So this is it. Chapter 6. The longest I've written so far. I took me a while to write it because I had re-written some parts of this chapter many, many times. I am actually quite proud of this chapter so I hope you enjoy it.

I know that things seem a little slow but every time I want to move on with the plot there are some things that seem important to me and I have to include them in the story. Please be patient with me :)

One more thing: The events in this chapter aren't paralel and do not happen in the same timeline. I put them together because I didn't want to break this chapter into two parts.

Ok I'm done with long introduction. Enjoy :)

Chapter 6.

Discovery

Since Rebekah left few days ago it was only up to Elijah to keep an eye on Hayley. Maybe that was for the best since his sister was not very fond of their guest. She seemed to dislike Hayley more than she despised Katherine. At least he will now be sure that everything is in order. After all if you want things done properly you should take care of them yourself. And because Klaus was busy with his own plans, he had time for that now.

He got to the apartment she was currently occupying to check has she was feeling. He politely knocked on the door but no one answered. He knocked again. Lauder this time. Still, nothing happened. No one answered the door.

Elijah was worried. What if something has happened to her and the baby?

He took his spare key, opened the door and got inside - vampire speed. He checked all rooms, even the bathroom but she was nowhere to be found. Where would she go? He specifically told her she should stay inside or otherwise use the vampires he compelled for her, or call him if she ever needed something.

He went out to the apartment located next door where his vampires where staying. The oldest Original wanted to see if vampire-guardians had any idea what was going on.

Elijah went in without any warning and saw two vampires sitting in armchairs drinking blood from glasses. Technically they weren't doing anything wrong but he was angry at Hayley disappearance and he focused his anger towards them.

"Is that how you perform your duties?" his face expression stone cold. "Where is Hayley? You both were suppose to keep an eye on her 24/7 and what are you doing?"

"Yyyyy... She was in her apartment a while ago. We didn't hear her leave. She is suppose to be in there..." One of them eventually replied but he was genuinely surprised by the girl's absence.

"There is no way she would leave without us hearing her. It's not possible." The other vampire interrupted.

"Apparently she did find a way." Elijah was not screaming, his voice was calm which made two vampires even more scared. By now they knew that Elijah was the reserved one of The Original Family. He was always cool-headed, not easy to fluster. But somehow it made Elijah even more dangerous than Klaus. Because you never knew when he was going to strike.

Elijah came closer to the both of them.

"One of you is going to stay here and notify me when she's returned and the other one will go out into town and will search for her until she's found." He made his way out of the apartment. Then he suddenly stopped turned around and added. "I suggest you try really hard because there will be only one winner in this game. Which one of you sees her first gets to keep his life." After that he stormed out of the building.

Elijah decided that the best way to find Hayley is to look for her himself. He didn't know what to think. Was she taken against her will or has she just left her apartment of her own volition. Was she in danger? He promised her that nothing bad will happen to her. And if she left the apartment on her own, why would she do that? If she needed anything she could have called him.

First thing to do was to call Hayley. Turning around the corner and taking his phone out from his suit pants' pocket he bumped into someone. It took him a second to realize that it was the girl he was looking for.

He grabbed her by her arm so she wouldn't fall on her behind.

"Hayley?" she looked a little disoriented. "What are you doing out here? You were suppose to stay inside you apartment."

"Elijah..." she stuttered. She seemed like she was surprised to see him. "I just went out." She finally answered. "I had to get some fresh air. You know you can't expect me to stay home all the time like some prisoner." Her voice became accusatory.

Elijah let go of her arm when he realized he was still holding her after she was clearly no longer going to fall. "You should have called me. It's not save for you to roam around by yourself."

"I didn't want to bother you. I told you earlier I can take care of myself." Her voice was soft again she was no longer accusing him. Trying to be charming she continued her speech. "Besides I just went for a little walk. I wasn't going anywhere to far away. I was gone maybe like 15 minutes. And I was very careful." She put on her nr 5 smile.

"Let me walk you home then." He turned around and they made their way back to the building.

There was something that's been bothering The Original. After they both reach the building door and walked upstairs Elijah finally asked her. "Hayley why haven't you inform your gourds that you were leaving? They said they didn't hear you leave."

