Chapter 52
"We are out of time," Klaus growled pacing at the front of the room as his family watched from the other side of the room. He barely glanced up when Jackson, Hayley, and Davina walked into the room cautiously keeping their distance.
Kol casually wrapped his arm around Davina's shoulder making her blush harder when the door opened to reveal Bonnie and Katherine.
"Where is Caroline?" The hybrid growled, eyes flashing amber. The sole signal that his inner wolf was close to the surface.
"Caroline thinks she can talk Elena into helping" Bonnie let out a sigh, rolling her eyes at the way Kol smiled flirtatiously at her mouthing the words brave witch to her. Davina noticing the exchange elbowed the vampire in the ribs.
Elijah placed a hand on Niklaus's shoulder. "Caroline is more than capable of handling the Gilbert girl, Nik."
"That Gilbert girl has had vampires wrapped around her finger since she's entered this world. My problem is not with Caroline's skills but rather the chit's inability to see anything than what she wants" Niklaus growled. "We have the other one."
Bonnie fought herself wanting to defend Elena, even as the witch understood that what the hybrid was saying was true. With the Traveler's in town, they had a limited amount of time before the battle would be on them. Based on the information their informant was able to gather they knew the Traveler's almost had everything they need.
The only thing they were missing was the blood of the last pair of doppelgangers.
"You haven't exactly been the most wonderful thing in her life, Nik" Rebekah smirked, sending a knowing look towards the Bennett witch.
Bonnie nodded softly, "you originally wanted to kill her. Not everyone can change tune on a dime Klaus."
Kol chuckled, "Looks like Elijah dodged a bullet there. You got the better Petrova over there brother" the youngest male Mikaelson nodded towards Katherine who flipped her hair and smirked at him in response.
Elijah shook his head, "perhaps we should focus on the problem at hand. The fact that there are four sets of doppelgangers when they need only one."
Jackson frowned, stepping forward from the shadows as the hairs on his arms stood on edge when all the vampires turned their gaze on him. "Yes, Wolf boy?" Kol grinned.
"How do we know if they need them as humans, vampires, or just the last set in existence?" the wolf asked the question no one seemed to question.
Niklaus perked up, "The wolf has a point. Katherine you and your offspring would be the most knowledgeable" the hybrid paused then added in annoyance at Kol's cough. "Kol a solid second of course with magical knowledge."
Freya's mouth twitched into a smile glancing at her youngest brother with a fond smile as he puffed up. She was truly the magical expert in their family, but he had spent centuries studying the craft he had lost.
"Going off luck I would say the last ones are earth. Despite being vampires Stefan and I hold doppelganger blood it may no longer be of use to break Klaus's curse, but it would still hold power" Katherine said without snark. She slid her hand into Elijah's "I wouldn't put it past my father's people to grab the human doppelgangers as they are the most vulnerable then work to ambush us kill us then use the other two in part of their scheme."
Davina looked startled as she noticed how one by one the Mikaelson's all shared a dark smile. The young witch risked looking over at the wolves, the female Hayley looked resigned.
"What are you psychopaths planning?" Bonnie asked exasperatedly crossing her arms. She turned towards Davina, "Never trust a Mikaelson especially when they look like that."
Rebekah smiled, "the witch is learning. You might actually be worth something."
Bonnie smirked when Rebekah squawked as her hair began to smoke. Freya had turned towards Bonne and smiled, "Nicely done."
Bonne shrugged, "Caroline would have done it if she could."
"What is the plan?" Hayley finally spoke frustration clear in her voice. "My pack is out there running defense right now."
Elijah cleared his throat, "We keep the first plan in place. They want a pair of doppelgangers to complete their spell."
Finn continued, "The wolves will remain on the boundaries. Keeping a close pair of eyes on them. Alert us when they enter the city they will continue to think we don't want them in the city."
"But the witches," Davina spoke up.
Niklaus looked over at the young witch, "We have you, Bennet, and my sister plus that idiot Sophie at least until we can get the spell off of Caroline. We don't need your pathetic ex-coven."
"I think our brother is going soft" Kol fake whispered into his sister's ear. Said sister rolled her eyes "and now I will not save you if our dear brother manages to get the daggers from Caroline's hiding place."
XXX
"Okay you got this, Care" The pregnant woman whispered to herself, flashing the redhead at her side with a smile.
Caroline knocked.
Then knocked again. The redhead was leaning against the opposite wall, watching with great amusement as the annoying doppelganger refused to open the door to the more-than-life blonde. Her fiancée was in a last-minute meeting that Caroline decided that for once Elijah should be able to keep him from doing something ridiculously long or murderous long enough for Caroline to drag her friend out of the room.
"Elena!" Caroline whined through the door knocking against the wood impatiently, "Come and join the celebrations."
