Chapter 13

"Elena?"

Caroline opened her front door, intent on getting to the school early to finish studying for an exam, when she spotted the familiar brunette at her front door. Her childhood friend jumped upon hearing her voice. The blonde watched as Elena breathed in relief, smiling at her for the first time since Halloween a few days ago.

"Care, I need to talk to you, but you're always surrounded by the Mikaeslons," Elena joked slightly, earning a raised brow from the blonde.

"I could say you're always with a Salvatore," The cheerleader sassed back, earning a blush from her best friend.

"Care, it's important," Elena pleaded, softening Caroline, who nodded and opened her door.

"We got some time before school. Mom's already been called into the department."

Elena and Caroline walked into the Forbes kitchen. The blonde asked if Elena wanted anything to drink. With a soft decline, Caroline nodded and sat at the counter, "Okay, what's up?"

"I've had the strangest meeting ever. Have you ever met a Katherine Pierce?" Elena questioned her best friend. "She said that she was dating Elijah Mikaelson."

Caroline looked guiltily at Elena. "I saw her with Elijah at the school when Kol and Rebecca had detention. I swear I was going to tell you, but then everything with Vicky…"

"You knew about her, then" Elena frowned. "Is there something else I need to know? Between her and the Mikaelsons, I mean."

"I just met the woman who could practically be your twin. I do know she's a vampire ancestor of yours. She said as much when we met, but all I know is that she and Elijah go way back," Caroline answered honestly. "Why did she threaten you?"

Elena winced, "Not exactly. Stefan told me I looked like a woman he used to know, and he called her Katherine. A real love triangle situation from the sounds of it. The next thing I know, a woman with the same name is at my house talking about earning her freedom from Niklaus Mikaelson, yet it makes it very clear she is with Elijah."

Caroline shivered, "I can't even comprehend what you are feeling."

"Tell me about it. But she is clearly wary of your boyfriend, Care. Are you sure that you trust him?" Elena bit her lip. "I just…Care vampires are real."

Caroline reached over and held her hand. "Want to hear about how I find out about vampires?"

Elena laughed, "That's right, you knew before I did. How did your vampire boyfriend spill the beans?"

"I accidentally found his siblings in their coffins," Caroline admitted nonchalantly.

"Wait…what?" Elena gasped. "Coffins? I thought that was a myth!"

"Nik has a thing for dramatics." The blonde shrugged. "Honestly, I thought he was just a serial killer before I accidentally pulled the dagger out of Rebekah."

Elena's mouth opened wide, "He daggered his siblings?"

Caroline bristled as her protective instincts started to kick in. She knew Niklaus's actions were wrong, so she yelled at him for this very thing! Yet having someone, even Elena, judge him for a rather complicated family history. That even Caroline had only barely scratched was tough. "I know," Caroline admitted. "I nearly left him over it."

"You are still with him," Elena helpfully reminded her.

"Would you judge Stefan for his past if he was working on being better?" Caroline countered. This caused the brunette to frown. She didn't think that Stefan was a bad guy; in fact, she thought he was the kindest boy she'd ever known. Or was he a man? He was over a hundred. Elena shook her head. This was different. Damon was clearly the more dangerous sibling.

"Stefan told me he kept it from you."

"Nik was worried about my reaction. We fought and then discussed things. After what I can only speculate was a rather violent family therapy session." At Elena's incredulous look, the blonde shrugged.

"I do not care to comment on their family dynamics more than necessary. It's not like I come from a happy home either."

"Care, are you safe? Is he forcing you to stay?" Elena questioned, worried for her friend. Caroline shook her head, "I'm in this of my own free will. What about you? Are you ever going to forgive Stefan? How much of his past do you know?"

Elena looked away. "I know only small parts, like the fights he had with Damon over Katherine. That he is almost two hundred years old and that he doesn't drink human blood."

Caroline fought her instinct to push, knowing this wasn't her place. Nik hadn't even really mentioned it, but it was clear Stefan had a past with the Mikaeslons. Knowing her vampire family like she does, Caroline was sure those years were not precisely what Caroline or Elena would define as usual.

