SWEET KISSES FROM RUSSIA
Fan Fiction – Alternate Universe
Caroline & Klaus
Elijah & Katherine
From: Lovely Vero
Disclaimer: This story is, and will always be, a fiction story, that is coming from the imagination of the author. It is not a bibliography of the author or any of the readers, neither a story that is exploring your own experience in life. It is not meant to be informative or to represent the perception or opinion of the author about the subject at hands in her own private life; it is not an encyclopedia, or a medical reference. It is only a fiction, the characters are fictional, and the story should be taken as such and not be mistaken with the private life of the readers, or any of their personal experiences. Thank you.
Previously on Sweet Kisses from Russia …
Elijah glanced at Klaus, who nodded discreetly; before glancing in return at Kol, Stefan and Damon; who nodded, themselves, in return.
"So, uncle Petrov…" Kol exclaimed, out of the blue. "Brilliant plan of yours, the "switch" thing, I mean."
"Except from the fact that all of you almost ruined it! 1 minute 15 seconds; you made me lose 15 precious seconds of my scheduled plan! It could have easily ruined everything!" Ludvig growled unhappy; while leading the marching group toward an additional hidden corridor inside the tunnel.
"Give them a chance, Petrov; they are young apprentices after all." Mikael commented, under a small laughter.
"Well, so sorry your highness!" Kol made a comical reverence. "If we had known that you had planned this switch, we would have moved our asses quicker!"
"Kol, lower you voice!" Bonnie grabbed the Original's right upper arm to retain his momentum.
"Tell me something young Mikaelson?" Petrov turned on himself, while approaching Kol's standing position. "You think I'm a fool? You think I don't plan ahead, that I'm not trying to cover my tracks?"
"Didn't say that." Kol shook his head. "I think you're actually a brilliant man, Ludivg Petrov." He added. "The proof, my brother Nicklaus is certainly one heck of a hybrid. And don't we always say that the apple don't fall far from the tree, right?" He commented more. "But, you're inconsiderate, stubborn, and you'll think about yourself before the others."
"If he was not your son, I would kill him on the spot!" Ludvig growled; while glancing at Mikael.
"Present your apologies to Ludvig, now, Kol!" Mikael grabbed his son by the shoulders, his sight drown in his.
"Go to hell! It's not like I'll listen to you. You're no better than him; you've abandoned your own children for so long that you have forgotten how to be a father to them." Kol spitted in his father's face.
"That's enough!" Maria exclaimed, dryly.
"Sorry." Petrov nodded. "Please accept our apologies for this loud exchange of harsh words, Maria."
"You're all acting like children. We have enough on our hands with this lethal threat above our heads, we don't need to put your huge egos in top of everything!" Maria added.
"You're right, Maria; all of you women don't need to put this on your shoulders." George took a step forward the patriarch woman, under her inquiring sight; before entering a syringe in her neck. "Shush, you'll be fine." He whispered near her left ear, before catching her falling body in his arms.
"What the hell is going on, father?" Anastassia exclaimed, in shock; before feeling a syringe entering her upper arm. "Damon?" She turned on herself to face the young vampire, disappointment plastered on her face.
"Sorry baby!" Damon let a shy smile spread on his face, before catching the redhead in his arms.
"Don't you…" Rebekah pointed a finger toward Stefan, before falling in his arms herself.
"I got you, Rebekah." He whispered, while softly caressing her hair; easing her fall into unconsciousness.
"You do this, Elijah; and I'll never forgive you!" Katerina pointed a finger toward her husband, who held a syringe in his right hand; before taking a few steps away from him.
"It's a chance I'll have to take, beautiful." He responded, while swallowing a lump in his throat; a wave of regrets taking his soul hostage. This was killing him! But they have all put this plan into motions to keep them all safe, after all.
The brunette vampire rushed toward the opposite side of the corridor, before feeling two strong hands pulling her back toward him, with a firm grip on his waist.
"No, no … Elijah; please?" Katerina begged him, before feeling the needle entering her neck. "No…" She sobbed, tears rolling on her cheeks; before slowly closing her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, so, so sorry, Katerina." He whispered, while holding his wife tightly near his chest, his head tucked in the hollow of her right shoulder.
"What are you waiting for?" Carolina raised her chin in the air, with her cold gaze drown in the emptiness of the corridor. She raised her left upper arm in front of her husband's sight. "I won't scream, or battle against you, if this is what you're afraid of. I, pretty much, don't care what you could do to me." She shrugged her shoulders, indifferent.
"I don't have a syringe on me." Klaus shook his head, while swallowing a lump in his throat. "What we did, it's for … It's for your own good, Love. We need to keep all of you safe from this threat."
"Fuck you, Klaus!" Carolina replied, slyly. "Fuck all of you, for thinking that we are weak as women and that we serve no purpose to all of you!" She growled more. "Especially me, because I'm a human!" She busted, in a louder voice.
"I'm sorry, please forgive me, Carolina?" He begged, while pulling her near his chest; before placing a handkerchief in front of her parted lips.
She let a stifled cry escape her mouth; squirming, kicking her four members to free herself from the drug; before falling into a deep unconsciousness for the second time around.
ooOoo
"You approach me and I'll kill you; I swear I'll set your ass on fire, Kol!" Bonnie pointed a finger at the Original, anger spreading in her body faster than a wild fire would burn a house.
She had rushed away from the scene after seeing Maria being drugged; running away as fast as she had been able to, to reach some kind of exit.
"Ok, ok, darling … Look I don't have any syringe on me!" Kol raised both of his opened palms, as a peace offering. "Can we talk?"
"Why … Why did you drug the others?" She stammered through her sentence. "So it was all a setup from the beginning?"
"We want all of you safe, Bonnie. We can't risk all of your life in this battle against the church." Kol replied, honestly to her; while lowering both his arms and hands down. "And yes; we have all agreed with Petrov's plan; except we didn't know when it would take place, and we had no idea about the switch in the tunnel." He added, before taking a step toward her.
"Stay where you are!" Bonnie warned him, once more. "Or I swear…" She added, taking a deep breath inside her lungs; before raising her hand on her neck; where a needle was embedded in her skin.
"I'm sorry, Bonnie." Kol rushed to catch her falling body in his arms, before turning his head toward Alexay; who was holding a gun in his hand. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Alexay nodded.
Chapter 30
"Fool me twice…"
"Where did your men brought them?" Stefan inquired, while lowering his head to avoid hitting the low concrete ceiling. "Are they safe?"
"Underground shelter. And, yes they are safe." Petrov replied, without much explanation; leading the group of men, in lower underground corridors. "Where do you think I'm bringing you now?"
"Is this place safe?" Damon asked, himself. "Not to sound too pretentious, but I'm not entirely sure the ladies will appreciate being buried alive underneath the ground!" He added, wincing.
"And yet, Mister Salvatore, "pretentious" is exactly what you're sounding at the moment!" Ludvig rolled his eyes, letting a low sigh escape his lips.
"Then, you can count all of us as pretentious fools." Elijah growled, unhappy; while grabbing the Russian's man right upper arm to make him turn on himself. "Are they safe? This is not a rhetorical question, Petrov?"
"Yes, Elijah; they are safe." Petrov replied, while lowering his sight on his upper arm. "Now, let go of my arm?" He raised an eyebrow at the Original.
Elijah kept his eyes locked with the Russian man, in an intense stare, for a few additional seconds, before finally releasing his grip on him.
"Thank you. Think logically, my own daughter is in this underground compound, you think I would risk her life?" Ludvig snapped back, pointing a finger toward the far end of the corridor. "I thought you wanted your delightful wife, the beautiful Katerina, to be safe, Elijah? Or did I mistake your demand?"
"You could have easily set all of us into a trap, Petrov; I wouldn't pass this option as a feasible one for yourself." Klaus mumbled, angrily, between his teeth; by coming between his brother and father, bulged chest against bulged chest.
"Being my own flesh and blood and still doubting me as I can see, Klaus?" Petrov raised his chin at his son. "Think with your head for a change. You have a human wife, and your brother has a young vampire one on his hands; how long would you think they would be able to stand in a combat in front of that monster?"
"I'll always doubt you; you haven't given me valid reasons to think otherwise." Klaus responded, harshly. "But, unfortunately…" He added, closing his eyes while letting a loud growl escape his lips. "This time, you're also right."
"Well, thank you for granting me that acknowledgement." Petrov nodded. "And by the way, all I can think of is your happiness, Nicklaus." He added, truthfully.
"Is she… Are they? Safe, I mean?" Elijah questioned, closed fists placed on each side of his waist, before passing a hand through his tangled hair and the tensed muscles of his face.
