We arrive in Chicago and get out of Klaus's black SUV. I take a look around remembering the last time I was here. I look over at Caroline observing the skyscrapers and busy streets around us.
"Welcome to Chicago Caroline." I welcome excitedly.
"It's so busy." She observes smiling.
Stefan looks around confused. "What are we doing here?" Stefan asks.
"I know how much you loved it here. Bringing back memories of the good old ripper days?" Klaus asks with a grin.
"I blacked out most of them. A lot of blood and a lot of partying."
"That's a crying shame." I chime in. "When I heard about what you did it made you sound like a legend."
Klaus nods in agreement. "Word was the ripper of Monterrey got lonely, so he escaped to the city for comfort. It was prohibition. Everything was off limits, which made everything so much more fun." Klaus explains.
'Stefan's in a car making out with a girl and he starts drinking from her and eventually kills her. He steps out of the car, wiping the blood from his lips and walks down the street.
He enters a bar and the owner is up on stage. "Guess who my eyes have spied, ladies?" she alerts. "Looking for a good time, Mr. Salvatore?"
"Save me a dance, Gloria." Stefan grins and goes to grab some champagne but a blonde snatches it. "Please, help yourself."
"Oh, I always do." Rebekah retorts and leans in closer to him and whispers "Careful, Mr. Salvatore, you're still wearing your date. She's lovely."
Stefan goes to stop her. "No, no, who are you?" He asks bewildered. She doesn't respond and just puts a finger to her lips and walks away.'
"Who was the girl?" Caroline wonders.
"You'll find out." Klaus says. "Chicago was a magical place."
"I'll take your word for it. Like I said, I don't remember most of it." Stefan repeats.
"Going to get down to business then?"
"Why are we still with you?" Stefan wines. "We had our fun but your hybrids failed. Caroline don't you want to move on?"
Caroline stops looking around and turns to face him. "I'm here because I can finally be myself, and from that little snippet I just heard, you have a whole other side of you, and I can't wait to hear all about him." Caroline responds eagerly.
"What happened to you?"
"I opened up to what I really am, I'm not human any more Stefan, I can be a vampire without people judging me."
"What about your mum?"
"I call and text her."
"Enough." Klaus says loudly. "We are going to see my favourite witch. If anyone can help with my hybrid problem it's her." Klaus announces and we walks towards a bar.
Elena POV
I wake up rolling over in my bed. "Rise and shine sleepy head." Damon whispers as I lean my head on his chest.
I sit up abruptly. "Damon, what are you doing?" I ask looking at the alarm. "Really, six am. Do you have nothing better to do?"
"Fine don't come with me to save Stefan." Damon alerts and goes to get up but I stop him.
"Wait, wait, you know where he is?"
"Windy city."
"Chicago, he's there. Is he still with Klaus?"
"Yes."
"What about Brie is she dead yet?" I ask hopefully.
"Look you have to get over your hatred for her, it makes wrinkles."
"This isnt a joke."
"No it's not."
"Why can't you see she played us?"
He doesn't respond. "What you need to get Elena, is that someone outsmarted you, and it just had to be your twin that you bullied your entire life."
"I can't believe you are falling for this." I exclaim.
"I havent fallen for anything, all I want is my brother back."
"So do I."
"Good, so pack your things we are leaving shortly." he orders and leaves the room.
"I sure hope we find him, cause it would suck if the last momento of Stefan was that crappy old necklace." Damon expresses jokingly from the drivers seat.
"It's an antique like you." I retort.
Damon retreives an old diary from the backseat. "Here, read this."
"What is it?"
"It paints a pretty picture of Stefan's first experiences in Chicago."
"That's Stefan's diary, I'm not going to invade his private thoughts."
"You need to be prepared for what you're about to see."
"I've seen Stefan in his darkest periods. I can handle it."
"You're delusional. What you are about to read is some of his worst days." He explains opening the diary. "Here's one. March 12, 1922. 'I've blacked out for days and I wake up in strangers' blood. In places I don't recognise, with women I don't remember.'" Damon then turns to face me. "Ahh! I'm shocked Stefan's not a virgin?"
I snatch the diary from his hands. "Eyes on the road."
