So I was inspired by The Time Traveler's Wife and other VD fics that were somewhat similar to this concept. Since I'm ridiculously attached to my OCs, I wanted to try this idea out with one of them. Hopefully, this will please some of you. This story will be very different from my other two. It will be much, much shorter and a slightly different style, I guess. I originally planned on just posting one long segment, but decided to split it into multiple parts. I hope it's worth publishing instead of leaving it in my head to take over my thoughts.

1995

"Are you absolutely certain that you cannot perform the spell on your own?" Elijah asked his witch, Cassandra. They stood in an abandoned warehouse, the moonlight was their only source of light. Shattered glass lay on the dusty floor from the windows being broken by uncontrollable teenagers.

"You've become too paranoid to trust anyone." She pointed out to Elijah.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "My brother is the one incapable trust. I, on the other hand, am simply careful about who I confide in." His hands rested in the pockets of his charcoal pea coat. He could see Cassandra's breath from the harsh winter air. It was beginning to snow slightly. They were in Boston, with a view of an abandoned area of the harbor.

"She's here." Cassandra stated quietly. She glanced up at Elijah to see that he had already sensed her. Then she looked over at the doorway, on the other side of the large room, to see a shadowed figure walking toward them. Josephine walked over to meet her halfway while Elijah stood still, watching them closely.

Once she walked into the moonlight, he took in the new witch's appearance. Her hair was the brightest red he'd ever seen. Her skin was pale and practically radiated magic. Her eyes were the strangest shade of brown so that they too almost looked red. They flickered in his direction. She seemed to be reading Elijah in a way no human or even most witches could. She was powerful; he could feel it.

"Elijah, this is Genevieve." Cassandra stated nervously. This certain witch intimidated her. Genevieve was more powerful than Cassandra could ever dream of becoming. She came from a bloodline that was kept secret from almost all witches. They wanted to remain undisclosed, staying out of supernatural affairs that got most of their kind killed. It took a great deal of convincing just for Cassandra to get her to come and even more convincing to meet with a vampire.

"You never told me he was an original." Genevieve hissed at the other witch.

Cassandra swallowed heavily. "I did not think it was important."

Genevieve whipped her head. "Or you thought I wouldn't come if I knew." She took a step in Elijah's direction and then continued to walk around him, observing him closely. "I do not fear the originals." She stated boldly. "As long as a witch never trusts a vampire, they will never be destroyed by one."

Elijah glanced at Cassandra, amused by this certain witch's confidence. "Cassandra has informed me that you can help locate my brother." Seeking revenge on his brother for destroying their family had not been as easy as he liked. It took time just to find a witch of Cassandra's level. But it turned out they needed someone much more powerful to complete the tasks he wished.

"And what makes you believe I will help a vampire?" Genevieve purred.

"Why else would you be here? You already intended on performing the necessary spell the moment you decided to come." Elijah replied evenly.

Genevieve glared at how correct his answer was. "If I do what is needed…" She began. "You will never contact me or anyone from my family. This is the one and only time any of us will ever help. You will never even repeat my name." Elijah nodded his head, seeing the terms as the simplest they could be. "I only ask for one thing in return." She added. "Your blood."

Cassandra's brow furrowed with confusion. "What could you possibly do with his blood?" She was unaware of any spells that could need it. She thought the spirits would be offended by even trying to use the blood of what they thought was an abomination to nature.

"Just because you are unable to use blood or are oblivious to its power, doesn't mean that I or my family cannot." Genevieve answered darkly. There was no missing the insult that undernoted the explanation.

"So be it." Elijah answered. He noticed Cassandra's head whip in his direction at the quick answer. He knew she was concerned that Genevieve might have discreditable intentions with his blood, perhaps even cause him harm. Elijah was also aware of Cassandra's growing affections for him. Although, she didn't know he had noticed them as soon as they started.

"What do you plan on doing with his blood?" She hurriedly asked the other witch the moment she had taken a step toward Elijah.

"Relax, my dear. It will not harm him. His blood is powerful…powerful enough to complete spells that you could never imagine." Genevieve was at his side now. She looked into his eyes and he held out his hand for her. She grabbed a knife that had been resting in her belt. It raced across his wrist, slicing his skin open. Immediately, blood dripped from the cut. She already had a clay flask to catch all of it, aware that the wound would close very soon. Elijah was completely calm as his eyes watched. He could hear Cassandra's heart racing at the sight of his blood.