XXX

Niklaus was in the middle of a meeting with his brother, Elijah, when he heard the ding of his cell phone. Mildly irritated, he glanced over at the screen, half of his attention on his brother, who simply rolled his eyes. "Go on, brother. It's not as if you asked to meet." Elijah's voice was a picture of poised and irritated.

Caroline: We need to talk about what is going on. Elena is freaking out about Elijah's look-a-like girlfriend. What the hell is going on?

Subconsciously Niklaus's lips pressed into a sneer, his eyes bore onto the screen, narrowing into slits, his thumb pressing against the device. Niklaus felt unable to look away from the device in his hand. His blue eyes could not do anything but look down at the text as his stomach filled with dread. His long fingers gripped the phone; the vampire quickly released the phone from his grasp, knowing that he would only destroy the thing. Obtaining a new device would be no problem, but it was a hassle he could do without.

That stupid fucking party. Curse those idiotic Salvatores who could barely function as vampires as it was. While he immensely enjoyed the destruction that Stefan Salvatore could inflict when allowed to feed his urges, the vampire was also dangerous. He was attention-seeking, with no real thought to his actions. As enjoyable as such destruction was, avoiding blood-thirsty vampire hunters, especially Mikael, was untamable and unproductive.

That was why he was adamant about leaving Stefan behind despite their friendship. Human blood was incapable of hiding; Stefan would only leave bodies in his wake. Now, it seemed there was another Salvatore-sized problem.

"Elijah, just how sure are you of your attachment to Katerina?"

He had been separated from her for a mere forty-eight hours, one full day. Her choice of words and simplicity made him fear what Elena had told her. Elijah glanced at him, "I'd say I am rather fond. One doesn't search for a way to save a human girl's life out of pity."

"Has she reached out to the Gilberts yet?"

"Katherine only just went over to the Gilbert House yesterday. Has she truly ruffled feathers over a visit?"

Niklaus shot his brother a look, "Can we trust her? Or will her jealousy over the Salvatore's having a new Petrova make her a liability?"

The elder Mikaelson didn't outwardly react, saying, "If you cannot trust me, perhaps you'll trust Katherine's sense of survival."

The two brothers stared at each other for a moment more. Niklaus dropped his gaze. "She was the most creative and intelligent of our exiles. Still, brother, she is walking a fine line."

Elijah's eyes narrowed, "Niklaus, do you need a reminder of who the lovely Caroline trusted with your preferred method of tormenting your siblings."

Niklaus glowered at his brother, a pout appearing on his face as the door to the office opened. The vampires didn't react to their eldest sibling entering the room, as solemn as ever. Niklaus took one glance at Finn and chuckled, taking a step toward one of the bookshelves holding his preferred liquor. He glanced over at Finn and grabbed a rather old-looking bottle, pouring three glasses and passing two to his brothers.

"To siblings." He held his glass up before drowning his glass.

"How is Ms. Donovan?" Elijah asked cordially, ignoring the way their younger brother's mouth twisted at the mention of the teenager that the Salvatores had turned.

Finn let out a long-suffering sigh, "As well-behaved as a human toddler. Remember teaching Niklaus how to hold a knife?"

Elijah's mouth twitched as Niklaus let out a low growl, "Do not compare me to that… drug-invested teenager."

Taking a seat across from his brothers, Finn shrugged, looking at Niklaus, "You were too young to begin training, but Father insisted. Miss. Donovan is simply of a similar development- I believe the drug use has impeded her growth."

"Humans will do anything for a release. It's a pity we couldn't blame Kol. He has daggered during the sixties." Elijah's gaze turned towards Niklaus, who didn't look guilty.

"He was having a temper tantrum. He needed to be taught a lesson." Niklaus defended his actions. "He would have enjoyed the decade, Elijah, but he went too far."

"You do not know how to hold conversations in which you are not in control," Elijah countered.

"Yes, Niklaus does have a control problem," Finn smirked over at his younger brother, who groaned.

"I thought we were over the whole coffin thing," Niklaus complained.

"Nine hundred years, brother," Finn deadpanned.

"You were suicidal! Hated what we were," Niklaus countered. "With Kol off going on murder sprees and potentially starting cults. Rebekah falls in love with every sap that looks her way. I'd rather have you asleep than killed by our father."

