Hello, my lovely readers. Okay, so I only have a couple of chapters of this story that are pre-written. Once I get back into it there should be many, many more before the end because this is a super long story. This chapter is more about the ladies and their interactions. I can also say that our two bumbling detectives make an appearance to make thing even more chaotic. On with the show…
Chapter 26: Witch Hunt
Two weeks later Rebekah, Hayley, Caroline, Elena and Bonnie were striding toward their Women's Studies class as a united front. Although Hayley was yawning from lack of sleep and Caroline was somewhat irritable. Rebekah was still waking up screaming in the middle of the night and the detectives were popping up whenever they thought they could startle Rebekah into a confession. It was making the female Mikaelson into a nervous wreck.
The first time Nadol and Branon appeared out of the blue, they had been too shocked by Elena's return from the dead to be much of a nuisance. The second time they forced Rebekah to accompany them to the station to look at the earring. Rebekah had returned to her circle of friends with the proud news that it was not in fact the earring she thought was hers which would force the detectives to widen the scope of their investigation. The downside for Rebekah was knowing for sure that she was not George's only victim.
This had led the ladies one night to a hunt for the body of Mr. Richards aka the creepy, wanker, rapist, bastard, who needed to rot in hell for a century or several. They had gone out brandishing shovels, stakes and crosses. Because who knew where George had come from. Rebekah mentioned the seventh layer of hell many times. And her friends were inclined to agree when they searched the area she was sure she had buried the body in and every square inch in the neighboring vicinity to come up with nothing.
Now, they had to go to class like everything was lovely. Of course, that was how it always was. Bonnie had only a couple of hours to recover from the shock of going to bed believing her best friend to be dead, to wake up the next day to see her up and walking about. This was highly disturbing even to someone who wielded magic several times a month, if not more if there was an occasion for it, basis. So, they had a class to attend.
Walking into class, they sat at their table, away from the other students. In some ways it felt high schoolish. However, they knew that they had secrets that others, human others, should not be dragged into.
"This class is so boring," Hayley whispered.
"No, it is not," Rebekah whispered back.
"Yes, it is," Elena piped up, staring at one of her fellow student's necks longingly.
"Stop that," Rebekah snapped at Elena. "She'll think either your crazy or you're interested in her. Either way it's not completely true, so, just stop it."
Caroline sighed. She would love to take a nap during this class. Between this one, and Bio with Dr. Wes Craven, she didn't know which bored her more. Blah, blah, feminism. Yes, I care about reproductive rights, although I can't reproduce. Yes, I care about whether my vote counts. Yes, I want equal pay and five centuries from now when I'm still roaming the planet maybe it will have happened. Yes, I am a feminist.
"Class dismissed," the instructor called and Hayley jumped from her seat. She practically ran out of the classroom. The rest of the group gathered their things and left together. Bonnie and Elena split off to go their Chemistry class. Rebekah and Caroline headed off for their Art History class.
Opening the door, Rebekah walked inside ahead of Caroline and whacked the guy in front of her seat with her notebook. "Good day, Nik?"
Klaus turned around to see his sister and Caroline. The two blondes took their regular seats. "Wonderful day," Klaus replied. Caroline had to admit she was happy that the girl he had taken out for a drink had quit the class. Although they hadn't had the chance to talk about their situation, Klaus and Caroline had been attempting to spend some time together since he had triggered his werewolf side.
"Really?" Caroline asked, leaning closer to him.
"I have my good days. And my bad. I'm sure you two understand." Klaus replied, idly drawing in in his notebook. He ripped out the page and handed it to Rebekah. Holding it up for Caroline to see, Rebekah grinned. It was a drawing of the two girls standing together like they were posing for a photo all smiles and happiness. "Better times," he murmured.
"Thank you, Klaus," Caroline said while Klaus began a new drawing, finishing it in minutes. Ripping that one out, he held it out to Caroline. It was a portrait of the two of them during "happier times" with the words "Would you go out with me tonight, love?" Looking up at Klaus, Caroline felt her eyes well up and she sucked in a deep breath before wiping away a tear.
