Chapter 23
Kol was digging around in the Mikaelson family storage room when Caroline found him. Caroline leaned against the doorway as Kol searched the shelves that housed the magical objects he collected over the years. The blonde looked over the youngest male Mikaelson with concern, the vampire has taken to spending the least amount of time near his siblings as possible.
"I never did say thank you" She spoke out loud, rolling her eyes when he did not pause in his search to look over her shoulder.
"I was wondering if you were just going to stand there" Kol waved over in her general area," and your welcome. But Silas is a menace that needs to be shot down rather it was a favor for you. No offence."
Caroline covered her nose as she let out a snort, laughing "none taken. I'm used to not being first choice or the reason people do anything. But you didn't have to help Bonnie the way you have and for that I thank you. Now she as better mental shields against Silas."
Kol shrugged, "It'll help her from being controlled by him in his weakened state. I'm still looking at something that could help us."
Caroline flinched as memories of Silas getting into her mind emerged, knowing that Elena and the others did not speak of being attacked that way on the island. The blonde perked up, "No one spoke of being attacked on the island, but Bonnie was completely taken over by Silas after the island. The rest of us were just tortured."
Kol perked up, "Makes sense as he is currently in a weakened state, once he is awakened then his powers will have no barrier. He can only control those who allow him in, those with a weak spot to exploit. The reason Bonnie is at higher risk is because she has been using expression. As vampires we do not use magic, therefore he can't get in with his current state."
Caroline sighed in relief, "Thank you Kol, really. I know it's none of my business your relationship with your siblings, but I do thing if you can get past the level of co-dependence you all have. You'll be a force to be reckoned with, I wish I had that level of commitment from someone."
This caused the Mikaelson known, as the wild one, to pause in his search to stand to his full height and look over at the Forbes woman. He raised an eyebrow," I have to differ you have my brother wrapped around your finger. My entire family is actually pretty fond of you."
"Niklaus has romantic feelings for me, honestly I wonder how long it will last? Anyone I wanted to thank you personally for all that you've done despite how you feel about meddling with Silas" Caroline insisted holding out a medium packing box she found on the table, allowing Kol to place items in it slightly easier than using his vampire speed.
Kol blinked, "I don't believe I can remember the last time someone genuinely thanked me for something."
Caroline gave him a sad smile, "With the family that you have I don't blame you. I've always wondered though why are you so interested in witches? From what I was told you were the only one with even a hint of a talent for it when you were human but back then wasn't it forbidden?"
Kol chuckled, "Not in the new world. It was a land full of mystical things, magic was seen as part of nature's order rather than a sin against the Christian god."
Caroline's interest was piqued, "Did your mother teach you?"
"Whenever my father was away. Our village while not unfriendly to magic users, my father's countrymen the Vikings were of the old world."
"They believed in gods" Caroline protested.
"Gods could wield magic, a mere human. My father knew what my mother was of course. She only used it when necessary and when only I was found to have talent. Well let's just say the practices of witches were seen as tools for women rather than men" Kol continued as he placed more items into the box.
"Mikael….did he hurt you? For practicing magic, I mean" Caroline whispered, her eyes seeing the telltale signs of abuse that her mother had taught her long ago. Ironic for her when she was being abused, all her friends did was use her to get Damon locked up. A plan that failed when the vampire went and killed his own nephew.
Kol looked Caroline deep in the eye, seemed to like what he found because he took the box from the blonde's hands setting it aside. He took her hands in his looking her straight in the eye.
"Mikael was a tough man, he had to be as a Viking. He beat all of us except for Rebekah. However, Niklaus suffered the most at his hands. He would take the blame for most things that Rebekah and I did when we were very young, leading to even further hits. Then our father found out…"
"About your mother's betrayal" Caroline whispered in horror. She looked Kol in the eye and saw pain there, "Kol you know you couldn't have stopped it right?"
Kol scoffed, "I know that now, but as a kid? I never understood what made Niklaus different than the rest of us. I saw the guilty looks of Finn and Elijah when they would come back but Niklaus was left with our father. They didn't do anything either."
"It's not easy to stand up to your parents" Caroline whispered.