Niklaus felt his siblings stare at him: Elijah with quiet understanding and Finn with shock. Niklaus grunted in disapproval, "You'd have gone straight to Mikael and begged to be killed."

"I had found happiness, Niklaus," Finn murmured.

"And if she had left? I couldn't trust it." Niklaus shook his head. He paused, looking at Finn, "I am sorry, brother. I underestimated Sage."

"Perhaps Finn will be more forgiving in a century," Elijah mused.

"Perhaps two," Finn countered, glancing over at Niklaus, who looked upon his older brothers with slight contempt. "Vicky Donovan will take time to train. She should never have transitioned into the state she was in. We will be lucky if she doesn't become another ripper."

Niklaus looked thoughtful, "Is she incapable of rehabilitation?"

"Sage believes there is hope yet. The girl has strong feelings for her younger brother Matt Donovan."

Elijah hummed, "You'll use the boy."

"It's her only hope, but I fear when she transitioned, Vicky was in a terrible mental state. While the drugs have run out, her mind is…."Finn didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.

"Do what you must," Niklaus ordered Finn, who looked irritated but resigned.

"Of course, brother," Finn muttered before excusing himself. Elijah waited until Finn was indeed out of enhanced hearing range.

"Finn is our brother, Niklaus."

Niklaus chuckled softly, "Am I treating Finn any differently than I am you?"

"You kept him daggered for 900 years. He already has a predisposition to dislike you, and we are stronger when we are together." Elijah chose his words carefully, saying them deliberately and with intention.

"We haven't heard from Mikael in years. Last I heard, he had a terrible meeting with a Bennett Witch." Niklaus smirked as Elijah leveled a look at him.

"And a drop of blood will awaken him if that is true. He was made the same as you and I."

The two brothers looked at each other, Niklaus's blue eyes blazing. "Tell me, is this something you smuggled out in bed with the devil?"

Elijah, the bastard, looked at his brother with a slight brow lift and said, "And if it was?"

"I will not hesitate to eliminate a threat to us, Elijah. Katherine has always had the knack of being both useful and a threat. An outstanding line to walk."

"Then trust she won't do anything to get herself killed," Elijah replied.

"She's managed to unsettle the Gilbert girl; Caroline is demanding answers," Niklaus growled.

"Then perhaps it's time to give them to her," Elijah murmured.

XXX

"You must not get distracted, Caroline," The blonde spoke to herself in the mirror.

The previous day had been a whirlwind of information, and she was trying to confirm it. Despite Niklaus's ocean depth of experience with women, she was determined to win. Even if she was impressed that the vampire had called her to schedule a date with a promise to answer her questions rather than text.

Was this what her Mom meant when she said one day she would meet a man who would make her feel wonderful instead of the boys she was surrounded by in High School?

Twirling around, Caroline hummed in contentment at her royal blue dress, hugged to her waist, and slowly gave in until it swayed above her knees. Shoulder-length sleeves and strappy royal blue stilettos to match. Caroline snorted as if she didn't look anything less than stellar, even on a high school student's budget.

Glancing over at the clock on her nightstand, the blonde squealed as she realized she was running out of time. Quickly grasping for her lip-gloss, a quick swipe across her lips and Caroline went to grab her purse, plopping her phone into it.

"Mom?" She called out, only to receive silence. Caroline let out a sigh. Her mother must be pulling another double shift.

"Guess she won't miss me," Caroline murmured when a familiar knock could be heard outside her door. Shaking her hair loose, Caroline smiled and opened it to laugh at the bouquet of roses in front of her face.

"Roses. Isn't that a little cliché?" She teased.

Niklaus raised an elegant brow, "You find my gestures charming and romantic."

Caroline blushed, took the bouquet, and turned into her house to place them in a vase without saying another word. Caroline let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding as she entered the kitchen. Sheila Bennett had shared much esoteric knowledge with her granddaughter.

The Bennett line had one thing correct: Mikaelsons were not to be messed with. This was one thing Caroline knew the day she met Niklaus. Between the sudden appearance of an Elena-like figure on Elijah Mikaelson's arm, the knowledge that Niklaus had learned Stefan years ago, and the warnings of Bonnie's grandmother, Caroline knew that her boyfriend was keeping something from her.

