Author's Note: I am having a blast writing this story and want to thank everyone who's given me such wonderful reviews. If at any time the story feels off, or has jumped the rails, please let me know.

"I feel bad." Watching in amazement as the handsome man poured way too much sugar into his to-go cup, Regina swallowed down a chuckle as he reached over for the canister of cream. No matter how many times she watched the attractive officer fix his coffee, she was amazed he hadn't crumbled to the floor into some sort of diabetic coma. "I've been meaning to stop by, but I've been swamped."

Any trace of humor bled from Regina, as guilt gnawed painfully at her stomach, knowing he'd been up to his eyeballs in unsolved deaths lately. "I heard about Franny."

A frown marred his strong features, as his eyes snapped up to meet hers and scrutinized her face for what seemed to be eternity, finally he cleared his throat and said. "Did you know her?"

"Sort of." Uneasiness washed over her nerves, making her skin feel suddenly tight and uncomfortable. Tucking a strand of raven black hair behind her ear, Regina fidgeted under his intense stare. "We went to school with each other, but didn't exactly travel in the same circle."

After another moment of painful silence, Josh gave her a knowing look and sighed. "Let me guess, she was one of those mean girls, who had no filter and made your school years hell."

"Not just my school years, she was one of those who just couldn't leave the social stigmas of High School in the past." It was the best way to say Franny had been an ubber bitch, who delighted in poking at other people's sore spots. Apparently, Franny had missed that day at witch school about receiving back what they threw out into the cosmos.

Wincing, Regina wondered if perhaps Franny had learned the hard way, Regina tried to clear her mind and focus on the man in front of her.

"Careful there Regina, or you'll find yourself on the suspect list." Josh teased, then laughed when Regina's eyes grew large in mock alarm. "I would be laughed out of a job if I ever considered you capable of causing someone harm, or in the very least, lynched for being responsible for threatening their caffeine source."

Regina frowned and eyed the man in front of her. "I suppose that's supposed to be some sort of compliment."

"Yes." With a charming smile that could melt even the coldest of hearts, Josh took a long drink of his sugary brew. "You Regina Dauphine, are one of the nicest, most mild tempered woman I have ever met."

Making a face, Regina sighed. She hated how everyone always came to the conclusion she was some timid meek mouse. "You do realize, no female ever made history by being nice." Regina muttered, remembering the words Meme and sometimes even her Mother, would say.

"Do you want to make history Miss Dauphine?" Intrigued, he placed his cup down on the counter, while leaning in and showing off his well-formed biceps.

"I -." His attention on her gave her a mixed feeling. It was intense, and made her feel at odds. A part of her was flattered, that a man as handsome as Josh would give her the time of day, while at the same time an ugly feeling bloomed in the pit of her stomach. "I guess I never really cared enough to think about it."

"Never?"

"Nope." Laughing at his expression, Regina shrugged and grabbed a towel to wipe down the counter. "I suppose that makes me extremely dull to you."

"No, it makes you pleasantly unique in a town which thrives on the outlandish." Widening his eyes at the last of his words, he pushed away from the counter and stood up straight. "So, I suppose I've put off the real reason why I stopped by today."

Of course, there was an ulterior motive, he'd been missing for the last few weeks, and Regina felt foolish for thinking that maybe he'd come to see her. Girls like her, the quiet ones who didn't rock the boat, or were loud and boisterous just didn't gain the attention of men like Josh. Oh she knew with her long black curls and strange, dark blue eyes she was pretty. But pretty didn't stand a chance against those other girls.

Perking herself up, Regina sent him a smile. "What brought you to my door Officer Gaudet? Besides for a cup of sugar, cream, with a splash of coffee."

"There's a masked charity ball coming up." Looking suddenly shy, Josh cleared his throat. "I was hoping you'd attend with me . . . as my plus one." That oily, gut feeling stalled her for a moment, and Josh picked up on her hesitation. "It's this weekend, and I know its short notice, but I didn't even know until today if I could even go."

To her ears, his words sounded almost hallow, almost rehearsed, which was poor form of her, seeing Josh had never given her any indication of being anything but sincere. "What's the charity?"