"No, I suppose it's not. Especially when the society at large would balk at the idea" Kol shook his head.
"I'm sorry. It's not easy when your family life… is complicated" Caroline struggled to find the correct word to use, the amused chuckle Kol sent her way alerted the blonde that he knew it too.
"Thank you, Caroline" Kol said.
Caroline turned towards Kol as he continued speaking, "It might be an impossible task, but my siblings do appreciate the way you try to understand them. At least I know I appreciate it."
Caroline fought the urge to giggle at the uncomfortable look on the Mikaelson's face. The shocked look on his face when she reached out to pull him into a hug was so worth the slight worry he might attack first.
You know Mikaelson family instinct….
"You know if I had a brother of my own. Before my father came out, when my parents' marriage fell apart" Caroline looked up at Kol, "I always kind of thought my brother would be a lot like you."
XXX
Hayley regretted agreeing to the deal immediately upon entering the Mikaelson manor. If it was even possible, it was more a statement of wealth than the Lockwood manor. Everything was made with top quality wood, glass and paint. She could still smell the freshness of the paint. The manor was newly built. The wolf knew that the hybrid had planned for them to stay a while.
Hayley just wished she didn't have to watch Caroline feel so at home here. What did a sheltered small town girl like her do to be made welcome into this? It was all too much for Hayley, part of her felt jealously not for the fancy new items but for the clear united front the Mikaelson's presented.
Caroline wasn't one of them, yet she was.
Sitting in front of Hayley leaned back against his own couch, his feet lazily placed onto the coffee table between them was Niklaus. On either side of him were two blondes, on his left was his sister currently explaining why the werewolf was there in the first place. On his right was Caroline wrapped under his arm.
Next to Rebekah was Kol who looked over the little wolf in what Hayley could only describe as boredom. The wolf shivered thinking about how easily it would be for Kol to kill her, she didn't want to die. Not until she found out about her family, Hayley had to find them. On Caroline's other side was a redhead, Rebekah had called Sage. The remaining Mikaelson brothers stood behind Niklaus looking over at her in curiosity. Hayley blinked up at the man, they had called Elijah.
For a blood sucker, he was rather handsome. It as during Rebekah's explanation that the soft, confident echoes of stiletto heels could be heard coming down from the stairs. Hayley questioned who else it could be, her eyes widened as she came face to face with a much more confident appearing Elena. Hayley however was not dumb, based off the stories she heard from Tyler based off the smirk, ridiculously high heels and curly hair, this must be the famous Katherine Pierce.
"Why who is this?" Katherine purred blinking towards Elijah who looked down at her in curiosity.
"The names Hayley" Hayley growled.
Katherine's brown eyes light up in understanding, "The pretty little wolf. Hayley was it? It's such a pity you went and murdered Klaus's friends. You are almost far to pretty to kill."
"Katerina, that is enough" Elijah ordered softly, "Please Miss, Marshall. I am most curious about this exchange my sister suggested."
Rebekah sent Elijah a small smile before waving towards Hayley indicating for her to start speaking. Hayley looked at the vampires before her a part of her wished for a few werewolf buddies of her own. At least she would not feel so alone.
"Tell us Hayley. Before my patience runs thin" Niklaus threatened, earning a smack from Caroline. Niklaus kissed the blonde's forehead even as she rolled her eyes, "No threatening, Nik."
Kol laughed, "I do love to see how whipped my brother is." This only earned a smack from Rebekah. Kol whined at Finn and Elijah who both shook their heads. Hayley watched the interactions with disbelieve, this was the fearsome original family.
"Alright, here is everything that I know. After this you tell me everything you know about this birthmark on my shoulder and how it is connected to my family."
XXX
Elena was sitting cross legged on Bonnie's bed watching as the witch channeled her energy into the stones Kol brought her. The idea was that is worked two-fold one as a power exercise for Bonnie to increase her magical strength and two as a way to have access to extra power when needed. Being centuries old the original family even were able to provide a safe that would only open with Bonnie's magical signature once it was reset.
Apparently it used to belong to their mother, why she needed such an item Elena didn't think was wise to ask.