Her friends seemed skeptical that she knew nothing about Katherine Pierce stung. Caroline flinched at Elena, who questioned how she knew about Sage but not that Elijah was faithful to someone.

"Love?"

Caroline jumped, releasing her hold of the roses to turn around and face Niklaus. He stood in her mother's kitchen, looking entirely out of place. Her hand flew to her chest: "Nik!"

Niklaus chuckled, stepping further into the room and reaching his hand out to take hers. Caroline glanced down at it before taking him despite her worries. He gently pulled her close to him. He tugged a piece of blonde curl behind her ear, "Your mind is whirling. What happened?"

Caroline gave him a small smile, "Try attending a modern-day high school."

Niklaus kissed her forehead, "Do I have to kill anyone?"

Caroline frowned, pushing him away, "Don't you dare. You can't kill everyone that upsets me."

"I find it to be the easiest answer," Niklaus shrugged. "But I won't feed on any of your…young friends."

Caroline huffed, "It was just a hard day. Halloween did go to shit, you know."

With a hopeful gaze, Niklaus offered his hand again, "Shall we talk about it on our way to dinner? I have reservations."

"Taking me out of town again?"

"Mystic Falls is rather small. Besides, do you want your mother to hear about our date?" He questioned knowingly.

"She knows about you."

"Still doesn't approve of me."

Caroline stepped beside him as he wrapped an arm around her waist, gently escorting her out the door. "I'm sure most mothers would be nervous about their daughters dating an older man."

"She'd have a fit if she knew how old my family is," Niklaus smirked at her. Caroline rolled her eyes. "Having her think her teenage daughter is dating a college-age man is nerve-wracking enough."

Niklaus pressed her hand to his lips before opening the door to his car. Caroline slid into place, automatically turning on the radio, as her date looked at her with an amused smile. "Bored of me already, love?"

"It's a good thirty minutes to the closest town. Since you don't want to go anywhere in Mystic Falls," Caroline shrugged, smiling as she found the country station.

Niklaus let out a small groan, "You truly are a Southern Belle, aren't you?"

Caroline laughed, "One, I am from a small town in Virginia. Two, I'm a teenage girl in the age of Taylor Swift, and thirdly, have you spent any time in Mystic Falls? This town practically screams Small Southern Town." Her fingers were raised one by one as she stated each point.

Niklaus raised his hands as if in surrender. "Ladies Choice."

"I knew there was a reason I liked you." Caroline grinned as she raised the volume, softly singing along.

The drive continued in companionable silence. When the couple reached their destination, Caroline could feel her stomach twist in nerves. It didn't matter what her friends said; Caroline truly trusted Niklaus. The problem was how whatever he kept from her could affect them. Would she approve? She trusted him not to hurt her, but Caroline knew he could hurt others.

He rarely talked about the bloody parts of his past, but he didn't shy away from admitting the darker truths of vampirism. When you have forever, your mind shifts and things a human would find appalling soon appear realistic.

Niklaus parked the car, turning towards his passenger in silence. Caroline stared at the building in front of her. "Well, now I know I've done something right. You are never this quiet."

"Is this place what I think it is?" Caroline asked as her eyes widened like saucers. She didn't even mind the way Niklaus preened at the awe in her voice.

"Since we are still a few years away from your mother allowing you to leave the country, I thought this was the next best alternative."

"Nik," Caroline laughed. "So, you take me to the most expensive restaurant in the South?"

"I hardly call it the most expensive," The man argued with an easy grin, his dimples showing. Caroline narrowed her eyes.

"You know I have no way to match this, right?"

Niklaus grabbed her hand gently and pressed a kiss into her palm. "It's a gentleman's duty to treat the woman he is with to things he thinks they might enjoy together. I will admit that my tastes run on the luxurious side. If you'd rather we go somewhere more mundane, we can." He said, his grip tightening on her slightly, almost as if he was holding himself back.

Caroline wondered from what, compelling her to accept. She shook her head, "No. I don't mean to complain. Honestly, it's a dream come true. It's just me…I didn't start this because of your money."