"So, you can use me as bait? No Thanks" Came Elena's sharp rebuttal. Caroline internally groaned as she leaned against the door. Once again Caroline had been cast as the distraction, only this time she didn't really mind. Before she could get enraged Liz Forbes had reminded her daughter of the position she was in.
Was her pride more important than the safety of her children? Begrudgingly and nods of solidarity from Bonnie, Sage and Rebekah of all people Caroline's anger was set aside. Instead, she was warmed by the idea of people wanting to protect her for once instead of being pushed into danger.
Still, she was a distraction.
It would give the Mikaelson's the surety that the baby Mikaelson's in her womb would be safe as they dealt with a potentially magically explosive situation. Something Caroline was forced to admit made sense. It wasn't as if she wanted to leave them to their own devices. Elena once, they had enough of her scent to lure the Traveler's would be transported to them, while Tom would stay in Mikaelson protection being seen as the more logical doppelganger.
Especially if the travelers demanded to see a doppelganger. Knowing that all they would need to complete the spell was the pairs blood, the fact that Katherine, Stefan, Silas and Amara were still alive comforted Caroline. They needed too many dead doppelgangers for the plan that had sent her packing from her home for five years to come true.
It was what their alternative plan was that gave the blonde pause. Only the fact that she had seen the Mikaelson's get out of impossible situations made Caroline even remotely okay with leaving them alone. Her left hand pressed against her growing belly unconsciously.
"Do you really think that's the only reason I'd invite you?" Caroline asked doing her best to bury the hurt she felt at this moment. She reminded herself about her need to focus.
The blonde could hear shuffling in the room, then Elena's voice louder than it was before. "I trust you, Caroline. It's your vampire I don't trust."
"Fiancée. He's my fiancée" Caroline corrected softly. "He's a part of my life for good now Elena. Just like how Damon was."
"Damon didn't murder a member of your family" Elena muttered.
"No Damon just abused me to get closer to you. Knowing it would bother Stefan to see you upset" Caroline stated matter of factly. "You know Damon won't be locked up for much longer. He's only in there because he is being a stubborn mule."
"As if Klaus would let him go" Elena scoffed.
"We have bigger troubles than a love-obsessed vampire" Caroline shrugged knowing the brunette couldn't see her. "I won't lie to you. We will need your help for the plan to work but it would work just as well with only Tom."
"Tom? Where is he?" Elena fretted.
"Preparing to go into town to draw out the Travelers. You could be there for him then as soon as your part is done Freya will transport you out of there."
Caroline could practically feel the wheels turning in her childhood friend's head. The blonde had to force herself to be patient as Elena hesitantly said, "It'll be over then? I can go free?"
"You are asking me something that I can't promise" Caroline sighed. "People will always want you for your blood. As long as they think you are alive."
Elena paused by the door opening it just a crack to peek at Caroline. "You promised protection."
"I think I can get Klaus to agree to give you a brand-new identity. We can decide the location later. You'll get the best protection available. It can be like before you ever met Stefan or Damon" Caroline smiled at her childhood friend.
"But I won't be able to see them, will I?" Elena asked opening the door wider, allowing Caroline to step inside.
"You want to be away from the supernatural world," Caroline said softly. "Bonnie, Stefan, and I are all a part of it. So, are you but you and Bonnie have a real good chance of getting out if you wish?"
"As if Bonnie would give up her magic" Elena snorted sharing a smile with Caroline who giggled.
"She is one of the good ones. I think it would be a shame if she hid it from the world" Caroline sighed.
"Hey, Care?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you really think I can have a normal life?"
Caroline let out a breath, "If you do your darndest to stay out of the supernatural crosshairs and you don't let any supernatural issue override every normal moment… I think so. Or you could leverage your value and gain protection no matter who you choose to associate with."
Elena straightened her shoulders offering one of her oldest friends a smile, "I would make an awful friend if I missed your baby shower."
Caroline sniffed, "Well the first time it wasn't as if you had a choice."
Elena raised her brow, "Is this is one of those memories of your old life? It's still hard to believe you know."
"You believe in vampires," The blonde pointed out.
"Yeah, the whole face warping into a bulging vein tends to knock the skeptic out of you."
"I will forgive you for not getting me a gift if you are ready to go on time tomorrow. Any later than noon and I can't promise your bitchy ancestor won't take off without us."
"Hey, Care?"
Caroline raised a brow. Elena looked over at her "How would you do it?"
"How would I use my magical blood as leverage against the oldest family in existence to get what I want?"
"First I'd get a supernatural lawyer, then draw up my demands" Caroline pondered out loud. "Of course if I was in your shoes I might not need one after all Klaus loves it when I.."
"Oh god don't tell me about your sex life" Elena gagged.