After a few minutes, the cut was healed. Genevieve looked satisfied with the amount of blood she received. Her attention now focused on the matter at hand. "You wish to locate your half brother, correct? The original hybrid that has continued to fail to break the curse to release his true self." She looked content with the surprise in Elijah's expression. She knew more than anyone else that was outside the original vampire family.

A second later, he hid any emotion that he had let slip a moment ago. He nodded his head. "Niklaus has the constant companionship or various witches. I have realized the difficultness that follows with such company."

"I can do what is needed…and much more." Genevieve said with a fire in her eyes. Elijah's eyes tightened, waiting for to explain what she meant. "I will show you." She said simply. "Give me your hand, vampire." She instructed.

Elijah did as he was told. His eyes watched hers closely. As soon as their skin made contact, he felt all of her energy. Unlike vampires, who were filled with death, witches were filled with the life of everything around them. Elijah practically felt human when her energy flowed through him.

"Close your eyes." Genevieve instructed carefully. "And search for what you desire." Her voice whispered, the sound echoing in his mind. Elijah was then thrown into a passageway of flashes and rapidity. It was almost like running at vampire speed, but he couldn't actually control where he was going. It felt like hours until it finally slowed down. When it finally stopped, Elijah saw the back of his brother's head. It was like he was a shadow in the room. Elijah was there, but no one acknowledged him. Niklaus was talking to someone, most likely a witch.

"Katarina had a child that was taken away from her. That is what this book declares." Niklaus almost looked happy. "So there is a chance that the Petrova line could still very much be living?" That was all the vision allowed Elijah to see. There was a feeling of being whipped backward a second before his eyes snapped open. Genevieve looked pleased, for she had also seen everything he had. His breathing was heavy, something unusual for vampires. Cassandra watched quietly from the side, completely unaware of what both of them had seen.

Elijah's gaze shot up to Genevieve's. "Is it true? Is it possible?" He asked of the doppelgänger line still possibly existing somewhere in the world.

"The possibility exists. But only time will tell if a new doppelgänger is born into the world." The witch hummed. "Do you know where your brother resides?"

"Yes, it was Bulgaria." Elijah confirmed as his eyes zoned out. "I recognized it immediately." He stated. That was where Katarina had been born. And it must be how his brother was able to attain such information about her family.

"I see where your heart presses into your mind." Genevieve whispered. Her words caught Elijah off guard. "Your heart longs for another Petrova. It aches to lay eyes on a facsimile of the only two women you have ever loved." Now she had become too daring. Elijah had enough of allowing such things. His hand wrapped around her throat and threw her into the nearest wall.

"Elijah!" Cassandra warned as she ran to his side, hoping she could get him to release the grip on the witch's neck. She had promised her no harm would come to her if she came. She wouldn't break it.

"You forget yourself. It was a grave mistake to believe I would allow you to say such things to me." Elijah growled to Genevieve. She had a hit a spot that no one knew even existed. Bringing up his love for the past Petrova's was too emotionally painful for him to allow. He would not be underestimated.

But before he could punish this witch any further, an indescribable pain erupted within his skull. The feeling was somewhat familiar. When he was a young vampire, barely 100 years old, witches were able to condemn such agony onto him. But then it became an inability to any witch who tried. He had no choice but to let go of Genevieve's throat as he fell to his knees with his hands clenched into fists. Cassandra was at his side, unaware of how to help.

A minute later, the pain subsided. A layer of sweat now covered Elijah's forehead. He looked up at the witch with fire in his eyes. He stood up, about to inflict as much pain as possible on her. But there was an invisible wall, blocking his attack.

"I'm sure that is the last time you will misjudge my power." Genevieve growled at him. She was breathing heavily in anger. Once she was convinced that Elijah wouldn't try to assault her again, she let down the barrier. Genevieve opened her mouth to say something else, but her eyes instantly became distant. She gasped in shock and backed into the wall, her palms against the bricks for support. A gust of wind blew through the shattered windows. Flurries of snow from outside snaked around Genevieve in a haunting manner.

"What's happening?" Elijah shot at Cassandra. He could hear the sudden dryness in Genevieve's throat as she tried to breath and calm down.

But the younger witch looked just as confused as him. "I…I don't know."

Suddenly, Genevieve's eyes met his in the most disturbing way. Elijah took a step closer, never breaking their gaze. Then, her eyes became completely white. A clouded haze covered her irises and pupils. Her posture completely changed. It seemed like she had become possessed by something. She tilted her head, as she looked even deeper at Elijah.

