AN: I kind of ship Dark Alaric and Bella

Alaric's heart raced as he stood in the dimly lit room, savoring the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.

'Was that the sheriff?' Isabella asked as she rushed down the stairs.

Suddenly, her voice, like a sweet melody, filled the air, catching him off guard. In a moment of distraction, the ceramic mug slipped from his trembling hand, sending the coffee splattering across the floor and the mug shattering into a thousand pieces.

The abrupt sound echoed through the room, startling her with wide-eyed surprise.

As she turned towards him, her large, dark doe eyes reflected a mixture of shock and concern, giving her the appearance of a frightened deer ready to flee at any moment.

It was only Elena's swift return that prevented her from bolting in fear.

'Bella, you're up.' Elena gasped as she stood next to her.

'Gran called.' Isabella said, turning to Elena. 'I didn't tell her where I was going...'

'Oh.' Elena sighed. ' You should go...'

'I'll be back...' Isabella said defiantly.

'I know, it's just...'

There was something unspoken between them; what happened while he was asleep?

'I need to to go.'

'Right.'

Neither girl moved; it was like they could not leave each other.

'What did the sheriff want?'

'Uh...,' Elena said as she looked between her and Alaric, 'let's talk about that when you come back.'

Bella frowned but nodded. 'Alright.'

'And you can tell Ric and me about your nightmare.'

Isabella turned her gaze on Alaric briefly before edging behind Elena. 'It was just a silly dream.'

'Then you shouldn't mind sharing it. Last night, you said that you wanted things to change between us. I want that too, but you have to do your part.'

'Right, like it or not, we're in this together.'

Isabella stumbled out the door; Alaric looked between the front door and the remaining girl for a bit before Elena breathed.

'I'll never understand you, Isabella Swan.' Elena sighed, smiling.

'"Okay, so you and Elena are friends now?" Gran asked as I rummaged through my closet, the scent of cedar and lavender enveloping me in a familiar comfort.

"Well, I'm not entirely certain, but I believe we should make an earnest effort to establish some kind of connection," I replied, pausing to finger the soft fabrics in front of me.

"What brought on this sudden change?" Gran's voice held a gentle curiosity as she observed me.

"Last night, I had a dream that Elena died, and I was unable to save her," I explained, my voice tinged with concern.

"What do you mean?" Gran inquired, her eyes filled with empathy and understanding.

"She was drowning, and I had to choose between saving myself and rescuing her," I elaborated, feeling the weight of the dream still lingering in my mind.

"Is this because of Isobel's death?" Gran's voice held a hint of concern as she touched my arm gently.

"Which shirt do you think looks better, the blue camisole with lace trim or the brown Henley shirt?" I asked, seeking a shift in the conversation.

"Bella-" Gran started, her concern evident in her gentle admonishment.

"I've always been told that blue looks best on me," I said to lighten the mood, the dream memories still haunting me.

"Bella," Gran said softly as she placed her hand on my shoulders, "every color suits you."

"I'll go with the brown one," I said, deciding and diverting the conversation from the weighty topic we had been discussing.

"Bella, don't force a relationship; if you and Elena are meant to be friends, it will happen," Gran advised, her wisdom and experience evident in her soothing words.

"Okay," I said, agreeing with her as I tried to shake off the remnants of the unsettling dream.

'Did you find Bonnie's mom?' Bella asked the second she was back.

'Yeah.'

I tried to start the conversation off light, but she was having none of that.

'Where is she?'

And she needed to know everything about you and your thoughts and feelings.

'With Bonnie.'

'Trying to open Klaus' magical coffin?'

'Yeah.' Ric muttered as he watched us.

'Some bonding experience.'

'Stopping Klaus would be a great bonding experience.' I challenged.

'Is that why Stefan and Damon aren't here?' Bella asked as she looked around.

'Yeah.'

Bella glanced at me; something in her gaze/glare told me she didn't believe me.

'So, what's in the bag?'

'Oh, here.' Bella placed her backpack on the counter. 'I brought a peace offering.'

'Is it brownies?' Ric asked as Bella opened her bag.

'Pictures.' Bella said she pulled the coveted photos. 'I can't be selfish with these anymore. And like you said, sharing is fun.'

'What about your grandmother?'

'You live down the street.'

'So, this is your uncle Beau?' Ric said as he scanned through the photos.

'He's actually my father.'

'How do you know?' I asked eagerly as Ric looked at her.