'In Gloria's bar Gloria is singing. Rebekah is dancing with a man but is looking at Stefan who's at the bar drinking. She stops and joins Stefan. "Sorry to crash the fun boys, but some of us actually came here to hear the music." Rebekah addresses.
"I'm so sorry sweetheart. Are we offending you?" Stefan asks arrogantly.
Rebekah touches his face smirking. "It would take a lot more than a baby face like this to offend me."
Rebekah goes to leave but Stefan stops her. "Ahem. Are you ever going to tell me your name?"
"Sure. When you earn it." Rebekah replies. "Now do Gloria a favour and stick a sock in it."'
"Wow this seems like a completely different Stefan." I whisper.
"I told you, you hardly know who the real Stefan is." Damon replies.
Brie POV
We walk into a bar called Gloria's and it's empty. "Looks familiar doesn't it?" Klaus asks Stefan.
"I can't believe this place is still here." Stefan expresses.
"You've been here before?" Caroline asks.
"You've got to be kidding me." an unfamiliar voice grumbles.
We turn around to see a woman appear from the shadows. Klaus grins. "So a hybrid walks into a bar and says to the bartender." Klaus approaches with a joke.
"Stop." The woman pleads. "You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny." The woman turns to face Stefan. "I remember you."
Stefan remembers. "Yeah. You're Gloria. Shouldn't you be?"
"Old and dead? Now if I die, who's going to run this place?"
"Gloria's a very powerful witch." Klaus informs us.
"Who's this?" Gloria asks Caroline.
"I'm Caroline." She answers. "If you remember Stefan in the 20s, how are you alive?"
"I can slow the aging down with some herbs and spells. But don't worry, it'll catch up to me one day." She explains. "And now who is this?" Gloria asks looking at me curiously like she knows me.
"This is Briana." Klaus introduces.
"The Briana?"
"In the flesh."
"Klaus here doesn't stop talking about you."
I turn to Klaus amused. "Does he really?"
"What brings you here, shouldn't you be enjoying your life?" She asks me.
"I am." I answer.
"Stefan why don't you fix us all up a drink from behind the bar?" Klaus suggests.
"Sure." he mumbles and goes behind the bar.
"You look ravishing by the way." Klaus tells Gloria.
"Stop. I know why you're here. A hybrid out to make more hyrbids? That kind of news travels."
"So what am I doing wrong?" he asks. "I broke the curse."
Gloria turns to look at me as Stefan overhears. "Obviously you did something wrong."
"Leave Brie out of it." Nik warns.
"She might be a clue."
"No."
"Look every spell has a loophole, but a curse that old we'd have to contact the witch who created it."
I turn to Klaus but he doesn't give anything away. "Well, that would be the original witch and she's very dead."
"I know. And for me to contact her, I'll need help. Bring me Rebekah."
Stefan sees a photo on the wall and pulls it off. "Rebekah's a bit preoccupied." Klaus grumbles.
"She has what I need, bring her to me."
"What is this?" Stefan asks getting our attention.
We walk over to the bar and Stefan shows a photo of Klaus and him looking friendly. "I told you Stefan, Chicago's a magical place." He clues.
"But this is me with you." Stefan announces and Klaus grins more.
After leaving the bar and the initial shock of Stefan finding out that he was friends with Klaus, we arrive at a warehouse where Klaus keeps his coffins. "This doesn't make any sense. Why don't I remember you?" Stefan asks.
"You said it yourself, that time had a lot of dark holes." Klaus responds.
"No, if you knew me, then why haven't you said anything?"
"I'm a little busy right now, so memory lane will have to wait."
"What the hell is going on? Answer me." Stefan demands.
Caroline and I look at each other shocked. "Someone's getting mad." Caroline whispers.
"Let's just say we didn't get off to a brilliant start. To be honest I hated you." Klaus admits.
'Stefan is drinking blood from a women at a booth. Rebekah joins in on the other side and they start to kiss. He glances down at her necklace and starts touching it. "That's beautiful." He compliments.
"A witch gave it to me. Supposedly it's magical.".
"And is it?"
"It brought me love, didn't it?"
Klaus suddenly arrives and takes her arm. "It's late Rebekah, we're leaving." He alerts.
She tugs out of his grip. "Get off me!" She shouts.