"For the hundreds of times, yes…The delightful Katerina and Carolina are both safe, your mother is also safe, they all are!" Petrov replied, dryly. "Are they ignorant or simply retarded?" The Russian man turned his sight toward Mikael.
"A bit of both, I presume." Mikael let a small laughter escape his lips. "Then again, my dear Ludvig; you must have forgotten how it was to be in love?" He added, winking; with a friendly slap on his higher back. "These young fools are in love; they wouldn't recognize their tails from their heads."
"Well, actually pappy Mikaelson. I'll politely disagree with you say!" Damon commented, while lowering his sight on his crutch area. "I'm looking at my manhood at the moment, and I can be certain, without a single doubt, that between my head and my most precious belonging, Anastassia will not hesitate to cut my balls down there, instead of my head, up here!" The young vampire pointed toward his head.
"Eww… As if the constant need to throw up, while in your presence, wasn't enough of an ordeal for me; you need to add to my suffering with these sick visuals, Salvatore?" Kol shook his shoulders, wincing. "And if someone should complain about all of this, it's actually me! Miss Bennett won't have any problems or remorse turning me as a bellowing goat."
"And why would my precious daughter need to even choose between those two body parts, Mister Damon?" Petrov advanced, while menacingly pushing the young vampire up to the back wall.
"No…not a single one, none… No reason at all." Damon swallowed a lump in his throat, standing nose to nose with the Russian man.
"Ok, ok … Uncle Petrov; I presume you did not have your fair dose of caffeine this morning, mm?" Kol grabbed the Alpha by the shoulders; while bringing him at arm length from Damon. "But, you know; you're still my favorite none-related uncle; right?" He winked, playfully, while turning his head toward Damon.
"Thank you!" Damon mouthed the words in return to the Original.
"Get your arm away from my shoulders, Kol?" Petrov growled, while pushing himself away to reprise his walk into the corridor. "Isn't he the most annoying of all your children, Mikael?"
"I don't know? I think you're still winning with this insufferable son of yours." Mikael winced at Klaus's sight; while following Petrov's path inside the corridors.
"Well, finally; something that we can agree about, Mikael; disliking each other with a healthy dose of hate." Klaus grinned, sadistically.
"See, what I mean?" Mikael pointed toward Klaus, to Petrov.
"Aren't we hating each other and still being friends at the same time?" Petrov teased, playfully.
"Friends? I can't barely stand the side of you." Mikael rolled his eyes, laughing.
"Where's the insect, anyway?" Kol scattered both sides of the corridor.
"Who are you talking about?" Stefan shrugged both shoulders.
"The annoying warlock with annoying wondering eyes." Kol shook his head at the mere thought.
"Vittorio is one of my best pawns. I owe him grandly, Kol; so … I would appreciate if you could respect him as such." Petrov warned him.
"I figure that you never felt his hand at a near inch of your crotch area, therefore, you can respect him more?" Kol winced at the idea.
"Since when are you so "shy" over the sexual preferences of others, Kol?" Stefan questioned, under a small laughter. "Thousands of years on this earth, and you never experienced anything of the sort? Well, minus the time that your brother put you in a box, that is." He turned his head, pointing toward Klaus.
"Well, thank you for the shout out, Stefan." Klaus winked at his friend.
"I did not meant any insult, you know?" Stefan teased the hybrid.
"None taken." Klaus replied, smirking.
"Oh for God sake, I'm not shy, Salvatore… As long as the said gay or bisexual man prefer someone else than little "me"!" Kol replied, while waving a finger in the air. "I, for myself, prefer the beautiful curves of a woman's breasts and butt." He added, smiling.
"He means the subtle curves of a certain cappuccino flavor witch." Damon whispered, mockingly.
"Did someone asked for your input, Salvatore?" Kol turned on himself to face the said man.
"Nope. I'm just passing the time while I'm in the worst company I could ever imagine!" Damon replied, while passing by Kol's standing position.
"I'm having the worst headache possible at the moment." Petrov robbed his tensed temples.
"I would gladly help you, but then again; I pretty much don't care!" George shrugged, smirking; while advancing from his silent and setback position to walk by their sides.
"Oh? Look! I had almost forgotten that my ex-wife puddle-slash-lover was actually part of the fun!" Mikael pointed toward George, mockingly.
"Not easy to handle a bunch of children, is it, Petrov?" George teased, disregarding Mikael's say to him, with a smile spreading on his manly lips. "And I'm actually including Maria's ex-husband in the bunch."
"I think the young man was able to articulate a question to you." Mikael added, perniciously.
"You won't be offended, I hope; if I actually see you as one of those children also, George?" Ludvig replied, smirking; while holding his pace to face the young vampire. "After all, how many years of difference between you and Maria?"
"Well, you know what they say, Petrov. A younger man in a woman's bed makes her more sexually satisfy after all, than an old one." George replied, while patting Ludvig's left cheek with his right hand.
"It's one – zero for George; my friend." Mikael made the allusion to the Russian man; while retaining his laughter.
"I want to marry Rebecca… Who's willing to give her hand to me in marriage?" Stefan blurred out the question from nowhere, while making the men's walk come to an abrupt halt.
"What did you just say?" Elijah turned on himself to face the young vampire.
"I want to marry your sister, Elijah; if you're willing to give her hand to me in marriage." Stefan repeated, solemnly; while nodding his head.
"Are you sick or something? Fever? Drugs? Hallucinogenic?" Klaus approached his friend, cupping his face; while drowning his sight in Stefan's.
"Would you just let go of me, Klaus?" Stefan pushed Klaus's hands away.
"Ok; let me find a seat somewhere?" Damon dropped his butt on the floor; while lowering his back on the wall. "You may proceed; I don't want to miss a single moment of this ordeal." He added, smirking.
"When you think "things" can't get worst, they actually are; aren't they?" Kol dropped his butt near Damon's sitting position. "Pity we don't have popcorns!"
"What? You knew about this proposal?" Elijah addressed his concerns to Damon.
"Well, yah… My brother, here present; informed your sister Rebekah, Anastassia and myself of his fore come intention of marrying her." Damon nodded his head.
"Damn! We're going to the chapel; you hear that Uncle Petrov?" Kol teased, shrugging his shoulders in a playful way; while making Ludvig roll his eyes to the low corridor ceiling. "Maybe you could actually pay for the all event?" He mocked more, winking.
"First of all, young man…It's not Elijah's prerogative to give his approval or blessing, it is "I" who should!" Mikael pushed his way toward Stefan.
"Oh, are you serious, Mikael?" Stefan exclaimed, outraged. "It's not like you've won the best father of the year award!"
"So this is for real?" Klaus asked, in shock.
"Of course, this is for real! Why is everybody doubting my say?" Stefan scattered the group, mouth opened.
"Well, in all honesty, Stefan, it's not that we are doubting your say per say, but… My sister and you weren't on best terms for the longest time." Elijah came to the mere conclusion; with a single shrug.
"Well; it's changed now. I want to share my life… Or should I say my eternal life with Rebekah." Stefan replied, truthfully.
"Are you sure? It's lunatic Rebekah we're talking about?" Kol commented, astonished by this sudden turn of events.
"Kol, could you just shut up?" Klaus gave a kick on his brother's calf.
"Ouch! It's not like you're not thinking the same, Klaus! It's Rebekah we're talking about, after all?" Kol replied, while rubbing the skin of his calf. "Do you see her married to this guy – Or any guy?"
"Hey? It's me you're talking about!" Stefan objected, vehemently.
"For God sake, can you just all shut up for a minute?" Petrov lashed out, while bringing his walky-talky near his right ear. "Speak!" He placed the order, before hearing Alexay's voice coming out of the device.
"They all woke up, and are pacing back and forth in their cell. Plus, they are in a terrible mood." Alexay warned, dryly.
"Perfect!" Petrov stroke his eyelids. "We're on our way." He ended the exchange. "Gentlemen, if it's not too much of a bother, we'll reprise the wedding talk later. Our women are awaiting us, and our goodbyes to them."
"This is ridiculous! Who do you think they are?" Rebekah cursed, while pacing back and forth in the large cell. "Men… Stupid men, that's what they are!" She added, loudly; while gesturing with her opened arms. "And what is this place, anyway?" She turned her head and sight toward Anastassia.
"Underground cells my father build many years ago to secure his people's life." The Russian woman replied, comfortably sitting on one of the bunk beds; while bouncing a tennis ball on the opposite wall.
"They are hybrids, immortals for God sake; why would Petrov need this place for their safety?" Rebekah asked, dumbfounded.
"They weren't hybrids a short time ago, they could have easily been killed with a sharp piece of wood." Anastassia shrugged her shoulders, mostly uninterested by Rebekah's questions.
