A/N: This chapter is for AngelicSailor (and for all of my other fellow Elijah fans.) And yes, I have heard the request for a Damon POV in the future. After all my pleas not to get him jealous. ;)

I will be taking a week off from my current publishing schedule of Tuesdays and Saturdays. Just a week, not a year and a half again, pinky promise.

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Straightening his cufflinks, Elijah waited patiently for his current guest to finish selecting her own outfit. While their current living arrangement was not one that was sustainable long term, Isobel was far too useful to leave on her own unwatched. Naturally, he had compelled her loyalty for this venture. His possible little Seer had been certain that Klaus would, and two contradicting compulsions would not hold. It also helped lessen the exchange of favors at play in this tiny little town. Assisting the Martins and young Cynthia in their bid to reunite with family was more than enough alliances just now.

Isobel Saltzman nee Fleming was a vampire who kept her emotions off and practically dripped black and stolen jewelry. While she was useful, she wasn't impressive, merely tolerable for her skills. She had attempted to negotiate with him, an attempt he had shut down quite forcefully. He knew what she had to offer, and would address it should he truly need to do so. Elijah knew that he had a better idea than she did on where the moonstone was, where the local proto werewolves were, and he already had someone in mind for the vampire sacrifice. Elijah had briefly contemplated compelling the woman to turn her humanity back on, so she would at least act remorseful during the mediation meeting.

He discarded that idea as unnecessary.

In order to cultivate the idea of meeting on common, neutral ground, he had procured the use of the Lockwood home. As it turned out, the Mayor was a very agreeable man given relatively little persuasion. He'd directed the invested parties of the Gilbert family to meet him there offhandedly that morning, assuring this John Gilbert that the DNA results were in and that therefore there was no more reason for them to delay. It was a tedious display regardless what way you looked at it; Isobel had informed him of precisely who the father of her twins were.

The Lockwood Manor was a splendid example of a well kept plantation home that had never forgotten its roots, just painted it over with more white paint as if that absolved it of anything. It glittered with its own self importance, opulence diverting the eye as an answer to all questions. They were useful, however, and they had decent taste in clothing and drinks. That much, he could give them.

As the supposed neutral third party, Elijah waited outside of the house and greeted both John and his twin daughters, thanking them for taking the time to meet.

"Mrs. Saltzman is just upstairs," he gestured casually towards the house as he surveyed the group. "Is this everyone joining us today?" After the rather pointed threats Cynthia's Salvatore guard dog had attempted to deliver, he had fully expected to see both boys here today, clutching the hands of their respective interests. He was not particularly aggrieved to discover he was being spared that as the young Elena shook her head, holding onto her twin with a death grip. "Very well. Right this way then."

He entered the room after the sharp eyed father and both daughters. Closing the door behind them, Elijah gave the room a small, tight lipped smile. "Shall we?"

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"Hello John." Isobel's voice rang out in a delightfully annoying way. It was pleasant to share the grating experience with others. "Elena, Cynthia," the woman continued. "Look how much you've grown."

Neither of the girls seemed pleased with that comment, although the doppelganger was clearly curious, leaning in towards the woman with blown pupils and palpable fascination. The shorter girl claimed a seat first, remaining passive as her twin claimed the next seat and grasped her hand in a clear bid for support.

Elijah pulled out the relevant sheets of paper from a folder and held them up towards the Gilbert trustee. "Do you really need to see these to verify maternity, Mr. Gilbert?"

A wince, side glance to the teenagers, and the man shook his head minutely. "That we do not. The girls are old enough to decide where they want to live, however. I'm not sure what the point of this conversation could be. Why would they leave the only home they've ever known, after all?"

"A change of scenery could be good. Home that doesn't remind them constantly of the people they lost, perhaps?" The woman's dark eyes held her former lover's tightly. "I'm aware of the feeling, perhaps you might be as well."

"We can't just leave Jeremy." His own attention jerked sharply towards the doppelganger at the familiar sound of her voice, even the inflections were familiar. Reminding him of Katerina, when she had smoothed out the Bulgarian pronunciation from her accent. "But I – " she glanced to her twin who squeezed her hand, "we would like to get to know you."

"Excellent. We could start with weekends, move to weeks." Isobel preened, steamrolling over John's protest with finesse.

Cynthia, whom he had never seen so quiet, finally spoke up. "I already told Uncle John that I don't want to leave Mystic Falls this year. Is that going to be a problem?"

"No, no of course not. It will make sharing custody with your father easier after all, at least until you can decide which of us is actually the best choice for you."

Elena did not disappoint. "I'm sorry, our what?"

Even if the matter should have been obvious, shock or denial had clearly been working hard on the little doppelganger's mind. But she would be in his custody, more or less, for longer and longer periods. An agreement that she would not find as easy to get rid of as she may later want, as both Isobel and John read over and signed an agreement form he'd filled in with relevant information. John seemed wary of him, but Elijah kept his expressions mild. The man might end up being useful at some point, so he wouldn't antagonize him. But once the girls got to know their birth mother, it was really only a few surprise house inspections with negative results that could rip both twins into his custody full time if necessary.

As it was? He and Isobel had a home that only he and herself would be invited into by the human owner, where she could play mother to the twins as he handled other preparations. One of which he handled now, as the young family squabbled. Elena's vehement protestations made an excellent moment for him to exit and fetch an item of importance from a safe while the Lockwoods were giving them space.

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"Was everything handled peacefully?"

Elijah straightened out his suit with a quick flick, looking up to the Lockwoods at the woman's question as the two re-entered their home. He was currently standing at the top of the stairs, not far from the room the Gilberts were in, although he left his post briefly to speak to their hosts. "I think we've made a fantastic start, thank you both for allowing us to use your home."

