Only one more chapter left my loyal reviewers and followers. Many thanks! And without anymore waiting let's get right to it.

Chasing An Outcome

Chapter 12: A Love Like No Other

"I don't think I'll be coming back with you."

Davina could swear her heart had skipped a beat. She wasn't sure if she was breathing properly. Was this happening? Was this real? Oh how she prayed for this to be some cruel nightmare or some trick.

"I don't think I'll be coming back with you."

Her thundering heart must certainly be evident to everyone present. How can words -something with no physical form- cause so much pain? Ridiculous! Yet as she stood there, reeling from what he'd just told her, she realized it wasn't as improbable as one would think.

"You," She almost choked on her words. "W-What?"

Nathan had to look away. "In order to make this—"

"No I heard what you said!" She harshly cut in, a look of betrayal on her face. "You're planning on dying aren't you!? I understood it the first time... you were killed, but now, now you're choosing it! You're going to choose to leave my side! To abandon me!"

"Davina," He pleaded, reaching for her. "It's more complicated than that."

"Don't! Don't you come near me!" Davina yelled as she held an arm out to distance him. "I can't even look at you."

"I don't want to do this either Davina!" He countered desperately. "I wanted to spend my life with you. I wanted to experience so many things with you."

She shook her head. "Liar. If that's really what you wanted than this never would've been a choice."

The sound of the sealing spell shattering caused them to turn their heads.

"I managed to make another one before entering here," Freya exclaimed, knowing they wouldn't like the rest of it. "But it won't hold forever."

Nathan turned Davina towards him, holding her face gently in his hands. "I know this isn't easy. I know it isn't what you want to hear, but, it must be done. I want you to know that being with you has truly been a dream. Working together with you and your friends really was wonderful. And I'm glad to have met them. You have surrounded yourself with some nice people."

Her heart was shattering and tears cascaded down her cheeks, over his palm. "I can't do this Nathan. I can't... Don't make me say goodbye to you. Please." She leveled a hopeful gaze at him. "We can leave, think of another plan, and better prepare ourselves. We can get out and—"

"They won't let us enter here so easily again; they'll be even more vigilant if we leave now." Pain swam through Nathan. "They'll find a way to counter us. Your friends will be at risk." A solitary tear escaped him, betraying his intent on remaining strong for her. "If we can't sever our connection right now then what was the point of this? Every loss you endured will all be in vain. This is our only shot Davina. And we only have a little bit of time left to do this."

Davina's shoulders sunk in defeat. "This isn't fair. I've only just gotten you back." She rubbed her eyes of the tears, but more only fell. "Why is this always happening to me? Why do I always lose the people I love? Why do you have to die Nathan?"

Nathan held her close, wishing he could just absorb all traces of pain she was feeling. "I'm so sorry kiddo, I'm so sorry for being such a failure to you." He angled a stern look at Kol. "I don't know much about you, but, you're really important to Davina. Don't you hurt her or put her in harm's way, ever. I want what's best for her the same as Marcel. I want her to live a life outside of this mess; a normal life. One where she goes to college, has a career, has a family and does a much better job at being a parent than me and her mother."

Kol lowered his gaze, the words stung with a pain far worse than that of any dagger. Being in bliss during his initial days with Davina he'd never stopped to truly think of the reality of his relationship. The cold reality. He was a vampire. What Nathan -her father- wanted for her, what Marcel -the man she cherished most- wanted for her, he couldn't give. He couldn't give her a family or a life where they grew old together. He couldn't give her normality.

And it was then, for the very first time in his life, that he began to understand the pain that Rebekah must have endured all her life. The idea of inescapable solitude was simply frightening. He hated this; hated being a vampire; hated the fact that things like growing old and building families -things he never cared for- were suddenly all he wanted. And he hated how he could practically feel his sisters' sympathy, as if it were a solid object.

Kol didn't want it. He didn't want their sudden care or sympathy. Not anymore.

"But that's what I want," Nathan spoke, causing Kol to raise his head. "I won't speak for Davina. She'll make her own choices. But if you cause her any harm I swear I'll hunt you down, even as a ghost. You hear me?"

Kol could only nod, not knowing what else to say.

Nathan smiled somberly. "You're not so bad Kol. It looks like I won't be able to get to know you after all. Take good care of yourself, you hear me."

"Was... Was there no other way?" Kol murmured. There were only a handful of times where he wished to save someone.

He sighed sadly. "You need to get out of here. This place is going to come down like the fourth of July. Thankfully the boundary is as weak as can be; it should be a cinch getting out of here."

"But what about Marcel?" Rebekah asked. "Someone has to warn him or he'll be trapped in here."

"I've already warned him," He replied. "Now go."

