Chapter 28: The Wait is Long

Klaus was less than pleased with his current surroundings as he sat silent in the empty boarding house that belonged to the Salvatore brothers. The Original Hybrid had invaded the home with the intention of finding out where his coffins had been hidden. It was irritating not being able to solve this issue with blood and violence, but Klaus was forced to rein back his more murderous tendencies. Not just because Stefan could actually act on his threats and drop one of the coffins in the ocean, but because of Serena.

Now he was forced to negotiate instead of killing those who opposed him. The Salvatore brothers would never understand just how lucky they were that they meant something to Serena. Without that familiar bond between them and her, Klaus would not have hesitated in killing them after Stefan stole the coffins.

So, instead of ripping Stefan Salvatore's heart out of his chest, Klaus was sitting in the younger vampire's living room with a glass of vervain free bourbon in one hand and the sound system turned up to an obnoxious volume as he waited for Stefan to walk in. The least Klaus could do was be bothersome since that would be the least of Stefnas worries if he didn't return the coffins by tonight, and with the mood he was in, he was determined to make that happen.

"What are you doing here, Klaus?" Hearing the irritation in Stefans voice gave Klaus some much needed satisfaction.

"Enjoying our stalemate." Klaus answered while raising his glass in Stefans direction as the younger vampire joined him in the living room.

Stefan sneered at the hybrid before turning down the music and asking, "What do you want?"

"The question is what do you want?" Klaus shot back. "My hybrids left town as you demanded. So please tell me what I need to do to get my family back."

"Well, Klaus," Stefan took a seat in the chair across from the Original Hybrid and said to him, "I'm not negotiating."

"And you understand, that holding them indefinitely is the same thing as dropping them in the ocean?" Klaus pointed out.

"No, no. You leave Mystic Falls and then give me a call in a few years and we'll talk." Stefan answered as he leaned forward in his chair.

Klaus raised his glass to his lips and took a drink before looking Stefan in the eyes and saying, "I'm going to give you another chance." He declared. "Just one more. Let's make a reasonable deal."

"Or what? You make one move and I will drop-" Stefans threat was interrupted as Klaus began to laugh.

"Yes, right. Crazy Stefan." Niklaus looked the vampire in the eyes as he asked him, "How is that working out for you? Any friends left?"

Stefan leaned back in his chair and glared at the Original Hybrid. Klaus knew he was right of course. Stefan had alienated himself in trying to get back at him. His allies were limited and the hybrid knew this.

Klaus stood up from the chair and took one last drink from his glass before setting it down. "Enjoy the rest of your day, mate." The hybrid began to walk towards the front door and Stefan stood up.

The younger Salvatore brother waited until the hybrid was gone before the tension in his body deflated somewhat. He had a feeling Klaus was planning something, something that would not end in his favor, and Stefan couldn't have that. He wanted Klaus to suffer for all that he's done. No matter the cost.

The vampire quickly made a decision and left the boarding house in search of a certain brown-eyed Gilbert girl and her witch friend. He needed to be ready and at least ten steps ahead of whatever Klaus was planning.

~Break~

I was woken up by the morning sun as its warm light filled the room I had fallen asleep in. The unfamiliar space was foreign to me, but would now be my new home. It was a grand space. A room fit for a woman of a far higher status than me, and yet at the same time, the room was perfectly suited to my taste. It was impressive that even after a thousand years apart, Niklaus knew me well enough to create a space he knew would fit my needs and appeal to my wants.

With a sigh I forced myself out of the extremely comfortable bed and headed for the ensuite bathroom. The equally impressive bathroom was fully stocked with everything I could ever need including things I had no idea I needed until I discovered them as I explored all the different products in the room.

Last night I didn't get the chance to thoroughly explore my new surroundings after Nik promised me that he would release his hybrids from the sire bond. After showing me the newly completed room, Nik had left me alone to get ready for bed and explore my new room. But as soon as he was gone I felt his presence fade, I found myself becoming overwhelmed by the new and unfamiliar space I was now supposed to call home.

It was embarrassing and even now I found myself shaking my head at the memory of last night. Nik had felt my unease through the bond we shared and understood what I was feeling without me having to explain it to him.