"Of that, I am very aware of love," Niklaus grinned as he used his speed to meet Caroline at her door, opening it with a flourish.

They entered the restaurant with Caroline holding onto Niklaus's arm. Her blue eyes immediately began to scan their surroundings. The restaurant's walls were beige with lovely, warm mahogany furniture. It screamed a wealthy, tasteful, old-money establishment, making Caroline itch at the feeling of not belonging.

"You belong here with me," Niklaus suddenly whispered as if he could read her mind. While it could irritate her that people always said that her thoughts and emotions were on her sleeve, Caroline didn't find it nearly as bothersome when Nik did it. She offered him a bright smile as the waiter immediately took them to a table.

"What's on your mind, sweetheart?" The vampire asked once the waiter had left their table.

Caroline looked down at her plate and visibly took a breath. Niklaus felt his hand clenched, forcibly focusing on the beauty before him. He would wait to react until she had her say, even if a feeling of dread overcame him at the thought of what she could say.

"Why is Elijah dating someone who looks exactly like Elena? Elena was not a twin as far as the town knows," Caroline leaned forward. "What are you not telling me?"

XXX

"I'll get some drinks."

Elena watched Stefan go with mild trepidation at being alone with a stranger—an unknown vampire. The blonde gave her a considering look, one that made Elena feel awfully small. The brunette was forced to look down at the floor. This woman was beautiful, with long blonde hair. Elena could practically feel the woman's confidence.

"You are nothing like her."

Elena looked up to find Lexi looking at her. Her eyes were guarded as if she was still considering Elena. "Katherine? Katherine Pierce, I mean."

"The supernatural world is much smaller than you might think" Lexi shrugged. "I've heard about Katherine long before I even met Stefan. You are nothing like her."

Elena laughed awkwardly, "Can't say I have a taste for men in suits."

Lexi's smile enlarged, "Elijah Mikaelson. Be careful with him. Are you acquainted?"

"The Mikaelsons moved into town around the same time as Stefan," Elena informed her, tilting her head as Lexi's eyes narrowed.

"Stefan didn't inform me," The blonde said curtly.

"Didn't inform you of what?"

The two women turned to spot Stefan carrying three cups with ease. Lexi stepped forward, quickly scooping two cups from Stefan, passing Elena one with a small smile. "The Mikaelsons."

Elena saw Stefan's new side that day. The way he paled at the narrowed eyes of his best friend, "Lexi, I…"

"I told you the Mikaelson's were not a supernatural fairytale. Klaus is a genuine monster, and instead of hiking the hell out of dodge, when you realize the supernatural world's real-life boogeyman lives here, what do you do? You stay!"

"Lexi! You never once mentioned the Mikaelson's to me," Stefan countered.

"Really? No mention of the originals? How about Klaus? I know I mentioned him," Lexi's voice lowered, her eyes glancing at Stefan curiously.

"No, Lexi. Never except…Klaus and I apparently have a history that I have no memory of," Stefan admitted. Elena winced, remembering that windfall at the Halloween party.

"Lexi, is it possible for other vampires to wipe another's memories?" Elena asked. "Stefan swears he has no memory, but Klaus seemed to know a lot about him."

"If you're an original, anything is possible. I've heard rumors that the original family was capable of such a thing. He must have compelled you," Lexi frowned. Have they said anything else to you?"

Stefan and Elena shook their heads. "Katherine Pierce came to my home the other day," Elena admitted. "She was nothing like I expected."

"She wouldn't be." Lexi shook her head. "You say she's with Elijah?"

"Lexi, do you know them?" Stefan questioned. Lexi shook her head. "I've managed to learn bits and pieces enough to know the signs of trouble and when to stay away. Most vampires don't even know the Mikaelsons' last name."

Stefan sighed, "So they weren't lying."

Lexi looked down at her cup and drank it in one gulp. "There is no way I can talk you into moving, right?"

Stefan shook his head, "This is my home, Lexi."

"Then don't get in that family's way," Lexi warned. "Now, enough doom and gloom. I'll worry about saving your ass later. We have a birthday to celebrate."

"Yes, it's time to celebrate the old man," Elena quipped. Stefan turned his head back, a rare full laugh escaping him.