'Well, Isobel told me, but John and I had a DNA test.'

'Then how do you know if Beau is-'

'Gran and I took a DNA test as well.' She turned to me. 'I didn't mention it because I was angry about Isobel's death.'

'Does Jeremy know?'

'No.'

'Do you know why you can resist compulsion?' Ric handed me a cup of coffee.

'No.'

'So John told Beau about vampires...'

'And Gran said it nearly drove him mad.'

'Is that why she doesn't like John and Isobel?' I asked.

'Well, that... and...'

'And?' Pressed Ric.

'She walked in on them.'

'Beau and Isobel.'

'And John.' Bella mumbled.

'What do you mean, and John?' I demanded.

'The three of them, together...'

'What?' Choked Ric.

'I was conceived during a threesome.'

'What?!' Was our joint reply.

'So enough about me,' she turned to Ric, 'what's your deal?'

'I came here looking for answers about Isobel's disappearance.'

'Is that when you found out Elena?'

'No.'

'How did you find out about Elena?'

'Jenna told me.' Ric muttered into his cup.

'How'd she know?'

'I asked her to do some digging-'

'Why?'

'I found out I was adopted.'

'How?'

'Well, I found a picture of Katherine-'

'The evil twin.'

'In Stefan's room-'

'And Stefan got curious about you after he saved you from the accident.' Bella answered. 'So that's how he found out.'

Ric and I exchanged glances. 'Did Stefan tell you that?'

'Please, I had that worked out the first day of school.'

'Elena being adopted?'

'Elena being saved by Stefan.'

'When did you figure out Stefan was a vampire?'

'Tanner's death. I figured Bonnie was a witch when she mentioned my bracelet.'

'Your bracelet?'

Bella showed him her wolf bracelet. 'My friend Jacob is a member of the Quileute tribe. He craved this for me.'

'Is he a werewolf like Tyler?'

'I don't know, the tribe is pretty hush-hush about their heritage, especially with outsiders.'

'But as a friend, has Jacob ever mentioned anything?'

Bella lowered her voice as she unraveled the rich tapestry of legends.

Tales date back to the ancient Quileutes surviving a flood by tying their canoes to the tallest trees on the mountain, reminiscent of Noah and the ark.

Another legend spoke of their descent from wolves, considering the wolves to be their brothers, and it was strictly forbidden by tribal law to harm them.

Additionally, there were mysterious stories about the "cold ones" or perhaps "the old ones," shrouded in enigmatic lore.

'The cold ones?'

'I'm not supposed to share this, but Jacob wasn't supposed to confide in me. By letting you know this, I could cause him much trouble.'

'We won't tell.' Ric muttered as he pushed a cup of coffee towards her.

'Too late in the day for coffee.' Bella tried to push it away, but it landed on the floor. 'Sorry.'

'Don't worry about that.' I murmured. 'Keep going.'

'Ok, this enemy clan was caught hunting on the tribe's land by the chief, Jacob's great grandfather.'

'What do you mean he caught them hunting?'

'Jake's great grandfather found them on their land,' Bella went on, 'They've encountered cold/old ones before, but these claimed that they were different.'

'What happened next?' Ric asked.

'They claimed to be something different, so they made a treaty with them. If they promised to stay off the Quileute lands, they wouldn't expose them for what they were… to the pale faces.'

'Pale faces?'

'White people, humans basically.'

'I wonder if Isobel's research has anything on the Quileute tribe.'

'Isobel's research?' Bella repeated.

'Isobel was a researcher at Duke.'

I watched Bella's eyes light up the information. 'Isobel never really talked about her life after she gave birth to us. I didn't even know she was married until you told me. What was she studying?'

'Supernatural beings.'

'Put that on this Christmas card.'

'So-'

'What did Sheriff Forbes want?'

'Well, nothing-'

'Rosalie mentioned that the medical examiner was murdered, stabbed through the heart.'

'How does Rosalie-?'

'Did Stefan or Damon rob a blood bank a while back?'

'How-?'

'How did Rosalie know that?' Questioned Ric.

'A reporter never reveals their sources.'

'Yes...'

'Rosalie wanted to write a story about it, but the guys on the paper told her no. She was seething.'

'Liz wanted to talk to Elena about it.'

'The blood bank or the examiner?'

'The examiner.'

'Was he a vampire?'

'No, he was a human.'

'Ok, but she wanted to talk to Elena about it...'

'The murderer used-'

'Oh, right. Jeremy said that the Gilberts are vampire hunters.'

