A nice long chapter, for all the beautiful reviews ya'll left!

So happy to read them :)

This chapter isn't as "heavy" as the last one, but will offer a new twist that is important!

Hope ya'll enjoy :)

I took my time descending the stairs, knowing what was waiting to be seen at the bottom.

Damon stood, his chest heaving with each breath, Kol's dead body at his feet, since he'd just unhooked the chains.

I winced, but forced myself to remain focused.

"We don't have to kill her," I whispered, "The girl. It's not her fault-"

"That's up for Alaric to decide," Damon reminded me coldly, as he pulled Kol's body into the corner of the cage.

I hated how much distance there was in his voice.

How he was trying to be nothing more than an executioner, completely emotionless.

But I knew better.

"Damon," I grabbed his arm as he made to turn, and he froze, "Just promise me something."

He finally looked at me, those blue eyes guarded, "What?"

I took a breath.

"If he tells you to go after her...make it quick. Please. I heard what you said to Kol," I told him, with a shiver, "but promise me that you won't do that. This girl...she doesn't deserve it. It's not her fault."

Damon nodded shortly, "She won't even know it's happened."

That was the best I could hope for.

I squeezed his arm, sincerely, "Thank you."

I left him to Kol's body, and went back upstairs to find Alaric.

He was still in the study, so it wasn't a difficult task.

He, George, and Mason seemed to be deep in discussion, but stopped when I cleared my throat.

"Kol's dead," I told them, "But Damon got what we needed."

"Where is Damon?" Ric asked.

Annoyance filled me at the question.

I resisted the urge to snap at him, as my earlier frustration reared up.

"Here," Damon walked into the room before I could say anything, "I put the body off to the side, in the cell, but it won't stay fresh for long."

His voice held no animosity towards Alaric.

Of course it didn't.

As Pack Enforcer, Damon was an extension of the Alpha's hand.

The physical force of his will.

Damon would never hold him responsible the way I did.

Not that it was doing any of us any good.

I had to remind myself that there was a bigger picture here.

Bigger than our individual emotions.

Ric knew that, and was able to think clearly, as a leader, to assure whatever we did was the best thing for the Pack as a whole.

Even if it wasn't for the individual.

It wasn't cruel, I had to remember, It was simply survival.

But that didn't mean I had to like it.

Alaric nodded at Damon's information, "What did he tell you?"

"Not much that we hadn't guessed," Damon's voice was cold, "The Pack's being challenged. Apparently the Mutt's are tired of living by the rules. They want to be able to settle, to kill, to do whatever the hell they want, without repercussions."

"That explains why Elijah is involved," I nodded, "He wants territory. I guess he's decided the Pack won't be able to come out on top."

"So they have something up their sleeves," Mason noted, "There's more to it than just a few Mutts acting out, if Elijah's betting on their victory."

"Kol didn't say," Damon grumbled, his arms crossing, "But I got tired of listening after he told me what Kai wanted out of this."

"Which is?" Alaric pressed.

Damon looked over at me, and no further explanation was necessary.

"So what?" Mason spat, "He gets you out of the way, and figures Elena's free game?"

"I don't know," Damon sighed, "But Kol did tell me where the warehouse is that they were talking about. So we should go ask him personally."

Before Alaric would let anyone leave though, he insisted that we have a plan.

Which is how we ended up downstairs, near Kol's lifeless body, looking through the Pack's dossier on the Mutts.

"We know Elijah and Kai are involved, along with the new Mutt," Mason said, "And there's no telling how many of those they've made."

"Knowing Elijah, not many. He wouldn't have more than they could control. Sloppy isn't exactly his style," I assured them, "We should go to the warehouse, try to find the new Mutt. If we can get him alone, his inexperience in combination with the new Change will insure that we'll win. He'd probably be easier to crack as well."

"Maybe," Alaric pulled himself from the wall he'd been resting against, "But there is no guarantee that we will be able to separate him from the other Mutts. It's too risky to go in without some way of smoking him out."

"Then let me spear this one," I insisted, "Let me be the bait. I'm the bitch that he wants!"

Alaric was quiet, and I felt Damon's hand touch my back.

Finally, the Alpha shook his head, "No, Elena. We do this together. With a solid plan. I won't risk losing any more of you."

I sighed, but knew he was right.

We had to be careful.

"I have a suggestion," Stefan piped.

We all looked over at him.

"We still have Elijah's number," Stefan told us, "We call him, tell him we have Kol. The promise of his brother's body being returned to him should be enough to get him here. Enough of us can stay to deal with him, while the rest of us go find Kai and the new Mutt. Shouldn't be too difficult."

Alaric considered the idea.

"It could work, but we'd risk it on Elijah's reaction. He may very well choose to enact revenge instead."

"But it's the only opening we'll have," Tyler commented, "It's a chance we need to take, before any more bodies are left in our woods."

Alaric nodded, "Very well then. I'll call Elijah. Damon, you know where the warehouse is. You, Elena, Tyler, and Stefan will go. Mason, you will stay here with your father and I, and wait for Elijah."

