A.N: I'm sorry for the chapter delay. I've had some personal stuff happen. We've had to put down my oldest dog who was 13 and a half. I just couldn't write much. So, thank you so much for your patience, here is the latest chapter!
Chapter 24
Elena fidgeted with her fingers as she stood before the fireplace on the first floor of the Salvatore Boarding House. She had gone straight after the dance towards the Salvatore house, bypassing Stefan who was dancing with Rebekah. Irritation flared up seeing her ex-boyfriend with someone she could barely stand. Instead she focused on making her way towards the boarding house where she knew Damon being held under supervision.
"Elena?"
Elena turned around smiling gently at the vampire whose eyes widened, "It's me."
Damon rushed towards her gripping her by the shoulders, "Are you okay? Klaus hasn't done anything to you has he?"
Elena pushed him away firmly, "I've been treated just fine. You were the one they tortured. I heard they let you out, how are you?"
"Nothing a little blood can't fix" Damon shrugged it off causing Elena to offer her own slight smile before responding with, "And Bourbon."
Damon smiled, "Okay maybe the bourbon helps."
Elena sighed softly, "We need to have a serious talk Damon."
Damon's eyes hardened a fraction before leading her towards the couch, "Alright then let's talk."
"I know we never really discussed what this" Elena pointed between the two of them, "was but after learning everything-"
"Elena" Damon interrupted, "Caroline meant nothing to me. I didn't even know her then."
"That doesn't make it okay, Damon. You've done a lot of bad things since you came back to Mystic Falls. I admit most of them were for me in some way, but can't you see that doesn't make it okay. You crossed the line between necessary and for your own pleasure" Elena continued, wincing at her own use of the word pleasure. Images of her own time with Damon flashed before her eyes.
"It was wrong, Elena. I know that but I'm a vampire we take what we want."
"You wanted to torture Stefan" Elena accused; the dark-haired vampire had the decency to nod in agreement not bothering to lie.
"I was pissed at my brother, Elena. I knew torturing the locals would torture him."
"Can't you see how horrible that is?" Elena questioned with tears in her eyes. Had she really been that blind to this man?
"I'm okay with being the bad guy Elena. It allows me to make the tough decisions. As long as you know it's so you can live the life that you want to" Damon encouraged her taking her hand in his. "I'm okay with being the bad guy for you."
"Damon" Elena paused for a moment taking a minute to collect her thoughts. "You can't go around making choices for me, deciding what my own fate should be and who should pay that price."
"You would be dead otherwise, Elena dead" Damon hissed grabbing her wrist tightly Elena barely felt it.
"I know. It was one thing for you to want to torture your brother, which is seriously awful thing to do" Elena managed to scold, "Aside from your awful sibling dynamic. You never apologized to Caroline after what you did. When you knew more about her."
Damon scoffed, "that would have made zero difference to her. She had forgotten by then, was perfectly content."
"I meant after she turned" Elena whispered.
"I thought we had handled after she beat me up" Damon shrugged finally letting go of Elena's hand.
"You used Caroline for your own ends, while looking for Katherine. That didn't stop you from flirting with me while I was with Stefan. You've used me to antagonize your brother, you continue to do so despite us no longer being together."
"What do you want from me Elena?" Damon sighed, "We've been over this. I am a bad guy. I was obsessed with getting Katherine back. When I found out she lied, the bitch was dead to me."
"I don't see you as the bad guy, Damon. I think that's part of the problem. You've always managed to show me the good in you" Elena mumbled, "Whatever I see in you, Caroline must see in Klaus" the brunette whispered to herself.
The elder Salvatore shook his head deciding to forgo the last part knowing Elena did not mean to say it out loud. He would allow the girl to handle her feelings about the blonde's relations without his input, he didn't even want to think about it. "Elena, I am the bad guy."
"You can't even see the good in you. Whatever was happening between us is over, it has to be" Elena stated hurriedly not stopping to take a breath. "I can't be with either you or Stefan. I think I just need to be alone. I care about you deeply, but I can't say I'm a friend then not act like one."
"Back to Caroline" Damon muttered darkly.
"No. This is about how you treated my friends, including Caroline. It's also how you never take my expressed wishes into consideration unless you think I can't forgive you for it. Even then you most often do the one thing I ask you not to. The only reason Jeremy is alive is because of the Gilbert ring."
"We had gotten past that until Caroline-"
"No. I was in a blind haze from realizing the feelings I have for you. Damon I am eighteen, I can't allow myself to allow you to lead blindly. My feelings for you don't justify your actions. Just because I might love you does not mean I will forgive all that you've done."