"I'll stay," Davina said. "For as long as I can." She added when he was about to protest. "The rest of you go, now."

Kol didn't mask his worry as he spoke. "But Davina, that isn't—"

"Kol," She cut in, her back to him. "I want to be alone."

He conceded with a helpless nod. This was a battle he had no place in; this was a fight he could do nothing about. The fate fell on their hands. Making his way to her he dropped a soft kiss onto her hair, nuzzling it briefly with no regards for the crowd. His sisters must've no doubt been in awe; it wasn't every day you'd see Kol Mikaelson show affection like this. "I understand."

Freya shifted in her spot uncomfortably. A very huge part of felt guilty about her actions while the other part felt awful for Kol; she knew how much he wanted to stay by Davina's side. Freya could imagine her pain in a way; she'd too lost her father. Ironically she'd only had the briefest of times with him the same as Davina.

Cautiously she took a step forward. "Davina, I lost my father too," She ignored Kol's warning glare to stop where she was at. "But they always stay with you no matter what."

Davina's hands clenched bitterly. "And you believe that? There's no such thing as an eternal life, not for us. If you destroy a human being then they can never come back! For us, everything is over when we die! I don't have any of my family left, and the one I have won't last me more than a day. People like me and Nathan aren't immortal. And we don't have the luxury of having an eternity together. I understand that now Freya. Do you?"

"I'm sorry." A pitiful response and Freya knew it but it was all she could muster.

"I know what you're trying to do Freya, I do." Davina said, both physically and emotionally drained. "But right now I don't want to hear it. So just... just go. Please."

That was when a familiar voice shouted from outside.

"Davina!"

"Marcel," Davina muttered weakly, knowing he'd hear with his increased hearing. "Nathan's... Nathan's going to..." She couldn't say it. She couldn't acknowledge it.

"We need to go," Freya said as crashes could be heard outside, no doubt a fight had begun. At their reluctance she shook her head. "There's nothing we can do here."

"I can't just leave Marcel," Rebekah quickly protested. She'd come into this place with the intention of seeing him and Davina. "I need to see him, I have to see him."

The crumbling sound of granite rock could be heard, which they interpreted as someone being smacked against the gravestones. Whether it was him, Lucien, or the witches they couldn't quite tell.

Ignoring Freya's protests Rebekah bolted outside. That was when she saw for herself the pandemonium taking place. There were bodies on the ground -which she couldn't say if they were dead, or not- and remnants of broken structures, which may have been statues once upon a time, wherever she looked. Marcel was on a rampage, tossing projectiles and breaking necks as he stormed closer. At one point he was flung backwards by one of the witches right as he'd tossed a big chunk of stone at them, knocking him towards the entrance of the tomb where she stood. Oddly convenient.

"Son of a bitch," He grumbled as he rubbed the back of his head, attempting to stop the throbbing pain.

"Marcel."

His movements halted instantaneously. When he looked to where the voice had come from he was met with Rebekah's worried gaze. "Rebekah? What? How?" He was stammering as his eyes remained locked on hers.

Rebekah was also as tongue-tied as he was. It felt close to a century since she'd last seen him even though it was hardly anything close to that.

And that was when Marcel heard it. It was low, and he almost missed it due to his ears being trained on the approaching footsteps. The sound of droplets hitting the floor. When his ears abandoned all other noises and focused on the sound he heard soft sniveling. Upon closer inspection he could just about make out her trembling form.

Davina.

"You don't give up do you mate?" Lucien exclaimed as he stood a few yards away from Marcel. "I'm afraid it's gotten dull and I've long since grown tired of this game. What say we end this?"

"She's crying..." He muttered, hands clenching.

Lucien raised a brow. "What are you going on about? Are you referring to your precious Davina?" His brows furrowed slightly upon seeing Rebekah. "Oh my, is that you Rebekah? What a lovely surprise! Now behold as I kill the love of your life. And I don't know if your family has informed you, but I'm going to exterminate them, you included unfortunately."

"Filthy bastard," Rebekah growled. "You make me sick."

"So I've been told," He shrugged. "But my attention is currently on Marcellus. You'll have to wait your turn."

"If you hadn't come to New Orleans... If you hadn't made a deal with these people... Then, none of this would be happening." His hands clenched. "Then I wouldn't have to see her like this." Marcel tore his gaze from Davina to Lucien; fury burned in his blood red eyes.

Lucien smirked. "That's a scary expression."

Marcel snapped like an old guitar string.

He tackled Lucien with such a force and speed that they rammed right through the wall of some building.

Lucien couldn't even find his bearings as he was swung roughly against the ceiling, shattering it upon impact. He staggered onto his feet to try and get some control, but it was futile. Once again he found himself being hurled over another ceiling, and again breaking it upon impact.