Caroline shrugged as Sage laughed out loud. "Okay since you are against fucking a thousand-year-old vampire. Which I would reconsider if I were you, their experience makes it way worth any cringy thoughts about where they've been."
XXX
In a thousand years is there was one thing an immortal being should know was to never mess with a Mikaelson. Over the years they had members of the supernatural community come after them, often because of some offense the Mikaelsons had caused. Kol was not an idiot he and his siblings most certainly made more than a few enemies over the years.
This time it was different. The mess they were dealing with while certainly held parts the Mikaelsons fucked themselves over on. Kol was simply glad that Marcel was currently not an issue at the moment, the vampire was sure Marcel would attack to end any Mikaelson stronghold in the city the moment this was over.
The issue at hand started even earlier than the Mikaelsons could be dated back to, Kol gritted his teeth just thinking about it. They had managed to deal with Silas in a peaceful way only now they had to deal with his fanatics who were so separated from the origins of their magic that they were trying to destroy the world for a chance to either get it back or make everyone as miserable as they were.
Kol glanced over at the eerily quiet Niklaus. Over the centuries Kol Mikaelson had learned a lot, especially about his siblings. The longer they lived the more patterns emerged, things that humans could simply ignore if they were small enough. For a vampire? Everything is discovered in time.
After all they had all the time in the world. The younger Mikaelson male watched as his older brother looked out the window of the car, the fact he was not driving only raised the warning flags in Kol's own mind. He mindlessly maneuvered the automobile with ease, the hairs on his arm raised with the knowledge that his brother was being silent.
A silent Niklaus was never a good thing.
It was a silent Niklaus that bludgeoned
"Your eyes are screaming," Niklaus murmured low, only glancing away from the window to face the backseat where an annoyed scoff was heard.
"We are waiting for you to snap once you see the witch" Their sister rolled her eyes. "Even if it would be rude to kill the one who informed us about their coven's little secret conversations."
"I have no plans on killing the witch" Niklaus scoffed, glancing over at his siblings. Rebekah snorted while Kol let out a low hum.
"The witch will be safe as long as she keeps her end of the bargain" The original murmured holding the vial of blood he twirled from his fingers.
Rebekah kept her mouth shut, sharing a look with Kol who looked just as doubtful. Their normally vicious brother had been rather tame since Caroline's pregnancy had been announced. Rebekah assumed sooner or later that her brother would need to unleash his anger.
Not that the witch didn't have it coming, tying Caroline's life force to her own. The fact the New Orleans coven were backstabbing oath breakers, well it didn't surprise the vampire that one of their own would turn their backs on such a coven.
The supernatural did strange things to those tied to you by blood. Seeing the familiar restaurant's name outside of her window, the original sister looked towards her brothers one last time. Niklaus's face held none of his usual enjoyment, his face was set in a firm line.
Kol clapped his hands, "Well then shall we release our dear future sister-in-law from this terrible crutch."
Niklaus glowered at his brother who simply pouted, "Am I the only Mikaelson with a sense of humor?"
Sophie was the only one inside the restaurant when the Mikaelson's entered. The witch looked resigned at spotting what could only be the three most vioitle of the siblings. "Of course, it would be you three."
"Don't sound to disappointed love. I may get my feelings hurt" Niklaus feigned hurt. "Your coven has been making dealings in bad faith."
"I warned you didn't I?" Sophie challenged the Mikaelson her head held high. "All I ask is that I can take Monique and leave this city."
"Davina Claire warned us," Kol reminded the witch with a sneer. "You didn't do a thing."
"She's not trusted" Sophie growled. "I gave her all the information. I know she told you or you wouldn't be here."
"Let's say we are interested in making a deal" Elijah interrupted, sending up his hand to silence his siblings. "The only thing you ask is to allow your niece and yourself freedom to leave the city?"
Sophie nodded, "Yes. This coven…I don't know when but its corrupted. I don't think it can be saved but I refuse to allow Monique to share their fate. I'll do anything."
"Release the bind between you and Caroline" Niklaus demanded. "Undue that spell and give us all the information you know and you will be free to go."
Elijah visibly looked irritated, his tone kept low and cool "Well Ms. Deveraux do we have an accord?"
"Information and releasing the spell for our freedom, yes."
XXX
What do you get a vampire turned human, with a filthy rich immortal fiancée as a baby shower gift? Elena put back the high-tech baby monitor taking the moment to glance back at her ex-boyfriend. She watched as he looked over the aisle with a thoughtful look on his face. A part of Elena couldn't believe she got him to agree to take her shopping.
Not after everything that's happened.
"I can feel you starring" Stefan said with a chuckle. The two were walking in the middle of the French Quarter, allowing Elena to actually shop for Caroline's baby shower. It had taken a lot of convincing on Stefan's part that with the wolves surrounding the city and him beside Elena and Marcel's men around the city that the doppelganger would be safe.