'Yes, well-'

'Gran mentioned that they were mad.'

'Uh, hello,' I said, 'Gilbert here.'

'I'm sorry, your family's mad.'

'Well,-'

'Go on, Mr. Saltzman.'

'Sheriff Forbes found Elena's prints on-'

'Wait, so does Sheriff Forbes think you killed this guy?' Bella turned to me.

'No, she doesn't. She just wanted to know why my family's weapons were used to kill a council member.'

'Oh, okay.'

'Ok.'

'Why were your family's weapons used to kill a council member?'

'I don't know.'

'Do you have any suspects?'

'No.'

'You're a bad liar.'

'How'd you know that she's lying?'

',You just told me.'

Ric sighed and rubbed his temples. 'Can we talk about something else?'

'Where's the evil twin?'

'Katherine? I don't know.'

'An evil twin hellbent on destroying your life, and you don't know where she is?'

'I have more important things to worry about-'

'Such as?'

'Jeremy.'

'Oh, I've meant to talk to you about that...'

'What about it?'

'Do you think he's better off away from town?'

'Yes, I do.'

She shifted uncomfortably. 'So... what about my grandmother? Should- should she be made to leave too?'

'You're a kid,' Ric said instantly, 'you're not staying-'

'I could stay with Caroline.'

'What about Rosalie's house-'

'I don't know want to endanger anyone else.' She turned away. 'The less people know, the better.'

'She may know more than she's letting on.'

'So am I.'

'What was your dream about?' I asked.

She shifts again. 'I'll tell you later.'

A text from Matt later that nearly made me choke on my soup.

Call Elena.

Why?

Mr. Saltzman is in the hospital.

What?

I immediately called her. 'What happened?!'

'Ric was attacked.'

'Again?!'

'Matt and I are at the hospital now.'

'What happened?!'

'The killer broke into my house and stabbed Ric.'

'They killed Caroline's dad.'

'Wait, wait, what?! Where's Stefan and Damon?!'

'I don't know.'

'Should I-'

'Stay home.'

A few days later, I was lying in bed when my phone rang.

'Hello.'

'Bella.'

'Rosalie? Is something wrong?'

'Yeah, my grandparents are and my parents are going to take of them.'

'You're leaving town?'

'No, I'll just be staying with a cousin in town. I'm packing now.'

'They like your grandparents?'

'Naw, Merri is cool, she's a doctor know.'

'Is she your one source?'

'I can neither confirm nor deny that.'

'Do you have any sources in the police station?'

'Maybe, why do you ask?'

'Let's say I wanted to get a background check on someone...'

'Who's the someone?'

Bella, are you awake?'

Yes, who is this?

It's Elena.

Oh.

You don't have my number saved?!

I have it saved! It's just that we don't text.

Whatever.

Is Mr. Saltzman ok?

Ric is fine, but that's not why I'm texting.

What is it?

Get dressed!

For what?

We're going to the boarding house.

Why?

To talk to Stefan and Damon.

About?

I'll tell you once we're on the way.

I really just want to spend the day in bed.

The phone rang for a bit before I decided to answer.

'Hello?'

'Get up!' Elena Screeched.

'So why are we here again?' Bella asked.

'I need to check on the guys.'

'They've vampires; I'm sure they're ok.'

'Then why haven't they texted me back?!'

'Because they have lives.'

'There's a family of original vampires out to kill us; what could be more important than that?!'

The door opened, and there stood a shirtless Damon and Rebekah.

'Elena.' She said smugly. Bella and I exchanged a glance, then looked at her. 'You're up early.'

Bella tossed her hair, hitting me in the face with her mane. Damon cleared his throat, and Rebekah's face changed.

'Bella.' I groaned.

'Oh, Bella.' Rebekah's voice was throaty. 'I remember you.'

Bella grabbed hold of my wrist as Rebekah approached her. 'Yeah... I haven't seen much of you around.'

Rebekah's eyes locked onto me. 'You should talk to Elena about that.'

Rebekah left, and I grabbed Bella and dragged her into the house.

'Did you stop taking your vervain?' I asked him immediately.

'You think Rebekah had to compel me?'

'What's wrong with you? She tried to kill me less than forty-eight hours ago.'

'Can we just move past that, Elena?'

'So is that how it's going to be now? I hurt your feelings, and this is how you lash at me?'

Well,' Damon said as he poured himself a drink, 'maybe, for once, something I did had nothing to do with you.'

