Summary: All Celia Saltzman wanted was her mother back in her life. Moving to Mystic Falls and making new friends had never been part of the plan. Neither was finding new family. After finding out the truth about what happened to her mother, Celia soon discovers that it wasn't the only secret that lies within her family.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize here. TVD belongs to L.J. Smith and the CW.

Setting: TVD AU

Notes:

Seven

Elijah tilted his head as he took in her appearance. "Hello Katerina"

Katherine gasped as she took a step backward "Elijah"

He smirked nodding his head slightly. "I finally caught up with you"

Her brown eyes rolled at that. "So what, did you come here to gloat?"

He chuckled softly at that. "No, Katerina. I just had to see with my own eyes that it was really you."

Katherine showed a glimpse of fear before quickly masking it. "If you're here that means Klaus can't be far behind."

Elijah shrugged his shoulders. "I haven't spoken with Niklaus, but I'm sure he'll show up sooner rather than later."

She leaned against the stone wall sighing softly. "Well that's just great"

He cleared his throat then looked straight into her eyes. "No matter what happens, you will not leave here without my consent."

Katherine blinked then gave him a look. "No..."

Elijah smiled softly at her. "Goodbye for now, Katerina."

"Wait what's all this?" Elena asked as the Salvatores led them into one of the many rooms in the boarding house.

Stefan smiled at her. "Clothes left behind by our descendants. There should be plenty of sixties stuff here for the decade dance."

Celia gave him a confused look. "Wait how did you guys have descendants? I thought neither of you had kids."

"Well we didn't, but our father had a secret affair with one of the help that resulted in him having an illegitimate son. Our half brother grew up, had kids, and so on." Damon explained.

She sighed as her sister began to look through the clothes. "Is this even a good idea? Elijah is still around and God only knows when Klaus will show up."

"We have a plan for Elijah. Don't worry your pretty little head about it." He pressed a kiss to her temple.

Stefan gave her a reassuring look. "We wouldn't be encouraging you girls to go if it wasn't safe."

Celia smiled softly and gave in moving to join her sister looking through the different outfits. "Alright fine."

"It'll be fun. We'll get ready at my house." Elena smiled at her.

It was later that night when Damon's plan went into effect. The Salvatores, Elena, Celia, Ric, and Jenna were all at the boarding house for dinner. The guest of honor was Elijah himself. Celia was unsure of what was going on or who was even in on the plan. The dinner conversation was cordial with Elijah still putting on an act for Jenna. The half sisters shared a look, but didn't say anything.

"Well this was certainly a nice dinner. Thanks for inviting us." Ric spoke up smiling at them.

Elijah nodded his head then took a sip of his wine. "Indeed. Thank you for the invitation."

"It's been fun, but I have a thesis to finish proofreading so I should go." Jenna pointed out.

Celia smiled softly at her. "Elena and I can take you home. If that's alright with you, Dad."

"Of course it's alright. Drive safe." He smiled at his daughter.

Elijah gave them a curious look before smiling softly. "Good night, ladies."

They said goodbye to him then said goodbye to their respective boyfriends. Celia hugged her Dad then walked out of the boarding house with Elena and Jenna. Once the girls were gone, the Salvatores cleaned up then led Elijah and Ric into the library. Damon poured them drinks surprising Elijah when his wasn't spiked with vervain.

Elijah took another sip of his drink. "Gentlemen, I assure you that we all want the same thing and that is to protect Miss Gilbert. If I wanted her dead, she'd be dead."

"Why should we even believe you? If Stefan and I hadn't shown up when we did, you would have ran off with them to who knows where." Damon scoffed at him.

He set his drink down and smoothed out his suit. "Believe it or not. I meant them no harm."

Stefan gave him a curious look. "Why would you take Celia anyway if Elena was the one you wanted to protect?"

The older vampire shrugged his shoulders. "I thought it would ease Elena to have her sister nearby."

"Whatever you have planned, leave my kid out of it." Alaric huffed catching him off guard as he stabbed him in the chest with an ornate dagger.

Elijah gasped in shock and it wasn't long before his skin began to turn gray. They waited until they were certain it worked and then the Salvatores brought his body downstairs to the cellar. They laid on him the ground in one of the cells then walked out shutting the door. Ric nodded his head then left the boarding house.