"You seem different," Elena said carefully. "Ever since we got to New Orleans you seem different. More at ease, I guess?"
Stefan didn't answer right away "It feels good to work in a team again."
"We've always been a team Stefan," Elena said
'I know" Stefan chuckled, "I guess what I mean is that its been nice to work as a team with the Mikaelson's. They are a lot of things but you have to admit they are good at teamwork."
"Unless they are in a middle of a sibling rivalry fight" Elena retorted.
"I think that's where Caroline comes in" Stefan chuckled, even Elena cracked a smile. "She does have a way with them doesn't she?"
"So you and Rebekah?" Elena tried to ask casually as Stefan pointed to a store that looked promising.
Stefan looked over at Elena, "You and Tom?"
Elena flinched, "Tom is nice and very human. Like me."
"He can give you what Damon and I never can" Stefan smiled only slightly bitter.
"You liked her once before" Elena cajouled with a smile. "I'm always going to love to Stefan. A part of me is going to hate seeing you anyone else but I do want you happy."
"Do you really? Or do you just want to stop feeling guilty that you are able to move on? From me, from Damon."
Elena winced dropping the shirt she was looking over to give him a deep look. "I didn't move on Stefan. My feelings adapted, changed, evolved."
"Vampires don't change on a whim, Elena. Look at how long it took for Damon to get over Katherine it took unsurmountable evidence for him to forget his feelings for her. I'm not telling you to be with him but Elena you changed him forever."
"I get it I need to talk to Damon. I never did have a talk with him like I did with you" Elena shuddered to herself.
"Why not?"
"I think a part of me knew that if I did our relationship would be forever changed. That by not choosing a Salvatore…that I would lose you both" Elena admitted. "I don't think I can handle losing either of you."
"Or you are scared to. We came into your life during a very dramatic time and its been nothing but drama since. Perhaps it is time to give normal a try" Stefan encouraged. "I've always just wanted you to be happy, Elena."
Elena licked her lips and glanced up at him. Their eyes met and Elena said "I think I could be happy….with Tom. It scares me a life where amazing but terrifying things are real. Because despite every awful thing that's happened….some amazingly beautiful things have happened to."
Stefan let out a sigh, "We should keep looking, Elena. But if my opinion means anything I think Tom is what you were looking for but I just brought a detour."
Elena nodded and the two scoured shop after shop looking for anything that screamed Baby Mikaelson. That was when Elena suggested they split up at the final store. They were loosing daylight and Elena was desperate to find anything. She wanted to show Caroline that while she didn't necesarrily like the path the blonde had chosen she could accept it.
Stefan looked reluctant but nodded, "Just call if you need anything."
It took only a few minutes for Stefan to spy something that looked familiar. It was a necklace, a silver pendant with what looked awfully like the Mikaelson crest on it. When he took a closer look, it was most definitely the large M and when he observed the necklace he noticed the pendent was a locket.
Stefan turned to call for Elena when he felt something was off. A familiar scream alerted him to Elena's location. He flashed over using his vampire speed to where he located Elena only to see nothing out of the ordinary. He glanced over the store and Elena was not in it.
XXX
"You lost Elena."
The incredulous voice that was Caroline Forbes soon to be Mikaelson was not one to take lightly. Their little wartime assemble had been gathered when Stefan returned alone, shame faced. Rebekah's mouth twitched in displeasure as she looked at the man who she once envisioned herself with.
"Did you fall for her act again?"
Stefan glared over at Rebekah, "We were on opposite sides of the store looking for a gift. She didn't have time to do much more than scream before I was there but they were already gone."
"You lost the doppelganger" Niklaus deadpanned taking a sip of his drink. "All this means we need to act now. They have one doppelganger now they just need Tommy boy or Stefan then they will try to kill the rest of you off."
Finn frowned, "Do we have enough in place for it to work?"
Elijah looked thoughtful, "They only need one doppelganger. If we can get Caroline and her mother out of town.."
"I'm not leaving" Caroline defied, ignoring the daggers that Niklaus was sending her way.
"You are" Niklaus demanded. "We cannot fight if we are worried about you. We've been over this think about what that damn human doctor said."
Caroline gritted her teeth, "Elena…"
"Blondie stop worrying about Elena" Came the snarky voice of Damon. The blonde looked over surprised to see the dark-haired vampire standing next to Enzo.
Enzo shrugged, "he stopped being that much of an idiot. Temporarily."
"Blondie we will get Elena back" Damon vouched, giving the blonde a knowing look. Caroline crossed her arms and looked over at Niklaus.
Niklaus looked like he would much rather rip Damon to shreds but said, "The older Salvatore is right. We will get Elena back but only if you stick to the plan we agreed to."
A.N: Thank you everyone for all your love and support! Sorry for the chapter craziness as of late. But I'm back!