"You can't be telling me that your ancestors have not talked to you at all about all of this. Don't they warn you about meddling in vampire affairs all the time?" Elena questioned her friend once she was finished with the last stone.
"Normally. As you know they sent Caroline back themselves. Clearly they believe she is the best chance to fix what can't be broken again."
"Which includes not releasing Silas who hold the cure that we want" Elena sighed, " our lives used to be so calm."
Bonnie shot her a look, "I warned you not to get involved with the Salvatore's."
"Katherine-" Elena started only for Bonnie to scoff.
"First off it was Damon who started most the trouble last year. He could not let Katherine go, while flirting with you, then goes on benders to get over Katherine only to further burrow himself into your drama. Including irritating his brother, by chasing after you. He may be interested in you Elena, but you have to admit the start of the entire thing was because you looked like his lost love and its annoyed Stefan" Bonnie glared at her friend.
Elena deflated, "I know. I believe that Damon does care as much as Damon can" her eyes following Bonnie as she stood up and carried the stones into the safe before sitting down next to Elena.
"But is it enough?" Bonnie asked grasping Elena's hand softly.
"Caroline and Matt have asked similar questions lately" Elena laughed painfully, the two friends sharing a weak smile.
"Well?" Bonnie nudged her friend pushing against Elena's shoulder until her friend giggled.
"I'm enjoying some of the perks of being a vampire," Elena started watching Bonnie's face which only closed its eyes nodding carefully.
"But.."
"I still can't get over the idea of never having children. I could adopt but then we would be moving whenever I could not play off my age. What kind of life would that be for any child? I also don't want to endanger anyone because little Elena can't handle being a vampire."
"If we could get the cure safely, would you want it?" Bonnie asked.
"Yes."
"Then what else is bothering you? We all know you won't take it unless we are all safe even if we all are willing to risk ourselves in the process."
"Damon" Elena whispered quietly.
"What about Damon?" Bonnie asked crossing her arms against her chest.
"I love him. I really do but I also love Stefan. I'm just not sure if I'm actually in love with either" Elena admitted to her friend quietly.
"Well Damon has been nothing but mostly the devil since he got to town. And Stefan has broken your trust to keep you safe but still has done a lot of horrible things in your name" Bonnie muttered back.
"Exactly" Elena laughed, "I can't trust that Stefan won't be honest about wanting the cure or sacrificing his own happiness for my own. Damon would kill anyone to help me but it's like dragging teeth to get him to even listen past the idea of do this and Elena lives."
"If we don't get the cure, Silas will stay buried. However, it does not mean he won't come after us or keep trying" Bonnie said quietly.
"That's why we are going isn't? To figure out a way to keep Silas down forever" Elena questioned.
"If the plan works" The worry in Bonnie's voice was palatable causing Elena to wrap her arms around Bonnie.
"We won't do it until we are sure we can get it right" Elena vowed.
"What if I can't do it Elena?"
"You have a group of vampires over a thousand years old coaching you on your magic. Your ancestors have yet to scream at you. As much as all this confuses the hell out of me, clearly you and everyone else is sure this is going to work. It has to."
Bonnie laughed, " Or else we are going to have a super powerful witch coming after us."
"Haven't we already been there?"
XXX
Hayley stood in front of the greyhound bus line that would get her the hell out of this town. In her hand was her ticket, with a few thousand dollars in cash courtesy of the Mikaelson's. At first she tried to refuse the money; she was not a fucking charity case.
It wasn't until Rebekah pulled her aside and told her to take it, "This is not charity. You gave us all the information you had and in return we gave you information on your family. This is to make it easier for you to get where you want to go. We are good to our friends."
Hayley snorted, "I'd hardly call us friends."
Rebekah smirked, "Not cuddly friends like Caroline with her little gang. But the type of friends that do favors for one another. At least until you betray any of mine. Take the money go find your family or go find that little wolf Nik wishes to exact his revenge on, but Caroline is using all her skills of persuasion to prevent his death. Such a waste of her influence in my opinion. But it's not up to me is it? Ultimately this money was earned Hayley. Take it."
"What are you going to do?" Hayley asked, "Are you going to let Elena Gilbert get this cure when you seem to want it."