It was the next morning when Celia finally decided to go against what Elena had wanted. Her sister was helping Bonnie with something and Jeremy had gotten a job at the Grill. Jenna was relieved to just be done proofreading her thesis. It was a relaxing morning for them until Celia decided to finally break the news to her. They sat down on the couch in the Gilbert home and the younger girl tried to figure out the words to explain everything to her.

Jenna softened toward her. "It's okay. You can tell me anything"

Celia took a deep breath. "I appreciate that. What do you know about vampires?"

She gave her a confused look. "Just what I've seen in movies and shows. Miranda used to tell me bedtime stories about them. Why?"

Celia sighed. "Because they're real. I know, crazy right? I don't really know how they came to be, but they're real."

Her green eyes widened a bit. "What are you talking about?"

She sat up a bit straighter. "Remember how Dad told you that my mother disappeared and then she showed up at the front door? Well it wasn't a lie. She did disappear after she got turned into a vampire."

A look of disbelief appeared on her face. "No. I mean, there were mentions of vampires in Jonathan Gilbert's journals, but he was said to be crazy. Okay let's say I do believe you. Why are you telling me this?"

Celia bit her lip lightly. "Because back in the day, this witch performed a binding ritual on a vampire. It involved a human sacrifice. A girl, but nature demands balance so when she died, magic made it so her doppelgangers would be born allowing the vampire to eventually undo the ritual. One known doppelganger was named Katerina Petrova. She found out that she was going to be killed and fled in fear. She turned herself into a vampire and changed her name to Katherine Pierce. In 1864, she met Stefan and Damon. it was her blood that turned them."

Jenna looked stunned as she let that information sink in. "So the Salvatores are vampires. Right."

She nodded her head. "Yes. Here is the important part. Katherine had a kid before she was turned. That kid had kids of her own and so forth until my mother Isobel was born. Then Mom had Elena and I. So we're Katherine's descendants, but Elena is also Katherine's doppelganger. So she looks exactly like Katherine. Remember when you stabbed yourself in the kitchen? Yeah Katherine compelled you to do that. Compulsion is basically like mind control. Vampires can look you in the eyes and tell you what to do. Vervain can keep you from being compelled unless you're allergic like me."

The older woman took a deep breath as her eyes teared up a bit. "So you're telling me all of this because Elena is a doppelganger and is potentially in danger of being sacrificed?"

Celia frowned a bit. "Well yeah. That and to keep you safe as well. Elijah is a really old vampire too. Older than Katherine and the Salvatores. Vampires can't get into the house unless you let them in."

She pushed her auburn hair away from her face. "Wait you said witch? Are you saying Sheila Bennett was telling the truth?"

The younger woman nodded her head. "Yeah. Bonnie is a witch too. Caroline recently turned and the Lockwoods are werewolves. Well the guys are werewolves. Not really sure about Tyler's mom."

Jenna looked at her in surprise. "Wait Mason is a werewolf? No. No way. We went to school together. That's not.. really?"

Celia grasped her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze. "If it helps, I don't think he triggered it until more recently. Maybe when you were in school you noticed that he got more moody close to the full moon."

She squeezed her hand in return. "Uh yeah maybe. Can't really say I ever thought anything of it. Why am I only learning about all of this now?"

The younger woman sighed. "Elena truly believed that you were safer not knowing. Dad respected her wishes, but I think he also thought you wouldn't believe him."

Jenna nodded her head in understanding. "So now what?"

Celia smiled softly at her. "Well now we get you on vervain. You can drink it in tea or something. You can also wear it if you don't feel comfortable drinking it."

She let go of her hand. "You're allergic so it'd probably be safer if I drank it instead of wearing it."

The youngest Saltzman pulled her into a hug. "Thanks Jenna. I'm sorry I dropped all of this on you so suddenly. After you got stabbed, I just didn't want to risk you getting hurt again."

Jenna returned the hug and smiled softly. "It's okay. I'm glad that you felt like you could be honest with me."

"Anyone else getting weird vibes from Jenna? I mean, weirder than normal?" Damon asked as they walked out of the Gilbert home later that night.

She bit her lip as she held his hand while walking toward his car. "I told her the truth today. About Mom. About everything."

"You what? Celia, how could you?" Elena looked over at her sister in disbelief.

Celia rolled her eyes. "I've felt guilty about keeping her in the dark ever since she was compelled to stab herself. I couldn't risk her letting Klaus in the house unknowingly, Elena."