"Yes," Caroline whispered, leaning over and kissing Klaus on the mouth, causing a few whistles from their fellow students, including Rebekah. Their Professor came in and everyone had to turn their attention to their work. Of course, Caroline and Klaus couldn't quite concentrate fully on the class when they kept sneaking looks at each other.
When the class was over, Rebekah sighed dramatically, "You two are lucky I have spare time to copy my notes for you lot. You truly suck. Nik, I hope you weren't making pornographic pictures during class rather than taking proper notes like Kol. I already informed him I would not be helping him anymore."
"No, Bekah," Klaus replied as his sister walked ahead of him. He flipped his notebook open to show Caroline a sketch that made Caroline grin widely.
"And don't show Caroline things behind my back like I'm not fully aware of your inappropriate behavior." Rebekah stated and then stopped, causing Klaus to run into her. "Oh. We should take another path."
"Why?" Caroline asked. Then she spotted Marcel, walking a few feet away but heading in their direction, with his nose in a book as he walked. "Hey, Marcie!" Caroline shouted and Rebekah turned to glare at her with her 'You will pay dearly for that' look.
"Hello, people. Off to class?" Marcel asked.
"Yes. We are. We're in a rush. Would love to stop and chat for a tad bit. But we must be off." Rebekah babbled and then closed her mouth, blushing. "I must be off."
Rebekah started to hurry off when Marcel called after her, "Have dinner with me?"
"What?" Rebekah asked. She turned around on her heel slowly, her eyes wide. Clutching her book to her chest, you would think this was the first time she had been asked out on a date, given the deep red that colored her cheeks. "I… umm… I…"
"It's just dinner, Rebekah. No, strings. No hidden motives. I swear." Marcel told her, his expression serious.
Stiffening, Rebekah's eyes narrowed, "Yes. The last time a man said that, it didn't turn out so well, for either of us. You'll have to excuse me, but I do believe I'll pass."
"Rebekah, I understand. We can go with another couple if that would make you more comfortable. We don't have to be alone together. I just want to spend time with you. Please." Marcel argued, staring at Rebekah as her shoulder slumped.
"I…" Rebekah sucked in a deep breath.
"Klaus and I are going on a date tonight. We could go with you. Right, Klaus?" Caroline asked, squeezing his hand, seeing disappointment on his face, she also saw him making up his mind.
"Yes. We can make it a double date," Klaus told them. "Does that sound fair, sweetheart?" He asked looking at his sister.
Shifting from foot to foot, Rebekah nodded, "Yes. We can do that."
"Good. I will pick you up at eight," Marcel said, nodding at Rebekah and then walking away.
"Wanker," Rebekah called after him half-heartedly.
"I will see you later," Caroline said, kissing Klaus on the check. She turned to link arms with Rebekah.
"Until tonight, love," Klaus called.
Rebekah and Caroline strode back to their room to collect Hayley and their yoga mats. When they arrived Hayley was sitting on her bed, clutching a brand new teddy bear. "Aren't you a bit old for such things, Hayley?" Rebekah scoffed, looking down at the pregnant teen, clutching the stuffed animal.
"It's from Elijah. He came by and we talked," Hayley said, making the bear do a happy dance in her lap. "I told him he didn't have to be a part of the baby's life or mine if he didn't want to be tied down. Being Elijah he told me that he very much wanted to be a part of my life and all that romantic, noble stuff. So, we're going to spend time together to try to get to know each other better. You know, we don't want to get married or something and find out that we shouldn't have when the kid's like ten."
"How dreadfully reasonable of the two of you," Rebekah said. "And what happens when you realize you're madly in love right before the baby is born. Hmmm… going to have one of those cute little bedside weddings just as the little bit crowns. That should be something special to record in the Mikaelson family journal."
"There's a Mikaelson family journal?" Caroline inquired, collecting her things and then grinning at Rebekah, who was rolling her eyes.
"Oh, you're all just a bunch of comedians around here. So, please, do me a favor and leave me out of your little jokes." Rebekah snapped as Bonnie and Elena came to the door.
"Are we interrupting something?" Bonnie asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"No. You're not." Rebekah told her, shaking her head and then leaving the room
"What happened this time?" Elena asked, looking from Caroline to Hayley.