Stefan gets up ready for a fight him. "Who's this guy?"
"Stefan, don't. He'll kill you, he's a lot stronger than he looks."
Stefan is standing behind Rebekah with his hand on her shoulder protectively. "So this is the famous Stefan Salvatore I've been hearing so much about." Klaus assumes. "You're right, he does have funny hair. I'm bored, I want to go."
"Then go without me, I'm not your girlfriend."
"No, you're my sister, which means you have to do as I say."'
"Your sister. So I knew another Original." Stefan asks even more confused.
"If you can't handle it, then don't ask." Klaus replies as he walks over to a number of coffins.
"Did you know about this?" Stefan asks me.
"I know everything." I answer and follow after Nik as he opens one of the coffins. Inside is Rebekah with a dagger in her chest. He smiles down at her and gently touches her face. "So this is Rebekah?"
"Yes, you two would get along." Klaus predicts.
"I don't recognise her." Stefan murmurs.
"Don't tell her that. Rebekah's temper is worse than mine." Klaus warns as he pulls out the dagger. "Time to wake up, little sister. Any day now, Rebekah." Klaus says impatiently. "She's being dramatic."
"Look why don't you just tell me what the hell is going on. I mean obviously you want me here for a reason." Stefan assumes getting frustrated.
"Well, you have many useful talents."
"Do I?"
"In fact I learned some of my favorite tricks from you."
'Klaus is sitting in the bar at one of the side tables with Stefan and Rebekah. "So Stefan, enlighten me. What makes you worthy of an Original like my sister?" Klaus questions. "She's pure vampire and you're no more than a diluted bloodline."
"Don't listen to him, Stefan. Nik's an elitist." Rebekah advises.
"And where's the rest of your family?" Stefan asks.
"Well, let's see, I killed most of them." Nik responds.
"But not all." Rebekah adds.
"And you're okay with that?" Stefan asks.
"We all had the chance to choose a side. I chose the right one." Rebekah explains as she touches Klaus's hand.
Suddenly a man bursts over to the table fuming. "Where the hell is my wife?" the man bellows.
"I don't know. I give up." Stefan says amused.
"You think you're so tough? Hiding in your bar, drinking your liquor? A telephone call to Chicago P.D. might set you straight."
"Ooh!" Klaus chuckles as Rebekah laughs.
"Lila? Lila?" Stefan says calling over a woman. "Come here for a second."
"Oh, thank God. Come on, we're leaving." The man orders and grabs his wifes arm. The man is about to leave but Stefan reaches his arm out and stops him. "Oh, no, no, no, no. You're sitting." Stefan compels.
The man sits down next to Klaus and Lila sits next to Stefan. He takes off her glove off and takes a knife from his jacket pocket. "Stefan, don't be mean." Rebekah chides.
"What the hell are you doing?" the man asks.
Stefan cuts Lila's wrist and the blood pours into a champagne glass. Klaus and Rebekah grin. "Thank you so much, Lila. Why don't you go bandage that up?" Stefan compels and Lila gets up and leaves. Stefan turns to the man in front of him who is frightened. "I'd like you to join me for a drink."
Stefan passes the glass containing his wife's blood. "What kind of sick freaks are you?" The man asks.
"I said, drink!" Stefan compels. The man shakily raises the glass to his lips and takes a sip of his wife's blood. He coughs. "I didn't catch your name."
"Go to hell." The man blurts out.
Klaus laughs loudly. "Do you want another sip?" Stefan asks.
"Liam. Liam Grant."
"Liam Grant! Have another sip, Liam." Stefan orders and Klaus clinks his glass on Liams and Liam shakily raises it to his lips. "Finish it."'
"Wow Stefan not so mister nice guy." Caroline says shocked. "You made us believe you were the good Salvatore."
I chuckle. "I was just as shocked."
"I was your number one fan." Klaus admits.
Stefan walks away and holds his hands to his head and deep down he knows this is true. "Why should I believe any of this?" He questions.
Klaus walks over to a guard and compels him. "When she wakes up, tell her to meet us at Gloria's Bar. Then volunteer your carotid artery and let her feed until you die."
"Where are you going?"
"You think I'm lying, Stefan. You and I knew each other. You trusted me with one of your secrets and now I'm going to prove it to you."