"Klaus has done a lot worse, yet Caroline is with him and you are still friends with her" Damon argued.
"Klaus has done terrible things, including kill my Aunt Jenna. I will always hate him for that. I also know that if we hadn't tried to get out of the deal then Jenna would have been left alone. Everything he does is reactionary, Damon. I hate him and I always will, but Caroline is right we aren't exactly the good guys here either. Not when the only reason I was safe from you was because I was a doppelganger."
If someone would have told Elena that she would be defending Klaus, the brunette would have thought they were insane. The more she spoke; the truth of the words began to settle. Caroline had been right, while Klaus was no innocent in the matter, and perfectly willing to kill her he was reasonable unless made angry.
"I can't believe your defending Klaus while dumping me" Damon scoffed.
"Honestly? I can't either. Damon in the end who she dates is Caroline's business. Just like who I date is mine, but as awful as Klaus has been. Trust me I know how awful he is, Klaus has never harmed a hair on Caroline, the only harm to her friends has been because of something we have done " Elena winced, watching as Damon stand to his full height.
"So? The idiot is obsessed with her" Damon rolled his eyes, as he tried to wrack his brain for a way to keep Elena near him. He needed to make sure she was okay, stayed safe even if it was not with him. He would prefer if she went back to Stefan, but perhaps a single Elena would be best. He could earn her forgiveness…
"I can't tell her who to date but I've brought my concerns to her and she has not made one excuse about him. What both of you have done is not okay but for her I can try. I have to. She's dealt with you in our lives. "
"I won't apologize for my actions. You and my brother are too soft to do what needs to be done."
"I'm not asking Damon" Elena smiled sadly leaning into him to kiss his cheek as she raised her hand to cup his cheek. "I think you need time to not only be single but to be truly over Katherine. You went from attempting to freeing her to hatred then loving me in a span of what a few months? I'm no better between you and Stefan. Before we can think of being anything we need to be a part."
XXX
Katherine stood with Elijah at the front door of the mansion with an abundance of suitcases much to the annoyance of his siblings. Rebekah rolled her eyes when she walked down the stairs to find the floor covered in suitcases, "Honestly you won't be gone long. Dramatic much?"
Katherine pursed her lips eyeing the blonde with irritation, "It never hurts to be prepared. After all, how am I supposed to know if I'll be welcomed back after this is done? Klaus may decide to hunt me down after all."
Niklaus gave her a rather devious smirk, "That is a fabulous idea, love."
"Aww, how sweet. Klaus can't say I will miss you" Katherine snarked back the two of them sharing mutual glares. Elijah coughed to catch their attention, wrapping his arm around Katherine's waist possessively.
"We will settle into St. Augustine's within the hour. We will keep you informed of the progress. What do you want us to do with other captives?" Elijah asked his brother.
"Release them. Make sure they know which family is responsible for their freedom. Especially Caroline's warning about them" Niklaus ordered while Elijah nodded in confirmation.
Katherine couldn't help but laugh, "Buying her applauds already Klaus?"
"Considering you were the one who turned her in the first place, I figure you would be only to happy to help remedy that disagreement between the two of you" Niklaus's tone took a dangerous tone, causing Katherine to stand on edge until a small pale hand grabbed Niklaus by the arm.
"Katherine and I are fine, Nik" Caroline neatly tucked herself under his arm wrapping the arm in her grasp over her shoulder.
"See Nikky-poo we are good" Katherine laughed at the growl Niklaus admitted. Elijah tilted his head back pressing his fingers to his nose, attempting to find calm when placing both Katherine and Niklaus in the same room.
"Katerina let's go" The elder original said directly to the brunette opening up the front door. He bowed his head gently allowing the younger vampire to exit first.
"Be careful brother" Niklaus warned.
Elijah smirked, "I won't be fooled a second time around, brother. But Katherine does have her uses."
Niklaus nodded his head, "For now."
XXX
"Are you sure about going after this so-called cure?" Liz Forbes asked her daughter a few hours later.
"Mom, I am not going on this trip only Kol, Rebekah, Stefan, Damon, Elena and Bonnie will actually be on the island."
"And what will you be doing? You also asked for a few days off" Liz questioned her daughter with her arms crossed.
'Klaus, Finn, Sage and I will be following behind as backup. This way if god forbid something does happen they have us close by. We've planned everything as closely as possible and I'm here telling you. I promised no more secrets or crazy plans without your knowledge" Caroline vowed to her mother.