We all nodded, knowing our responsibility.

Alaric called Elijah.

We all waited for the explosion, as Ric explained to the eldest Mikaelson how Kol had attacked me. How Damon had killed him in defense.

We couldn't let the Mutts know that we knew as much as we did.

Elijah was quiet on the other end, difficult even for my wolf hearing to catch.

But he didn't sound enraged, which was a good thing.

Perhaps he was buying the story then.

He agreed to meet up with Alaric to get Kol's body.

It was all that we needed to go.

We waited another five minutes, just to be sure, then the four of us piled into Ric's SUV.

"I hope this Mutt is as stupid as the first," Damon commented.

I shivered, "Let's not do that again."

He threw a smirk over to me, "What's wrong? You don't like dancing with wolves?"

"I don't like fighting them in human form," I defended, "Now, eyes on the road, grandma. We only have until Elijah returns."

Stefan leaned forward from the back seat, "Where is the warehouse anyway?"

"Near the woods off mile marker thirty."

"Towards Gainesville?" Tyler asked.

Damon nodded, "Once we get close, it should be easy to catch the scent. Then we can follow it."

"That's great, but what if-"

Stefan was cut off by the shrill ring of my cell phone.

All three guys looked at me as I pulled it out.

Caroline.

I held up a finger for them to be quiet, and answered.

"Care, hey, not really a great time-"

"Never is, is it?" A soft male voice answered.

I froze, "Kai."

"Nice deduction," he was grinning, "And yes, that's right. You see, we smelled you and Salvatore at our hotel the other day. We knew it was only a matter of time before something started, so we took precautions."

"Why do you have Caroline's phone?" I growled, "Where is she?"

"Oh, she's perfectly safe. Unlike Kol, who Elijah just called to inform me didn't survive his run in with the Pack. But this isn't really about him. It's about you."

"What about me?"

Kai laughed, "Oh, Elena. Such a nice life you have for yourself, here in New York. It would be a shame if something were to happen to your little blonde friend. Or that delicious treat you're shacking up with. Matthew, isn't it?"

"Leave them alone," I bit.

"That's entirely up to you," Kai insisted, "As of now, I'm just a stranger, borrowing the phone of a pretty girl because my own died. That's all your little Caroline will know of me, if you do as I say."

I cursed inwardly, "What do you want?"

"To talk to you," he answered, "Without the Pack. Just you and me."

Damon was shaking his head, but I ignored him.

"Where?"

"Central Park. The day after tomorrow."

"I'll be there."

"Perfect," he said cheerily, then called out, "Excuse me, miss? Your phone. I'm done, but a friend called, Elena I think."

Caroline's bubbly voice filled my ear, "Oh, thanks! Elena?"

I cleared my throat, "Hey Care."

"Hey! Sorry about that, some guy had borrowed my phone. How are you? Well I guess that's a stupid question, given why you left, but still. I'm so sorry about your cousin. That must really suck, to have to-"

"Caroline," I cut her off, "I was just calling to let you know that I'm coming back to the city. I'll be there tomorrow."

The squeal that followed was expected, but then she quieted down, "Wait, no, I'll be out of town! I have story coverage in Chicago until next Tuesday!"

At least that was some good news.

I assured her that we'd meet up later, and it took me another five minutes to get off the phone.

When I had, I was met with immediate disapproval.

"Are you out of your mind? There's no way that I'm letting you-"

"You can't go back to New York! That's exactly what-"

"Elena, come on, it's obviously a trap to get us to-"

"Guys!" I held a hand up, "I know, okay. I know it's risky, but I don't care. I have to do this."

Damon cursed, then hit the brakes, turning the car around.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, "We still have time to check out the warehouse."

"If Kai is in New York, then neither he, nor the other Mutt will be there," he spat, "So there's no point. Besides, I think Alaric needs to know about that call."

"Why?" I demanded, "So he can command me not to go?"

Damon didn't answer, but that only confirmed my point, "You aren't going to stop me. Not when people that I care about are in danger."

"We'll see," was all he said.

I huffed, and crossed my arms, telling myself that it didn't matter.

Caroline and Matt would not be put in danger because of me.

No way in hell would I sit back and let that happen.

They'd have to lock me up first.

Never in a million years did I think Damon actually would.

But the second we parked, he was pulling me out of the car, locking his arms around me.

"What are you doing?" I yelled at him, as he drug me towards the house."

Stefan and Tyler followed, not commenting.

"Damon!" I fought against him, but he held me tightly, "Let go!"

We were inside now, passing George in the foyer.

"Is Elijah still here?" Damon asked.

George shook his head, not bothering to ask why Damon had a death grip on me as I tried to fight loose, "Never showed. Mason is burying the body now."

Damon's face darkened, then he pulled me along, down the hall, to the basement stairs.

"Damon," I tried again, "This is ridiculous! Let go of me, before-"

But he was shoving me into the cage now, and tossed me onto the cot.