"Could you just pay attention for a minute, Queen of the Castle?" Rebekah caught the ball in her left hand.
"Hey! I was playing with that ball – give it back?" The Redhead raised on both legs to face the female Original.
"Are you deaf or blind? This… All of this "shit" is not raising your anger at all?" Rebekah exclaimed, dumbfounded.
"Of course, all of "this" is raising my anger, princess!" Anastassia stomped both of her feet on the concrete floor. "What do you think I am, a fool?" She added, furiously. "You think I'm not hating myself for having been blind to my father's master plan to get rid of me?"
"Oh, sweet child!" Maria exclaimed, while raising on her legs from her sitting position at a nearby table. "I don't really think that your father was aiming to get rid of you per say. He …" She closed her eyes, while taking a deep breath inside her lungs. "They all wanted for us to be save."
"What do you know, anyway? Do you think that fucking my father many centuries ago gives you the privilege to know everything about him?" Anastassia snapped back at Maria.
"Shut up, bitch! You're talking to my mother!" Rebekah pushed the Russian woman on the back wall.
"That's enough both of you!" Maria raised her voice; while making them startle at the order. "I won't accept such vulgar display of anger from either of you, am I clear?"
Both women kept silent, with both arms crossed in front of their respective chest, chins raised in a pouting gesture.
"Rebekah, you need to lower your temper!" Maria added, while approaching her daughter's standing position. "I won't tolerate such behavior from my own daughter, am I clear?"
"Yes; Maria." Rebekah growled, unhappy.
"As for you, young lady; I'm not the enemy here; regardless of you thinking the contrary of me." Maria stood her say and foot on the ground. "It's a fact that I've shared a connection with your father in the past, and that from that brief affair, Nicklaus, your brother, was born. Now I won't apologize to you for either of these events; it wouldn't grant us anything more at the end of the day." She added, hands crossed over her chest. "You're a beautiful woman, with a dynamic personality; don't ruin your assets, young lady, by becoming insufferable!"
"No one have ever talked to me this way!" Anastassia mumbled, angrily, between her teeth.
"Well, let me be the first one then." Maria replied, dryly. "It's clear even to a blind that you need both discipline and love."
"Whatever." Anastassia shrugged, before jumping back into a lying position, on the bottom one of the bunk beds.
"You know; all things consider, Maria; I'm still hesitating into using my witch power between turning your son Kol into the biggest pig there is or a giant fly on the wall, that I could easily mash up with my closed fist, ideas girls?" Bonnie turned her head to scatter the small group.
"Second option sounds about right to me." Rebecca shrugged, uninterested to say the least; by her brother's future as a fly.
"Can I help mashing up the bastard?" Anastassia suggested, a huge smile spreading on her lips.
"It seems quite unanimous? But I wouldn't do something that you did not approve beforehand, Maria?" Bonnie seemed to feel a slight remorse.
"A young woman who seems to have such doubt regarding her vengeance toward my son, is probably a young woman who has already gave a part of her heart to him, or am I mistaking, my dear Bonnie?" Maria questioned, amused; the right corner of her lips raising into a smile.
"He can go to hell for what I care!" Bonnie growled, while biting into her bottom lip. "I'm not, and never will be, the belonging of a man! I'm my own person and it's "me" who should chose for myself – It's certainly not the man who I'm sleep… I mean, "dating", who will decide for myself!"
"Well, I can't argue to that." Maria sighed loudly; while raising her eyes to the low ceiling of their cell. "They have acted without respect to your wishes; even if..." Maria pointed a finger in the air. "Their initial thought was to spare all of us from danger."
"At least Bonnie finally came up with a reasonable and enjoyable plan to lock them all in hell!" Katerina busted, angrily. "Where the burning flame will eat their big asses!" She added, pacing back and forth in front of the cell's bars.
"Hear… Hear…" Rebecca raised her closed right fist in the air, in approval.
"I'm seriously thinking of roasting Damon Salvatore's balls on top of an opened fire." Anastassia grinned; while sliding her left forearm underneath her head. "His cries of pain is already filling me with happiness."
"You're a true romantic, aren't you?" Rebekah winced at the single thought.
"Don't tell me you'll let his brother's action slide?" Anastassia turned her head toward the female Original.
"Oh dear, you're so unaware of what Rebekah Mikaelson is made of, aren't you?" Rebekah let a small laughter escape her lips.
"My sweet, Katerina; I understand your anger toward your husband, but …" Maria approached the young female vampire's standing position, while trying to ease her anger.
"Oh… There's no "but" about it, Maria; do you even realize how much I had to endure since I've married that man? Your son Elijah?" Katerina cut short her sentence, tears filling her eyes. "I went to hell and back for him; I gave all of myself, I was even turned by him." She lashed out, hitting her closed fist on her chest. "And yet, I forgive him once more."
"I know my dear, I was present; but getting yourself all worked up over my eldest will not help the present situation at all." Maria came to the logical conclusion. "Instead, you should hold your ground against him; becoming your "own" woman."
"Oh believe me, I'll hold my ground; alright… My vengeance will be lethal, and delightful." Katerina let a devious smile spread on her pulpous lips.
"Well, that's not fair, tell us?" Rebekah shouted, childishly.
Katerina lowered her head near Maria's before whispering a few words in her ear.
"Oh no, Katerina… This is … I wouldn't … I mean…" Maria stammered through her response; laughter escaping her lips a few seconds later. "It's wicked and really mean of your part; and it will kill him. Well; until he'll realize that it wasn't real that is."
"Isn't it the point after all, Maria? To take my revenge on him?" Katerina arched an eyebrow; arms crossed over her chest, her head tilted to the right. "You know how proud he is about "his" possession, right?"
"Well, it's not like Elijah did not ask for it. They all did!" Maria snapped, herself; while nervously rubbing both hands together; before turning her head toward a very silent Carolina, who sat on a cushion, in a left corner of the cell; while holding a book in her hands. "Carolina, my sweet child?" She called, softly.
"Did you even notice the quantity and quality of books they left for us?" Carolina raised in the air the book she was reading and holding in her hands. "This new Edition of "Pride and Prejudice" is just perfect." She added, smiling; before reprising her read.
Maria turned a worried look toward Katerina and the rest of the female group.
"Are you ok, my dear?" Maria asked, mostly concerned. "You seem … Calmer than usual?" She asked, while approaching Carolina's sitting position.
"I do?" Carolina replied, her smile now plastered on her lips. "Well, I'm enjoying the read, Maria; it's quite good."
"You're telling me that you're able to read "Pride and Prejudice", like "now", at this instant, after what those bastards have done to us?" Anastassia straightened herself in a sitting position. "Hey sister-in-law? Something in the head is not working right?" She added, while pointing toward her right temple.
"Yes, Anastassia; I'm enjoying the book immensely; thank you for asking. There's something very poetic in the way Elizabeth Bennett is literally holding her ground against Mr. Darcy." Carolina commented, grinning.
"Anastassia, for God sake who thought you to be so crude in your say?" Maria exclaimed, in shock.
"My father! Sorry Maria if I'm not reaching your standard of lady-like appropriate." The Russian woman made a reverence, while jumping on her feet.
"My dear, I wasn't present to teach my own daughter how to behave; that doesn't mean she turned badly?" Maria raised a good argument.
"That's "highly" debatable, if I may say." Anastassia rolled her eyes.
"You know what, Anastassia, go fuck yourself!" Rebekah lashed out.
"See what I mean? That's what you're calling "lady-like"?" Anastassia pointed toward Rebekah.
"Never been so happy in all my life to not be related to any of you!" Bonnie commented. "No offense, Maria."
"None taken." Maria replied, while sighing loudly.
"My sister has always been the "romantic" type between the two." Katerina explained, with a shrug. "I've never seen the world with the pink glasses that my sister was wearing." She continued. "And then; I met your asshole of a son; and look at me, now?" She grabbed the bars with both hands. "Stock in a cell, because he has decided I was not worthy of fighting by his side."
"And that is exactly where you're wrong about me, sister. You see, Elizabeth is a human girl; right? And yet, she was intelligent enough to literally play Mr. Darcy to his own game." Carolina commented more; while flipping the pages.
"Oh, I see from where this is coming from." Maria closed her eyes, trying to find courage within herself to address the issued. "My sweet Carolina, the fact that you are human has nothing to do with their decision of holding us hostage."
"Please, forgive me for my bad language, Maria. I couldn't give more of a "Fuck" at the present moment." Carolina lowered her book on her lap. "Because, I knew since the minute we left Petrov's mansion that "all" of this would happen."
"What do you mean you knew?" Anastassia approached their positions; arms crossed over her chest.