Her relationship with her mother had many ups and downs over the years. So many years spent under the thrall of insecurity and doubt of her parent's love, knowing they loved her but never feeling like it was enough. Her mom only increased her work hours when she became sheriff. She couldn't change what happened in the past, but Caroline could start a clean slate now. While her mother was never going to be okay with her putting herself in danger, so far Caroline found it easier to be honest rather than try to hide the crazy plans she and her friends came up with.
Memories of finding out the antics of Lizzie and Josie after the fact terrified her. Now that she had a chance to redo at least some of her past, Caroline was not going to let her relationship with her mother suffer. Not even for Elena.
Liz sighed, "There is no way of making you change your mind?"
"It's the only way I know that we can ensure Silas is no longer a threat" Caroline argued right back.
Liz's eyes softened staring at her daughter, "You're my daughter, Caroline."
"I know, I also know that it seems to have been left up to my friends to save Mystic Falls. If we don't do this Silas will find a way to release himself. Bonnie won't be safe neither will any of her descendants."
Liz walked up to her daughter holding her at arm's length as tears erupted from her eyes, "You are so beautiful. Inside and out. And there is nothing I can say that will make you change your mind is there?"
"I'm sorry, Mom."
XXX
Hayley woke up to the local Motel 6's annoying alarm clock. Growling low the werewolf slammed her tiny fist onto the buzzing machine. The brunette tucked her head back into the pillow feeling the low rumbles of the werewolf next to her. Hayley's lips quirked into a small smile, remembering the night before fueled by a lot of booze. Courtesy of the Mikaelson's monetary gift.
Tyler had finally left Mystic Falls.
The fact was made even better knowing that Tyler left with her heading towards New Orleans. Following her in Hayley's search for more information on the birth of her family. Now she at least had a name for the pack that had birthed her. The Crescent Moon pack, a new sense of belonging flowed through her veins with this knowledge.
Despite knowing that her parents were in fact dead. Thanks to Professor Shane Hayley knew that at the very least. Now thanks to the Mikaelson's she had the name of her family's pack. It was more than she ever had before. Dare she say it? She had the man she was interested in and a clue to who her parents were.
A warm arm came up from behind and wrapped around her waist pulling her from her thoughts. "M-morning" Tyler mumbled sleepily.
"Tyler" Hayley sighed, "C'mon we have to get up." His grip on her waist only tightened. Hayley huffed grabbing his arm with her hand using her enhanced strength to bend Tyler's arm. He cried out in pain as Hayley flipped herself over his hips pinning him down.
"I said we need to get up. I have to search for my parents" Hayley glared down at the pup underneath her.
"The clues won't go cold if we stay in bed for a little while longer" Tyler cajoled grabbing onto her wrists using his weight to roll them onto the side, allowing him to trap her underneath him.
"I've waited long enough" Hayley's growl deepened as her eyes flashed amber as her wolf pushed towards the surface. Tyler's own eyes flared amber before forcing himself off of her, leaving the bed to grab his clothes. Hayley lifted herself onto her forearms allowing a smirk to spread across her face. The boy really was just a puppy playing at a man's game.
Hayley let out a breath as she pulled the covers back, Tyler was still under the impression that Klaus had killed the hybrids. Which suited Hayley just fine, it was not like they would likely run into the Mikaelson's again.
XXX
The next day Caroline, Finn, Klaus and Sage were within hearing distance of the meeting place set up by Shane to begin their journey. Finn had already secured a ship that Klaus would captain to follow the others.
"You know how to sail?" Caroline asked in surprise. For all her wonderings about Klaus and exactly what he got up to, the idea of him actually knowing how to sail never entered her mind. Despite knowing a small bit of Viking history, Caroline had assumed the Mikaelson's mostly compelled their servants.
Niklaus rolled his eyes, "Of course I know how to sail, love. I happen to prefer when the servants do it is all."
"Told you they were all elitist" Sage tossed Caroline's way as they made their way onto the ship, after they were able to hear the coordinates of exactly where they were going. Nova Scotia then two hundred miles past. Caroline had to hand it to the Bennett line they really knew how to make their plots last.
"Do you think they will be okay?" Caroline asked absentmindedly her fingers lightly dancing around the pattern on her new daylight ring.
Finn turned around and gave her a soft smile," Don't you worry sister. Your witch friend is formidable."
"I'm more worried about Kol getting spooked" Sage muttered, "the boy is rapid against Silas ever rising again."
Niklaus wrapped his arm around Caroline as he began to set sail to the ship, knowing that Shane would not want to potentially flag anyone by having so many vampires taking a plane. They would have enough time to sail to Nova Scotia then use the much smaller boats to travel the last leg of the journey.
"Let's just pray that Kol does not decide to kill Professor Shane straight away" Finn commented mostly to himself but earned a glare from his lady love.
