Disclaimer: Everything you can publicly recognize is not mine. Everything else, however, is mine.

CHAPTER 1.

So, the story began when Serena gained consciousness.

Her eyes fluttered open, her skin regaining its natural pale tone. Her blue eyes blinked groggily, and thick, long and beautiful eyelashes brushed against her cheekbones. She drew in a shuddering breath, feeling movement return to her body.

As soon as she fully recovered, she began to rise from the coffin, only to be assisted by her brother Elijah. As she stared at him questioningly, she could hear Nik talking, possibly in another room.

Elijah held her glance and moved a finger to his lips, gesturing for her silence. She frowned, but did as she was told.

Movement made her realize they weren't the only ones in the room. The room was full of coffins, 4 in fact, one for each Original that Nik had stabbed, and another vampire.

Serena observed the vampire carefully but subtly. Pale blue eyes, handsome countenance, dark brown hair, pale skin, and rather dark clothes.

All in all, he was handsome.

Kol, rising from his coffin, distracted her from the vampire in front of her, and she walked over to him, strength returning to her fully. She hugged her twin brother tight and he returned the hug with enthusiasm.

And now that the rest of her siblings were awake, she took turns in hugging them, the last being Elijah. To him, she whispered. "Thank you, brother."

Now, as the waitress (what a scandalous dress! – thought Serena) arrived with an empty tray and some cloth, Elijah and the vampire placed the daggers on the tray after wiping them with a napkin, covering them with the yellow – golden cloth.

"Brother, why haven't you left?" As Niklaus spoke, holding another vampire threateningly, Serena stood, hidden by the many walls in Nik's home, surrounded by her siblings who took different positions in the house.

"But Niklaus, where are your manners? We haven't had dessert?" Elijah revealed the daggers and Kol chose that moment to walk in.

"What have you done?" Nik's horrified voice made Serena walk up next to her twin, enjoying Klaus' horror.

"Why, I've learnt not to trust your vulgar promises." Elijah countered with a victorious yet neutral expression, and Klaus flashed over to the tray, only to be stopped by Finn.

"Brother, don't." Klaus pleaded, but Finn stabbed him in the hand anyway, a small retribution.

Klaus shrieked in pain, yet he ran at full speed to the other side of the room, where Rebekah was waiting with yet another dagger. She stabbed Niklaus in the stomach, and he doubled over in pain. Taking advantage of the situation, Rebekah pushed him back, and he landed in Kol's arms, who took the chance and held his arms back, preventing much movement unless Klaus freed himself. And now, outnumbered and overpowered, Klaus was in no hurry to take them on.

"You're free to go." Elijah smirked. "This is family business."

The vampire who had helped Elijah free the Originals beckoned to the other vampire and together, they both left. With a smirk, Serena faced her brother and reveled in the terrified expression that her once so powerful brother had.

They were in control now.

Mother had come back.

Serena couldn't believe it. It was like a dream come true, that her mother was finally in front of them, staring at them. Her eyes finally came to rest upon Niklaus, who had been taken down a peg or two from his high horse and now stood shamefully, but this time with fear in his eyes.

Even after their mother's so called declaration of peace and family, Serena couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. After all, why would a witch, no matter her feelings, pardon vampires? Granted, she had been the one who had turned them into vampires, but that did not mean that centuries in the Other Side, with the other witches, had been pleasant. The judgment that she would have had to face would be tremendous, and the punishment? Even worse.

Even so, Serena did not share or voice her doubts. Crossing her mother before had not given pleasant results, and now, even though they were technically invincible and immortal, it would not bode well for her if she were to voice her opinions. She feared getting on mother's bad side, as she had shown that she could do anything. She had placed the hybrid curse on her own son, after all.

No, she would wait until Elijah caught up … which wouldn't be long, seeing as he was somewhat wary of mother's quick acceptance and forgiveness.

And there was another issue. Mother was preparing for a ball, and she had happened to invite nearly everyone, and of course, Serena and her siblings would be in charge of delivering them. She had changed her clothes ages ago, as soon as she was able, with some help from the maid. She had already picked up her dress and of course, the preparations and skin care and such.

She was quickly adapting to modern technology and she had gotten used to everything that in her past would be considered scandalous.

Right now, as she accompanied Rebekah to the Mystic Grill, a bunch of invitations in her purse, she wore black jeans with a small silver belt, a cream – colored tank top and a white formal jacket.

As soon as they entered the Grill, Rebekah separated from her to give a tall bartender an invitation. Listening in, she heard his name was Matt.

And there it was.

The doppelganger.

She looked just like Katherine, but hearing from Rebekah, she was exactly like Katherine. Only a bit better at playing her audience.

And in front of her, staring at Rebekah and Matt, was the blonde that had Niklaus so fascinated. Oh yes, she had seen her in many of Nik's drawings. Caroline Forbes.

As she looked around, she noticed that the vampire, Damon Salvatore, was not at the grill. Well, she would have to deliver the invitation to Elena's home after all. Pity.

Serena approached Rebekah just as her sister passed Elena and Caroline. As Elena, Rebekah and Caroline exchanged banter, Serena came around and stood in front of Caroline Forbes. The two stared at her, mistrust in their faces.

"Ready to go, sis?" she asked, smirking. "We really need to give out the rest of the invitations."

At that, the two girls glared at her, probably for being an Original.

"Sure, let's go." And with that, Rebekah and Serena linked arms and left the Grill, leaving the Mystic Falls Gang staring at their wake.

"Come on, I know the way to the Lockwood mansion." As soon as they were outside, Rebekah pulled Serena to the woods.

Serena and Rebekah spent the rest of the day giving out invitations, and no, unlike their brothers, they didn't just leave them in the porch and vamp – speed away.

At the end of the day, though, Serena knew what this ball was truly about. Mother wanting to meet Elena Gilbert.