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It was times like this that Elena really hated being linked to both Klaus and Katherine. At the moment, white hot anger pulsed down the connection from both sides, signaling the warning bells to go off in Elena's mind. Not again, she groaned, dashing out of the comfort of her room and off towards the loud commotion coming from the first floor. Crash.

Uh oh. There went another chair.

"Damnit," Elena heard Klaus growl to her doppelganger, "that's it. I think it's time I rectify the mistake that I made years ago—"

"Klaus," Elena interjected, flashing in front of Katherine at the first opportunity, shooting her doppelganger a warning look before turning back to the furious hybrid. His eyes glowed gold with midnight black surrounding the irises, causing the gold to really pop. The sight alone was terrifying, but knowing that it was Klaus made it worse. His reputation as a merciless and cold blooded killer didn't diminish as the years went on, and from what Elena gathered from the vampires she'd crossed with Katherine as they traveled together, his reputation had only grown. Klaus was the Original Hybrid, the King of New Orleans. Elena hoped that the fact that if he killed either of them, he'd end up dead as well would keep him from attacking her.

"Elena," Klaus cooled down, but only slightly, "glad you could join us." His voice was steely calm, like the calm before the storm type of calm. His eyes still oozed hostility that was directed at the vampire behind Elena.

"Cupcake," Katherine greeted through gritted teeth, glaring severely at Klaus. Heat flooded Elena's cheeks, but she pushed her feelings away, focusing on the situation at hand. She needed to stop them from killing themselves and her along with them.

"I was wondering if I could go to the mall with Katherine to pick up a new wardrobe. Practically living in a car the last few years have had an impact," Elena explained.

"Absolutely not," Klaus denied.

"Why not?" Elena's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. After she voiced it aloud, she realized just how stupid the question was.

"We're linked, love," Klaus reminded her. "If either of you die, so do I."

"If you're so worried about that," Katherine chimed in provocatively, "you shouldn't say that so openly in case of prying ears. Unless, of course, you want a target on our backs." A growl built in the hybrid's chest, noting the warning but still pissed at the elder doppelganger.

"Not another word from you," he retorted, "or else you'll find yourself without a tongue." Katherine stuck her tongue out childishly at him.

"So demanding," she rolled her eyes. Once again, Elena had to jump in before the duo could go off on each other again.

"Please Klaus," Elena pleaded, "it'll just be for a few hours." Klaus' short temper and the temptation of having Katherine out of his house and away from him for hours was all he needed to make up his mind.

"Fine," Klaus sighed hugely, "but only if you bring a couple of my hybrids with you for protection." Without another word, the hybrid stormed out of the room, the loud slamming of the door to his study echoing throughout the house.

"Would it kill you to not provoke him," Elena sighed tiredly, sitting heavily in an armchair. Katherine shot her a dirty look.

"I provoke him because he's an infuriating asshole," she countered, "and because I like pissing him off. A miserable Klaus makes me happy." Elena rolled her eyes.

"Both of you need to let go of the grudges you hold toward one another," Elena said. "You're linked for heaven's sake! It's going to get us all killed."

Katherine's eyes grew dark, "He murdered my family because I wouldn't die like the good human doppelganger I was supposed to be and had me fleeing for my life for another 500 years. How does one simply 'let go' of that, Cupcake?"

"Your family wasn't the only one that he killed," Elena recalled vehemently. "I'm sure you remember my Aunt Jenna who, conveniently enough, was also told to stab herself with a kitchen knife by you. We've all done terrible things that we will be held accountable for, for the rest of our lives. The only thing we can do is try to move passed that." Elena's logic was sound, but Katherine was stubborn. She wasn't going to let go Klaus' misdeeds so easily.

"Whatever," Katherine muttered, ending the discussion. It would no doubt come up again, but the elder doppelganger wasn't likely to listen further.

Minutes later, the curly haired brunette pulled something out of her pocket, brightening visibly as mischievous danced off her in waves. Elena was instantly weary, knowing nothing good could come of whatever the woman was thinking, but Elena still felt the half-smile forming on her face.

"So," Katherine started, "shopping?" The object was revealed to be a shiny black credit card. Elena didn't understand what had Katherine so playful all of a sudden. Her double's emotions were seriously giving her whiplash. Throwing all notions aside, Elena nodded.


It was hours later as they were walking leisurely out of the mall, dozens of bags in their arms, that Elena finally learned what Katherine had done. The elder doppelganger easily popped the trunk of her car, loading in the boatload of clothes they had bought into it.

"I can't believe we spent that much money," Elena shook her head with disbelief, laughing slightly.

"Believe it," Katherine replied, "and be happy that neither I or yourself have to pay that bill." Elena's eyes furrowed.

"What do you mean?" Elena asked. Katherine smirked, waving up the black credit card once more. Only now, taking a closer look at it, did Elena realize it. The small M emblazoned in curvy script on the top left corner of the card should've given it away. "Please don't tell me that that's—"

"Klaus' credit card?" Katherine finished. "Okay, I won't."

"You have a death wish," Elena groaned.

Katherine shrugged and shot her a playful wink, "Perhaps." Elena, following their usual routine, jumped into the passenger seat as Katherine did the same into the driver's. "Do you think he noticed yet?"

"Hopefully," Elena crossed her fingers, "not for a long while."

"That's doubtful," Katherine said cheerfully, drumming her fingers along the steering wheel.

"How reassuring," Elena muttered sarcastically.

"On the upside," the curly haired brunette replied, "Klaus can't kill us without killing himself. I'm starting think that this link is more of a blessing than a curse." Elena raised an eyebrow at her. Was she serious? As if to prove a point, Elena dug her nail into the skin of her palm, creating a shallow wound that slowly oozed blood. It was quick to heal but it served as a reminder to both of them of the perils of their link when Katherine too had a matching wound on her palm. Twenty minutes later of weaving through traffic, the doppelgangers were back to the mansion, their bodyguards that had been following them in a separate van dispersing to go follow through with other duties.

As soon as they entered the house, Klaus was on them, eyes narrowed at his least favorite doppelganger. "Cough it up." Katherine shrugged, pulling the plastic card out of its place in her jeans. After all, the damage had already been done; she didn't have a use for keeping it any longer. Klaus was noticeably calmer and relaxed than before.

"You're in a good mood," Elena commented.

"When things go down how they should, I'm satisfied." Klaus' lips turned upward at the corners, prompting the dimples of his cheeks to make an appearance. Elena could admit he was tremendously more handsome when he smiled. "Just so you know, a special guest is coming over for dinner." Clicking on her phone, Elena glanced at the time: 6:43. That gave her just enough time to change into something nicer. Dinner always started at 7:00 in the mansion. It was a mandatory thing—one of the few of Klaus' rules.

"Who?" Katherine asked.

"You'll see shortly, Katerina," Klaus smirked. He flicked his wrist to a couple of his nearby hybrids, indicating that he wanted them to help the girls with their shopping bags. "Go on, get changed. He should be here shortly." Both of the doppelgangers' curiosities were peaked. Who would be joining them for dinner that night?

Katherine was irritated at his blatant dismissal but made her way to her room to do just that, pointing vaguely in the direction of her closet to direct the following hybrid as to where she wanted her bags. Elena was in the room across from Katherine's slipping inside and thanking Josh for his help with her own bags.


The time passed agonizingly slowly for Elena as she awaited their guest. But when they finally did, clad in their signature formal attire, she couldn't help the happy surprise that carved into her expression.

"Elijah?" Elena gasped.

"Elena," he eyed her kindly, "it's lovely to see you again."


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