"Kol will do what is best for this family" Niklaus glowered, " or else."
Caroline glared at her boyfriend hissing that he cannot keep threatening Kol, especially after what they learned about his view on their family. Niklaus had the decency to simmer down, looking almost ashamed of himself. The blonde knew that it would take a lot more than that to mend the sibling's relationship. She thought about the daggers that she herself kept locked away, perhaps it was time to allow each of the siblings to have their own?
It took them very little time to make it to Nova Scotia, and even smaller amount of time to follow the gang straight towards the island that housed Silas. All the while keeping under the nose of Professor Shane, and Silas. Bonnie having spelled over them a shield in hopes of preventing Silas from sensing their presence and alerting the professor.
Now all they could do was wait for the signal that all was well.
XXX
The group landed on the abandoned island with very little fan fair. Elena kept glancing over at the blonde and brunette siblings that stood away from the group. Damon who stood by her side whispered next to her ear, "She won't burst into flames by starring at her you know."
"Does she have to be here?" Elena frowned as Damon tutted after her softly his eyes holding the barest hint of concern.
"Yes, I do. Elena unlike you I have an ingredient that we need" Rebekah taunted, causing Elena to flash over to the original only to be thrown back by the blonde. Then both were surrounded by the Salvatore brothers keeping the two females apart.
"Enough" Stefan ordered from in front of Rebekah as Damon pulled Elena back.
"Do we have a problem?" Shane called back to them Kol, Bonnie and Jeremy standing to the left side of him.
"We are good" Damon confirmed giving Elena a warning look. His head still hurt from the torture that the Mikaelson's put him through. He had no doubt the siblings a part of this little scavenger hunt would gladly torture him if he did not do everything in his power to ensure this mission was a success.
Shane nodded signaling for the group to follow his lead. Kol kept his eyes on the so-called professor, giving a slight nod to Bonnie whose pack held her magic stones. Bonnie let out a sigh as she slowly began to follow the man she had once thought of as her friend. The group walked single file into the forest making idle chit chat.
"Jeremy" Elena called towards her brother softly, grabbing the water bottle from her pack and handed it gently to her brother.
"Thanks" He muttered with a smile.
They continued to walk until night fall until they found a place to camp for the night. They bypassed one trap along the way, Rebekah eyed the trap with distrust. They made up two tents, one for the males, another for Elena and Bonnie and Rebekah.
Over the course of the night, the vampires noticed how Shane was unraveling since landing on the island.
"So, tell me, Professor Shane" Kol taunted his voice high almost unhinged, "tell us what brings you here to this lovely island. Or better yet what brought you here in the first place."
"This is where I found out about Silas and all he can do for his believers" Shane answered taking a deep breath of air.
Damon chuckled, "So you are coo-coo for coco puffs."
"How can you be a vampire and still be so pessimistic?" Shane shook his head, "Bonnie will use her magic to release Silas. Then he will reward those of us who believe."
Kol and Damon both rolled their eyes, the later because the only thing he knows is that Silas most definitely would not be the answer to this sad humans' prayers. Kol, knew exactly what Silas could do and while Silas scared him the utter faith of a human who was being used was rather overdone.
"He'll bring back those that we have loved. Both my wife and child who died within months of each other" Shane cried eagerly.
"Shane" Bonnie called his name, "Perhaps its' time for us to sleep. Give it a rest for the night?" she suggested.
"Yeah, sure" Shane nodded, "You'll need your rest. Can't have your emotions running rabid at a time like this."
Bonnie frowned, "What does that mean?"
Kol chuckled, "Bon-Bon what he means is that expression has a habit of turning witches into ticking time bombs."
Instead of turning on Kol, the Bennet witch turned towards her supposed teacher, anger in her eyes. "What did you do?" She accused.
"I had to teach you expression so you could release Silas" Shane answered, his earnestness as if the means actually justified the means almost broke Bonnie's control. It was only hand of Kol on her shoulder and Damon's timely intervention that prevented her from starting a forest fire or something equally dramatic.
"So, you turned the Bennett witch into a ticking time bomb. Have anything else vital to share with the class?" Damon snarked.
"It's best if we all get some rest. Big day tomorrow" Shane dismissed.
Bonnie shot him a distrusting look before turning her back on him heading straight for her tent that she would be sharing with the girls. Quietly ensuring no one else was paying attention the witch pulled out a piece of paper writing a message on it. Closing her eyes, she felt her magic envelop her as the paper dissolved in her hands, hopefully into the hands of her friend.
She had a feeling that they would need all the help they could get.