"Rebekah's got a date. And she's nervous," Caroline told them as they headed out the door.
Elena, Bonnie and Hayley traded looks. "Don't worry. She's going with me and Klaus, too. Safety in numbers and all that." Caroline added and Elena began to laugh. "Is that funny?" Caroline asked, staring at Elena, feeling confused.
Shaking her head, Elena waved a hand. "No. It's that you've been spending so much time with Bekah and Klaus that you sound like them."
"Oh," Caroline thought about it. There were so many things that had changed in her life lately that paying attention to how she spoke just seemed silly. It was like how she no longer thought about seeing. She had just accepted it. Seeing was now part of her everyday life like so many others.
Although there were times that she would close her eyes because it was overwhelming to see every expression of people's faces. Now, she knew what it meant that someone was rolling their eyes and could see the misery on someone's face without reaching to touch them. It was no longer about listening closely for the sound of someone's footsteps to know she wasn't alone or smelling their scent.
Even though she was a vampire and her senses were heightened it seemed like she lost something when she gained her ability to see. She saw the misery that Rebekah tried to not show. How hard Rebekah tried to not show how deeply she had been wounded. It wasn't simply something physical that had been done to her. For Rebekah, it was her pride. It was a matter of being able to not live in fear, that she was strong and could take care of herself.
Stepping into the Yoga class, Caroline forced the thoughts away. She was going to lay on her yoga mat and let all her worries wash away. Listening to the soothing voice of her instructor telling her to find a peaceful place. Caroline closed her eyes, imagining a place far away, where she was happy which was easy enough.
Closing her eyes and feeling perfectly comfortable with the darkness, Caroline opened her mind's eye. And there he was. Her safe place. "Hello, love," imaginary Klaus whispered into imaginary, human Caroline's ear. "Welcome back. Will you give us a dance, Caroline?" Smiling and taking his hand, Caroline felt Klaus' arm wrap around her waist and she laid her head on his shoulder. Yes, this was all she needed, his warmth, his heartbeat, his breath against her ear.
"Now, sit up slowly. Very slowly. Feel all those vertebrae as you move into an upright position. And here we are." the instructor said as they all sat up to face her. Then Caroline noticed that Rebekah was still lying down.
"Bekah," Caroline whispered to the girl beside her. "RE-be-kah," she called again when there was no response from the other girl. "Be-kah," Caroline called again, her voice rising slightly, catching the attention of Hayley and Elena, who turned to look at Rebekah, who was still perfectly still.
"Miss Mikaelson," the instructor called. "This is Yoga. Not a nap room."
There was no movement from Rebekah but the rhythmic moving of her chest. The instructor got up and walked over to Rebekah. "Do any of you know if she has a medical condition?" she asked Caroline, Hayley, Bonnie and Elena.
"No!" Caroline told her, staring down at Rebekah, who was still sleeping. "But we're," she waved between herself and Hayley. "Her roommates and I have her parents' and brother's phone numbers. I can make some phone calls and check."
Getting up, Caroline was about to move when Rebekah's eyes snapped open. She sat bolt upright and stared at Bonnie. "Shouldn't mess with things you don't understand, child."
Bonnie's mouth dropped open as Rebekah passed out again. "Okay. That's enough with the theatrics." The instructor said in anger and disgust. "Tell your friend that this is not the place for practical jokes. Class dismissed."
The minute the rest of the students left Rebekah's four friends surrounded the body of the unconscious girl. "Rebekah," Bonnie said, pressing her hands to Rebekah's temples and concentrating. "Grams?"
"What?" Hayley said, looking at the two other girls from Mystic Falls.
"Bonnie's Grams passed away years ago," Elena whispered, frowning as Bonnie sat with her eyes closed, her fingertips pressed to Rebekah's temples.
"What's going on, Bonnie?" Caroline questioned the witch as she looked from Rebekah to Bonnie with a sense of dread.
"Grams' is telling me that we're all in a lot of danger. That I shouldn't have hexed Bekah because magic comes with a price. I'm sorry, Grams. No, don't leave yet." Bonnie sighed and pulled her fingers back as Rebekah's eyes snapped open.