"Simple logical deduction of a human girl." Carolina raised her sight to the Russian bombshell, a huge smile spreading on her lips.
"Even so, your "epiphany" is not changing the game as of now, is it?" Anastassia snapped back. "We are still stuck in this cell!"
"No, it's not changing anything at the moment, but my "own" revenge on Petrov certainly will. Care to know?" Carolina replied, looking round on all their dumbfounded expressions plastered on their faces.
Petrov lead the way inside the last corridor leading all the men to the cells. It has been decided that one last visit to the women would be essential before leading their mutual walking steps toward the mountains.
"Ladies!" Petrov greeted them all, a huge welcoming smile spreading on his lips; while approaching the bars of their cells. "I can see that you are finding the accommodations to your liking? Be reassured that this is temporary. In a couple of days, you'll be transported, for lack of better words, to a secure location; into one of my recluse and very private residence."
"Hit me again?" Rebekah asked Bonnie; while holding her set of cards in her hands; disregarding the arrival of the men.
They were all sitting at the table playing poker, excepting for Katerina and Carolina.
"How lovely, they are ignoring our presence while playing cards!" Kol winced, arms crossed over his chest.
"Maria, it's your turn?" Bonnie suggested to the eldest. "You know that my power have increased since I've arrived here? And it's kind of annoying that I don't have someone or something to practice my spell on, would you say?" She confessed, devilishly.
"Oh, they did?" Maria turned her head toward Bonnie. "I'm so sorry; I was so focus in my "hand" of cards that I did not notice that it was my turn." She added, while putting two cards down. "Well, I'm sure that will come a day that you'll be able to use your power on someone or something, my dear Bonnie; it's just a question of time."
"Taking two steps away from the cell now." Kol backed away, while swallowing a lump in his throat, sweat rolling on his forehead. "Please, realize my darling Bonnie that this, having you locked up in a cell, was not my idea, ok? And … Take into consideration that there are certain parts of my anatomy that are really precious to me, and to you also, alright?"
"Katerina?" Elijah slowly approached the cell, before grabbing the bars with both hands.
She remained silent, with her eyes closed; while lying on the bottom of one of the bunk beds.
"Please…" The Original added, while swallowing a lump in his throat. "I need to talk to you, you need to understand… and…" He added. "You're the most precious think that I have, I can't risk losing you; I almost did not so long ago." He concluded, turning his head to give a nasty look to his father Mikael.
"Oh for God sake, Elijah." Mikael rolled his eyes, "How long will I be held responsible for this unfortunate incident or accident, call it what you want?" He added; angrily. "It's not like you're not enjoying your vampire wife at the moment? Is it?"
"Katerina? My son is requesting a meeting with you?" Maria exclaimed, casually turning her head toward the bunk bed, where the young female vampire was resting.
"Is he?" Katerina opened her eyes. "How annoying, I was resting at the moment."
"Oh for God sake, stop fooling around with all of your childish games!" Mikael shouted out at the women, while approaching the cell bars. "You are ungrateful for us wanting to protect all of you that is the most stupid thing ever!"
"You were married to that asshole once?" Anastassia played her role to the perfection.
"Yes, unfortunately I was." Maria sighed loudly and with exasperation.
"It was like a bad one-night stand I gather?" The Russian woman added, perniciously.
"Oh it was even worse than that, my dear." Maria sighed, loudly.
"You weren't always thinking that way, Ingrid!" Mikael growled, loudly.
"Who's Ingrid?" Rebekah questioned her own mother.
"Couldn't say?" Maria shrugged, mostly indifferent; while retaining a laughter from escaping her lips.
"Katerina, please?" Elijah reintegrated his demand. "Stop this foolish game!"
The young female vampire finally jumped away from her lying position on the bunk bed, before approaching the bars.
"What do you want?" She asked, with a raised chin.
"I want you safe, because …" The Original closed his eyes, before adding in a low whisper. "Because I love you so much."
"Mm… How lovely… You have a strange ways to show it, I would say." She raised her chin in a confrontational gesture.
"I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe." He added, dryly; his sight drown in hers.
"Good! And I'll do whatever it will takes to get a divorce from you." She added, perniciously. Revenge was as sweet as she had imagined it to be.
"You don't mean a word of what you're saying." Elijah shook his head, while suddenly blenching at her imply. "Maria; please talk to her?"
"It's your wife, Elijah; why would I put myself in the middle of your relationship?" Maria shrugged, while throwing a few added cards on the table.
"I guess you can't always win, Elijah." Katerina added, perniciously; while crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"Rebekah?" Stefan softly called, while approaching the bars, himself. "Please, I want to talk to you?"
"I hear this buzzing noise of a fly in my ears." Rebekah shook her head, while unplugging both hears with a finger; under the subtle laugher sounds of Maria, Bonnie and Anastassia.
"You're better than this childish games, come on?" Stefan growled, unhappy.
"Did you ever try a fly swatter to get rid of that annoying fly?" Anastassia suggested; while barely retaining her laughter.
"I'll take that into consideration." Rebekah replied, smiling. "Thank you; Anastassia."
"You're welcome, Rebekah!" The bombshell Russian replied, politely.
"Fine! Act childishly; it's such in your nature, anyway!" Stefan replied, furiously; while starting to pace back in forth in front of the cell. "And since when are you two friends, anyway?"
"Do something?" Petrov ordered Damon, in a low whisper; while nodding toward his daughter.
"What? Me? Are you crazy? I'm happy living my eternal life, thank you very much!" Damon responded to the imposing Russian man; before being grabbed by him on his left upper arm. "Hey, hey, hey! You're hurting me!"
"Talk!" Petrov ordered in a louder voice.
"Fine! Geez…" Damon pulled on his jacket; swallowing a lump in his throat before taking a quick glance at the Russian bombshell. "Hey Anastassia!" He called softly, being ignored by the said redhead. "What's new?"
"Oh!" Both Ludvig and Mikael rolled their eyes to the ceiling; before striking their eyelids, with loud growls escaping their lips. That young vampire was as useless as you can get!
"It's your turn?" Bonnie informed Anastassia, before throwing a few cards on the table.
"Do you know that one time, I've literally cut a man manhood in two with a single swirl of my knife?" Anastassia commented, casually, while throwing a few cards herself.
"No?" Both Bonnie and Rebekah exclaimed, mouth opened, playing their parts brilliantly; under the subtitle smirk of Maria.
"Did the poor man lived to see another day?" Rebekah wondered, out loud.
"I don't know, it needs to be seen; the asshole is standing behind you, just ask him if you want?" Anastassia shrugged, indifferent.
"See, Petrov! I call what your daughter is doing, intimidation at its best!" Damon took a few steps back, while pointing toward the Russian's man daughter.
"Where is she?" Klaus, who had been standing in setback, questioned Katerina.
"In the right corner of the cell." Katerina nodded toward her sister; who was still reading, while sitting with her upper body leaning on the back wall. "Sister! Your husband is awaiting to have a word or two with you." She shrugged, before returning to her lying position on the bed.
"You're going to keep playing that game long, Katerina?" Elijah mumbled, angrily; between his teeth.
"It's not a game, Elijah; I want "out" – Find me a way "out" of my relationship with you and I'll be eternally grateful." She replied, before closing her eyes. Take that in the teeth Elijah Mikaelson!
"You will play the same game than your sister?" Klaus asked his wife, while grabbing the cell' bars with both hands.
"No, Klaus." Carolina shook her head, before dropping the book on her lap; to raise her sight in his. "I won't play a childish game … I'll grant you more respect than what you've granted me to start with." She added, chin raised.
"I had no other choices, but the one to keep you safe, Love; you perfectly know it." He responded, under clenched teeth. "You must know how much it had cost me to go along with "his" plan." He pointed toward his biological father; Ludvig Petrov. "I was against it from the start … But…" He lowered his head, sighing loudly. "Carolina, I've hurt you enough; I couldn't … I couldn't have lived with myself if something would or had happened to you."
"Of course, after all I'm the sweet, breakable, very human wife you've chosen." Carolina commented, tears filling her eyes. "And how many times, up to now, did you broke me, Klaus? Do you recall?" She added, perniciously.
"Don't…" The hybrid shook his head, wincing. "For once, I've put my own selfishness on the side for your own good, and against my better judgement."
"No, Klaus; you've always put your own selfishness ahead of me." Carolina replied, dryly; grabbing the book. "Go! Leave … It's not like I have anything to say in the matter." She added, brushing a tear away from her left cheek.
"You're proud of yourself, Ingrid?" Ludvig asked, loudly. "You perfectly know that I had the obligation to keep all of them safe, including you! You saw the kind of monster we're about to fight."
Maria closed her eyes, pushing the chair to raise on both legs; before turning on herself to advance toward the bars.
