A/N: For Elena Mikaelson

The smell of blood pervaded the corridors. Sitting by the fire, the hybrid massaged his temples and stared contemplatively into the flames. His nose twitched, the familiar scent of blood stirring his stomach. He disregarded it at first, too lost in his own thoughts, but as the scent grew stronger he lifted his head and fully registered the implications. He got to his feet and headed down the corridor, following his nose. As he walked, a sense of dread began to settle in the pit of his stomach. His footsteps slowed as he came to the door where the scent was strongest.

"No…" Surely she wouldn't… she wouldn't do that. Something stirred inside him that he'd not felt for a long time.

He heard a low rattling cough from inside the room and the stench grew stronger. He darted to the door, drawing the key from his pocket, hands fumbling as he hurriedly sort to fit it in the lock. As quick as he moved, he dreaded what he might find on the other side and almost feared to open it, to confirm what he suspected.

The door swung open. Pale moonlight shone through the narrow window, illuminating the body on the floor in shades of black and silver. She was curled up, one arm loosely wrapped around her stomach, the other outstretched beside her. A bottle lay discarded on the ground, just out of reach of her slim fingers. Her eyes were open and she stared out of the window, the ghost of a smile on her lips. She might have been lost in some pleasant daydream.

At first he didn't see the blood. It was nearly invisible on the wooden floor, but as he drew nearer to her, he felt the moisture under his foot and faltered. He crouched down, his own fingers skimming across the dampened wood. He lifted them to his nose, already knowing the scent that would greet him. The scent that he both despised and treasured above all.

He reached for the girl, turning her onto her back. Her lips were painted crimson, the crude lipstick making her almost doll like. He shouted down the corridor, not caring who came to aid him. Under the stony surface, he felt something. It wasn't strong but it was insistent and he struggled to recall the word. He'd existed in shadows for so long, as if he was separated from the world, viewing it through glass. Now, echoes of emotion were awakening in him as he looked down at the girl, lying limp before him.

He didn't know what to do, so he simply cradled her against him. He felt warmth on his cheek, tears running down to mar the eerie beauty of her face. He murmured sweet emptiness to her, promises she could not hear and that he doubted she would believe. One hand swept the gentle curves of her side, over the silk taut on her stomach. Was he too late? Had he lost them all? He could bear the loss if only she, she who he prized in his heart above all and who he had allowed to take possession of the thing he kept most guarded, was returned to him. There would be no other She for him.

The woman came to him and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. He felt the tears dry up, the sorrow in his heart retreating once more and instead the burning embers of hatred and rage sparked into life. How dare she do this? How dare she try to take them from him?

The woman lifted the girl from his arms. He resisted instinctively, clinging to her like an errant child whose favourite toy had been stolen from him. The woman gave him a stern look and he relented, allowing the girl to be taken. She was laid on the bed and the woman brushed her hair back in what one might mistake as a tender act. The woman closed her eyes and held her hands over the girl's body, murmuring to herself. For a moment there was nothing but silence, only the faintest flutter of a heartbeat reaching his ears, stilted and irregular. Then the girl let out a strangled gasp, her body vaulting from the bed, before returning to her motionless state.

"Will she live?" He whispered.

"I have made it so her body will reject the poison and expel the damage done. However, there is a risk she may choke on her own vomit. I suggest you keep an eye on her until the worst has passed."

He ran a finger over the girl's arm, his face softening at the feel of her skin against his.

"I can't lose her. I'll give up anything for her to live. Even them." The woman turned sharply and struck him hard across the face.

"Don't say that. They are what matter. She is just a body, a carrier. If she dies, it is her own fault." He hung his head. The woman lifted his chin. "Do not be saddened child. I promise that they will all live and you will have the family you deserve."

The woman returned to the bed and gently placed three fingers on the girl's forehead. The girl's face screwed up as if in great pain and her body stiffened. Her veins momentarily turned black, some dark enchantment flowing through her veins. The woman leant down and murmured in her ear, too softly for the words to be heard by anyone but the girl.

"Rest barn og draumur friði. Dögun mun koma aðeins skuggum til þín."

I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Klaus' face. He was glaring at me.

"Why am I still alive…?" I rasped.

"Because I'm not willing to let you die." He was barely keeping his temper under control, his fists clenching and unclenching. "Really Elena? Suicide? I expected better of you than a cheap cop out like that."

"Forgive me for not embracing my prison sentence just yet."