"You will never care for another Petrova again." Genevieve stated in the most even and monotone voice. "There is another you are meant to truly love. A human girl with darkness that will destroy her if you don't follow fate. If you save her, she will give you only light and love in return." With every word, Elijah took a step closer, silently begging her to say more of this girl. He couldn't decide if this witch was mocking him or if he was desperate for a part of what she said to be true.

Genevieve's head dropped, hiding her face from Elijah and Cassandra. Slowly, she raised it once again. Her eyes were back to normal and she seemed to be just as confused as the other two. Then she took in their expressions and started putting together what might have happened. "What did I say?" Genevieve whispered. But when she looked at Elijah for some kind of answer, he was speechless. Clearly what she spoke of was no trickery. And he was now lost in his thoughts, trying to wrap his mind around the possibilities.

"You said something about someone…a girl. Someone Elijah is supposed to save and…love." Cassandra managed to stutter on his account. She spoke to Genevieve but continued to look at Elijah, who was not mentally there anymore.

"Whatever I spoke of…" Genevieve started. It snapped Elijah out of his thoughts and made him finally look at her. "It's not the first time that's occurred. Whatever I say, it always comes true."

Elijah's first instinct was to disbelieve any of the absurdity. But there was this feeling, he'd never experienced before, that made him trust that this premonition was true. Except, he refused to show his belief in front of the two witches. However, all the strange want for this girl to truly exist made him angry. He saw it as a weakness instead of an opportunity.

He took an aggressive step toward Genevieve. She instantly took a step back and held up her hand, prepared to defend herself physically or with magic. Elijah grabbed her wrist, but was clashed with images instead of pain. It was just like he was hallucinating. Except, this vision was taken from somewhere real and unknown to him. He was outside at a beach somewhere, as the sun was about to hit the horizon. But Elijah could only focus on the person in front of him: a beautiful girl. Her hair was blonde but with the sunset, it had a certain reddish glow to it. She was smiling at him and apparently, talking to him too. But all he could hear was a ringing of some sort. She was barefoot, wearing black and white striped bathing suit bottoms, exposing her long legs. She had on a light blue sweater that was so big, it fell off her shoulder and the sleeves went way past her fingers. The visions were not cohesive and they were skipping about out of order. Now she was close to him, which allowed him to see her eyes better. They were the most unique color he'd ever seen. They were neither blue nor green but danced between the two colors, making them absolutely mesmerizing. Elijah knew he would never forget them. The ringing then disappeared for a split second as he suddenly heard the girl's laughter. Her head was thrown back and the sound was the sweetest thing he'd ever heard.

Then it all disappeared just as quick as it had been created. To Cassandra and Genevieve, the moment lasted a few seconds. Even though neither of them saw anything. To Elijah, it felt like an hour. But the strangest thing was that it didn't feel like a dream to him, it felt like a memory he had yet to live. Elijah let go of Genevieve's wrist as if it were on fire. He took a step back and looked at the two of them. But no words came from his mouth. He continued to review the apparitions in his head, fearing he would someway forget them.

"What did you just see?" Cassandra gasped, somehow knowing that he had experienced something that they had not.

"He saw her." Genevieve clarified when he did not answer.

"What kind of dark magic is this?" Cassandra accused the other witch, angrily.

Genevieve glared at the claim. "Not everything is as simple as good and dark magic. There is another kind, more powerful than any other. It has no name; it has no source. The difference is that it has a life of its own. If it wants to be found, it will be." The witch then made eye contact with Elijah. "It's just a matter of when."

1997

Like most vampires, Elijah often suppressed his vampire abilities. Obviously, it made fitting into human society much easier. But Elijah was always fond of walking, even before his mother turned him. He never really found it necessary to use heightened speed to get from one place to another. What was the point of immortality if he couldn't enjoy things that humans moved too fast to see?

The sun was going down and Elijah happened to be walking past a park in the town he was passing through. Every day seemed to become too similar too the last. He would hunt down and find a witch or a vampire that could give him in any information on his brother's whereabouts. But it never was enough to fully help him. So he would start his journey once again.

Elijah glanced up to see the park he was passing had become empty. Except, in the distance, was a little girl who sat on the curb of the street with her back to Elijah. She couldn't be more than 5 years old. Her knees were hugged to her chest with her shin guards and soccer cleats still on. A soccer ball sat next to her as she continued to stare in the same direction of the road.

Elijah didn't know what made him watch her. He'd always found children amusing, appreciating that they showed the most beautiful things about humans. But he never felt extremely comfortable around them. Sometimes he believed his very presence would corrupt their innocence. Being a vampire, he chose to stay away from them if possible. But something about this child drew his attention even closer. Her long hair was the only significant feature he could see from where he stood. Yet, he couldn't help but feel like he recognized her.