"How?"
"We're going to your old apartment." Nik announces and we follow him out.
Caroline, Klaus, Stefan and I arrive at an abandoned apartment complex. We walk up to a door which I presume is Stefan's old apartment. Klaus pushes the door open and peers inside. "What a charming little homestead." Klaus compliments sarcastically. "Do you feel that? Is anybody here?"
"It's been vacant for decades. People must break in all the time. Why'd you bring me here?" Stefan asks as we step inside.
Caroline and I look around the room and we start to investigate the book shelf. Caroline suddenly stops and puts her head to the shelf hearing something faint. She dials in on her senses and hears a heart beat. She takes in the scent and can tell it's human. She walks over to the bed and looks out the window and takes out her phone: There is someone in here. She alerts in a text message.
I hear my phone buzz and take it out of my pocket seeing it's from Caroline. I frown when I see the text: Who? I ask.
I look up from my phone and she shrugs not knowing and Klaus seems to notice our interaction. "Everything okay?" He asks me.
"Yep." I answer and quickly message him: There's someone here.
He looks at his phone and grins: I know.
Who?
Elena. He answers
How stupid can that girl be. "Why are we here again?" Stefan asks.
"That guy, Liam Grant, the one who drank his wife's blood, I could never figure out why you wanted his name. And then you told me your little secret. It was all part of your special little ritual." Klaus explains.
"To write it all down." Stefan finishes.
"That is just creepy." I say aloud.
"No it's clever, and you my friend got to relive the kill over and over again." Klaus says and opening a door that was blended into the shelf. Elena must be in there. Klaus knows she's here so why isnt he doing anything?
"Do you believe him now?" I ask as Stefan as he steps inside. When he peers inside we see his body tense. Klaus purposely stands on the other side and I glance at Caroline and mouth. "What a stupid idiot."
She chuckles. "Look what I found." Stefan alerts as Stefan retrieves a bottle from inside. Still trying to play us for a fool. "1918. Single malt."
"My favorite. Let's go and find someone to pair it with." Nik suggests as Stefan closes the closet.
"You three don't mind if I ditch you for a bit?" I ask.
"Where are you going?" Caroline asks.
"To get some human food." I answer. "I'll meet you back at Glorias."
"Be careful." Klaus orders.
"Always."
When I walk out of the apartment I head down one of the busy streets and take a look at the shops from the outside. I hear a whoosh and turn around to come face to face with pericing blue eyes. Damon Salvatore. "You have to be the most stupid vampire ever." I exclaim.
"You betrayed us." He states.
I laugh. "That's old news."
"Why?"
"I wanted revenge, you should know what that is like." I retort. "Wishing your brother an eternity of misery."
"You wanted to kill Elena."
"And I'm sure you wanted to kill Stefan many times too. And lucky for me I did."
He looks at me confused. "Why would you do this?"
"To help my boyfriend." I answer.
"You could have seriosuly hurt your loved ones."
"Damon the only one that was in trouble was Elena and whoever decided to be stupid enough to save her."
"Why?"
"Because for once I can live in this world without being bullied." I explain. "I'm strong, powerful and I'd be damed to have that life again. Now can I go now?"
"So you can go off to your boyfriend?"
"Him as well as your brother and Caroline." I answer. "You know Damon, I knew you were the good brother. Stefan was bad horrible the 20s, I just saw the list at his old apartment." I announce.
His eyes go wide. "You were there?"
"Yes, me, Caroline, Stefan and Klaus."
"You didn't see anyone there?"
"Nope." I answer. "Now if you excuse me I'm going to find some food."
"I'm surprised Klaus left you on your own."
I turn to face him. "I can look after myself if you havent noticed, and if something were to happen to me, all I would have to do is scream and he'd come running." I grin and walk away. "Enjoy Chicago Damon, try not to get yourself killed."
Arriving back at Gloria's with a hotdog in hand I find Caroline at the bar drinking. "You're back." Caroline greets.
"I am." I confirm.
"You didn't get to eat?"
"No I ran into someone."
Gloria makes her way out and sees us seated at the bar. "Where's Rebekah?" Gloria asks.
"She'll be here, I can't conjure her on demand." Klaus responds taking his drink. Klaus turns to me. "How was your time alone?"