Everything about the room was perfect, but I couldn't help but feel out of place here in the home Nik had built for his family. It was a grand and beautiful mansion. But it was all so different from what I have considered my home for the past eighteen years.

The home Miranda and Grayson had raised me in was modest and cozy and full of warmth and love. The room I had grown up in had evolved around me as I got older. It was filled with familiar smells and all the things that brought me comfort. Photos of my family, my clothing, and even my bedding weren't here in this new home.

Nik stayed with me and held me in his arms the entire night. His familiar scent of sandalwood and his natural musk made it easy for me to relax and fall asleep. The discomfort I felt faded and even though I woke to an empty bed, the warmth I felt throughout the night stayed with me. I knew I would have to get used to the mansion. There was no way I could ever go back to the home Miranda and Grayson had raised me in.

I knew one day that I was going to have to leave that place behind, but I thought I had more time to adjust. Now, after everything that's happened, I can never go back to living there as if everything was fine. I also couldn't stand the idea of not sleeping under the same roof as my Fated Ones. Not that Nik would allow that, and I knew that once Elijah, Kol, and Finn were undaggered, I would have even less of a choice of where I lived.

"Forest green or sage green, for Finn's room?" I looked up from the green color swatches that were laid out in front of me.

Bekah glanced over from the otherside of the kitchen island and pointed, "The forest green." I nodded my head at her answer and placed the dark green color swatch on the layout I had sketched of Finn's room.

Bekah was flipping through another stack of color swatches and pulled out a few different shades of red and laid them out on the counter top. "I think we should give Kols room a burgundy accent wall." She pointed at the deep red color swatch and I nodded my head in agreement.

The two of us were stationed in the kitchen working on the finishing touches for the three brothers' rooms. With the hybrids forced to leave town and Nik gone in search of the coffins, I was placed on house arrest and forbidden from leaving the mansion until Nik returned. So of course Bekah had me put to work on helping her design her brother's rooms. I felt guilty that Kol, Finn, and Elijah were unable to make decisions for their own living spaces, but I was hopeful that Bekah and I were making good choices for them.

Bekah and I, along with a handful of construction workers, were the only ones in the mansion so the second I felt a shift in the air, I knew who it was right away. I sat up straight and focused on the sudden change in the air.

Bekah noticed my sudden movement and asked, "What is it?" She knew I would be able to feel when someone was close enough to the mansion and just as she asked, we both heard a knock on the front door echo through the large mansion.

I sent the vampire a small smile before getting off the bar stool I was sitting on and making my way out of the kitchen. Bekah was quick to join me and walked beside me as we made our way towards the large front doors of the mansion. Bekah was apprehensive as I reached out and opened the door.

I couldn't stop my smile from growing at the sight of Caroline standing on the other side of the threshold.

"Hi." Caroline seemed hesitant about being here, but I was more than elated to see her. I still felt a little guilty for what Nik made Tyler do, but I was happy to see Caroline looking much better than she did last night.

"What is she doing here?" Bekah snapped as she openly glared at Caroline.

Caroline's smile fell as she glared right back at Bekah and said, "Serena invited me here." With both vampires glaring at each other, I couldn't help but shake my head and sigh. The two of them were much more alike then either one would ever willingly admit.

"I did invite her here, Bekah. So ease up on the glaring contest." Bekah huffed at my words and crossed her arms over her chest. "I think it's time for you two to have a fresh start. So let's start with introductions. Caroline," I looked at the baby vampire and gestured to Bekah and said, "This is Rebekah, she's Elijah and Niklaus' younger sister. She's the first friend I ever truly made and I consider her as a sister."

Caroline crossed her arms and forced a simple, "Hi."

That was good enough for me. I then looked over at Bekah and gestured towards Caroline, "Bekah, this is Caroline. She's my friend and someone I care deeply for. So please, be nice."

"Best friend." Caroline pipped up and I nodded my head in agreement.

The sneer on Bekahs lips stayed as she rolled her eyes and said, "I'm not good at sharing, and I already have four brothers who I have to compete with to spend time with Serena, but," She let out a sigh before continuing, "Serena cares about you, and I don't like upsetting my friend. Not when I've been without her company for a thousand years." Caroline stood up a little straighter and beamed at the Original Vampire, but before I could let Caroline into the house Bekah added, "But if you do anything to hurt her, I will not hesitate to rip your heart out of your chest."