Elijah glanced around the park, wondering where the child's parents were. But even his vampire senses knew that everyone was gone except for this tiny human. The sun would be completely hidden behind the horizon soon. And he guessed that the girl had been somewhat abandoned.

Before he even realized what he was doing, Elijah started walking toward her. He stopped and stood just a foot or two away from her spot on the curb. "Is someone coming to pick you up?" He tried to ask softly. It was always crucial to talk to children differently, something that Elijah was not practiced in.

The little girl looked away from down the street to her feet, but not up at Elijah. He knew that she heard his question. Her heart sped up at the sound of his voice; apparently he had startled her a little bit. "Is there someone you can call on my phone?" He then asked her.

After a moment, the little girl finally looked up at him. That was when Elijah realized what had drawn her to him. It was the girl the witch had unintentionally showed him years ago. But she was just a child. Her eyes are what assured him that he was in no way mistaken. Their color was mesmerizing even now. But her hair was not as red as it had been in the vision.

"I'm not supposed to talk to you." Her voice brought him out of his daze. She finally spoke so seriously to Elijah that he couldn't help but smile. She didn't sound like a child when she said it.

"Is that so?" He humored her.

"You're a stranger." She clarified. Her ears were too big for her child size, causing them to stick out from her long and straight hair. Then Elijah remembered how tall she'd seemed when she was older. She would grow into them.

"Well, if I introduce myself then I wouldn't be a stranger." He knelt down so he was at her level, hoping he wouldn't seem so intimidating to her then. "I'm Elijah." He said softly as he held out his hand to her. She looked at it nervously. He could tell that she was confused on how to handle the situation. Her eyes slowly moved from his hand to his eyes. He wasn't sure what, but she must have found something redeeming in them, for she timidly shook his hand.

"That's a weird name." She said after she let go. Elijah laughed lightly at the brutally honest statement. That was the funny thing about children.

"You don't like it?" He teased her.

"I didn't say I didn't like it…just that it's weird." She quickly defended, realizing she could have sounded mean. But Elijah already knew she wasn't capable of truly being cruel.

"And what is your name?" He asked her.

She bit her lip at the question, torn between being polite and being safe. But, once again, the moment she looked into his eyes, she felt as if it were okay. "Hayley." She finally stated quietly, hoping it wouldn't make it as bad for telling him.

"It's lovely to meet you, Hayley. Now, I guess we aren't really strangers anymore." Elijah informed her.

Hayley smiled at him, noticing how he broke the rules without really breaking them. She was smart just for noticing the cleverness of it. But then her eyes wandered back down the street, looking for something that wasn't there. Elijah followed her gaze, already knowing that she was waiting for someone.

"Are you expecting your parents?" He asked her gently.

"They forgot about me." Hayley sadly said as she looked at the ground. All of Elijah's amusement with her was now gone. How could parents forget their child in such a way? "My coach waits with me or just drives me home…but I ran into the woods to get my soccer ball. I think he thought I left already." She told him quietly.

Elijah nodded slowly. "Well, it will be dark soon. Would like to call them?" He asked her as he already fished for his phone in one of his pockets. He really just wanted to drive her home, himself. Even though he knew that it was not a good idea. The child would probably be frightened by the idea too.

"No. I don't wanna call them." Hayley stated firmly. "They'll just yell at me." Elijah believed what she said. But it bothered him picturing parents yelling at such an innocent child for something that was their fault, not hers. "Will you walk me home?" Hayley asked him softly as she stared at him.

Elijah hadn't expected the question. The witch's words suddenly spoke in his head, "If you save her, she will give you only light and love." It had always been clear that the girl he learned of that day would need him. And there was no question that this small child was the girl he'd seen. Hayley needed him now, not in the way he suspected, but it still felt just as important to Elijah. Maybe this meeting was to insure that he would be there when she really did need him.

"Do you live far?" Elijah asked her as he slowly stood up.

Hayley cringed at his question. "A little…" She said shyly. "But I don't want you to drive me home." She stated confidently.

"And why is that?" He wondered.

"If we walk and you really are bad…I'll be able to run." She clarified.

Elijah found that more amusing than anything. He just nodded his head at her. She stood up, grabbing her soccer ball and putting it into the bag next to her. Elijah picked it up as soon as she zipped it closed. Hayley looked up at him, questioning why he was taking it. "So you can run faster if I'm bad." Elijah informed her supportively, making sure to hide the small smile wanting to form. She nodded her head seriously, seeing the logic in it.