Slight shock appeared on her face. "I don't know." She tried to smile "Maybe they were distracted with something. I know they like to watch TV. I can hear it trough the wall. Maybe that was it." She reached her door. " I told you Elijah, I don't need them. And now you see they useless." She went inside waiting for him to follow her. "Aren't you coming in?" She asked.

"No. Not tonight." He replied politely. "I have something to do tonight. Have a good night Hayley."

"Night Elijah." She rapidly closed the door.

Elijah made his way to the other apartment once again. The vampire that was sitting on the couch didn't even know what hit him. Elijah grabbed him by the throat while his right hand tore out vampire's heart. He didn't even said the word. It all happened so fast.

Elijah didn't care about the body. He will sent someone to take care of it later. He closed the door behind him and went out of the building.

I was time to find the other vampire.

It took Elijah about twenty minutes to find the guy. He was strolling in some back alley apparently still looking for Hayley.

As Elijah approached him, the vampire tried to run. He must have suspected that something was wrong and Elijah wasn't here with peaceful intentions. But there was no real chance of him escaping The Original. Once Elijah grabbed him he started pleading for his life.

"Answer my questions and maybe I'll let you live."

"Of course. I'll tell everything." Fear made it hard for the guy to speak.

"What were you watching while you were suppose to keep an eye on Hayley?" Elijah's voice ice cold.

"I don't understand. We've never even turned on the TV not once I swear."

"The truth! I've heard otherwise."

"That's the truth I swear please we would never disobey your orders like that. Elijah, please."

"Fine" Elijah spoke. The sign of relief appeared on the vampire's face. But not for long. Elijah ripped his heart out of his chest and dump the body into the trash container. It took him only a second and it looked like he did not even break a sweat.

It was done. Elijah straighten his suit realizing he will probably have to throw it away anyway. It was a good suit. Tom Ford. He liked that suit.

He headed home not sure what to think of tonight's events. He had a slight suspicion that Hayley wasn't exactly honest with him. He decided to watch her for the next few days. Maybe he will learn something. And if he is wrong and there is nothing going on at least he will be sure she is safe.

"Are you ok?" Caroline asked Katherine. They were both sitting in the backseat still an hour away from their place of destination.

The journey was long and it required different means of transportation. At first they drove their car then they took the train another train and now they were driving car again. Caroline was grateful to Katherine because during their trip, which became a little boring after all that driving, they took half-a-day break to see Vienna. Since Katherine had a good day - she was filling better and wasn't tired like she was last few days - and they had one day advantage over the witches that Irina was bringing, they were able to do a little sightseeing.

"I am fine. How many times will you ask me that?" Now after they were almost there Caroline couldn't help but to feel a little guilty that while Kat was dying she enjoyed the break they had in Austria. She was worried about Katherine. She was beginning to like the girl. During the trip she grew attached to all three girls. She even thought that under different circumstances she and Nadia could become close friends.

Nadia was very strong and resourceful woman. She took after her mother. She even saw to Caroline's feeding problem by stealing some blood bags and portable minifridge. She could be nice at times. Still dangerous but not as bitchy as her mother.

Maybe it was because they were together all the time and the situation was extreme but Caroline somehow didn't care about the past at this time. During their time together both Kat and Nadia became a part of her life.

"Are you sure?" Caroline asked once more. She wanted Kat to be ok.

"You are irritating, you know that?" Katherine couldn't help but to make a little fun of the blonde.

The journey was very tiring. There were good moments and moments where she felt so tired she just wanted to sleep all day. Katherine hoped that everything will work itself out because she had no idea how much time she had left.

It was nice spending some time to know Nadia. She listened to the stories how her daughter have survived over the centuries and how she learned that Katherine was her biological mother. Katherine realized how she and Nadia were similar. She was determined and persistent. Just like Katherine.

"So Irina will meet us at the cemetery?" Katherine asked Anja. She broke the silence after long period of time they drove without speaking to each other. Neither of them was up Idle chit chat. At first Caroline tired to engage Anja or Nadia in a conversation but after some time even she got bored.

"Yes. They all will be there." Anja responded. She was currently driving. She and Nadia decided to share the driver's seat. Nadia wanted to drive all the way but Anja liked to drive and she apparently had also some control issues. The girl felt uncomfortable when she wasn't driving so Nadia eventually gave in. Caroline finally met her match. Two control freaks in one car.

"And she convinced other four witches to help us?" Katherine turned on her sarcastic mode. "I'm sure there will be a price to pay."