"Do not push me Elena, you have no idea what I am capable of"

"I know exactly what you're capable of and it doesn't scare or impress me. It just makes me hate you even more." We lapsed into silent, both of us glaring at one another. "But since you're alive and conscious, I suppose we can move on and I'll deal with this issue later. I need to introduce you to a friend of mine. She has been most instrumental in my retrieving you."

"Oh goodie. A friend of Klaus'. I can't wait." He gritted his teeth and swept out of the room. I huffed and glared at the ceiling. I didn't even feel bad. There was no trace of what I'd done. The blood was gone, although I noticed a bowl on the table filled with several cloths, stained red.

I got to my feet. I was in clean clothes and despite the poison I felt good… amazing in fact. It was… bizarre. I stood by the window and rested my hands on my stomach.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I was trying to do what was right…"

Nothing. No flutter in my stomach, no twinge of pain in a way to influence my actions. I felt like my children were sulking. I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. Be angry."

At that, I felt a sharp twinge. Oh right, they were definitely sulking.

I sat on the edge of the bed, wondering who this friend of his was. I didn't think he had any friends. I wondered how the others were. Were they looking for me? They had to know I was missing…

I thought back to the day I'd been taken. The house had been so quiet… I hadn't thought much of it then, but maybe something had happened to them. Could I find out?

I closed my eyes. I wasn't sure what I was doing, I just wanted to try and find out. Maybe I could have another out of body experience or vision? That would be helpful right now.

Nothing.

"Really? I know you're mad at me but this is about making sure that your fathers are okay." God that felt weird to say out loud. I still couldn't wrap my head around the idea that my children had three daddies. "Cut me some slack."

Still nothing.

Why was I talking to my bump? I knew that babies were meant to be able to hear things and mine clearly already had minds of their own but it wasn't like they were actually going to do anything. Even so, I waited, just in case. No. It looked like they were withholding their powers. Or I was giving my failure to cast magic way more meaning than it actually had.

The door opened and Klaus came in with the blonde witch.

"Talking to yourself is the first sign of madness you know love."

"This prison isn't exactly brimming with conversation opportunities." I glanced over his shoulder. "Is that why you've brought your girlfriend along?" Klaus scoffed.

"She's far from my girlfriend. And no, this is business not pleasure." He produced an empty bottle, green tinted glass. "This usually holds a very powerful poison. Werewolf venom, vervain, nightshade, wolfs bane. It kills most things. It's kept locked up in a very secure box belonging to my friend. You haven't left this room. So how did it come to be in here?"

"I found it," I lied.

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Do you know what I think?"

"I honestly don't care."

"I think someone gave you this. And I know it wasn't me. And it certainly wasn't any of my hybrids. Which leaves my young friend. Tell me the truth. I won't hurt her."

"I don't quite believe you…"

We locked eyes, neither of us speaking. I searched for something in his eyes, something that might indicate the man I used to care about was still in there. His eyes were blank, like the soul had been erased.

I broke the stare down, unable to look at those vacant eyes for any longer. I glanced at the girl who was stood slightly behind Klaus, looking at her feet. She didn't seem afraid of him, merely resigned. I suppose she must have known she would be blamed when I was discovered, she had probably moved past fear and into acceptance.

"He's telling the truth," said a calm voice. I looked up and saw the dark haired witch, Marcel's witch. "He will not harm her. I on the other hand, make no such promise."

"Elena, I should introduce you to my friend."

"We've met," I said. "Although last time I saw her, she was very much not on your side."

"Oh she's always been on my side. In fact, she was the one who notified me of the existence of the little miracles."

"A double agent. How original." I was silently kicking myself. Of course Klaus would have sent someone to infiltrate. I should have seen it coming. "I suppose since I'm trapped here I should get your name? I don't think you've actually been formally introduced."

"You are remarkably civil for someone in your position," she noted.

"I'm used to it. After a while it loses some of its sting." That was a lie. Yes, I got easier at faking it but every time I woke up in an unfamiliar place I feared that it would be the last place I saw, that I would never see the familiar faces of my family again.

"That is certainly an interesting way to look at it." She offered her hand. "My name is Dahlia."

A/N: So I'm still mentally planning my sequel (this story has become somewhat sour for me so i'm using the prospect of a fresh one to keep me sane) and originally i had planned for Klaus to be the antagonist of that one. However i know a lot of you are wanting cute moments between Elena and the originals so would you rather that it be Klaus antagonist or that i use a different male character in his place (i'm thinking Lucien?). I'm asking now because obviously i need to gear this story so the next one fits.