"This way!" Hayley stated loudly, leading him in the direction she'd been looking when he found her. She kept her distance from him as he slowed his walking pace to suit her shorter legs. They walked past a large grouping of trees when suddenly a flock of birds flew out, scared from the sound of human footsteps. They past close in front of them loudly. Hayley jumped and clung to Elijah's leg. It took a moment for him to realize such a small thing could scare a child. He gently put his hand on her shoulder as her face was still buried against his leg.

"It's quite alright…just a few birds." He assured her. Hayley peeked her head out from his leg and looked to see that he was right. She nodded her head and then finally began walking again. Elijah followed, staying close to her. He was surprised when he felt her tiny hand grab onto his. He'd proven himself to her and she trusted him now. With the contact, he instantly got the feeling again. There were no visions this time. But if there was any doubt that this little girl was the one he was supposed to be with, it was now completely gone.

Hayley looked up at him with a smile. "I don't think you're bad." She announced with certainty. Perhaps, in a different way, she could feel it too.

Elijah glanced at the bag in the hand that wasn't holding hers. "Do you like playing soccer?" He asked her softly. Then he smiled when he say the puzzlement with her at being asked such a question.

"I like running." Hayley stated after thinking about it. She seemed rather satisfied with her answer.

They walked for quite some time. Hayley didn't seem to mind the distance. The sun had completely set a while ago, leaving them walking in the night. The darker it got, the closer Hayley huddled to Elijah while still holding his hand. For the entire walk, he continued to ask her simple questions that she stopped hesitating to answer. She never questioned why he would want to know so many things. And never once did she think of asking him anything. Elijah couldn't help but notice that she seemed excited just to be talking to anyone.

Hayley had led him into a neighborhood filled with decently large houses. She stopped in front of one that had a few lights on inside. Elijah could hear her parents moving around in the kitchen and another child's faster heartbeat. He looked down at Hayley, who met his gaze as soon as she felt him watching her. "This is my house." She informed him, almost sadly. Elijah nodded before kneeling down to her level. "I don't want to go inside." Hayley confessed to him pitifully. "They always forget about me." She sighed.

Elijah took in a deep breath. Even has a child, she had a hold on him. He wanted to give her anything she asked for. But he knew she had to go inside. "I think it would be best if you went home, Hayley." He instructed softly.

"What about you, 'Lijah?" She asked him, slightly missing the 'e' in his name. He tilted his head with a smile, wondering what she meant. "Will we see each other again?" She whispered and then let out a tiny giggle. It didn't sound like the laugh Elijah had heard in the vision, but it still had the same effect on him.

"I cannot tell you exactly when…but we will meet again." He assured her. Then he heard her family's movements inside once again. His smile disappeared before he continued. "Hayley, I don't believe you should tell your family or anyone else about me." The easier way to assure such a thing would be to compel her. But Elijah didn't wish to go so extreme. The very idea appalled him.

"Like a secret?" Hayley whispered with a mischievous smile.

Elijah smiled at her reaction. "Precisely." He handed the soccer back to her and watched as her smile and amusement vanished. Hayley hesitated a few seconds before finally turning and walking toward her front door. She only took a few steps before dropping her bag and running back toward Elijah, who was still kneeling.

Hayley wrapped him in an innocent hug that only a child could give. Elijah froze under the contact, completely stupefied by it. Then he tried to remember the last time he had even hugged someone. Hayley pulled away with a shy smile. "Thanks for walking me home. I promise I will keep out secret." She murmured before running into her house.

Elijah stood up, finally regaining his usual composure. He waited and listened to what her parents would say to her. "Hayley, where have you been?" He heard her mother shout. But her mother was yelling because she realized she had made a mistake that she would never admit too. "You were supposed to pick me up from soccer." Hayley stated softly. "I walked home." But she said nothing of Elijah.

Elijah left before hearing the rest of the conversation. He would come back again, knowing already that this wouldn't be the first time she'd need him. But just before he started walking away, he heard Hayley's hurried footsteps go up the stairs. A light turned on in a room from the second floor. Blinds from one of the windows were quickly pushed aside. Elijah spotted Hayley's head popping up to look out the window. With his enhanced vision, he was able to notice the sadness in her eyes. Seeing it within a child, brought out a whole different kind of sympathy. Hayley slowly waved her hand at him. It took a few seconds for Elijah to react and give a hopeful wave back before disappearing.

Feedback would be lovely. :)

Updating will take longer than my other stories. Just thought I'd throw that out there.