"The next time your grandmother wants to give you a message I suggest that she does not hijack my body to do it in." Rebekah snarled as she got off the floor.
"Rebekah, wait. I have to unhex you," Bonnie called as the Mikaelson sister rolled her mat and started to leave.
"Posh. You can take care of it tomorrow. I need to get ready for my date that Caroline thought would be so bright," Rebekah reminded them. "It takes time to prepare for these things. Honestly, I should show up in jeans and a t-shirt. It would serve him and you right," she gave Caroline an evil look. "If I did."
"Come on, Bekah, you like him," Caroline teased as they left the arena.
"No. I don't. I tolerate his presence because he is not as loathsome as many of the young men around here are." Rebekah retorted as she lengthened her stride, attempting to get away from Caroline.
"I'm a hybrid. You can't outrun me, Wolfgirl." Caroline informed Rebekah lightly which only made Rebekah angrier.
"Rebekah, I have to do this spell sooner than later. Who knows what could happen if I don't reverse the hex," Bonnie called as the Hybrid and werewolf walked ahead of her, while the pregnant werewolf and the baby vampire walked beside Bonnie.
"NO! And that is my final answer." Rebekah told the other witch. "I do not want anyone else messing with my head. Well, more so than they will tonight."
"Fine. Can't say I didn't warn you!" Bonnie snapped before striding into her room when they arrived on their floor.
"Whatever," Rebekah snarled before walking into the dorm room and opening her closet. Closing the closet door, Rebekah walked over to the remaining group of friends. "Caroline, I do believe that I still owe that little shop a visit to complain about those shoes." She held up the box with the damaged shoe inside. Without another word Rebekah, walked out of the room and downstairs. She drove the group to the little shop, where they met the young woman who had waited on them before.
"I demand to speak to you supervisor," Rebekah snapped when the woman apologized and then stated that the store policy was to not accept returns items that were damaged. While they were waiting, Rebekah pulled a silver dress off a rack. Then her phone rang. "Drat," she scowled and looked at her cell. She noted that she couldn't get reception in the little shop of poor retail.
Walking outside, Rebekah answered the call, to find the manager yelling at her. "What do you think you're doing?" Rebekah turned to stare at the middle aged woman.
"I'm taking a call," Rebekah replied, staring at the woman with a look of disdain as her friends came outside. "It looks like your stealing," the woman yelled at Rebekah just as a policeman was walking by.
"Is there a problem, Ma'am?" the policeman asked.
"Yes, this young lady was trying to steal that dress," the manger declared.
"No, she wasn't," Hayley snapped. "Just take the stupid dress and we'll be going." She took the dress and handed to the manager.
"She was trying to steal it. Arrest her," the manger demanded.
The police officer sighed and pulled out his handcuffs. "You have the right to -"
"Hey, what are you doing?" Elena demanded. "Get off of her. She didn't do anything."
"No, she didn't," Caroline added, crossing her arms over her chest. They were attracting a crowd so there was no hope of compelling the cop.
Half an hour later Rebekah, Caroline, Elena and Hayley had been booked and were inside a jail cell, Rebekah for attempted theft and her friends for interfering with an arrest. "On the bright side I don't have to go on that blasted date with that blasted man," Rebekah told them and they glared at her. "What?" She asked and Caroline hung her head. Maybe she would get to go on that date with Klaus sometime before the year 2044.
Thank you for favoriting, following, reviewing and for reading this story. It's one of my personal favorites so it's really great to see that others are enjoying it as well.
Alexis2106: Thank you for reviewing. I will try to let you know if Elena becomes a larger part of the story. For the most part I was trying to construct a world in which Caroline's closest friends happened to be Rebekah and Hayley because I was trying to envision what it would be like if these three women were brought together in later seasons of TO. But this story does have a feminist twist that means that there will be certain chapters in which you will see more appearances from Elena and Bonnie as the females in the group develop stronger bonds.
Guest: Hello, thank you for your concern. My mother is doing better but we won't know for sure until Christmas when she'll have to have more tests done.
Guest: Hello, my mum is feeling better. She's moving around a bit more than she was last month and we'll see how she's healing in December. Wonderful way to spend the Christmas holiday.
Peace,
Jessica