"It's all because of you," Marcel connected his fist with Lucien as hard as he could. "Rotten piece of shit!" He slammed him against the ground, before jumping onto the ceiling and using it to propel him forward, gripping Lucien's bleeding face and pushing down floor after floor. "You're the reason Davina's crying!"

... ... …. …. ... ... ... …. …. ... ... ... ….

"Alright, you've seen him," Freya said as she grabbed Rebekah by her arm, pulling her back inside. "It's time to go Rebekah."

Reluctantly the youngest of the remaining Original family nodded. "Right."

Freya then turned to Kol, sadness in her eyes. "Kol, we have to go."

Kol wanted to stay; he wanted to protect her; he wanted to hold her and tell her he'd be there for her. But right now she needed this, needed to be alone. So without another word he took Freya's outstretched hand and just like that he was back on the other side, leaving Davina with Nathan.

He half smiled at her and spoke softly. "I'm sorry you were an only child. It must've been really hard growing up like that, all alone."

She smiled sadly. "It's okay Nathan. There was nothing you could do, and I don't blame you."

"I know, it's just... if only you could have had another sister, or maybe an older brother. You know I've always liked the name Benjamin, don't you?"

She smiled. "Yeah, it's a really nice name."

"You should go now Davina." Nathan exclaimed, avoiding her gaze.

Davina shook her head. "I won't let you do this alone. I told you that I'll be staying here for as long as I can."

"Stubborn kid," He joked with a small chuckle. "This technically counts as not doing what your parent says."

She shared a laugh if only to prolong her time. "I did sort of grow up a rebel."

Unfortunately their moment couldn't go on forever, despite their wish to.

Placing the dark object onto a small pillar Nathan readied himself. "Okay, let's end this for good." The object began glowing a bright green as he poured magic into it. "Rompriez le lien vivant. Rompriez le lien vivant. Rompriez le lien vivant."

The ground beneath Davina began shaking indicating that their time was fading. Her stomach was in knots; the pain coming back a thousand fold.

"I don't... I," She stammered, words unable to form. Briefly she wondered when she'd begun crying. "I don't want you to go Nathan. I don't. Why can't I save you?"

"Don't you blame yourself," He began as he walked over to her. "Don't ever doubt your strength. If it weren't for your help we never would've gotten this far; I don't want you forgetting that. I'll watch over you forever. This reunion was fate, we were meant to reunite. Our bond is unbreakable and not even this will tear us apart. From the instant you were born I knew that it was my duty to protect you. And I'm glad this time I was able to. These moments I've shared with you have been the best in my life. You truly are everything I hoped you'd be."

"Can I tell you something," Davina started, while the corners of her lips tenderly lifted. "And I don't want you to get upset."

A gentle warmth encased his heart at the familiarity of her words.

"If you had succeeded in saving me that night, my life would be so completely different." At this point the walls were now shaking violently. "I never would've met Tim. I wouldn't have been saved by Marcel. I wouldn't have met Josh or Cami. And I never would've fallen in love with Kol."

He sighed. "Yeah, doesn't sound so appealing does it?"

"But," She added, cutting his train of thought. "I'd be free from being a harvest girl. I wouldn't have had to bear the pain of losing Tim and Cami. I wouldn't have felt the heartache I felt when I lost Kol. Instead, I'd be in Mexico, away from this pain. With pretty good Spanish too." She felt joy as the two shared a laugh. But the mirth was replaced with a firm expression. "Above all... I'd have you. I believe we would have been really happy together. And I," Davina paused as a small traitorous sob escaped her. "I love you dad."

Nathan relinquished the idea of remaining strong and closed the gap, pushing her towards him, and crying like he'd never cried before. "Daddy loves you kiddo. Never, never, forget that. Always stay true to yourself Davina and never lose who you are." He rubbed the tears away with his sleeve, composing himself. "I have to finish the spell. And... you have to go now."

"I know," Davina nodded, tears streaming down her eyes like an inconsolable child. "Thank you for giving me this moment."

Nathan regarded her with an expression that resembled a man who'd come to terms with his fate. There was a sad yet serene understanding then. "Hey?"

Davina sniffed and willed the tears away. "Yeah?"

"I feel light, like I could just float. Silly huh?"

"No, in fact, I think that's what being free means. Will I feel that way too someday dad?"

"Of course, I'm sure of it!"

His palm lifted and in an instant Davina had woken with a gasp. An image of a smile and fleeting words transcended the boundary, almost like a parting gift.

"Thank you."

Author's Notes

Final chapter out next folks, and don't worry I assure you the wait for it won't be as agonizing as this one was.