"That is possible." Anja didn't want to get into details, yet she seemed sure the witches were willing to cooperate. "Why will discuss it when we get there." And with these words conversation was over.

For a last few days Klaus was considering all the things he learned so far.

Marcel was reserved towards Klaus but that was understandable, yet having Tyler by his side and powerful witch as one of his closest friends was for Klaus unsettling. Also Rebekah - after ignoring him for a few days - sent him a vague massage that she was not able to learn much yet.

It was time to consult with his brother. Maybe Elijah will be able to shed some light on this problem.

"Elijah!" Klaus shouted knowing his brother is somewhere upstairs. "Could you join me in a study? We have some things to discuss?"

It was a while before Elijah came down.

"What is it brother?" he said while walking into the room. He took his time approaching his brother and sat down in an armchair. "What do you want to talk about?"

"There is something that's been bothering me for quite some time."

"What is it?" Elijah wanted to add this time but stopped himself. After thousand years of escaping his enemies while trying to stay alive made his brother a little paranoid.

"It's about Marcel... there is just something not entirely right about his behavior towards me." Klaus revealed his concerns.

"What do you mean?" Elijah was confused.

"He moved his witch to the more secure location, he's keeping his crew on a very tight leash and there is also the Tyler's issue." Klaus wasn't looking at Elijah. They were talking but it was like if his sight was unfocused. In his had he was still looking for the answer. He was trying to put the pieces together and figure out what it is that really bothered him. He had no real proof. Just suspicions and this feeling in his gut that something is wrong.

"Why has Marcel been keeping Tyler alongside him for this long? Tyler threatened me with his vengeance yet he did nothing so far. And him being within Marcel's circle would suggest they are planning something." He finally looked at Elijah. "Have you noticed something out of place, brother? Perhaps something suspicious caught your eye?"

Elijah did not respond. He was confused and one thought came to mind - Hayley. Her behavior was somewhat out of place but was it suspicious? And most importantly was it connected to Klaus' problems? Was it important enough to mention it to him?

All these thoughts running through his mind. The Oldest Mikaelson faced a dilemma: tell Niklaus about Hayley's behavior when he could be wrong about her doings or dissemble the truth risking she could be somehow entangled in conspiring against his brother?

"Elijah?" Klaus have noticed Elijah's hesitation. "Is there something?"

"No..." Elijah started denying but Klaus knew better.

"Don't lie to me brother." Klaus' expression neither angry nor irritated. He had a smirk on his face like he was glad he caught his brother trying to play him. "I know you too well. You know something or you've seen something."

"Niklaus, I believe it is not connected to your case."

"Spit it out Elijah." Klaus demanded.

"It might be nothing... " Elijah was still reluctant but there was no way out of this situation. His brother noticed his hesitation even if it lasted only a second. Klaus won't give up now.

"Why won't you let me judge if it's significant, will you?"

"As you wish." Elijah took a deep breath to calm himself down. "I have discovered that Hayley left her apartment several times in a last few night without informing anyone, when I specifically told her I would accompany her when she wants to go outside." Then he quickly added. "I told her I was necessary for her protection. But I don't see how she would fit in to your Marcel situation." He finally stated.

Klaus laugh for a moment but hasn't said anything at first. He was just looking at his brother with pity.

"You're a fool, brother." He laughed again. "You allow yourself to be so easily manipulated by women." He poured himself a drink and went back to his seat while continuing his speech. "Do you really thing she is that innocent, Elijah? Then perhaps you were not aware she was the one helping Tyler kill all my hybrids. She also helped this Shane-guy get to Silas."

Klaus carefully observed his brother's reaction to his word. He was glad to see that shadow of a doubt appeared on Elijah's face. His brother was smart but he could be easily influenced by a pretty face.

"Let's not forget she even betrayed your beloved Katerina while pretending to be helping her get the cure."

"How do you know that Niklaus?" Elijah couldn't believe what he was hearing. Hayley knew Tyler? And she conspired against his brother with him? They spent time together, yet Hayley never told him she was friends with his brother's hybrid or that she knew Katerina. "How do you know all this- what you're telling me, is the truth?"

"Caroline told me once when she was trying to save Tyler's life. She confessed to me Tyler was somewhat manipulated by her."

"Miss Forbes might have lied to you to save her partner."

