villa. It should have been lying in ruins after two thousand years, but aside from the overgrown vegetation it was unchanged.

"I may have cast a few preservation spells on the house," she shrugged sheepishly.

"Why the bloody hell would you do that?" He ran his hand over a painted wall as they passed through the hall towards the courtyard.

"Do you remember that pillar that kept cracking?" She nodded to the one in question. "We had to keep replacing it."

"I remember," he nodded and approached the column in question, "it was a real pain in the arse. I remember being tempted to tear the entire house down the last time I replaced it."

"Mmhmm," Alenka circled the pillar. She poked her head around the side and smirked. "I happened to like the house so after you fixed it I prepped a spell to preserve the stone," her eyes flickered to the pristine walls, "I guess it spread."

"Shall we see what else is preserved?" He leaned around the pillar and gave her a quick kiss.

"In just a minute," she backed away and approached the garden. "The sun will be down soon."

Amara stared at the ceiling several feet above her head and counted the even breaths of Caroline. The blonde had fallen asleep before her and remained asleep now; she was younger and still required sleep: almost as much as a human being.

By comparison Amara only needed an hour or two at the most. She was wide awake and slowly going crazy.

Climbing to her feet she pulled on a sweater and opened the door with the intention of exploring the compound. Alenka knew it well, but Amara only knew the location of the study; she knew she should figure out where the major rooms of the house were. It would look quite strange if she were to explore in broad daylight.

She paused when she found the room that was the kitchen; she recognized a few things that had been in the hotel. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Elijah. He was sitting at the table still dressed in the formal attire he had donned for Hayley's wedding. His eyes were trained on his cuff. Amara followed his gaze. His suit was impeccable save for the small spot of wine on his sleeve. There was something hollow in his eyes that set her heart to pounding in her chest. Eventually her concern won out over her common sense.

"Elijah?" She approached the table. When he didn't answer or show any acknowledgement of her presence she walked around and laid a hand on his arm. "Elijah?"

The shriek that tore from her throat was one of surprise more than terror, but it seemed to be interpreted that way. Which was a good thing for her since she didn't have to actually defend herself before Elijah was tackled by a blur and her body was able to lift from the table.

"Elena," Klaus held his brother down, "perhaps you should go upstairs."

"What's going on?" She shook her head. From everything she had been told Elijah was the most moral of the Original vampires, so why had he pushed her down and lunged for her throat?

Klaus fought with his struggling brother for a moment before getting a good grip and snapping his neck.

"Klaus?" Amara stood up and held the back of the vacated chair.

"Elijah spent a little time with our mother while you were gone," he climbed back to his feet. "She had grown rather prone to psychological torture. Rebekah thought he was cured…" he cast a look down to his brother, "… evidently not."

"I never thought I would say this," Alenka sealed the bag of herbs, "but I never want to set foot in that garden again."

"How about the villa?" Kol finished piling the wood and lit the fire with an incantation.

It was too late to try and find their way back to the shore. Had he still been immortal he wouldn't have cared, but the sea became perilous for travelers with the rising moon; especially when they were not experienced sailors.

"The villa I still like," she dropped the bag into her purse and held out her hands. The heat from the fire licked up her cold arms and staved off the chill that had been brought on by the night. "Sitting here I can almost forget how close we are to it."

"Almost?" He shifted to sit behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. Dropping his chin he laid soft kisses across her shoulder and up her neck to her ear.

"Nearly gone now," she tilted her head and closed her eyes. Her hand covered his where it rested on her stomach.

"Tired?" He nipped at her ear.

"No," she shivered. His warm breath raised goosebumps on her arms and she melted back against his chest.

"Liar," he accused lightly. "You've had just as much sleep as I have," she turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Less actually; I had a nap that first day."

"I feel rejuvenated whenever I'm with you," his fingers stole under her shirt to tease her hips. Her flesh tingled under his hands.

"Now who's got the lecherous heart?" She giggled against his mouth when he kissed her soundly.

"I never pretended otherwise."

Kol took advantage of her laughter to slide his tongue into her mouth. He explored her mouth until he ran out of breath before nibbling her lip and breaking the kiss. His breath fanned over her flushed skin as he licked and nipped along her throat. His hands explored her back and slowly made their way to her ribs.