I dived for the door, once I'd untangled myself, but it was too late.

He was already sliding the lock in place.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I growled, "Are you out of your fucking mind?"

He sighed, "Probably. But this is for the best. At least until I can talk to Ric."

"Talk to me about what?" A voice called, as Alaric came down the stairs, "What happened?"

He took in the scene before him, "And why is Elena in time out?"

"She's trying to kill herself," Damon accused.

I rolled my eyes, "We don't know that it's a trap, but I can't just sit here! You know that-"

"What happened?" Alaric asked again, firmly cutting me off.

"Kai called Elena," Damon told him, "He's in New York, and threatened her friends if she doesn't meet him in the city the day after tomorrow."

"And apparently Damon thinks locking me in this cage is a successful prevention of me doing exactly that," I added, "So clearly, he's lost his mind."

Ric sighed, "Damon, go help Mason."

"But-"

"Now!"

He knew better than to argue, but threw me a parting glance before storming out.

Part of me wondered if he would actually go help Mason, or if he was waiting in the hall at the top of the stairs to eavesdrop.

Alaric waited a moment, before walking over, and unlocking the cage.

"Thank you," I told him.

"It doesn't mean that Damon isn't right," he answered, "It is dangerous, Elena, and could very well be a trap."

"I know," I promised him, "But I can't do nothing, Ric. Not when the people that I care about are in danger."

He sighed deeply, "I understand...but if I let you go, you have to come back, Elena. You do what you need to, make sure they're safe, but then you come home. We finish this, together."

"I know," I assured him, "I'll come back."

He nodded, "Good, because things fall apart when you leave...Damon falls apart."

He wiped a hand down his face, "And right now, we need everyone focused."

"That's not fair, Ric."

"I know, " he assured me, "But that doesn't make it any less true."

"It'll be a short trip," I promised, with a sigh, "I'll find out what Kai wants, then I'll leave."

Alaric met my gaze, "I doubt it will be that simple...No, I won't have you go unprotected. Damon will accompany you."

I stiffened, "Ric, no."

"Either Damon goes with you, or you don't go," he stated, making up his mind.

I swallowed, "Damon can't come to New York with me, and you know damned well why."

Images of Damon and Matt in the same room filled my head.

Damon knowing about Matt's existence was one thing, but putting him in the same room with him.

That was something entirely different.

No need to taunt his wolf into acting out, especially when Matt would be on the receiving end.

"Those are my terms," Alaric pressed, "Damon is the best chance of you being safe, and the others shouldn't leave, unless Kai is using this as an opportunity to get you way so the Mutts can attack."

I sighed, "I have to go."

"Then I suggest you book two tickets."

I did, albeit unwillingly, book a ticket for Damon, as well as myself, later that evening.

If we could get back early enough, Matt would be at work, and I could grab some clothes and be gone without him even having to know I was in the city.

Damon and I could find a hotel until I had to meet Kai.

I just hoped it worked out that way.

A knock on my bedroom door broke my train of thought, and I sighed, "It's open."

Damon walked in.

"Hey."

I grabbed my bag, throwing some clothes in it, "Hey yourself."

"Alaric told me the plan."

I nodded, "I'm not crazy about it either, but it certainly beats the one you had. Tell me, how long did you plan on keeping me locked up?"

He sat on the edge of my bed, "You're angry."

I laughed dryly, "No kidding."

Damon reached over, grabbing my arm.

I stopped packing, and met his gaze.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I'm just trying to protect you."

I scoffed.

"You don't have to believe me," he insisted, "But it's the truth. And I'm done hurting you. When we go to New York...I'll behave."

I narrowed my eyes, "Why don't I believe that?"

Damon sighed, "Don't fight me right now, kitten. I'm being honest. I don't want to mess up your life there, if it's what you want. If it makes you happy. I'll behave."

I stared at him for a moment, then swallowed, "Okay, thank you...but if my plan works, it shouldn't matter."

"Your plan?"

"I'm going to grab some things from the apartment before Matt gets off work. We'll find a hotel, and there will be no need for questions."

Damon paled a little at my words.

"You live with him?" His growl was barely concealed.

I nodded, "Yeah, I do. For a few months now. Still feel like behaving?"

Damon closed his eyes, forcing control over his instincts, "Fine. But what if we do happen to see him? How are you going to explain coming back without telling him?"

I thought about that, "Work. I can say I just stopped in for my article."

"And me?" Damon challenged, "How do you plan on explaining us?"

I sat down on the bed next to him, "I'm not. You're a cousin that flew in with me. That's it, Damon."

He was quiet for a moment, then sighed, "If that's what you want."

"It is."

"Then, I stand by what I said," he answered, "I'll behave."

I nodded, then looked down at our hands.

"And that?" I motioned to the ring on his fourth left finger.

Damon's hand tensed as he looked at it, too.

Silence filled the room.

Then, surprising me, Damon reached down, and took the ring off, sliding it onto his right hand instead.

Relief flooded through me.

"Thank you."

Soooo, yeah. Lol

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