"Good."
"I see your hungry love."
"Well this is what keeps me alive." I joke and turn to see Stefan brooding. "What's with you Stefan? I thought Chicago was your playground." I ask him and he just glares at me and I raise my hands up in defence. "Maybe you need another human to drain so you don't brood so much."
"Don't anger him love." Nik warns.
"It's fun." I pout and Caroline chuckles.
"So is this why you brought me here Klaus to be your wingman? Because you liked the way that I tortured innocent people?" Stefan asks.
I laugh. "It's funny how at the time you didn't think that and all of a sudden you play high school teenager and you think everything is horrible. Seriously Stefan, man up." I suggest as I stand up to meet Klaus. "He doesn't need a wingman anymore, he has me."
He holds me close to him and smiles. "I do, but times with him were fun." He admits.
'Klaus and Stefan are at the counter drinking. "They're jealous, your family wants you dead because they can never be what you are." Stefan declares.
"What? An abomination?" Klaus questions.
"No. A king."
Klaus smiles "Look at us. Two sad orphans." Klaus mentions as he see's Rebekah staring at them. "My sister fancies you."
"Mmm!"
"But I should warn you, Rebekah doesn't do anything half-speed, and that includes falling in love. So just be careful. She's totally mad."
"I appreciate the advice."
"And when the point comes where she inevitably leaves you she can't help it, it's just who she is. Don't let your heart do anything stupid."
"You know what, you're a good friend, Nik. I'm glad I met you."
Klaus raises his shot glass. "To friendship." Klaus grins and they klink shots.'
"How sweet." Caroline chuckles.
"Come on Care, shots for you and me." I suggest.
After several shots Caroline and I are tipsy. "So I'm confused if we were such great friends, then why do I only know you as the hybrid dick who sacrificed my girlfriend on an altar of fire?" Stefan questions.
"All good things must come to an end." Klaus answers.
'Stefan and Rebekah are dancing and Klaus looks at them with a smile. He suddenly senses something wrong and looks around. A moment later bullets start flying through the room. Rebekah and Stefan crouch down and hide behind the bar.
Stefan takes one of the bullets from the ground. "They're using wooden bullets. They know." He states.
"That means he's here." Rebekah whispers.
"Who's here?"
Klaus briskly walks over to them "Rebekah! Come on, we've got to go, sweetheart."
Rebekah gets up and Klaus grabs her. "What the hell is going on?" Stefan asks.
"Stefan!" Rebekah shouts.
"Go!" Klaus yells. Stefan notices Rebekah's necklace lying on the floor. Stefan is about to crouch down and take it when Klaus interrupts him. "Stefan. I'm sorry, but the fun has to end here."
"What are you talking about?"
"You must forget Rebekah and me. Until I say otherwise, you never knew us." Klaus compels. "Stefan, thank you. I'd forgotten what it was like to have a brother." Klaus finishes and flashes off.'
"You compelled me to forget you?" Stefan questions.
"It was time for Rebekah and I to move on." Nik explains.
"But why? You shouldn't have to cover your tracks unless you're running from someone."
"Alright story times over." I declare.
Stefan turns his head and see's Damon who motions for him to follow him. "I need another drink." Stefan announces.
"We're at a bar." Caroline mutters.
"A real one." he answers and leaves.
Once Stefan has left I turn to face Klaus and he looks worried. "Hey, don't worry." I whisper.
"What's wrong?" Caroline asks.
"Nothing." I lie.
"Alright, last call. Drink them up!" Gloria calls out.
"I see they've opened the doors to the riff-raff now." Klaus notices and turns to face Damon who is sitting down.
"Oh honey I've been called worse." Damon responds. "Brie, Blondie."
"Damon, what are you doing here?" Caroline asks.
"Getting my brother back."
"How sad, you see I'm torn. I promised Stefan I wouldn't let you die, but how many freebies did I sign up for? And clearly you want to die; otherwise you wouldn't be here." Klaus responds amused.
"What can I say? I'm a thrill-seeker."
"You shouldn't have come after us." Caroline warns as Klaus extends his hand and grabs him by the throat and lifts him off the ground.