The smile dropped from Carolines face and I let out a sigh as I rolled my eyes towards the sky. At least it was a good start, and that was all I could have asked for.

"Come on in, Care." I motioned for Caroline to enter the mansion. I led the way back into the kitchen where Bekah and I had taken over.

"What's all this?" Caroline asked as looked over the color swatches and drawings of the rooms we were working on.

"Bekah and I are working on color schemes for the rooms upstairs." I explained as I retook my seat on the bar stool I had occupied before Caroline had shown up.

"Ohhh, I love planning things." She extruded excitement as she looked over the plans Bekah and I came up with for the three remaining rooms.

"I am well aware, Care." I said as the vampire made herself comfortable.

I sat beside her while Bekah leaned against the counter top on the other side of the island. The three of us chatted about colors and furniture, well Bekah and Caroline chatted, and I added input here and there as they worked on the layout for the rooms. I couldn't help but feel content as my two friends worked together. I had a feeling that the two would eventually warm up to each other, but I understood that it might take time before the two considered each other to be friends.

The first impressions between the two vampires had been less than ideal. But this fresh start was a good push in the right direction.

"So who's Kol and Finn?" Caroline asked as she read the names on the pieces of paper we had of the sketches of Kol and Finn's rooms.

"Finn is the oldest of us siblings." Bekah answered. "And Kol is the youngest out of my brothers."

"Oh," Caroline looked over at me and asked, "So what are they like? Anything like Elijah and Klaus?"

Bekah and I shared a look as I thought over Carolines question. All four brothers were similar in many ways, yet completely different. Bekah and Nik were the only two who shared a more fair complexion, while Elijah and Kol both had dark hair and deep brown eyes. Finn was somehow the perfect mix between the four of them with hazel eyes and dark blond hair that bordered on brown. But their looks were where the similarities ended for the Mikaelson siblings.

"With Finn being the oldest, he had more responsibilities because he was Mikaels heir." I started to explain. "While we were growing up, he was often the one who watched over us while the adults were off doing chores and working for the village. When Finn was older, he was often with Mikael. They didn't have a great relationship. Finn never enjoyed Mikaels company or his cruel nature."

"Mikael used to tell Finn that he was too kind for the life that they lived." Bekah spoke. "My oldest brother was forced to harden his heart because it was the only way to survive Mikael."

I nodded my head in agreement. Her description of her brother was accurate. Finn had to be a hardened warrior in the eyes of his father. But any time Finn and I were able to spend alone with one another, the oldest Mikaelson was able to let down the façade he was forced to wear and be comfortable with himself.

"Kol on the other hand, is nothing like my other brothers." Bekah said as she let out an exasperated sigh at the mention of Kol.

I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head. "Kol isn't that bad, Bekah."

"You don't get an opinion." Bekah glared at me from across the kitchen island. "Your opinion is biased when it concerns my brothers." She then turned her attention to Caroline and said, "Kol was the troublemaker. When we were younger, Kol discovered his affinity for magic and would spend most of his time practicing and learning everything he could about his gifts. He would often cause mischief around the village, his usual victims were my brothers and me. And of course our dear Serena was always exempt from his little pranks."

Bekah once again sent me another glare and I could only shrug my shoulders and say, "Kol and I had a very strict no pranking each other clause. Besides, I was the one who helped him with his magic."

"Can you do magic?" Caroline asked as she suddenly perked up.

I shook my head at her question and said, "Not really. Fae can't exactly do magic, not in the same way a witch can. There's no need for potions or enchantments for a Fae." I did my best to explain it to Caroline without muddling the information I knew. "I think it's because witches borrow magic from nature, while I don't really borrow anything from nature. It's just there for me to use."

"Kol once said it's like a door being fully open to a Fae, while for a witch the door is only cracked allowing a limited amount of magic through." Bekah explained before adding, "After your death and his transformation into a vampire, Kol became obsessed with finding everything he could about Fae. He formed covens and was always a part of the witches inner circles even though he had no connection to his magic. He was the one who discovered the rumor about Fae being able to be reborn."