"Don't," He wheezed.

"What? Comment on your old age? Look who you are talking to." Lexi's mouth twitched in amusement. The trio each sipped their drinks; Elena took the chance to look between them.

After meeting Damon, who Stefan might distrust wasn't actively trying to make leave town. A part of her wondered if Damon was so dangerous, why didn't Stefan make him leave? Perhaps because he couldn't, the darker side of her quipped, making Elena clamp down on her straw.

"Lexi," Stefan sighed. "You didn't have to come all this way."

"Aww, don't ruin my fun now," Lexi whined playfully, looking at Elena. "I don't know how you put up with Grumpy Stefan Elena. "

"Stefan's not grumpy," Elena defended automatically. "I don't think I've seen him smile so much in one day."

Lexi laughed, "Ah, to be young and in love. This is a birthday party, not a funeral! Let's play pool." The blonde grabbed the two and pulled them towards the empty pool table.

"So, how did you meet Stefan?" Elena asked curiously as Stefan volunteered to set up the table.

Glancing over at Stefan, whose shoulders were tense, "I met him shortly after he turned in 1864. Let's say it was memorable."

"Was he… you know, different than he is now?" Elena whispered. Lexi smiled fondly at her friend, watching him purposefully set the game up slowly. "Yes and No. I think meeting you was a bit healing for him."

Elena's brow pushed together in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"It's Stefan's story to tell. I assume he hasn't told you much?"

"He's rather tight-lipped. I only know about Damon and Katherine because they are both in town. I only discovered that Katherine was a sore spot between them, leading to their transition. After meeting Katherine…it's clear she definitely goes for what she wants," Elena admitted. "I'm just unsure what to do with whatever she is here for."

Lexi frowned, "I think I know."

"You do?" Elena asked with hope.

Lexi shook her head. "It's speculation. It's a myth, really, but one I suspect. After all, two people who look exactly alike, born over 500 years apart? Sounds like a magical ingredient to me."

Elena blanched, "If Katherine wanted me dead, wouldn't she have killed me already?"

Stefan finally looked up, "Lexi, it's my birthday. We can talk about this later."

Elena looked irritated, "Stefan, Lexi could have answers!"

"Speculation," the best friends responded in unison. Stefan shook his head. "Elena, I'll find out what's going on, I promise you. The fact is Katherine could kill you if she wanted, but she hasn't yet. I don't want to risk it."

Lexi took one of Stefan's long pool sticks, lowered herself to the table, and knocked several balls in, starting the game. "Okay, birthday boy. We'll do it your way, no speculation of Katherine Pierce out in the open, but that means I'm here until this situation is handled."

When Lexi narrowed her eyes at him, Stefan looked like he was about to argue. "Stefan, I'm not kidding. It's one thing to deal with Damon alone, but Katherine? And the original family? You don't even know what they want!"

Stefan closed his mouth and sighed, "Okay. Just try not to get arrested for putting Damon in his place, alright?"

"No promises," Lexi vowed and turned to Elena. Okay, Gilbert, let's see what you have."

XXX

"I'm telling you, man. It's time to get over Elena Gilbert," Tyler Lockwood told his best friend and fellow football player Matt Donovan.

"Tyler, I'm not waiting for Elena. Not every guy needs to get laid constantly," Matt muttered to his friend.

Tyler shook his head, "Matt, you haven't even been on a date since Elena. It's time to get back in the game."

The duo walked into Mystic Grill. Tyler immediately scanned the room, finding Stefan Salvatore with Elena Gilbert and an unknown blonde female. Tyler could feel his anger beneath his skin, almost like it was alive. It had been this way all his life, as if his anger was trying to be unleashed even when, logically, Tyler knew he didn't need to be this angry.

He couldn't help getting angry. His Dad would chuckle and say it was from his side of the family. His mother would smile, but Tyler could see the pain the way she watched him with girls. He might be a player, but unlike his father, everyone was in the loop.

He was different.

"C'mon, man," Matt prodded, his eyes locking onto the group, clapping Tyler. "Leave it alone. He is a part of the team now."