"Some Girl's and Boy's group, or maybe an endangered insect." With a charming smile, he leaned in again. "So, what do you say Miss. Dauphine?"

It was on the tip of her tongue to refuse. For one thing, he was right, four days notice for a masked ball was absurd. But the puppy dog look he gave her, had Regina changing her mind. "You're lucky I'm a sucker for balls."

"So, that's a yes?" A wide grin, he wiggled his brows playfully at her.

"Yes." Regina snorted at his sudden playfulness.

Picking up his cup of now room temperature coffee, Josh saluted her. "I'll pick you up around nine then?"

Again with the mixed signals. Picking her up at nine was a little late for a nice dinner before, and Regina really wished Ellie was there to talk about this strange conversation. "See you then."

Watching him leave, torn between being relieved and confused, Regina picked up the clean towel and wiped up the mess Josh's concoction left. Her mind was a hundred miles away, so when she looked up to find a handsome and very well-dressed man sitting at one of the empty tables she found herself screaming out in shock and taking a few steps back.

"My apologies, it was not my intention to startle you." Remaining seated, the gentleman held up his hand, as though that action alone would calm her frazzled nerves.

"Where . . .?" With a wild look around the shop, Regina opened and closed her mouth a few times, but the jumbled up word blockage inside her head made it impossible to come up with something coherent to say.

"You were preoccupied, and I didn't wish to intrude." Lowering his hand slowly and setting it down regally upon the table, he paused as a blush stained her cheeks. Had she really been so distracted she hadn't seen the man enter the shop? "I'm looking for Imogene."

With her heart still pounding painfully in her chest, Regina felt a surge of humiliation when tears pooled in her eyes. "I – She's . . ."

"Are you alright?"' A frown turned his full lips down in a frown, as he half stood from the chair.

"Meme is dead." Forcing the words out, Regina watched as understanding washed over the stranger.

"When?" He demanded, as all gentleness evaporated, and instead a hard, cold expression filled his features. "How?"

At a loss to do anything but answer the man's questions, Regina took a healthy step back, putting some much-needed space between them. "Two months ago."

The man's lips pinched. "How?"

Unable to stop the tear from spilling down her cheek, Regina blinked a few times. "She – I found her at the bottom of the stairs, her -." Chocking down a stifled sob, Regina steeled herself. It wasn't like she hadn't been forced to explain Meme's death a countless number of times during the days following her passing. "She died immediately, or so I'm told . . . the fall broke her neck."

"How unfortunate." He murmured, clearly looking put out. "I suppose then my business is with your mother."

Moving across the room to clean up a few cups off a table, Regina watched the man from the corner of her eye as any previous hurt feelings melted away at the thought of the woman who gave birth to her. "I can honestly say, Melody is nowhere nearby. She couldn't even be bothered to show up for Meme's wake."

The man fell silent, and quite frankly, it freaked Regina out. "Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but the shop is closing. I can get you something to go."

This seemed to humor him, and he let out a dry chuckle. "I wish it were that simple. But it seems Miss. Reilly -." He paused when Regina's eyes narrowed suspiciously and she took a step back out of self-reservation. "I seem to be mucking this up Miss. . . ."

"Regina." Making her way behind the counter, Regina was slightly comforted to have the counter serve as a barrier.

"Yes, Regina." Nodding slowly, he tilted his head to the side. "I must apologize for my poor manners, I am recovering from an injury, and feel our first meeting is suffering from it. I am Elijah Mikaelson."

"The silent partner." Regina sighed, as she dropped the towel down and turned around to inspect the man who was now standing on the other side of the counter. Blinking a few times, she tried to reason how he'd made it across the room unnoticed.

Brushing off his sudden movement across the small room, Regina couldn't help but admire the man's elegant and polished appearance. It was refreshing to see a man who could carry off a well-tailored suit in an age where men seemed to think a pair of skinny jeans were all the rage.

"Ah good, Mr. Bouchard is earning his bloated paycheck." Elijah replied crisply. "What else did he tell you."