He holds up his glass and then drinks it.

'You should know that Esther is planning on killing her entire family.'

'I'm sorry, who is Esther?' Bella choked.

'She's linked them all together with a spell. Whatever happens to one happens to all of them.'

'Well, that's great! Klaus will finally be dead. We win. Why do you look like someone just shot a panda bear?'

'Who is Esther?'

'Bella, hush.' I swatted her arm. 'Uh, because to kill Klaus, she has to kill all of them, including Elijah. And he doesn't deserve this!'

'I'm supposed to care about Elijah?'

'Shouldn't you at least care about Rebekah?

'Two seconds ago, you were pissed that she attacked you. It's a win-win.

We turned to leave, but Damon blocked our way. 'Don't do anything to screw this up, Elena.

'Why are you doing this?'

'He's right, you know. Klaus has to die. They all do.'

'See? It's democracy in action.'

We left; I knocked into Damon on our way out, spilling his drink.'

'Elena, can I go home now?' I pleaded.

I spent the entire day in the cozy confines of Elena's room with her, Bonnie, and Caroline, who lingered in the hall. Bonnie passed the time by burning sage while Elena grumbled about Damon and Rebekah. Caroline's focus was on testing the effectiveness of Bonnie's spell.

After their departure, I decided to head home. Our peace was disturbed by a sudden knocking on the door, which prompted Elena to rush to it with me in tow. Upon opening the door, we were greeted by a man. He was striking, standing at around 5'11" with a slender yet sturdy frame that emphasized his toned muscles. His short, glossy brown hair complemented his angular facial features, which included high cheekbones and a well-defined jawline. His entrancing hazel-brown eyes radiated both wisdom and warmth. Each aspect of his appearance, from his sculpted nose to his strong jawline, hinted at a quiet strength and maturity that defied his youthful appearance of 23 or 24 years.

Elena greeted him with surprise. "Elijah."

"Elena."

Elijah. A name I had heard before.

"Hello, I don't believe I've had the pleasure of making your acquaintance; I'm Elijah Mikaelson."

"This is..." Elena paused thoughtfully, "another one of Katherine's descendants."

He regarded me with newfound interest. "Really?"

"Klaus already knows about her."

"What's your name?" he inquired in a deep voice.

"Bella."

"You smell exquisite," his tone shifted, causing me to step back instinctively. "I come in peace."

"Sure you do."

"I don't mean to intrude. I was hoping you - both of you - would accompany me. I want to show you something."

I was apprehensive about venturing anywhere with him, but Elena insisted.

I think I just figured out why she's constantly being kidnapped.

'Have you seen Elena?' Demanded Rosalie.

'What?'

The question caught Caroline off guard, namely because she was positive that the two girls didn't care for one another. She was at the grill talking to Matt when Rosalie rudely interrupted their conversation.

'Elena. Have you seen her?'

'Why are you looking for Elena?'

'I'm not. I'm looking for Bella.' Rosalie flared. 'Mrs. Higginbotham said she's with Elena.'

'Not since earlier.'

'Why is Bella hanging out with Elena, of all people?'

'What's wrong with Elena?' Matt asked.

'She hates Bella.'

'She doesn't hate Bella.' Caroline said slowly.

'She sure as hell don't like her.'

'Maybe they're trying to get along.'

'Why?!' Rosalie flared. 'What reason would they have to get along now?!'

'Because they're sisters.' Matt huffed.

'Matt!'

'What?! Bella's world doesn't revolve around her, and she's gotta know-'

'Bella and Elena are sisters?!' Rosalie's violet eyes widen at the information.

'Nice going, Matt.'

'By 9:07, the moon will be full; my mother will have the power she needs to kill me and my family.' Elijah said as he caressed Bella's cheek. 'If you do not stop her before then, Rebekah will kill Elena. So, do we all have our timeline? I suggest you get started.'

Elijah left the boarding house, Stefan and I rushed towards Bella; he brought us her as a sign of good faith.

Stefan glowered at the bite marks on Bella's neck and arms; she was trembling.

'What happened?' Stefan asked as he turned away.

'We shouldn't have gone with him.'

'Why did you?' I demanded.

'Elena insisted we could trust him.' Bella answered angrily. 'Rebekah's going kill Elena. She's going to kill her.'

'We're not going to let that happen!' I flared.

'I should strangle her myself for being stupid and trusting him!'

'When we save her, I'll help you.'