"I'm telling you there is something off about him," Tyler grouched as he pulled from Matt's touch but followed him to an empty table and a pretty waitress. While Stefan most definitely set him off, Tyler couldn't let Matt know that he was angrier with Elena. Sure, she had dumped his best friend. She was doing nothing wrong, but it felt wrong that she could move on so quickly while Matt, despite his insistence, looked after her like a grown puppy.

Matt shook his head before giving his order to the waitress, offering her a bright smile. Tyler muttered his usual, glancing the waitress's figure up and down. His friend rolled his eyes, "Tyler, I know we are on the football team, but that doesn't excuse you from being a dick."

Tyler grinned, "It does when your father is also the Mayor of a small town."

Matt rolled his eyes at the apparent way Tyler smirked over at their waitress, who giggled from her spot by the bar. "One of these days, man. One of these days, you will regret acting this way."

Tyler snorted, "Tell that to my Uncle. He still has not grown up, and he is what thirty?"

Matt smiled at the waitress as she brought over their orders shortly after. His blue eyes searched his friend's face. "What's going on, man?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Tyler said, refusing to take a bite of his hamburger.

"You've been going after Stefan, Ty. You haven't even hazed Kol Mikaelson that much, and honestly, he is worse than the two." Matt shook his head, thinking of how the male Mikaelson would flirt with the cheerleaders to dig into the football team he could.

Tyler's gaze turned away from the pretty waitress towards the man in question, as he appeared to be getting a game of pool set up. "There is just something off about him. The Mikaeslon siblings, but I can't touch them without getting an earful from my Mom."

Matt winced, "Trying to impress the new family in town?"

Tyler snorts, "Trying to gauge if they are new or old money. She hates how standoffish they seem."

The two friends looked at each other before sharing a laugh. "Finally, a family more stuck up than yours," Matt laughed.

Tyler shook his head, "Apparently, the elder brothers have headed the family. No parent's insight, and the two eldest… My father is trying to get them to step into town business."

"You mean bankroll your father's next campaign despite no real competition?"

Tyler shrugged, "It's a democracy, man. Though my father would prefer not having to run at all."

Matt shook his head, throwing a fry at his friend, laughing as the boy caught it in his mouth. "Either way, my parents would be furious if I did anything to upset them trying to win the Mikaelsons over. They are old money."

Matt rolled his eyes, glancing over at Elena wistfully. This time, Tyler's turn to scoffed, "You can't still be pinning over Elena Gilbert. You've seen her in diapers."

"Yeah," Matt sighed, catching Elena's eyes and grinning when she waved awkwardly back. "That's part of the problem. I know how good we can be together."

"Yeah, until she dumped your ass. What was her reason again?"

Matt scowled, drowning his soda, not saying a word. Tyler smirked, "Something about seeing you as a brother, wasn't it?"

"She views me as one of her best friends." Matt let out a groan. "I thought being so easy between us was a good thing."

Tyler set his glass down. "Listen, Elena Gilbert is nothing special. If the two of you had stayed together, what would have happened?"

"I don't know…date…go to college, get married, have kids. Like her parents."

"If you didn't accidentally knock her up," Matt winced at the callous way Tyler said it.

"Come on, Matt. Elena is hot, a cheerleader dating a football player. You're a good guy, Matt, but could you honestly tell me you always have a condom?"

"Elena…"

"Elena is a typical girl raised in a small southern town," Tyler was blunt. "If you had stayed together, Elena would have just kept going because it was expected of her, and so would you. You with your family issues- Elena is a godsend to you while I see her for what she is."

Matt glowered, "And what exactly is that?"

"Just like any other girl in this town. It's pretty and kind, but that life you picture wouldn't be what you think it is. Both of you would find something lacking but stay out of duty."

Matt chuckled, "Now you sound thirty."

Tyler's eyes widened, "Don't you dare repeat that. I'm am fucking young man!"

"Then stop sounding like an old wise man," Matt advised with a laugh. Thanks, Ty. I mean it…I'm just not there yet, you know?"

XXX

Sheila Bennet stepped into her home after her last class of the week to feel something off in her home. She scanned for any sign her protection spell had activated and looked for the physical broken form of any charms she had placed to find none.

A groan of frustration could be heard coming from upstairs. Ah, Bonnie.

