Chapter Fourteen

The Plan

"A thousand times I've tempted fate. A thousand times I've played this game. A thousand times that I have said today, today, today..." ~ 30 Seconds to Mars

"Will you wait until it all burns down? Will you hide until it all burns down? Will it hurt when it all burns down? Will you fight when it all burns down..." ~ Red

"So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light. 'Cause oh that gave me such a fright. But I will hold as long as you like. Just promise me we'll be alright..." ~ Mumford & Sons

I laid back in the bathtub, soaking my aching body. Training had been rough and I needed some time to heal and relax. Damon, Alaric and Stefan had been rough on us today, forcing us to step out of our comfort zones. They pushed us to our limits, until we couldn't feel our limbs anymore. I closed my eyes running my fingers lightly through the foam in the bath. The door suddenly opened and Stefan walked in.

"Hey!" I said opening my eyes and covering my bits, as Stefan sat down at the edge of the bathtub. "What?" he asked. "It's not like I haven't seen it all before," he said smiling. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow. Elena walked in a second later followed by Sasha, Damon, Jack, Dave, Bonnie and Caroline.

"You never said I had to fight," Bonnie said looking at Jack. "What do you think this is?" Jack asked turning to look at Bonnie. "A carnival?"

"No," Bonnie said pulling a face. "I just didn't think I had to fight."

"Sorry sweetheart but we all have to fight, that includes you," Jack replied.

"Excuse me!" I yelled. "I'm sorry to interrupt this fascinating conversation, but naked lady in the room." Everyone turned to look at me like I had just pointed out the obvious. "Fine, continue," I said sinking further into the tub.

"If you're done pointing out the obvious," Jack said. "We have to sort this out."

The house was filled with people in the last couple of weeks working and talking, but mostly arguing. Nobody could agree on an action plan. Some wanted the element of surprise, others wanted to take The Assembly head on, and most didn't want it to get physical, afraid that too much blood will be spilled. I was in agreement with the latter group, but I did see why some wanted to take the fight to The Assembly. I knew as well as Jack and Damon that The Assembly won't step down without a fight. However, most of us did want to do this peacefully, but I wasn't naive. I knew that most likely this was going to turn into a bloody fight, one we might be outnumbered in. I listened as they bickered back and forth, no one really getting anywhere. Nobody could agree on what the best thing would be. After a about twenty minutes everyone turned to look at me. It was like they finally realized I was still in the room.

More people had come in making the already small room even smaller. They were cramped in tighter than what the room allowed.

"If anyone should have a say it should be Ava," Jack said directing the debated question to me. Should we fight or should we negotiate with The Assembly?

Honestly, I didn't know, but Jack was right. In the end I have to be the one that makes the decisions. As much as I hated it, I had to decide what we're going to do.

"Okay, I have a plan, but for the love of all that is good in this world, can I please get out of this tub. I've turned into a prune!"

"Okay, everyone out," Damon said. "Out. Out. Out." He ushered them out closing the door after Jack walked out. He grabbed a towel and shook it open.

I got up and Damon stepped forward wrapping the towel around me.

"Do you really have a plan?" he asked, as I climbed out of the tub.

"Yes," I said walking over to the mirror. I opened the faucet and wet my face.

"I've been working on it for a few days. I think it might work," I said squeezing face wash into the palm of my hand. I quickly washed my face and dried it.

Damon looked hesitant. "Really?" he said, skeptically.

"Yes, really," I laughed turning around facing him. I stood on the tip of my toes and kissed Damon. "I'll just get dressed and then I'll share my master plan," I said with a smile. Damon followed me into the bedroom. "I can think of something better to do," Damon observed pinching my ass. I jumped and giggled. "Not now," I said slapping his hand away. "There are too many ears around."

"If we live by that rule, then we're in trouble."

"That's not what I mean. I mean, they're out there waiting for me to come down."

"Yeah, yeah," Damon said with a sly smile. I knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Stop it," I said with laugh. "We can't do that now. But, definitely later."

"You bet your sexy little Keeper ass we will," he said knowingly.

Damon left me to get dressed, joining the others downstairs. I heard them talk, the male voices travelling through the house. I took a deep breath and let it out. Sure I had a plan, but it wasn't the greatest plan in the world. But, it was better than nothing I guess. I left the room and made my way downstairs. It was time to face the masses and put my plan forward. I walked into the room, everyone's eyes on me. It was nerve-wrecking to think that all these people were looking to me to lead them in what might be the greatest war the supernatural race has witnessed. Nobody was sitting. They all stood, the tension in the room so thick it stifled me. "I know the last few months have been rough and hectic, and I know you all have a lot of questions," I began. Everyone's eyes were glued on me, and it made me a little anxious. "I can't begin to answer any of them, but what I can do is share my plan." One by one they sat down, not that there were enough seats. Sasha, Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and a couple of others sat down on the floor, leaning against the sofas and chairs for support. Damon, Alaric and Dave sat down on the stairs behind me. I moved a little positioning myself in such a way that everyone could see me and for myself to see them.

"I can see the benefits of taking The Assembly by surprise, but," I said seeing the smug looks on some of the peoples' faces. "I can also see why taking the fight to them is a good strategy." I looked at every person in the room, before I continued with the plan. "I think we need to take the fight to The Assembly, but not head on. We'll still use the element of surprise. We have one thing they don't have. We have magic. Vampires, Werewolves, and even Keepers can be weakened by magic."

"So, you want to send us in first?" Bonnie asked from her position on the floor by Jeremy's feet. I could see the worry in her eyes. She was willing to stand with us, but she wasn't willing to die for us. And I don't blame her. I wouldn't want to die for a cause I had no stake in. But she did. Every supernatural being was in danger with the way the Keepers are running things. The existence of Hunters again proofs that.

"Not by yourselves," I said. "Because you'll need muscle to get you as close as possible to The Assembly. That's where the Hunters and those who can fight comes into play," I said trying to sound like I knew exactly what I was talking about. I've given the plan some thought, but it still wasn't rock solid, and I had no idea whether it would work or not. "You will make way for me, Damon, Stefan, Tyler and Bruce to capture and eliminate The Assembly." Bruce was an old vampire that Jack and I both knew. He was once one of my father's charges, and later on became a close friend.

A few vampires, werewolves, faeries and other supernatural creatures have offered to stand with us. They were not all here, but they were waiting for when the time came to make our move. "What about the rest of us?" Sasha asked on behalf of all the non-magical and non-supernatural individuals.

"You will stay behind and care for those that are wounded just like they do in war. Because this is war people whether we like it or not. The Assembly is brutal and won't hesitate to kill any of us. I don't want blood to be shed, but I can't promise that everyone will survive." The tension in the room lightened and was replaced with a somber tone. "I can't do this by myself and I need help. So, I promise that I will do my best to try and keep everyone safe."