I wanted to write the future scenes in this chapter and previous one about alternative futures. These are kind of the worst case scenarios. I hope it didn't turn out too unclear.

Chapter 28

The future is not cast in stone

Mojave Desert

Nathan looked at the flames. He couldn't feel anything. All that mattered to him was gone. He should have died with Zora. Now the flames were consuming her body. Hers and Klaus'. They were lying there side by side, just like Zora's parents a long time ago. It felt unreal, like someone else's life. Not his. How did it ever come to this? Choices… It's all about choices. If he had known then what he knew now…But it was too late. It was over now. The four of them were the last ones standing. He, Elijah, Mikael and Rebekah. They all just stood there watching the bodies of those they had used to care about burning into ashes. What a glorious victory it was. None of them had said a word. Rebekah was the first one who walked away. There were no goodbyes. Finally Mikael spoke.

"I don't understand you, we won! Isn't that a good thing?"

Elijah's face was completely blank.

"Just shut up father", he said icily. "There are no winners here."

Mikael rolled his eyes.

"Fine, suit yourself but I'm going to celebrate."

Then he was gone. Nathan and Elijah were quiet for a long time.

"I'm sorry about the rest of your family", Nathan said quietly.

"Me too", Elijah replied emotionlessly. "I think we have both paid more than our share."

Nathan didn't say anything. They had certainly paid. There was nothing left.

"We had no choice", Elijah said. It sounded that he was saying it more to himself than to Nathan. He could say it as many time as he wanted but it still wasn't true. There were always choices. And they had made wrong ones. If only he wouldn't have betrayed Zora's trust and pushed her right into Klaus' arms none of this wouldn't happen. He should have tried harder. He should have seen the warning signs. He should have safe her. But it was too late now.

"We should probably go", Elijah said.

"I'm not going with you", Nathan replied calmly. "I'm staying here with Zora."

Elijah turned to him.

"Nathan…"

"I've made my decision. It's final."

Elijah was about to say something but changed his mind. Instead he just nodded.

"I understand. It was an honor to know you."

"Likewise. Take care Elijah."

Nathan waited until he was gone. Then he took his gun. Soon he would be with Zora and Lucilla. It was all we wanted.

...

California 2010

Nathan and Elijah walked to the living room together. Klaus and Zora were sitting on the couch. Nathan could saw immediately that Zora was upset. Klaus was stroking her hair calmingly.

"What's wrong?" Nathan asked and scowled Klaus. "What have you done to her?"

Klaus gave him annoyed look.

"Why are you always blaming me for everything? I haven't done anything, we were outside taking a walk and Zora found a dead bird."

Nathan looked at him disbelievingly.

"She's upset because she found a dead bird?"

"Yes, in case you didn't know my Zora has a big heart."

"She's not yours…" Nathan started angrily but Zora interrupted him.

"I'm fine Nathan, I'm just being stupid. I don't know why…"

Nathan sat next to her and took her hand.

"It's ok kiddo."

Zora smiled at him. Klaus took her other hand. She smiled at him as well. Neither Klaus nor Nathan was letting go. It was like some kind of ridiculous tug of war. Elijah was amused when he poured himself a drink.

"Does anyone else want a drink?" he asked.

"Yes", Klaus and Nathan said simultaneously.

"How about you Zora?"

Zora seemed distracted. She hadn't even notice the tension between Klaus and Nathan.

"Oh, I could get something non-alcoholic, a soda or something."

"Sure."

Then Zora seemed to notice that she couldn't move her hands.

"And you guys are really sweet but could I please get my hands back now?"

Klaus and Nathan looked at each other for few seconds before they let go. Elijah was kind of expecting them to start the whole "you first" thing that kids sometimes did.

"Thank you brother", Klaus said when Elijah handed him a class of scotch. "You seem to be in a better mood."

"Yes", Elijah replied simply. Why wouldn't he be? He had a plan of his own now and he wasn't going to let his brother deceive him again.

"Well, I'm glad that we understand each other", Klaus said.

Elijah smiled.

"Me too, brother."

Elijah handed the other class to Nathan. They have had very interesting chat earlier.

"And here's your soda", Elijah said to Zora.

"Thank you. Before we drink, I would like to propose a toast."

All three men looked surprised.

"To family", Zora said and raised her class.

"To family", Elijah repeated smiling and raised his own class.

Klaus and Nathan followed his example. They were all smiling.

"Cheers."

Elijah took a sip but it tasted bitter in his mouth. The scotch was fine; he just didn't feel like to finish that drink. None of them did.