"I'm not debating your mere intention to keep them, including myself; out of danger, Ludvig; I'm debating your barbaric ways to achieve your goal!" Maria replied, dryly; her sight narrowed on him.
"There was a time; you wouldn't have called me barbaric!" He mumbled, angrily; between his teeth.
"And yet, here we are!" She responded, chin raised.
"Pity your new Prince Charming had come to see you in this cell, but, when he saw your childish behavior, he left! Would you call him barbaric or simply a coward?" Petrov commented, slyly; under Maria's blenched expression. "Let's go; we're leaving!" He ordered the men. "As for you all…" He added to the women, before scattering the cell. "You'll stay in here for a couple of days, then my men will bring you to a remote location; where you'll be kept safe."
Ingrid (Esther/Maria) & Ludvig'
More than a thousand of years before this day…
Ingrid walked on the small footpath leading to the river, with Ludvig strolling by her side.
"It's hot and humid today; I think a thunderstorm is upon us." The imposing man raised his sight on the menacing set of clouds above their heads.
"More reasons to hurry my washing task then." Ingrid replied, while carrying a big basket of dirty laundry in her arms, a smile spreading on her lips.
"Let me help you carry this basket for you, Ingrid?" Ludgiv hurried by her side to grab the load.
"Oh… It's really not necessary, I can handle carrying it you know?" She smiled shyly; redness filling her cheeks. "But, thank you."
"I insist." He replied, returning her smile. "So… Did he left with your sons?"
"Yes, Elijah and Finn went hunting with their father for a couple of days." Ingrid replied, amused. "Granted, they won't hunt wild boar or anything of the sort."
"I figured that much." Ludvig winked; while making her blush, once more. "I think he finally came to terms with his fear toward my people, or am I presuming wrongly?"
"Your friendship helped heal his worries a lot." Ingrid replied, nodding. "He understands your people's ways of living now, and the fact that you're living in peace among other species and humans."
"I hope you know that we're transforming and hunting essentially on fool moons; while keeping our distance from your village; Ingrid?" Ludvig tried to reassure her.
"I know." Ingrid nodded; while coming to a halt in front of the river. "Sometimes, he does too; and then he forgets to trust again. That's how my husband is." She shrugged. "Thank you." She grabbed the basket from his hands, before lowering it on the ground; only to kneel by the water to start washing the clothes.
"Are you happy; Ingrid?" Ludvig asked, unexpectedly.
"I don't know what you mean?" Why would you ask such question?" Ingrid, nervously, swallowed a lump in her throat. "Maybe … Maybe you should cross the river and get back to your camp before the storm hit us?" She suggested, to make a diversion; while raising her sight to the dark sky.
"I'll take that as a "no"." Ludvig nodded, his sight narrowed on the young woman.
"What do you want me to respond to you, Ludvig?" Ingrid passed the back of her right hand on her sweaty forehead. "Of course, I'm happy!" She raised on both legs, before facing the werewolf man. "I have two healthy sons, a husband who's providing for me, with a good roof over my head, and food."
"What about passion?" Ludvig replied, taking an extra step toward the woman's standing position. "Is he a passionate man toward you?"
"What?" Ingrid exclaimed, redness filling both of her cheeks. "You're crossing a line. You can't ask me such question! And though, I'll be eternally grateful that you've saved Finn from drowning, I won't permit you to spread such implies about me and my husband. I love my husband. I always will!"
"But… Are you still "in love" with your husband, Ingrid?" Ludvig asked; his sight drown in her blurry eyes.
"I …" Ingrid started, turning her back at the tall man while facing the river; arms wrapped around her own chest. "He's your friend now, and … and I'm his wife, do you understand what I'm saying, Ludvig?" She managed to whisper; sinfully.
"I do, Ingrid. But, it does little to calm the intense forbidden desire I have for you." Ludvig whispered the admission; his breath caressing her left earlobe, while both of his hands slowly slide around her waist; before abruptly bringing her trembling body in full contact with his muscular chest. "I desire you so much …" He whispered more, his lips leaving a trail of fire down on the soft curve of her neck. "And I know you desire me too." He added, before grabbing Ingrid's chin to turn her head toward his, to finally meet her lips in a passionate kiss.
She let out a small cry of protestation, in a vain attempt to regain a small part of her dignity; before succumbing to her obvious attraction to this man. He made her turn around and face him, with her lips devouring his with as much passion as he granted her at that moment.
Both of Ludvig's hands suddenly grab the small ribbon of her cleavage, ripping apart the front panel of her dress, kneeling in front of her; with his lips finding, shortly after, the valley of her breasts, before eagerly sucking on her erected nipples.
"Oh…" She let a whisper of pleasure escape her lips, eyes closed, head bend toward the back; with both of her hands buried in his brown strands.
"Ingrid…Ingrid…" Her named escape his own lips several times, his hands softly rubbing her lower back and delicious curve of her bottom.
"No, no … We can't do this!" She regained her conscious mind, before pushing Ludvig at arm length, only to bring both panels of her dress on her exposed chest. "Stay away from me! This … This never happened!" She warned him with a raised finger toward him.
"Ingrid, please… Let me just…" Ludvig rose back on his legs, repentant.
"No, stay away from me!" She busted, before grabbing the basket and rushing back toward the village.
"When?" Anastassia asked Carolina, while pacing back and forth in the cell.
"Soon… It should be soon; stop asking me that question, would you?" Carolina replied, while nervously rubbing her hands together, her sight fixated on the cell' door.
"I can't stop asking questions, because I can't grasp the idea that "you", of all women present here, would be the one coming up with a plan to free all of us from this place?" Anastassia confessed.
"It's not because I'm human that I'm stupid, Anastassia." Caroline mumbled, angrily, between her teeth. "Actually, it's because I don't think too highly of myself that I was able to see the bigger picture in front of my eyes. You, of all people, did not see your own father's manoeuver."
"Well, thanks for reminding me of that fact!" Anastassia winced, disdainfully.
"Will this suppose "ally" of yours, free us from this cell?" Rebekah asked; hopeful.
"Yes! For the thousands of times, yes!" Carolina nodded. "If being a vampire means becoming annoying as all of you; I want nothing of it!" She sighed, loudly; while closing her eyes to calm herself down.
A few seconds later the door opened on a very cheerful Vittorio.
"Ladies! Your Prince Charming has finally arrived!" He exclaimed, theatrically; while throwing a few army bags at their feet.
"Oh my God! I'm going to kill you!" Anastassia lashed out at her friend; before hitting his chest of her closed fists, only to throw herself in his opened arms after. "Why did you kept this secret from me?" She questioned, before taking a step away.
"Frankly my dear, I kept this secret to preserve my own skin against the lethal hands of your father." Vittorio replied, while turning his head toward Carolina. "And you; young lady, you've put Vittorio in a compromising situation." He added, crossing both of his arms in front of his muscular chest, with his chin raised in the air.
"You owed me one, Vittorio; I simply collected sooner than I thought." Carolina replied, before giving him a hug.
"Perhaps; but Petrov will certainly hang Vittorio's balls to a tree in the middle of the Sahara desert now!" He expressed his worries.
"If he does that; I'll set his ass on fire." Bonnie promised, with a single wink.
"Well, that's kind of reassuring." The warlock let a sigh of relief escape his lips. "So, I brought camouflage outfits for all of you; blood bags, food for the lovely Carolina, all kind of weapons, blankets, water, sleeping bags… All the shebang you'll need to reach the mountains."
"It's kind of you, Vittorio." Maria thanked him, while grabbing one of the said bags.
"My lady, you are mostly welcome!" The warlock made a reverence in front of Maria. "I'll need to leave now, to catch up with them; or they'll be suspicious of my whereabouts." The warlock gave final hugs to all of them. "Tada!" He waved his right hand to all of them, before disappearing from their sights.
"What now?" Bonnie asked, while undressing herself to grab the camouflage clothes in one of the bags.
"Are we following their walking path, before showing ourselves to them?" Rebekah asked, while pulling the army pants up on her legs. "I can't wait to see their speechless expressions plastered on their faces."
"Not yet." Maria announced, unceremoniously; while glancing at Anastassia; who nodded in agreement, in return.
"What do you mean?" Katerina asked. "We are not porcelain dolls, Maria; the fact that we are women shouldn't be held back against us for fighting the same war as they do?"
"I've never said that, my dear." Maria waved a finger in front of Katerina's face. "On the contrary, Anastassia and myself; we'll train all of you into combat."
"What?" Bonnie exclaimed, a smile spreading on her face. "This is unreal!"
"After all, we've been trained by the same man." Maria added, while addressing a smile to the Russian woman. "Petrov Ludvig trained both of us into combat. It's time for us to show you our skills."