Rebekah snorted, "What a ridiculous notion."
"You get quiet whenever its mentioned" Hayley argued.
"Fine. Maybe I would want to take the cure. My brothers know it but as they often point out this cure has been a myth for centuries. We also have no idea of what it would actually do especially considering it was created from the originator of the Bennett line" The blonde snapped tears filling up her eyes forcing the original to step away and wipe her eyes.
"Shane says it will work" Hayley sighed.
"Of course, it will work, it is a potion created by a powerful witch who also made the other side. Therefore, we must assume to works" Rebekah rolled her eyes.
"Then what is the problem? Are you scared to take it?"
"That is none of your business wolf" Rebekah snarled, "Don't you have a bus to catch?"
Hayley rolled her eyes, "Just trying to help."
"Get the hell out of here before Niklaus decides the deal is null and void because you didn't leave when your skinny ass was told."
Hayley scoffed as the bus pulled up opening its doors to allow passengers in. Sighing the wolf looked down at her bag where all the information the Mikaelson's could dig up on her family. The last call sounded forcing the wolf to pick up her bag and climb onto the stairs handing the driver her ticket.
"Welcome aboard Miss."
She waved as she quickly found a spot in the back without another passenger in it. Throwing her bag into the compartment Hayley sagged into the seat silently. No one bothered her until she felt her skin prickle as someone sat beside her.
"Hello Hayley."
"Tyler" Hayley whispered.
XXX
Damon sat on the couch next to the fireplace with a bottle of bourbon in hand taking a large swig every couple of minutes. Stefan stood next to the fireplace watching as his brother drunk himself into a stupor. He had explained why the Mikaelson's let him go.
"You want me to play distraction to ensure Professor Shane does not suspect anything" Damon mused taking a sip of bourbon.
"Shane will take a small group of us to where Silas is laid to rest. Where we will subdue him before he can question Bonnie on the spell that we do not actually have. The rest will hunt down the cure and once we have it then Bonnie is going to call upon her ancestors to bury the island and all of its enchantments."
"One question. How is she going to do that when if she does all of you are going to be swimming with the fishes!" Damon barked annoyed that his brother completely missed a vital point.
"Bury the island in magic, Damon. So much that it will forever be hidden from view and Silas can no longer reach out past the island."
"All magic can be broken" Damon argued.
"That may or may not be why Caroline suggested that instead we bury his corpse into a safe and push it into ocean, or a pond that we can then set an explosion off" Stefan shrugged when Damon raised an eyebrow at him.
"She does not like Silas" Stefan shrugged with a laugh.
"Blondie is going to be the death of me" Damon groaned.
"No that would be Niklaus if you do not keep as far away from Caroline as possible" His brother warned.
"I promise to help with your little plan. Seems a lot of trouble for a man most people do not believe in."
"Caroline's met him. Apparently I'm his doppelganger" Stefan shot his brother a glare when the dark-haired vampire choked on his bourbon.
XXX
Caroline and Rebekah were in the latter's room getting ready for the latest decade's dance, this semester's theme was the 80's. Caroline was vetoing the majority of Rebekah's choices ducking when the vampire threw said item of clothing at her.
"You are awfully sensitive for not being awake during this decade" Caroline laughed ducking when Rebekah threw an 80's styled jersey at her.
"This is a god awful decade" Rebekah cried, "who the hell designed this decade?"
Caroline began to tick off a list of designers, "Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Christian Lacroix, Thierry Mugler and Azzedine Alaia to name a few."
Rebekah laughed, "You are such a bitch."
"You love me anyway" Caroline stuck her tongue out before pointing out to a hat and a black dress, "wear those."
Caroline's phone rang, "Bonnie? Is Elena with you?"
Bonnie's voice came over the phone, as Rebekah grabbed the clothes beginning to change as the two friends talked. "Yeah she is busy getting ready. Matt is hanging out with Jeremy helping him deal with his vampire killing urges. So far everything that you said happened originally has not happened thanks to you."
"Well without Kol learning about Silas from Shane and going into a rage to keep us from going after the cure there was no need to kill an original out of safety or to finish the map. We just need to ensure Shane thinks we have the spell."