"It still wasn't right. I should have been the one to tell her." She sighed.

"By the time you told her, she'd be dead." The older Salvatore brother remarked.

Stefan sighed helping Elena into his car. "We'll see you guys at the school."

Celia nodded watching as he got into the car as well. "Alright. See you there."

"Are you alright?" Damon asked once his brother's car drove away.

A sigh fell from her lips. "Yeah I'm fine. I guess I'm just scared. I don't want to lose anyone else, Damon."

"Hey, shh, you're not going to lose anyone else. We're going to get through this. I promise." He assured her then pressed a kiss to her head.

Celia smiled and leaned up kissing his lips softly. He deepened it a little then pulled away helping her into his car. Damon drove them over to the school parking his car in the lot. Celia took a deep breath then got out of the car. He took her hand walking toward the school. They met up with Stefan, Elena, and their friends before going inside. The atmosphere of the dance seemed to calm Celia a bit. Damon was determined to make both girls smile so he pulled them both on the dance floor and began to dance. It wasn't long before Celia giggled and began to dance with him. it also brought out a smile from Elena who also started to dance. It was exactly what they needed in spite of everything else going on in their lives. At one point Damon stepped away to talk with Stefan.

"This next song is a special shout out for Elena. Klaus says he'll be seeing you soon." A girl onstage spoke into a microphone before 'Last Kiss' started to play.

The two sisters froze looking at each other. Neither were sure where the Salvatores were at the moment. On instinct, Elena grabbed her sister's wrist and hurried out of the gym where the dance was being held. They hurried through the halls though they didn't see either of the Salvatores yet. It was only as they turned a corner that they caught sight of Ric walking down the hall toward them. Both girls sighed in relief.

Celia pulled away from Elena and ran over to her father hugging him tightly. "Dad!"

"It's okay. Everything is going to be okay." Ric returned the hug.

"Celia..."

"Hello Elena. Nice to finally meet you." He smirked as he pulled away from her sister.

"Klaus." She appeared alarmed and reached out to her sister.

Celia gave them both a confused look. "What?"

"Sorry love. I borrowed your dear ol Dad for a bit." He chuckled softly at her.

Bonnie stepped into the hallway sending him flying into a wall. "Stay away from my friends."

Not thinking, Celia stepped in front of Bonnie. "No, no, no. Not while he is in my Dad's body. Please don't hurt him."

She gave her friend an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry."

"Oh little witch, you underestimate me." He smirked as he got to his feet.

Bonnie smirked sending him flying again. "No I think you underestimate me."

Elena grabbed Celia pulling her out of the way. Both girls watched in horror as Bonnie and Klaus fought into a classroom. The door shut locking behind them making Celia panic. At one point, Bonnie glanced over at the girls and then collapsed. A scream fell from Celia's lips. It was only moments later that Klaus stepped out of the room leaving Bonnie's seemingly lifeless body behind. Elena instinctively went to check on her, but her sister followed the man that was currently possessing her father.

"Yes Celia?" He gave her an amused look as he turned to look at her.

She looked at him with tear filled eyes. "Look, I know you don't care, but please don't hurt my father. I swear that Elena and I had no idea Bonnie was going to do that."

"I had no intention to harm him. He is just a means to an end." He admitted.

Celia rolled her eyes. "You hurt him and I'll find your body. I'll cut it into pieces and toss them in the ocean for the sharks to feast on."

"Ah there's that Petrova fire. Don't worry. I wasn't planning on staying in his body much longer anyway." Klaus smirked at her.

She sighed in relief. "Good."

"Now run along back to your sister like a good girl and forget we ever spoke." He looked into her eyes compelling her.

Celia blinked giving him a confused look before walking away. He smirked watching her before leaving the area. She was even more confused when she found Elena crying and then she saw it. Bonnie was laying still as Stefan carried her out of the classroom. Celia hugged her sister letting the tears fall from her own eyes as well. Damon then took them both to the boarding house. Celia wanted to go home, but with Klaus possessing Alaric, no one wanted to let her out of their sights. The girls were confused when Stefan handed them his phone only for their faces to light up when they heard the all too familiar voice on the other end.

"Bonnie?" Elena teared up again though they were happy tears this time.

Celia shook a bit. "Oh my god."

The young witch smiled hearing their voices. "Hey guys. I'm so sorry about what happened. I never wanted to put you guys through all of that, but your reactions had to be genuine."