"But… Maria; how … I mean, how could you even remember what Petrov told you about combat in the past?" Carolina asked, dumbfounded.
"You have regained your memory, haven't you?" Katerina exclaimed, in shock; while grabbing both of Maria's hands.
Maria let a shy smile spread on her lips, while nodding her head in approval of Katerina's say.
"I have, my sweet child." Maria replied.
"How… I mean, how do you feel?" Katerina asked, before giving the patriarch lady a hug.
"I try to not let those memories take the best of me." She replied, calmly.
"Maria, Please reassure me that this training is including me?" Carolina wondered, closed fists placed on each side of her tensed body. "Please, don't give me the "you are human" speech; or if so, have the decency to turn me as a vampire, if needed?" The young woman added. "I'm the one who saved all your asses for God sake!"
"But you are a human, Carolina. And … If we did not think about that fact; we would be stupid bitches about it." Anastassia replied, both hands placed on each side of her waist.
"Anastassia, lower your voice?" Maria asked, politely; with a hand gesture. "And, my sweet Carolina, you are the master mind of this female team, no one will disagree that mere fact; but…" She added, concerned.
"But, nothing Maria! I have the right to decide my own destiny!" Carolina pointed a straight finger to her bulged chest.
"Oh for fucking sake! You're leading yourself to your own death!" Anastassia busted, once more.
"I have to agree with Anastassia, which is huge for me." Rebekah commented, rolling her eyes. "Carolina; you and Katerina are dear to me, but you're still a human girl, you know?"
"You're not improving your speech, young lady." Maria scuffed the Russian woman. "Something that we'll have to include in the training I suppose?" She added, mostly to herself.
"Be realistic! We can't bring her with us; but we certainly can bring her to a safe place; where she'll be able to not feel like a prisoner." Anastassia tried to make Maria understand her point of view. "For God sake, Katerina, help me make Maria understand my point of view, Carolina is your sister after all."
Katerina turned her head toward her younger sister. So much had happened the past few months; and yet … How could she let Carolina go now? Though, it would be the logical step to take to assure her safety.
"No." The young female vampire shook her head. "She's my sister, and she'll stay with me." She grabbed Carolina's left hand in hers, to reassure the young woman.
"Thank you." Carolina let a small smile spread on her lips, tears filling her eyes.
"Anytime, sister." Katerina added, with a single nod.
"Then, it has been decided." Maria nodded herself in approval. "I was leading to take that same decision myself. When I was trained by your father, I was myself a witch like Bonnie, but still human – Therefore, Carolina can accompany us." Girls, grab your bags and belongings; we have a few weeks of hard training upon ourselves!"
Two weeks of intense training later …
Anastassia dropped her knife near her army bag, letting the girls rest near the opened camp fire, before rejoining Maria who was standing in setback position of the group. Though, the Russian female vampire had more than one valid reason to hate the mother of her half-brother; with time she had learned to respect her – and even see her as a mother figure.
"Can I talk to you?" Anastassia murmured near Maria's right ear.
"Sure, what's on your mind, Anastassia?" Maria turned her head toward the redhead.
"Carolina is slowing us down. When she is not dizzy, she's vomiting her guts, or she's lying down on her sleeping bag." She presented her argument to the patriarch woman. "Please Maria, don't tell me you haven't notice?"
"I did." Maria nodded, while letting a long sigh escape her lips.
"We can't keep Carolina around, Maria; for her own safety and for ours." Anastassia kept her ground.
"Unfortunately my dear; it's not our decision to make. If so, that would make us as bad as the men." Maria replied, crossing her arms in front of her chest. "It Klaus's. He should be the one to bring her into safety."
"When we'll catch up with them, will my half-brother have the time to bring his wife to safety? Time is against us, Maria." Anastassia argued.
"Oh my dear; it's not the "when" that is assuring me that he will, it's the "what" that will push him to do it." Maria turned her head to stare into Anastassia's eyes.
"I … I don't understand?" The Russian shook her head; dumbfounded.
"If my estimation is right, you will soon… Very soon." Maria raised her right hand to caress the young female vampire's right cheek, before retracing her steps back to the camp fire.
"Please, don't make leave… I feel better, Maria. I must have caught the bug of the flu or something; that explains why I've been so sick lately." Carolina tried to argue her case.
"Oh my sweet child; what a gift from heaven that my son Nicklaus has met you in those strange circumstances of a foreign-arranged marriage." Maria grabbed Carolina's chin, in a motherly way.
"Please, I'll catch up with the training." Carolina grabbed both of Maria's wrists in hope of making her reconsider.
"Can I?" Maria politely asked her step-daughter to raise her tunic above her belly button.
"Why?" Carolina whispered, with a shivering voice.
"Please?" Maria reintegrated her demand; before slowly raising the fabric on the small apparent bump.
"I don't know … I don't understand what is going on?" Carolina stammered through her explanation. "Maybe, it's some kind of a tumor?" She added, tears filling her eyes.
"Oh sweet child; it's nothing of the sort, you're pregnant." Maria announced, unceremoniously.
"It's impossible." Carolina shook her head.
"I won't judge. I won't think less of you. If, you've been with another man than my son." Maria grabbed both of Carolina's hands, before bringing them near to her heart. "I've been in your position, I can understand that life is never all white or black, and sometimes; we stand in the grey."
"Wait? What? No!" Carolina exclaimed in shock. "I've been intimate with one man only, and it's your son Klaus!"
"How is this even possible?" Maria frowned, in questioning.
"What… What is happening to me, Maria? I can't… I can't be pregnant, can I?" Carolina stammered, nervously.
"I … I don't know, sweet child; I don't know." Maria whispered, softly; while pulling Carolina into the comfort of her arms. "But, I'll get to the bottom of this."
More than a thousand years before this day …
It was a full moon and since the arrival of Ludvig's people, the village had been set under a strict curfew in the early hours of the evening. Ingrid took a quick look outside, while sliding the wood panel placed in front of the small window, in their hut. Her husband was still miles away with both of her boys, in a hunting trip. It had took a lot of arguments from Ingrid's part, for him to agree to leave on that trip; while knowing that a full moon was upon them. But, since the arrival of Ludvig's group of werewolves, a few months ago, not a single accident had occurred in the village. The man had kept his promise to keep them all safe, in harmony and peace.
Granted their encounter near the river, a few days ago; had shaken the young witch, deep down in her core. She was attracted to Ludvig; more than words could describe; but she was also still very much in love with her husband.
Ingrid grabbed a bucket, before pushing the wood panel to grant her the chance to step outside. She had completely forgotten to fill their water reserve and now she had no other choices but to walk, under the full moon, near the river; to fill her bucket of water.
She hurried her walk down the foot path, raising the long skirt above her calves to help her steps. It's at that particular moment that she heard the loud growls of the animal.
She froze, dropping the bucket at her feet, while slowly meeting the intense and luminous glance of the magnificent supernatural creature. Her actions had been stupid to leave the comfort of her hut, to wander around on a full moon.
"Oh my God! Please… Grant me the courage." She whispered to herself; signing a cross in front of her chest.
The werewolf growled some more, howling to the moon; before slowly approaching her standing position. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see when the animal would attack her. She was surprised to feel the tip of its snout touching her left hand, before slowly licking its back.
"Oh…" She exclaimed, in shock, while opening her eyes, before letting herself fall in a kneeling position on the grass, losing all strength in her legs.
The werewolf lay down by her side, its yellowish eyes drown in hers.
"Ludvig?" She questioned, almost certain that this imposing animal was actually his supernatural version.
As simple response, the animal lowered his head on her lap; to which she softly caressed its head, before a few minutes later seeing him regain his human appearance.
"I'm so sorry, Ingrid; Please forgive me, I can't lose your friendship?" Ludvig begged her indulgence.
"There's nothing to forgive." She shook her head, tears rolling on her cheeks; her fingers softly caressing his tick and soft hair.
Ludvig raised his head and sight in hers; before straightening his laying position into a sitting one.
Ingrid felt a burning fire reaching her cheeks; if his werewolf appearance was magnificent; his naked human one was not less attractive.
"I need to train you… I need to train you into combat… To show you how to protect yourself." He suggested, while raising his right hand to caress her cheeks, his right thumb sliding on her parted lips.
"Ok." She nodded, not understanding his speech' incoherencies of the moment.
"You're beautiful… So, beautiful…" He whispered more; while mouthing the words in top of her mouth.
"So are you." She responded; before feeling his lips crashing on hers.
He laid her down on the grass, his own naked body rolling in top of her own; while both of his hands were slowly caressing the soft curves of her hips; their mutual lips never partying.