"I have that covered, and Kol's exercises have helped with the pull to continue using expression" Bonnie's voice paused, " thank him for me?"
"Bonnie has your dad canceled the dance?" Rebekah called out through the phone reminding Caroline with a dirty look of what she was told earlier.
"That's hardly important" Caroline answered rolling her eyes when Rebekah muttered friendly insults at her.
"I have not been acting like a mad woman on expression. So, neither of my parents are worried other than the usual my witch daughter is friends with vampires concern."
"Oh, I think it is" Katherine's voice echoed from the door wearing her typical smirk on her face. Her eyes scanning the two girls decked out in 80's gear.
"You both are seriously going to a high school dance?"
Bonnie's amused voice could be heard muttering, "Katherine barged in didn't she?"
Caroline failed at keeping a smile off her face, "How'd you know?"
"You both stopped bickering, meaning the other bitch walked in" earning a friendly laugh from Caroline as the two vampires glared at the phone.
"I don't think they appreciate being called bitchy, Bon."
"Tell Rebekah the dance is not canceled, and Damon is under house arrest courtesy of a boundary spell by yours truly. So, Stefan can be free to attend."
"See you later Bon."
"See you soon, Care."
When the blonde hung up the phone, the former doppelganger was splayed out across the bed throwing up Rebekah's hat in her hands, much to the other vampire's annoyance. Rebekah was snapping at the brunette to give back the hat.
"Looks like we are in the clear for the dance" Caroline announced turning towards the mirror fixing her hair. The younger vampire turned towards the doppelganger, "Are you coming with Katherine?"
The doppelganger shook her head, "Elijah has asked me to… help him with a few things."
Both Rebekah and Caroline gagged at hearing that as Katherine got off the bed laughing her head off. Rebekah glared at the doppelganger's back, "I hate her."
"Easy there superwoman, as gross as her announcement was it's nice to see Elijah happy."
Rebekah pouted, "But does it have to be with her?"
Caroline patted her shoulder consolingly, "Meet us downstairs when you are ready. Knowing you Mikaelson's they may stay together or blow up in bloody fashion."
" I would adore watching Elijah rip Katherine's heart out. Where are you going off too?" Rebekah called.
Caroline yelled out, "The ancestors just decided to give me a bit of a boon. I'm going to talk to Nik."
XXX
"Come in, Caroline" Nik's voice called through the door before the woman could knock on his bedroom door. Opening the door, Caroline's mouth dropped just slightly at the sight of Niklaus putting on a dress shirt, "You know this is an 80s dance?"
"The 80s were dreadful. Except for some of the music. I much preferred your Roaring 20s dance" Niklaus smirked at her catching the way she eyed him up and down. He stopped buttoning up the shirt preferring to watch as the blonde in front of him shut the door and close the gap between them. Caroline wrapped her arms around his waist allowing him to wrap a hand behind her neck gently. He cradled the back of her neck to him running his fingers through her hair.
"What's on your mind sweetheart?" Niklaus asked running his hand through her hair massaging her scalp gently. Caroline hummed softly not even upset that he was ruining the hair she had taken time to curl.
"More of my memories have returned, there still a few episodes of confusion. I think those will clear up once the situation with Silas is dealt with."
"What do you need love?" He asked.
"There is a friend of mine, locked up in Augustine's. I need your help to get him released" Caroline looked up at him, "please he was a very good friend when I needed him. His name's Lorenzo St. John. We called him Enzo."
Niklaus sighed, "As painful as it is for me to hear another man's name on your lips, if he is your friend I will have some of my contacts look into it."
Caroline leaned into his face smiling as he captured her lips with his. Sharing a view kisses Caroline whispered, "thank you." Her hands carefully unwrapped themselves from his waist to finish buttoning his shirt.
Niklaus kept one arm firmly around her waist as he gently led her out of the door, "Don't you worry about your friend. I will deal with his predicament, tonight let us just enjoy ourselves."
The two made their way down to the foyer where Rebekah was waiting for them arms crossed.
"About time the two of you decided to show, come on. I have a dance to attend to" Rebekah ordered about walking straight to the door and hollered out the door.
"Do not let Kol bring that stupid hat!"