"Not much really." Regina said. "That you are invited to use the attic, and get one percent of the shop's annual income. I was supposed to schedule a follow up meeting with him, but there just hasn't been time." What she didn't say, was how she'd been putting off the inevitable. Over the last two months she'd tried several times to make an appointment with the elderly man, only to come up with a handful of reasons as to why she just couldn't find the energy to confront what would be another emotionally draining meeting.

Elijah considered the woman and her words, and wished he had the time to be more delicate about this. Imogene deserved the respect, and the young woman before him needed time to heal. "I am sorry to hear about Imogene, she was a wonderful woman."

The look of mistrust couldn't be missed, proof that he had made a mess of this introduction. If his siblings could see him now, they would be delighted to see he was behaving in a less than gentleman like manner. "Can we please start over?" Holding out a hand, he waited patiently until the young woman edged forward and placed her tiny hand in his. "Elijah Mikaelson."

"Regina Dauphine." He noted the quick way she pulled her hand out of his grasp, and retreated. Though her actions were timid, the bright, intelligent gleam in her eyes told him there was a fire inside the woman, and he would be wise not to underestimate her in the future.

"My condolences for Imogene's passing."

"Thank you." Her reply was immediate, from years of good breading, but she still harbored a healthy amount of mistrust toward him.

"I wish my arrival came during better times, and it is not my wish to inconvenience you, but it is imperative I acquire a few of my possessions from the third floor."

Her brows shot up to her hairline in shock. "There's stuff up in the attic? Your stuff?"

'Yes." Shrugging, his facial expression gave nothing away, while inside he was relieved to find his quarters on the third floor to be a mystery to the young woman. It'd been ages since he'd had the entrance to the stairs charmed to ward off any unwanted guests. "Just a few odds and ends."

"This is all too weird." Backing away, and turning to the service sink, Regina rinsed out the towel she'd been using. "So, what did you need Meme for?"

Having moved away from the glass case that doubled as a counter, Elijah took a moment in front of a stand filled with an assortment of natural lotions, skin care and what he assumed were sachets made from herbs. "This is new."

Not aware her new business partner was stalling, Regina looked over her shoulder to where he was standing. "My friend Ellie makes those. I hope you don't mind."

Taken aback by her comment, Elijah looked back at the small display then back to where Regina fidgeted. "Why in the world would I care?"

"Well you are a partner. I should also tell you, she helps me here . . . a lot. We've been friends since forever, and without her help I wouldn't be able to do this." Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, looking for all the world as though he would take everything from her, Regina took a deep breath and stared at him. "She's become my partner here at the Tea Room, not legally I suppose, but without her I don't think I could've gotten through the last few months."

"I must confess, I am at a loss. How would any of this affect me?" Standing casually, trying his best to understand her concern, Elijah honestly couldn't say why the young woman seemed slightly distressed.

"Mr. Bouchard said if I were try and sell the Tea Room, or if I were to allow another person to run the business, everything would go to you."

"Ahh, yes the clause." He had nearly forgotten the clause, seeing no Dauphine had been willing to give up their home or independence. "It's good you have such a close friend to depend on. As for this -." Indicating the stand with just a slight nod of his head, Elijah smiled softly. "and having such a close friend to help with the day to day of the shop, only reinforces my belief that the Dauphines are natural business women. I have no intention of acquiring the business. As to my business with Imogene, it seems you've been through enough as of late, and we can wait on that for another day."

He waited as several emotions passed across her delicate features. It struck him how alike Regina and her late ancestor Lucille were. With their midnight black hair falling down her back in large fat curls, pale complexion dusted lightly with freckles, and an overall delicacy of her appearance. They both appeared to the outside world exactly what the world wanted woman like her to be, pretty to look upon and meek in temperament. It wasn't just her appearance though that reminded him of Lucille, it was her silent defiance gleaming back at him through her dark blue eyes.

Centuries before he had almost made the mistake of underestimating Lucille, and it nearly cost him everything. Though this time he wasn't faced with a homicidal father bent on wiping his remaining family from the face of the earth, his family was in the path of an oncoming war, and he needed to use every resource at his disposal.

Imogene's death was unfortunate, if not slightly suspicious. Until he knew exactly where the battle lines were drawn, and who the players were, he needed to play his part carefully.