"I thought I had to make an honest man out of you before I got more than hand holding," her nails scraped through his short hair.

"I'd quite forgotten that fact," he smirked before placing a last kiss on her throat and leaning back on his hands.

"Should have kept my mouth shut," Alenka pouted when he was no longer touching her. She rolled her hips down and smirked when he groaned.

"Tease," his fingers curled around the backs of her thighs.

"You started it," she cocked an eyebrow.

"Fair enough, darling," he nodded and reached into his shirt pocket. "I wanted to give you this a long time ago," his thumb swiped over a purple stone. It glittered in the light from the fire. "It seems your preservation spell has extended to anything made of stone; it was right where I left it in the box."

"I can't believe how well that spell worked," Alenka blinked at their surroundings. Aside from the foliage that had crept in through the windows and a heavy layer of dust everything was the same. If archeologists were to ever come to the island they would have found a treasure trove of artefacts.

"It worked beautifully," he opened his hand. "I was hoping it would always bring you joy, and remind you to make the most of every moment."

"Hence the alexandrite," she traced the silver band with her fingertip. "It's beautiful." She looked at him through her lashes. "You stopped kissing me to give me a ring?"

"I stopped kissing you to ask you a very important question," he tipped up her chin with his knuckle. "I told you on the plane that I'd never love another again, and I meant that. I want to spend the rest of this life with you as your husband. Will you marry me, Ellie?"

"I'm pretty sure we already did that," she teased.

"Not in this life," he shook his head. "Will you marry me, darling? Again?"

"Huh," Alenka knew what her answer would be, but she couldn't resist teasing him after the little stunt he'd just pulled. "I actually get a say in it this time around." She leaned back and pretended to think it over. "I mean there are a lot of factors to consider here; I'd be tying myself to one of the oldest most dangerous families in the world."

"You didn't have a problem with that when you came to New Orleans," he lifted an eyebrow.

"This is permanent though," she was having a very hard time keeping her smile in check. She was certain he could see the amused twinkle in her eyes. "There is no going back from this."

"I'm fairly certain we're passed that point darling," he stifled his own smirk. "You broke every law of nature bringing me back from the other side; the does send a pretty clear message."

"Oh?" She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "And what message would that be?"

He straightened up so there was only an inch of space between them and met her glittering eyes. His fingers wrapped around a curl. He pushed it behind her ear and tugged gently.

"It says: 'I-can't-live-without-you'," his nose brushed hers.

"It also says: 'I'm-crazy-and-sleep-deprived-and doing-something-incredibly-foolish'," the corner of her mouth tipped up. "You know I'm likely going to do something crazy again in the future."

"I know," his eyes flickered to her smiling mouth, "and I'll be right there with you. You know I'm every bit as deranged as you."

"You're not deranged," she shook her head and laughed.

"And you're not crazy," his thumb traced her jaw. "We just do crazy things from time to time. So," he lifted his brows inquisitively, "will you marry me again? I don't want to leave this country again unless it's with my wife."

"You don't think your family will object to you eloping?" She cocked an eyebrow and gave him a sceptical look.

"If they do I'll just marry you a third time," he swore. "Is that a yes?"

"I just have one condition," she pressed her fingertips to his lips when he moved forward. She smiled when he tilted his head. "You have to tell me when you're in trouble. I'll break every law of nature again if I have to," her expression turned serious, "but believe me I'll be pissed off."

"You have my word," he lowered her hand from his mouth. Carefully he slid the alexandrite on the ring finger of her left hand. "This is where woman where engagement rings in this century," he explained at her confused look.

"I didn't say yes," she poked his chest.

"Is that a no?"

"No," she shook her head, "it's a yes. I love you and I'll gladly spend the rest of my life with you." Her mouth popped open when he pushed her back and covered her face in kisses.

On a fun note (haha not) the site decided to be weird tonight. The entire second half of the chapter copied over in huge block paragraphs and was unreadable. I went through and fixed it, and I think I got all of it fixed up, but if something looks weird or doesn't make immediate sense it's because it's meant to be in another paragraph.