She laughed slightly. "Oh Bonnie, I don't care. I'm just glad that you're okay. Wait you are okay right?"

Bonnie grinned softly at that. "Yeah I'm fine. Exhausted, but fine. I'm sorry for flinging your Dad around. I tried my best not to hurt him."

Celia bit her lip. "Thanks. Klaus wasn't planning on staying in Dad's body much longer anyway. Wait I wasn't supposed to remember that."

"What do you mean?" Damon looked at his girlfriend in concern.

She looked at him and sighed. "I think he compelled me to forget we talked."

"Well he wasn't in his own body so maybe it just didn't work because of that." Elena assured her sister.

Bonnie spoke reassuringly to them. "Whatever the case, I think we've all been through enough for one night. Try to get some rest. I'll see you guys as soon as I can."

"Wait you want us to what?" Elena looked at the Salvatores in shock the next day.

Stefan smiled at her as he held the lease to the boarding house in his hands. "Klaus is here in town. Celia's place is compromised. Too many people can get into your house. We just want to give you guys a place where no one can get in unless you let them."

Celia smiled touched by their thoughtfulness. "Thank you. I call dibs on Damon's room."

"Hey!" He gave her a look of mock annoyance before smiling softly.

"You so would. Alright let's sign it then." Elena grabbed a pen signing the lease.

She took the pen signing the lease next then giggled softly. "Hey we own a house. That's pretty cool."

"Yeah it is." She smiled at her sister.

Celia then smiled at the Salvatores. "I guess now we've got to let you guys in."

"Stefan, you may come in." Elena smiled at her boyfriend.

"Cece..." Damon looked at his girlfriend.

She smiled teasingly at him. "Hmm, well I don't know if I should."

"What are we, five now?"

Celia shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Are you?"

"Very funny, Celia." Damon rolled his eyes playfully.

She grinned softly at him. "Damon, you may come in."

"Finally. Thank you." He stepped inside and picked her up making her squeal.

Stefan smirked playfully at them as they shut the door. "Get a room, you two."

"Gladly." Damon chuckled softly at him.

Celia smacked his arm playfully and hopped down. "If we're going to be staying here then we should probably stock the kitchen. Luckily I have some clothes here and at Elena's house. Why don't you guys go to the store while Elena and I grab our stuff from her house?"

"I don't know. One of us should really stay with you." He looked unsure.

She smiled at him. "Damon, I love you, but you guys are suffocating me."

"Wait, what did you just say?" His face lit up as he stared at her.

Celia cupped his face giving him a kiss. "I said I love you."

"I love you too." Damon returned the kiss holding her close.

Stefan cleared his throat a few moments later. "Yeah we have no problem going to the store."

She blushed pulling away from his brother. "Thanks Stefan."

"We'll be back soon." Damon kissed her again then left the boarding house with his brother.

Celia waited until they drove away then looked at Elena. "Come on, we don't have a lot of time."

"What are you talking about?" She gave her sister a confused look.

She shook her head walking through the boarding house to the door that led down to the cellar. "We are going to your house, but first we're getting Elijah."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Elena appeared unsure as she followed her sister down the stairs.

Celia shrugged her shoulders. "Not at all, but I would do anything to protect my dad."

"Alright fair enough." She agreed and helped her look around.

She peered through the window in the door of the cell only to see his corpse laying on the floor. "Found him!"

"Careful, Cece." Elena followed her into the cell.

Celia nodded then knelt down beside Elijah grasping the dagger and pulling it out. "Let's hope this works."

It took a few minutes, but the color started to return to his skin and he opened his eyes looking right at Elena. "Katerina?"

"Uh no, I'm Elena." She corrected him as Celia pocketed the dagger.

Elijah suddenly gasped and darted out of the cell. They hurriedly followed him though Celia grabbed some blood bags on the way. The three of them made it out of the house and it was then that the girls understood. Celia handed him the blood bags as a peace offering. He accepted them and drained them quickly. She disposed of the empty bags then returned to them relieved to see that neither were harmed.

Celia bit her lip as she looked at him. "I'm so sorry that happened. They're just very overprotective of us."

He nodded his head at her. "I understand. I'm not mad at either of you. Tell me, what have I missed?"

She frowned at that. "Well Klaus is in town and he is possessing my father's body."

Elijah appeared upset then masked it quickly. "Very well. We need to stop at the Lockwood mansion then."