Bekah's words made my chest grow warm knowing Kol never gave up on me. I couldn't imagine what he must have gone through over the years after losing his connection to his magic. I can remember the night he became a vampire and the devastation he felt when he realized he could no longer feel the magic in the nature around him.

"Wow." I looked over at Caroline as she stared at me with wide eyes and a knowing smile. "I've never seen that look on your face before. I mean, no boy has ever made you look like this."

"That is the power of a Fated One." Bekah pointed out and I felt my face heat up as blood rushed to my cheeks. "Unconditional love, even if the men she's in love with are my idiotic brothers who used to fall over themselves to get her attention." I shook my head at Bekah and sent her a look that only had her shrugging her shoulders. "It's true."

Caroline laughed at Bekah's words and seemed quite pleased to hear about my Fated Ones before they were turned into vampires.

Before Caroline could ask any more questions about my life growing up with the Mikaelson siblings, her phone started to ring. "Hey, Mom." She answered. Carolines smile fell and I felt my chest fill with worry as she frowned. "Okay, I'll be right there." She then hung up the call and looked over at me. "My Dads been injured. He's in the hospital."

"Go to him." I stood up from the bar stool and Caroline followed my lead. She nodded her head and with a quick goodbye, she flashed out the mansion in a hurry.

I let out a sigh as Carolines energy faded away and turned to Bekah. "It's starting to get late, how long did Nik say he was going to be gone for?" I asked as I began to clean up the color swatches and sketches.

"My brother failed to tell me when he would be returning." Bekah answered as she helped organize our room planning.

It was silent as I stared down at the sketches Bekah and I had drawn of the rooms upstairs. My heart clenched at the names written out at the top of the pages. Bekah and I were doing our best to design each room to her brother's preferences, but it was difficult trying to guess what Elijah, Kol, and Finn would like their spaces to look like. I wanted them to be comfortable in the home Niklaus had built for us.

My own room was beautiful and Nik had designed it perfectly. From the oversized bed to the wall of windows and ensuite bathroom and walk in closet. The room was more than I could ever need, but I was more than happy with it. Bekah had even mentioned that the furniture was an antique set that Nik had obtained almost a hundred years ago. I was impressed with how well taken care of the wooden set had been when I looked at it closer this morning.

"Do you think he's found out anything about your brothers?" I asked. There was a small ounce of hope that was slowly diminishing with every hour that passed.

Bekah looked down at the counter top and tapped at the marble with a single finger as a solemn look crossed her face.

"I know my brother will do whatever it takes to reunite our family. But," She looked up and I found my heart breaking at the bitter look in her eyes. "Our family is not the same as it had once been, Serena. The betrayal that each of us have dealt each other, especially Nik, runs deep. Kol has been daggered more times than I care to count and Finn has been trapped in a coffin for almost as long as we've been vampires." She deflated somewhat with a sigh. "I love my brothers and I know they love each other, but I doubt that will stop the violence that will ensue once they are undaggered."

I couldn't help but shudder at her words as my chest grew tight with the truth of it all. She was right. Her family has been through far more than I could ever imagine over the last thousand years and her words reminded me that my Fated Ones weren't the same men they had been as humans.

Nothing will be able to stop the bonds between us from reforming, but those bonds were superficial until completed. My Fated Ones are free to choose a life without me if that's what they wanted.

It hurt to think about, but I would endure the pain if it meant my Fated Ones were happy, even if that meant they were happier without me. If the pain they had each dealt each other was too much and they made the choice to leave, I knew I wouldn't be able to stop them.

"I know it isn't going to be easy." I spoke up as I looked Bekah in the eyes. "I want nothing more than to see you and your brothers happy and whole. But I understand that realistically, that may be a far off dream." It was hard to say these things. My throat wanted to close up and my heart felt crushed by the truth of it all. "I know that I may not be able to fix things between your brothers. In fact, me being alive may make it all worse. But I will do whatever it takes to see you all living happy lives. Because that is all I want for all of you. No matter the sins you've committed, I want you to be happy, Bekah."