"Trust me she wasn't lying. I would have known if she did." He knew Caroline to well to doubt that she was lying. She was very bad at that. Her honest personality prevented her from making a good lie because she couldn't believe in a lie she was telling. He could read her like a book and that's what he enjoyed about her.

Elijah let the truth sink within him. Was it really possible that Hayley was now part of a Marcel's plan? "What are you planning to do now?" He finally asked his brother.

"We still don't know if she is in fact a part of Marcel's plan against me. That is why we have to observe her more closely. And if we learn she is working for him... Well then we will have to partake necessary steps." Devilish expression filled his eyes.

"You are not planning to kill her brother..." It was neither question nor an order.

"Of course not. I am not a fool. She is carrying my child so she is safe. For now..." Klaus left the room leaving his brother to deal with what he has told him.

When they reached their destination it was late afternoon. The witches were already there, prepared for the ritual.

"Stay here with Caroline, Katherine. Anja and I will take care of the deal with witches and prepare everything. You can come when it's all ready." Katherine knew Nadia was trying to protect her. Normally she wouldn't go for it, she didn't trust those witches - she didn't know them - and she didn't like when people made decisions concerning her behind her back, but this time she was tired and she was glad she had someone she could trust. Someone that could help her not because they need something from her but because someone cared for her.

Nadia and Anja left heading towards the witches.

Katherine and Caroline stayed near the car awaiting for a signal.

"Are you nervous?" Caroline once again tried to engage Katherine in a conversation. Somehow she seemed more anxious than Katherine.

"No. I am not."

"You don't have to pretend to be badass all the time, you know." Caroline gave her a warm smile. "It's ok to be scared from time to time. I doesn't mean you are weak."

"Oh. Really? You are starting to be annoying and that is not a faltering feature in a woman, Caroline." Katherine snapped at her companion. She didn't want to but Blonde was becoming really annoying. It wasn't even Caroline's fault. She tried to help but had no idea how and that made her frustrated. "What does Klaus think of your irritating side? Or has he not seen it yet?" She finished with a smirk.

"You know what?" Now Caroline was shouting. Katherine just crossed a line. "Fuck you! I just wanted to be nice and supporting but evidently you just can't stop being a bitch. Even death can't make you change. No wonder Elijah left you. Nadia probably would..." Caroline stopped her rant she said few words too many. Katherine looked stunned. She wasn't crying because she was too tough for that. But it was obvious Caroline words cut like knives.

"I am sorry..." surprisingly it was Katherine to apologize. "I shouldn't have said that. You are just trying to help. Even though we are not friends you seemed to care about what is happening." Katherine approached Caroline. "You just have to know that... well every time you ask me if I am ok I just don't know what to say. I don't know what will happen and that..."

Caroline interrupted her.

"I'm sorry too. I didn't mean that. And when you become vampire again I will help you with mission 'Have Elijah back'. What do you think? Truce?"

"Truce." Kat responded after a while. "Mission get Elijah back, huh?" Now they both were laughing. They couldn't stop. Like it was something really hilarious. They both didn't even notice Nadia approaching.

"What's so funny?" Nadia asked.

Caroline looked at her "We will get your daddy back." She joked. And they laugh even harder.

"What?" Nadia didn't get the joke. "Better stop smiling and follow me. It's all ready." She waved at them to follow her. "Chop-chop we don't have all day."

"I see you both are bonding. That's nice." Nadia said to Caroline when they followed Katherine as she went towards the witches. "So you best friends now?" She joked.

"I wouldn't go that far. But it's definitely something."

"Withes are ready. Are you Katherine?" After Katherine asked Anja to stop calling her Katerina she obliged and was now using her vampire name.

"Let's get on with the show." Kat responded.

There was a pentagram formed on the ground with five torches, one at each node of the star. The witches took their positions behind the torches. Katherine was suppose to place herself in the middle.

Anja faced Katherine sat on the ground so they can see each other perfectly, but she stayed outside of the pentagram.

"The witches will summon Francesca." She explained. "When she appears she will see you but you will not be able to see her. That's where I come in. I will be a link between you and her. I will repeat her words to you so you two can have a conversation." She continued "First I will explain her why we're here and then it will be up to you to convince her to help you. Can we start now?"

"Da." Irina said. Katherine nodded.

Witches joined their hands and started their enchantment. They were repeating the spell in latin time after time after time. At first nothing happen. But then, after sun set, the wild wind blew. Suddenly it became very cold and the fog appeared.