He finally raised the witch in his arms, in one prompt lifting of her body by his muscular arms.
"Ludvig, what … What are you doing?" Ingrid stammered, nervously; while wrapping both arms around his neck to keep her equilibrum.
"Tonight woman you're mine! I don't care about your husband, the moon, the world … I'll find peace only when I'll find myself buried deep inside of you." He announced, unceremoniously, before walking down the path leading to his own village, and abode.
The men…
"We're approaching the mountains now." Ludvig held his pace to turn on himself to face the convoy. "We'll set the camp here." He nodded, while ordering Alexay to proceed.
"As you wish." Alexay nodded, in respect; before signing the others to hold their pace to set the camp.
"Remind me of never, never, EVER go camping with uncle Petrov in a near future." Kol growled, unhappy; while lowering his backpack on the ground.
"Do you hear the whining of your son, Mikael? He's pasting against me." Petrov let a small laugh escape his lips.
"Oh this isn't pasting or being mad, yet, Petrov; just give me some time, and I'll reach that point." Kol replied, unhappy.
"Oh come on, Kol… Where's your feisty side of adventure?" Mikael replied, amused.
"Maybe it's the scruff on all of our faces, including his own, that is displeasing him?" Petrov shrugged, teasing.
"Actually; I wouldn't say "no" to a warm shower, and a clean bed!" Kol exclaimed, while scattering their present creek whereabouts.
"Are your done grumbling like a woman?" Stefan rolled his eyes to the night sky; before throwing his own bag to the ground. "Even Rebekah would find in herself to be less of a girl than yourself!"
"Less than a girl? Anastassia wouldn't grumbled as much as him!" Damon commented, himself; while setting a death silence in the group. "Sorry, didn't mean to mention her or them, as a matter of fact."
"No… It's me who mentioned Rebekah the first." Stefan waved his right hand as a forgiven gesture.
"They are a big part of our life." Elijah responded, toneless, before dropping his backpack, his right hand sliding on the beard covering his chin and jaw. "We did what we thought was necessary to keep them all safe."
"And the fact that my own wife, mother and sisters are resenting us for being huge assholes and pigs are graciously offered by my biological father, Ludvig Petrov, here present!" Klaus lashed out, pointing toward his father, before throwing his bag on the ground; his right foot kicking its side a second later.
"I see." Ludvig nodded, a tensed nerve playing in the inside of his left cheek. "If you prefer to throw the ball in my side of the camp to release your anger and feel more like a man, you certainly can, Nicklaus."
"Don't give me this crap of yours, Ludvig!" Klaus busted, advancing toward his biological father's standing position; closed fists placed on each side of his waist.
"Klaus! Get a grip on yourself!" Elijah intercepted his brother, while holding his momentum.
"What Elijah? Don't tell me it's not eating you alive the kind of betrayal you've done to Katerina?" Klaus shouted to his brother.
"It is! More than you could even start to imagine. She wants to divorce me, Klaus, what do you think?" Elijah replied, sadness filling his eyes and voice; with his right hand placed on his brother's chest. "But, we, all, have agreed to this; we can't throw the blame essentially on "him"." He added, with a rapid glance toward Petrov.
"Your son is a wise man, Mikael." Ludvig came to the conclusion.
"And yours is a proud one, we're kind of even." Mikael replied, courteous; while slapping Petrov's higher back in a friendly way.
"Good evening, gentlemen!" A loud greeting cut the silence; while making them startle and raise their heads on top of the small creek to stare at the group of women in front of their sights.
"What the …?" Kol exclaimed; speechless. "Bonnie?" He mouthed the name, his sight drown in hers.
"Fuck! … Ingrid!" Ludvig finished Kol's sentence, while raising his sight toward his past lover and daughter. They were all standing in heads to tails, while holding weapons in their hands. "Vittorio!" He shouted, angrily.
"Yes, master?" The said warlock appeared, while standing behind Kol to protect himself. "You called me?"
"What is this mockery?" The imposing Russian man pointed toward the group of women. "It could only be you who freed them?"
"Actually, it wasn't my idea." Vittorio swallowed a lump in his throat, while holding Kol for his dear life.
"Would you… just… step back!" Kol squirmed to free Vittorio's grip on him.
"Oh come on, Ludvig; aren't you happy to see us? You're not going to say "hi"?" Maria jumped from rock to rock to join their camp' position, with the other women closed on her heels. "And let this poor Vittorio go and alone, would you? It's not his fault if he was able to recognized brilliant minds in the ones of women? Right?"
"You have always acted against my own wishes, good sense and logic, why am I even surprised to see this is not different than your past actions, Esther?" Mikael growled, himself; while pacing back and forth, unhappy by this sudden turn of event.
"What is this …?" Alexay reached the spectacle, short in words; while dropping the pieces of woods he was carrying, only to stand in total shock.
"Don't even mention it; Alexay." Petrov knocked the tip of his army boot on a rock.
"What good this is going to bring at the end, Esther?" Mikael placed himself at a near inch of his past wife. "You're placing all of them in danger! You're placing your own daughters in danger for God sake!"
"It's Maria now, Mikael. But, you weren't never the type to see the all picture, weren't you?" She titled her head, teasing. "You see, Ludvig trained me into combat in the past. Remember the time you went hunting with the boys? Well, it was the same time that Klaus was conceived actually."
"I don't want to hear about the past!" The patriarch Original responded, under clenched teeth.
"Of course, you've always buried your head in the sand, haven't you?" Ingrid responded, dryly. "Not even realizing that you weren't bringing joy to our home anymore, or passion into my heart."
"Is there a fucking point to all of this?" Ludvig exclaimed, unhappy. "And you!" He pointed toward his daughter Anastassia.
"Yes; what is it daddy? You will punish me? Forbidding me ice cream for a week?" Anastassia approached her father's position, before raising her right hand to softly slap his left cheek. "You want to bet that I could punish you too?" She pointed the tip of her dagger underneath his throat. "And you?" She turned on herself to face Damon.
"Oh dear God!" Damon exclaimed, while backing away and swallowing a lump in his throat. "Now, now, Anastassia… Be nice!" He suggested, both hands raised to stop her momentum. "Nothing that a good whipping session wouldn't cure? Agree?" He added, his back hitting a tree.
"Eww…" Stefan shook his head at the simple idea, while wincing. "Please, Damon… Just stop the visual, would you?"
"I'll crush your balls until they become sands in my hands!" She warned him, angrily; while lowering her upper body on his. "And then; I'll cut another part of your anatomy, slowly … Very slowly…To take my revenge." She pointed the tip of the dagger over his crotch area.
"Duly noted." Damon nodded, eyes closed.
"Now, now … Darling!" Kol raised both hands in front of the witch who was slowly walking in his direction, her sight narrowed on her victim. "I'm sure we can discuss this little disagreement, like adults, right?"
"Mm… I don't think so, honey bunch!" Bonnie raised the sword in her hands, while slowly sliding the tip of her fingers on the sharp blade. "You see…I'm kind of debating two options, Kol."
"Maybe we could discuss about them, sweetie pie?" He suggested, drops of sweat rolling on his temple. "See… Maybe, we could come to a really good agreement?" He added, before losing his equilibrium and finding himself into a sitting position on the ground.
"Are you nervous, Kol?" Bonnie wondered, with raised eyebrows; while unexpectedly plunging the sword between his legs, at a near centimeter of his crotch area. "Oh? Did it hurt? I'm so sorry… You see, I've learned a thing or two with the help of Anastassia and Maria. I don't even need my magic to this point." She shrugged, smiling.
"Please, don't hurt me; it wasn't my idea, Bonnie?" Kol begged, his sight drown in hers.
"Mm… I'm still debating to this point what your punishment should be." She announced, unceremoniously.
"Oh for God sake, can we stop this all theatrical staging?" Petrov exclaimed, angrily.
"Why? Afraid of the girls, Ludvig?" Maria wondered out loud, a smile spreading on her lips.
"My father underestimated us, obviously." Anastassia retraced her steps toward the Russian man' standing position; under the sight of relief of Damon.
"Ok, fine! And so you know, I've never underestimated any of you, daughter!" He growled, loudly. "I wanted for all of you to be safe, big difference!"
"Still, the astonishment on your face was priceless!" Rebekah stepped forward, her sight narrowed on Stefan. "Something to say for yourself?"
"I won't deny my own behavior or decision in this matter." Stefan shook his head, while keeping his sight locked with the blonde's.
"You've always been truthful and honest, Stefan; I can't say otherwise." Rebekah nodded, in respect.
"I've asked your brother Elijah for your hand in marriage, Rebekah." The young vampire announced, ceremoniously. "I'm still waiting for his reply, but … My decision to follow Petrov's wish, came into the fact that I couldn't lose my future wife."