Bekah moved faster then I was able to see and I was suddenly being pulled into her arms. I felt her body shake as she sobbed. I wrapped my arms around her tightly as she cried.

"I hate him for killing my mother." She sobbed. I knew she was talking about Nik as she confessed her feelings. "I hate him for what he's done to me. The daggering and the killing of any man I fell in love with. I hate him for everything he's done to hurt us." Every word she said was like a knife to my heart.

"I'm sorry." I couldn't help but gasp out as I held onto her tightly. "I know it doesn't make any difference, but I am so sorry, Bekah. For all of it. For giving your mother my blood, for being the reason for her death, and for my own death. I'm sorry for not being there for you for the past thousand years." I pulled back so I could look her in the eyes and said, "I'm sorry, sister."

More tears gathered in Bekah's eyes as she pulled me back into her arms. "Do not ever leave us. I can not stand to imagine what would happen to them if you died again. They would not survive it." She begged as she sobbed.

"I promise." It was a vow I knew I would do everything to keep. Death was something unavoidable, but I wouldn't let it take me again, not without a fight.

Bekah and I held onto each other for a long, somber, moment as she cried into my shoulder. I had a feeling that she needed this. A moment to break down without judgment and in the arms of someone who cared about her comfort. There was a lot that needed to be said, but all of that was going to have to wait until she was reunited with her brothers.

When her tears finally dried up, Bekah retreated up stairs to her room. I couldn't help but smile softly at her as I watched the vampire leave the kitchen. My heart ached for Bekah, but I had to hold on tightly to the hope I still had and prayed that everything would work out. Bekah and her brothers had been dealt a poor hand in life and I wanted to see them be able to heal and be a family again. But first, we had to find Elijah, Finn, and Kol.

I walked into the sitting room down the hall and with a sigh I let my body fall onto the couch. I stared up at the ceiling as I laid sprawled out on the cushions. It was strange to think of it, but the large house felt oddly empty without the hybrids and Nik. The construction workers had all left and I could feel Bekah's energy coming from upstairs, but the rest of the house felt hollow with just the two of us.

The quiet atmosphere had my body relaxing as my eyes fluttered closed. My plan was to rest my eyes and wait for Niklaus to return, but I must have been more tired than I thought I was because without even realizing it, I fell asleep. It was as if my mind pushed everything away and was only filled with darkness as I slept. No memories of my past, no strange dreams, just darkness and rest.

I didn't even realize I was sleeping until I felt a hand gently squeezed my shoulder. The second my mind woke up, I felt a shift in the air and knew exactly who it was that was waking me up.

Nik stood over me as I slowly regained consciousness. I had to blink a few times to get my vision to clear and noticed the grin on Niks face as he looked down at me.

I felt my heart jump into my throat and felt my eyes grow wide as I asked, "Did you find them?" His grin grew into an actual smile and I felt my body fill with hope and excitement.

"Yes, love. I found them." Nik said as he grasped my hand and helped me up off the couch. He then led me out into the hallway and I watched as Tony rolled a coffin down the hall and into the other room. Nik followed close behind me as I walked into the room and I noticed Bekah standing with her arms crossed as she watched the hybrid work.

So far there were only two coffins in the room and without thinking about it, I walked up to the closest one and laid my hand on the glossy wood. "Finn." I muttered softly. It was faint, but I could feel his energy seeping out of the coffin that he laid daggered inside of.

I felt Bekah as she walked up beside me. She placed her own hand over mine and I squeezed her fingers. "Well, brother. Who do we undagger first?" Bekah asked and I looked up at Nik.

"Best to go and grab a few blood bags before undaggering anyone, sister." Nik answered. It was clear to me that he seemed apprehensive about undaggering his brothers. I had a feeling that this reunion was not going to be a peaceful one.

"Come on, Bekah. I'll help you." I understood that Nik needed a moment. He was about to be reunited with the brothers he daggered and put in coffins. I could wait a few minutes longer if it meant giving him a moment to come to terms with what was about to happen.

Bekah stared at her brother for a moment before nodding her head and followed me out into the hallway. On our way to the kitchen, we noticed Tony pushing the last coffin into the mansion. I felt a deep sense of relief when I saw the third coffin.