Katherine was disoriented, but Anja remained calm. She was looking at Katherine at first but then focused her sight on something else. Something that was located within the pentagram right next to Katherine.

Katherine saw her speaking to someone but she was so confused she couldn't hear the words. She felt like the world and the people next to her were moving in a slow motion. Like she was a spectator in some weird play.

"Katherine? Katherine!" she was brought back to reality by Anja's voice. "Katherine, Francesca is now ready to talk to you but you have to hurry."

What? Now? Katherine wasn't ready. She prepared all this speech how she deserves a second chance but her mind was empty now. And how is she suppose to convince a girl she can't even see. She panicked. Think, Katherine, think. After all you are Katherine Pierce, The Survivor.

"She's on your right." Anja pointed in the right direction.

"Francesca..." she hasitated. "I know I am no saint. And I did horrible things in my life. But all I did was to survive, to get away from a psycho-vampire who killed my family and did swear to kill me. It might not justify my actions but I was afraid and it seemed like only thing to do at the time. And now if you can help me I can have a second chance for a different life."

She awaited response.

She heard Anja relay Francesca's answer. "Francesca says that you're family and she is sorry about what happened to you but you had 500 years to change your life and to create your second chance. People don't usually have opportunity to live as long as you did and cheat death as many times as you did."

"Yes that is true. But they also are not chased by immortal killer who has vendetta against them. I was only a teenager, alone in a foreign country, when I found out his intentions towards me. I was lost." Katherine tried to explain her motivations.

"But Klaus is still alive and still after you..."

"Yes that is true. But it's different now. Now I have people who care about me enough to fight for me. I have my daughter now." And then, in this moment she had an epiphany. Something that Anja said about the barrier between worlds in afterlife. "You will be able to see your daughter too. You will be able to meet her and be with her in the afterlife. You wouldn't have to be alone anymore." And with that words Katherine waited. It was all or nothing.

Katherine wasn't sure if it worked. But then she heard Anja once again. "Katherine, please turn to your right, close your eyes and focus."

She did what she was asked to do. She heard the witches chanting again. This time lauder. She was cold. Even more than in the beginning. Shivers run through her whole body. She was trembling. And then there was this pain. Excruciating, unbearable pain. She heard someone screaming. The voice made her ears hurt. It took her a while to realize that she was the one screaming.

And then the pain was gone. The cold was gone. And it seemed like world was at peace again. She opened her eyes and saw that everyone was staring at her.

"Nam udalos" Irina said they were successful.

"It worked?" Katherine asked while she tried to get up. She saw Anja nod. She couldn't believe. It really worked.

She wanted to scream and jump but she was to weak. She decided to hug Nadia instead. She saw her daughter approaching her so she started walking in Nadia's direction. She took a few steps but suddenly she was dizzy. The whole world began spinning around her. She felt the earth moving underneath her feet.

Katherine fell down on the ground. Unconscious.

Something was definitely not right. She had no idea where she was or what was happening to her. She was lying on the ground and couldn't move a muscle. And it was so dark. She couldn't see anything.

"Katerina." She heard a voice but had no idea to whom it belonged.

"Whose there?" she asked. Still disoriented and still not able to move.

"Katerina." The voice called once more.

Finally Katherine notice a blurry silhouette. It was a young woman. She had chestnut curly hair that were tied on one side of her head and cascaded down her right arm. She wore a white nightgown but it was heavily stained with... blood.

"Who are you?"

"No time for that." The girl said. "You are all in danger Katerina. Something is coming for him and it will destroy you all."

"I don't get it. What's going on?"

"I can see it now because of you. You have to stop it."

And now it hit her. "Francesca?" Katherine asked.

The girl nodded. She was trying to get close to Katherine. To reach her. But she was stopped. Something was holding her back. The last word she spoke was barely hearable.

"Banshee..."

Katherine tried to memorize the word. Then it all went black.

Songs for this chapter :

The Devil Within by Digital Daggers

Zombie by The Cranberries

As always thank you so much to every one of you who read, followed, favorited and reviewed.

If you enjoy it - it makes me happy :)

gothicpoet0615 - Thank you for reading and reviewing this story. I am glad you like it.

I apologize for any mistakes.

Reviews are always welcomed.

See you next time guys :)