"Oh, dear, what was that? I'm boozey, so you'll forgive me if I miss your heart the first few tries." Klaus says as he stabs Damon in the stomach with a toothpick. "Ohh! No, that's not it. Hmm." Klaus continues and stabs him again. "Ohh. Almost." Klaus finishes and angles the toothpick upwards towards his heart.
"You want a partner in crime? Forget Stefan, I'm so much more fun." Damon trades.
Klaus throws him backwards and he crashes on top of a table, breaking it, and lands on the ground. Klaus walks over and rips a part of the chair off to make a stake, and hovers over Damon. "You won't be any fun after you're dead." Klaus declares and raises the stake and just as he's about to stab Damon, Gloria sets the stake alight and Klaus throws it away. "Really?"
"Not in my bar. You take it outside." Gloria orders.
"Go Gloria." Caroline and I cheer and Klaus sends us a look. "What that was cool, you don't see that everyday."
"Brie, stop." Nik scolds.
"Fine." I pout crossing my arms like a kid in trouble.
Caroline just laughs at me as Damon tries to sit up but Klaus pushes him back down and looks at him. "You don't have to negotiate your brother's freedom because when I'm done with him, he won't want to go back." Klaus finishes and gets off Damon. "Come on let's go."
I crouch down and hover over Damon. "I told you to leave it alone, but again you didn't listen, next time take my advice." I advice.
After the confrontation at the bar we arrive back at the warehouse where the coffins are. We walk over to Rebekah's coffin to find the security guard dead and her coffin is empty. "Rebekah it's your big brother. Come out, come out, wherever you are." Nik call's out.
Suddenly a flash of blonde flashes over to Klaus and stabs him. "Go to hell Nik!" Rebekah exclaims.
Klaus pulls the dagger out of his chest, holds it out beside him, and drops it. "Don't pout you knew it wouldn't kill me." Klaus grumbles.
"Yeah but I was hoping it would hurt." Rebekah retorts.
"I understand that you're upset Rebekah, so I'm going to let that go, just this once, but I brought you a little peace offering." Klaus replies. "You can come in."
Stefan walks in. "Stefan." Rebekah whispers.
Klaus goes over to Stefan and compels him. "Now you remember."
"Rebekah." Stefan whispers and walks closer to her.
"Stefan." Klaus calls out.
Stefan turns to face him. "I remember you. We were friends."
"We are friends."
Rebekah suddenly realises there are more people in the warehouse. She sees me and hisses. "Katerina." she growls.
Klaus flashes in front of me protectively. "That isn't Katherine." He expresses.
"What?" She gasps.
"This is Briana Gilbert, her doppleganger."
"Hi Rebekah, I've heard so much about you. I can't wait to get to know you." I greet.
"Human." She whispers.
"I am. And don't worry, I'm not going to betray you, I'm here enyjoying myself."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm Klaus's girlfriend." I announce.
She looks at me shocked. "My brother doesn't have girlfriends."
"Well I guess it took me to make him." I grin. "And don't worry he isnt going to use me, he's already completed his sacrifice."
"You're a hybrid." She whispers turning back to Nik.
"I am." Nik confirms.
"How is she alive?"
"I had a twin." I answer.
"Twin dopplegangers?"
"Yes and somehow, fate worked out and here we are."
"Well I think we have lot's to talk about." she grins. "And who is this?" she asks Caroline.
Caroline extends her hand. "Caroline Forbes." She introduces herself.
"Caroline's my best friend and a newly turned vampire." I explain.
"More girls around perfect." Rebekah smiles.
"Now I hate to inturpt this lovely moment but I need something from you." Klaus interrupts.
"What?"
"Gloria tells me you know how to contact the original witch."
"The original witch?" she questions.
"What do you have that Gloria needs?"
Rebekah touches her neck but realizes her necklace is missing. "Where's my necklace? What did you do with it? I never take it off!"
Stefan than has a realisation that the necklace is with Elena. "I don't know. I didn't touch it." Klaus responds.
"We need to find it, Nik, now, I want it back!" Rebekah demands.
"Tell me that's not what she needs Rebekah!" Klaus yells and Rebekah looks in the coffin but doesn't find it and she flips it over a girly.
I turn to look at Stefan and he has not moved. He looks worried, he knows where it is.