I walked up to the fridge as Bekah leaned against the kitchen counter. I pulled out three blood bags and set them down onto the marble countertops. While it was morbid having blood bags inside of the fridge, it was necessary when living in a home filled with vampires and hybrids.

I looked up at Bekah and noticed that she looked uneasy. Her eyes were focused on the counter tops as she fiddled with her hands. "I know you're afraid for them, but no matter what, you're all still family." My words made her look up and I sent her a calming smile. "You and your brothers have been through a lot. And I know that you're all going to need time to heal, but I have faith that things will be alright."

"Thank you." She said quietly as she picked up one of the cold blood bags and fiddled with the plastic tubing on the bag. "I know that my brothers are going to need time, but I believe that with you here that they will have a chance at healing and we can finally be a family again."

I felt hopeful that Bekah was right about all this. I wanted to believe that I would be able to help her family heal. I couldn't help but think back to before my death when Elijah, Bekah, Nik, and I made the vow, 'Always and Forever.' A part of me feels like I broke that vow considering I died, but now was our chance to be together, always and forever.

The quiet moment Bekah and I were sharing was suddenly shattered when a crashing sound came from the other room. Bekah's eyes grew wide and she flashed out of the room. I quickly followed after her and rushed into the room where the coffins were. The doors that led into the room had been shattered and broken glass was now scattered across the floor along with bits of splintered wood. The room looked an absolute mess.

"What happened in here?" I asked as I looked at all the destruction the room had endured. I looked up at Nik who was standing closest to me and noticed Bekah standing beside him. Both siblings were fixated on the person standing at the other end of the room. "Elijah." His name escaped my lips in a whisper as I stared at the now undaggered vampire.

I felt myself being pulled into the deep brown pools of his eyes as he stared at me as if I were a dream he never wanted to wake up from. Before I could utter another word, Elijah was no longer on the other side of the room. He quickly gathered me into his arms and buried his nose against the crown of my head.

He held me tightly to his chest as he muttered, "Ástin mín." My love. His words were spoken in our native tongue and I couldn't help but grip onto his suit jacket tightly. I was trying hard to ground myself, but it was difficult with his scent filling my nose and his energy completely surrounding me.

"Well, so much for waiting for us, Nik." It was Bekah's voice that helped me focus my mind on the present. I peeked over Elijah's shoulder and saw Nik glaring at his sister as Bekah kicked at the now broken coffee table.

"Yes, well our brother here was a surprise to me as well." He answered with a sneer. "It seems that Damon had him undaggered to cause strife among us. He was probably hoping that Elijah and I would take one another out, leaving him with some sort of advantage."

Bekah shrugged her shoulder, "Well doesn't matter. We were going to undagger him tonight anyway."

Elijah eased up on the tight hold he had on me and moved so his arm was wrapped securely around my shoulders as we faced his siblings. "Sister, our brother tells me that Mikael is dead." Nik sent Elijah a look as a low growl rumbled up from his chest. Elijah held up his hand in an alleviating manner. "Calm yourself, Niklaus. I just wish to confirm it once more."

"Nik is telling you the truth, Elijah. He killed Mikael with the very weapon he's been threatening us with since the beginning. He's gone forever." Elijah nodded his head at his sister's words and turned his attention back to Nik.

"Then why, Niklaus, do our brothers remain in these coffins?" He snarled.

Nik glowered at his brother and answered him, "Because of Stefan Salvatore." He hissed. "He's been holding you three hostage and now that you and our brothers have been returned, he holds onto the one thing that can now destroy us. We will be putting our brothers in danger if we undagger them now." I felt my eyes grow wide and a shock stab at my heart as Nik spoke. "There are things that you do no know about our past, Elijah. Our mothers death. Things I never wanted you to know but I'm ready to tell you now."

"Hold on." I pulled myself out of Elijah's grip and stepped towards Nik. "What do you mean Stefan has something dangerous? We have all the coffins and the white oak stake was destroyed when you stabbed Mikael. What could he have that's stopping us from undaggering Kol and Finn?"

"More like who," Nik answered in a troubled tone. "Stefan stole four coffins from me, not just three." Niklaus looked up at his brother and I moved so I could look between the two of them. "Stefan has gotten away with the coffin that houses our mothers body in it."