Her granddaughter, Sheila, sighed wistfully, having been granted a pitiful hand when it came to family. Despite being the next generation of a powerful witch line, Bonnie suffered an absent mother and a father who chose to be away more often than he was present. Her ex-son-in-law was a good man—just narrow-minded. Sheila felt regretful for listening to him when Bonnie was raised without magic.

She had been a terror to Ruddy Hopkins, fighting with him for her granddaughter's inheritance. When he threatened to keep Bonnie away, Sheila knew that her daughter's decision to marry that man was perhaps her most significant. At times, she honestly felt for the man; it couldn't be easy knowing you entered a family with gifts you'd never understand.

As a couple, her daughter and Ruddy appeared firm, and the day she lost her magic protecting two little girls came. Sheila didn't know if Ruddy was a man who was incapable of accepting that his ex-wife and daughter were witches. Or if the fact his wife fled when she lost it soured his impression of magic. Now, Bonnie was in a strained relationship with her father, and Sheila had no idea how to broach the topic that was her mother.

"Bonnie, sweetheart. What on God's sweet earth are you doing?"

Bonnie looked up from what Sheila could see: their family grimoire. "You said that Bennett witches had a long history with vampires. We go back as far as when the Mikaelson's were created."

Sheila crossed the threshold and sat beside her granddaughter. "The Bennett line is old, my dear. The connection is mere speculation before Bennett placed a preservation spell upon it."

Bonnie nodded, "I noticed that the grimoire acts as a diary in some ways… I'm just hoping for more insight into what my friends have found themselves involved in."

Sheila smiled, "I'm afraid you won't find anything in this one. The witch in question, Ayana, I believe, kept her connection with the Mikaelsons to an oral retelling of her story."

"Why?"

Sheila laughed, "Darling witches are designed to protect nature, and it's balanced. If Ayana had anything to do with helping create vampires, then she'd make sure no one knew it."

"Then how do you know so much?" Bonnie questioned.

"My magical gifts lean towards the preservation of history and teaching. Your mother's magic had a natural infinity for growing with nature. You will have to discover whatever talents your magic wishes to display."

Bonnie's eyes widened, "Gifts?"

"Nothing like your book, Twilight?" Sheila made a disgusted face. "Witches are capable of magic, but much like anyone else, everyone has a specific talent that, for a witch, magic might enhance. You, my dear, are the last in a very long line. You only have a few cousins remaining. Your gifts will most likely be larger than previous generations."

"Grams, this is great and all, but my friends are clearly involved with vampires."

Sheila gave her granddaughter a hard stare. "The Mikaelsons came to me in search of help with collecting a moonstone and a favor."

"A favor," Bonnie repeated. Her lips formed the words, but her young face's look was one of stupor.

Sheila shook her head, "They didn't come empty-handed. Their mother had taken one of our ancestor's grimoires yet never returned it." The older witch pulled an old book from her satchel, handing it over with great Care.

"What did they want?" Bonnie asked suspiciously, with Sheila's eyes glowing in approval.

"They wanted the help of the Bennett line in ending the curse on their brother."

"How's that our problem?" Bonnie asked in confusion.

"It was our ancestor that helped Esther Mikaelson create it. They confirmed that theory, at least. I agreed on one condition."

"Grams! You said that vampires couldn't be trusted," Bonnie gasped.

"I made them promise to look after you. I am getting older, and I have much left to teach you. I should have started years ago, but your father… It doesn't matter. They agreed to leave you out of their supernatural dealings."

Bonnie frowned, "But that means you have to do it alone."

Sheila waved it off, "It's not a complicated spell. But I could practically sense the trouble they bring, and you need to stay out of it no matter what Elena or Caroline ask."

"But Grams…"

"NO. Bonnie. The supernatural world is much bigger and darker than you can imagine. Vampires, Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Witches, and so much more that even we only think of as myth. Follow the lore, never doubt the existence of anything, and stay out of supernatural affairs. Witches more knowledgeable than you have ended up slaved to supernatural beings with no respect for our craft. I'm not saying you don't help your friends, but you must know it could come with a cost you must be willing to pay."

A.N: Thank you for your patience as I re-write these chapters. As always, please Read and Review.