"And yet it would be ok for me to lose you; while you will combat this monster? Or did I misunderstood?" Rebekah raised her chin, in a confrontational gesture.
Stefan blenched under her imply, lowering his head and nervously rubbing his hands together.
"Fair enough." He finally commented.
"Under your decision and my own feelings in the matter, I can tell you that under no circumstance will I "ever" accept to marry you." Rebekah added, toneless.
"You don't mean it." Stefan narrowed his eyes on the blonde vampire.
"When did I ever not meant what I was saying to you?" Rebekah arched an eyebrow, before turning on her heels to retrace her steps near Maria's standing position.
"Rebekah, please… Just take time…" Elijah tried to appease the tension.
"No, you have lost the right to even put your nose in my personal affair; Elijah." She waved a finger at his own say. "Stay out of it; and while you are at it; stay out of my life as well."
The Original nodded, nervously passing a nervous hand through his tangled dark hair.
"Where's my wife, mother?" The eldest of the Originals asked, while trying to keep his calm.
"I wasn't sure you still care about Katerina, Elijah?" Maria responded, while turning her sight toward her son.
"Of course I care, she is my wife; damn it!" He replied, hitting his bulged chest with a closed fist.
"A wife you couldn't have care less when you drugged her and imprisoned her behind bars." He heard a distinct recognizable voice behind his back. He turned on himself to face the gorgeous brunette, but he couldn't have predicted the turn of event. His left arm was twisted in his back; a strong kick hit his right calve, while his throat was imprisoned with an strong arm; before he could feel himself projected on the ground a knife placed under his Adam's apple; while his wife straddle him like she would a horse! "Now, this is more like it, Elijah; would you say?" Katerina questioned, a devious smile spreading on her lips; under the busts of laughter of all women.
"I see…You certainly know your way around now." Elijah managed to articulate, his sight buried in his wife's. God she was more beautiful and even sexier now! "You wanted to make a point, Katerina? The one that you like to be on top? That's one that I already knew about you." He added, with much perversity. "And why would you even care? Aren't you divorcing me, after all?" He questioned, realizing how she had lure him into believing a false imply; while also creating a small laughter among the men as well.
She startled at his say, redness filling her cheeks.
"Yes, I wanted to make a point, Elijah. The one that you are a jerk who deserved a lesson!" She busted to his face; before releasing her grip on him and raising back on her legs. The heat of his body, so near from her own, had unbalanced Katerina's plan to take a revenge on her husband.
"Duly noted, wife!" He replied, raising on his legs himself; a huge grin appearing on his lips.
"Can we agree now, Ludvig, that we are part of your team; or do you need more demonstrations?" Maria questioned the Russian leader; with an arched eyebrow.
"Fine! It's not like I have any other choices in the matter." He growled, unhappy.
They all turned their heads toward the new arrival, Maria finally facing George, who slowly lowered several wood logs on the ground.
"Maria." He nodded, respectfully; while greeting her, toneless.
"George." She replied, while swallowing a lump in her throat.
"You look well." He added, seriously; without showing an ounce of emotions.
"So do you." She commented. "As you can see, I've … Or should I say, we've managed to escape."
"I've never doubted that you would." George sighed, loudly. "You're a strong woman, Maria; it something that I've always knew about you. Now if you would excuse me." He added, before turning on his heels to retrace his steps toward the forest.
"I bet you never saw that one coming at you, Maria? George's indifference toward you?" Mikael commented, perniciously.
"Where's Klaus?" Maria asked, while trying to hold herself together over her encounter with George.
They all scattered the premises without seeing a sign of the hybrid.
"I guess my son is searching for his wife." Ludvig replied, as logical explanation.
"Klaus? Please wait, you don't even know where she is." Maria shouted, while closing the space between them.
"Where is Carolina? Is she ok?" Klaus followed his mother through a path of small rocks.
"She's fine. Just a bit tired." Maria replied, while leading the way. "You know it's actually Carolina who came up with this all evasion idea and plan." She turned her head to wink at her son. "She's very intelligent, this wife of yours."
"Why I am not surprised." The hybrid let a grin spread on his manly lips. "She's a small ball of fire, powerful and fearless; Maria. Perfect in every way."
"It's not a surprise to me, either; that she was able to tame you, my son." Maria added, teasingly.
"She didn't tame me!" Klaus replied, defensively; being hit hard in his male pride.
"She didn't? Really? I could swear differently." Maria grinned.
"Ok, maybe she did a little bit." He whispered, redness reaching both of his cheeks.
"I tame you a lot, Nicklaus Mikaelson!" They both heard the shouting, before raising their heads at the blonde apparition standing on a large nearby rock. "You're just too much of a coward to admit it."
"Carolina…" Her name escaped his lips, in a desperate call; before he could rush toward her.
"Don't even take another step in my direction!" She shouted, a straight finger pointed toward him. "You need to explain yourself."
"I was against all of it, I swear to you. Please, believe me, Love?" He shook his head, admitting the truth.
"Maria?" Carolina questioned the Patriarch woman.
"I believe him." She confirmed, with a single nod, hands crossed over her chest; while standing in setback. "He knew he would be crossing a thin line with you."
"Tell me more?" Carolina asked, arms crossed over her chest, chin raised in a confrontational gesture.
"I was completely against it. I … I betrayed you too oftentimes in the past; and … I would have preferred to know that you were nearby me, than far away." Klaus admitted, repentant.
"But?" Carolina asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"But… You're human Carolina; and … I couldn't forgive myself if something had happened to you. You're my life, Love." Klaus gave his heart to her.
"Maria?" Carolina called, once more; tears filling her eyes.
"Oh… He's a sweet talker like his father." Maria concluded, with a smile reaching her lips and eyes. "But, he seems sincere."
"Now, can I hold you…Can I kiss you?" Klaus begged his wife. "Because I don't think I could held myself much longer."
"Not quite yet, my son." Maria raised on her legs, rapidly glancing at Carolina's standing position; who, herself, swallowed a lump in her throat.
"What is it?" Klaus frowned, concerned. "What are you both hiding from me?"
"You've been the only one for me, Klaus … Please, believe me … When I'm saying this to you?" Carolina begged, while nervously rubbing her hands together.
"What… What do you mean, Love? Of course, I've been the only one!" Klaus raised both eyebrows, in questioning. "Mother?" He turned his head toward Maria's standing position, drowning his sight in hers to find the truth in her eyes.
"Carolina…" Maria closed her eyes for a few second, to give herself strength. "Carolina is pregnant, Nicklaus." She finally confessed, over the speechless expression of her son.
Thank you, as always, for reading the "Fool me twice…" chapter, guys!
I laughed a lot while writing this update, you have no idea how much! Talk about revenge ;) Wasn't it the best thing ever? High five for the women! ;) I also enjoyed immensely the back story of our beloved Ludvig and Ingrid (Esther/Maria). And the end? Oh boy! Petrov must prepared himself, because an enraged Klaus is coming his way – big time!
Thanks for your patience at waiting for the new update. The past month has been one of the hardest for me, one of my family members has been operated, and I've been sick and exhausted at the same time… To make it short, I had low energy, if none, to write. And that made me grumpy; because writing is such a pleasure for me; and I'm trying my best to make you wait the minimum time for the new updates of all my stories (while putting in priority my life' obligations). So, thank you, again, for your unconditional love of this saga story, your patience and understanding; it goes to my heart.
Love you all;
Lovely Vero
Thank you for all the anonymous reviews received, guys!
My answers are below.
Guest wrote… The story is really good and I loved the Kennett parts: Thank you so much for your kind appreciation, sweetie. I am happy to have you aboard this saga – Enjoy the ride and the read ;)
SAM: Hi sweetie! Like I've said in my writer's note, sorry for the long delay, but life has been very hectic for me lately. His said; your review made me smile. You are right! The men brought this comeback to themselves! They did not saw the reverse of medal coming their way; that is a sure thing! Hope you will appreciate the revenge of the women ;) Thanks for your awesome presence in this story, and your awesome combacks!
Guest wrote… You should make Anastassia preggers, I would like to see that one haha: You want Damon to be killed by Petrov? ;) LOL … Well, that could be fun, if the story was more centered on that pairing, I give you that … Thanks for the funny review, sweetie.
Guest wrote… Great chapter and again what chapter did it mention that Carolina was pregnant. It was implied in a few chapters (near Petrov's party); by a scheme between Ludvig and Alexay, who had put a plan in place to make Carolina pregnant from Klaus. The official announcement is here and now, though, sweetie ;)
If I have forgotten someone in the responses to the anonymous reviews, it was not intentional, and I thank you for it!