"Esther?" I squeaked out. The shock I felt made my jaw drop open at the revelation of Niks words.

"Our mother? How?!" Bekah shouted.

Nik glanced over at his sister before looking back at me and explaining, "I went back to her grave. Her body never decayed and I knew it was some sort of magic. So I placed her into a sealed coffin that I've had hidden with me throughout the years. But now that coffin is in the hands of Stefan and I doubt he won't try to find a way to open it."

Fear gripped my heart. "Nik, we have to get that coffin back." I said as my mothers warning echoed in my head. If Esther was brought back from the dead, then that would mean everyone I cared about would be in danger.

"Why is it that you fear our mother, Elskan?" Elijah asked and I looked at him as my heart began to pound in my chest.

I glanced at Bekah and I knew she was thinking the same thing that I was. "Somehow Bonnie was able to open the door to the other side and my Mother was able to come back to the living world. She wanted to warn us about Esther."

"Lady Niamh?" His brows rose in surprise.

I nodded my head. "Yeah. She used Bonnie as a chance to tell us that Esther was trying to come back from the other side." I frowned as I looked at each of the three siblings and said, "She wants to kill all of vampire kind by ending your bloodlines."

"Ending our bloodlines? How?" Elijah asked. His face and voice were filled with shock and concern over what he was hearing.

"Lady Niamh told us that if one of us were to die a true death, then the vampires we've created and sired will die." Bekah answered her brother. "And then any vampire sired by the vampires we've created will also die."

"If Esther somehow manages to kill you and your siblings, Elijah. She will wipe out all of vampire kind." My words hung heavy in the air and I watched as Niklaus and Elijah shared a look. "We can't let Esther get out of that coffin. I've felt her from the other side. Her magic is powerful and I'm afraid that if she does get through from the other side, then I don't think she'll be easy to send back."

It was silent for a moment as we all took in what had just been said. Esther was now the biggest threat hanging over our heads and I was once again reminded of just how tired of all of this I was. I had my Fated Ones back and yet two of them laid still daggered in coffins. I wasn't asking for a happily ever after, but I wanted a moment where there was no danger around the corner and I could wake up knowing that the people I loved were not in peril.

"And what of our brothers?" Elijah asked Nik.

Niklaus looked uncertain and instead of answering his brother's question, he looked at me. I could see it in his eyes that he was willing to go through with whatever decision I came up with. I wanted nothing more than to undagger Kol and Finn, but something inside of me was scared of the danger I would be putting them in.

"I don't know what to do." I whispered as I hugged myself. "I want them back, but we don't know where Esther could be and if she gets out then all of us are in danger."

"You said Stefan Salvatore has our mothers coffin?" Elijah asked and looked to Nik for an answer.

"Yes," Nik replied. "His little play at revenge has caused quite a stir." He sneered and looked his brother in the eyes as he said, "I think it's about time we have a little heart to heart with the Salvatore brothers."

"I agree." Elijah nodded his head. He then looked at me and reached out his hand for me to take. I took his hand and he looked me in the eyes as he said, "Serena, I must ask you for forgiveness." I titled my head in confusion as he spoke. "I failed in keeping you safe. I should have taken you away the second I found you in that desolate house."

I shook my head. "You didn't fail me, Elijah. You did everything that you could to keep me safe." I reached up and cupped his face in my hand and stared into his eyes as I said, "My bloodline hadn't been triggered yet and I was still trying to remember you. What Damon and the others did, was not your fault."

"I should have done more. I should have taken you from this place and kept you safe." He admitted as he held my hand to his face and pushed his nose against the center of my palm.

"Stop it. Don't do that. Don't blame yourself for what happened." I stepped closer to him as I gently rubbed my thumb against the skin of his cheek. "If you would have taken me from Mystic Falls, it would have made me distrust you. I didn't know the full truth of who you were to me and I needed that time to understand. It is not your fault that Damon compelled me to leave and forget everything about myself."

"He did what?" I glanced over at Bekah as she bristled with anger. "That low life, no good asshole! You should have ripped his heart out of his chest when you had the chance, Nik."

Niklaus sent his sister a glare, "I would have, sister, but I doubt Stefan would have returned our brothers to us unharmed if I had."

"No ripping Damons heart out." I ordered. "I agree that he might deserve it, but I'm coming to understand that there's a lot of miscommunication between him and I." I looked between the three siblings. "I also agree that it's time we sit down and talk to Damon and Stefan. I have a lot that I need to explain to them and we need to find out about Esther's coffin. We need to do this as soon as possible. And then as soon as we know something about the missing coffin, we undagger Finn and Kol."

There was a sense of understanding among us all and I felt the air grow a little lighter with the end of the conversation. I didn't like leaving Finn and Kol daggered, but I was afraid that if we undaggerd them now and then Esther was somehow brought back from the dead, there would be too much chaos and someone would end up dead. But as much as I wanted to protect them, it felt as if I was betraying them in some way by leaving them daggered. Guilt gnawed at my insides, but I promised myself that they wouldn't have to wait another night after this.

"Is that Tony?" I was suddenly pulled from my thoughts as I noticed the dead body on the ground. There was a very sizable, heart shaped, hole in the hybrid's back. I looked between the two brothers and from the glare Nik was sending Elijah, it wasn't hard to figure out who had killed Tony.

"Wonderful, another dead body to clean up." Bekah muttered as she rolled her eyes and left the room.

The body was removed from the room and while Bekah complained about her brother's need to destroy things, I could tell that she was happy to have Elijah undaggered. I stayed in the room with the coffins as Elijah and Nik tidied up the room and took care of Tonys body.

I pressed my hand flat against Kol's coffin and reached out to try and feel his energy. It was dull and I could barely feel him, but he was there. The hollow feeling in my chest flared and I knew it was because the bond between Kol and I was trying to reestablish itself.

"Elskan," I didn't bother looking at Elijah as he stood beside me. My mind was fixated on Kol and the guilt that was eating away at me knowing it was my choice that left my Fated One daggered in his coffin.

"What is it like for them? What was it like for you?" The question felt heavy on my tongue, but I didn't take it back. I wanted to know what I was leaving Finn and Kol to suffer through while we tried to find out about Esther.

"It's nothing but darkness." His voice made my skin break out in goosebumps and I looked up at him as he stared down at his brother's coffin. "I can not remember what I felt while trapped under the effects of the dagger, but I do remember the darkness."

I removed my hand from Kol's coffin and placed it on Elijah's chest. "Never again. No more daggers. No more betrayal." I vowed as I looked Elijah in the eyes. "This is your family's chance at a fresh start and all I want is for all of you to be happy."

"You are what makes me happy, Serena." Elijah wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer to him. "You are the light I have longed for and the warmth I have craved for a thousand years. My love for you never faded, even when it hurt me to think back on my memories of you. The loss of you made me hate my humanity and give in to the monster inside of me, but it was also the love I felt for you that kept the beast at bay."

I couldn't stop the tears that gathered in the corners of my eyes. "I love you, Elijah." I whispered as I tucked my head between his jaw and collarbone.

He squeezed me tightly in his arms and rested his head on top of mine and said, "And I love you, Ástin mín." He held me tightly in his arms and I relished in the feeling of the bond between us. For a moment, everything felt like it was going to be okay. Just for this one moment.

A/N: Well, here it is, Chapter 28. I cant believe I've gotten this far with this story. I'm honestly impressed with myself. I just want to thank every last one of you for the heartfelt reviews and words of encouragement. I am now working two jobs and life is insane, but being able to unwind and write is honestly the high lite of my day, so thank you for enjoying this story.

Now, I want to give you all a little glimpse into where I want to take this story and my own opinions on the characters of TVD. First, I think a lot of those characters deserved better (Matt not included, he honestly deserved worse). But I think Bonnie, Elena, Bekah, and all the others deserved better treatment from the show writers. But that's showbiz and this is FanFiction so I'm going to make some changes. I want Elena to grow as a person and show actual character development and not be stuck as this same angsty teen she's been, so that means no vampire Elena. (I honestly did not enjoy vampire Elena). Next, I think Bonnie deserved better and I am going to do my best to write that for her. As for the others, well, you'll soon find out.

Thank you again for all the support. As always, stay safe.