His expression remained bland as Carol chattered about how much the Gilberts had done for them, and how they, of course, felt it their personal and civic duty to help the twins to the best of their ability. Elijah assured them that, fortunately, he didn't believe they would have to press forward with Mrs. Saltzman's initial claims. The Gilbert trustee seemed willing to be reasonable.

"It's good to see a family getting along so well. Makes me nostalgic for mine." Elijah gave the pair a dry smile. Klaus had a way of making the quibbling he'd heard from the Gilbert family sound positively loving. The hybrid favored his threats of daggering and death to anyone marginally close to his siblings, and he always managed to deliver them with a rather unhealthy amount of glee.

"Do you have children?" Carol's question might have been simple curiousity, but her prying felt more deliberate. "I didn't see a wedding ring," she added, "but I realised I never did ask about you and your family. For all that we've told you so much about ours."

Elijah let the silence hang between them just long enough for the woman's husband to get antsy. Richard seemed to have a truly terrible grasp on his temper, and his smile now was more of a grimace. "No, but several siblings. I'm hoping to see my brother soon. He's always chasing after something," he replied evenly.

"That sounds like Richard's brother. He's always off needing to find the next wave."

"You have a brother?" How fortuitous. Elijah's eyes crinkled slightly as he smiled again. " I'd love to meet him. You and your family have been an absolute pleasure to get to know."

Richard shifted from foot to foot. "He hasn't visited in a few years." Five, Elijah heard Carol mutter. No matter. He'd lure the man to town on one pretense or another. It was simply pleasant to do so without resorting to violence. "It never hurts to ask." Elijah clapped the man on the back briefly, then excused himself to interrupt the Gilberts and go fetch Isobel before she rose anymore to John's goading. Their voices had raised even louder by now, as if they wanted to air their dirty laundry to all and sundry.

"How could you go behind my back like this, Isobel? How could you go to Elijah of all people, this wasn't part of the plan. None of this was part of the plan."

"The plan wouldn't have worked, John. It took some time for me to see that, but this is the best way for everyone."

"For everyone? Or for you? God, Isobel, how much of you is even left?"

Elijah paused in front of the meeting room door, marveling at their utter stupidity in talking like this in front of the girls, even if it was in a whisper. Knocking once, he let himself inside the room as Elena whispered quietly, "What plan?"

The room fell quiet within a moment of his entry, a brief period of peace that Elijah quite enjoyed.

"I trust that you have come to an agreement?"

John, simmering anger and distrust in every line of his stance, jerked his head in agreement. "Isobel will visit with the kids after school this week and take them home this upcoming weekend. Elena apparently already has plans this weekend."

"Making up with her boyfriend," Cynthia interrupted with a teasing grin that did not meet her eyes. She didn't seem to notice her sister's censuring glare.

Isobel took over, "But that gives me time to stock up on their preferred foods. Elena said she'd help me go shopping tomorrow."

"Excellent. It's so nice to see a family rediscovering itself. As a friendly reminder, I'll be checking on both of your homes to ensure that you are providing a healthy home environment for your girls." Elijah turned towards the twins, meeting Cynthia and Elena's eyes. "After all, we all want to keep them safe."

Cynthia's eyes laughed up at him while her sister shifted, squirming under the scrutiny. He had caught a variety of looks from the young Elena, and every time he found himself comparing her to the other Petrova's he had known. Her defiance of authority to protect her loved ones. Tatia. The wide eyed look of surprise when he had been present to hear her tiff with her guardian Jenna. Katerina. Her suspicion and unease now wasn't quite Katherine, she was far too vulnerable for that. Elena kept shifting her attention towards Isobel, gravitating to her mother with a visible longing he was all too happy to capitalise upon. Cynthia drifted more towards John. Which was fascinating, considering the girl had insisted her family was not here in this dimension.

How very curious. He would have to be sure to visit and get an explanation on the girl's behaviour. While, in an actual case, Elijah most likely would not have been able to both represent Isobel, play mediator of sorts, and then again follow up as if he were a court appointed case worker. It was lucky then, that Elijah had no intention of playing lawyer in an actual courtroom without need.

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The afternoon saw Elijah outside the Martin home. This time, he knocked rather than breezing inside. The Martins were both actually home, and courtesy never went amiss. Particularly with witches and warlocks who could make things terribly inconvenient should they choose to do so.

"Elijah." Jonas answered his knock quite promptly, he was only working as needed for the hospital here. It helped justify the family's move somewhat, along with the fact his daughter had gone missing, of course, and he wanted to give his son a clean slate. "I take it the meeting went well."

"Much as expected. I have the moonstone."

Dr. Martin stepped back to allow the vampire in, and Elijah readily crossed the threshold.

"All you need now is a werewolf," Jonas observed, studying the Original steadily. "When are you planning on allowing your brother to find out about the doppelganger?"

"When I have all of the variables accounted for," he responded agreeably. "Is your son here?" There was a pause, and he only had to read the man's expression to know his answer, so he continued promptly. "Excellent. I'd like a word."

It took a few moments, but Luka made an appearance promptly, if an ill at ease one.

"Ah, Luka. A little bird told me you've befriended the young Bennett witch." Elijah conscientiously kept his body posture relaxed as father and son visibly evaluated their decision in front of him.

"Bonnie's great, yeah," the boy answered, drawing each syllable out unnecessarily. "I met her my first day. She helped me find the main office so I could get my schedule, and we really hit it off."

Elijah inclined his head slightly. "I would expect nothing else, as your father's son, than for you to take an interest. What have you learned?"

"That she only found out recently she was a witch. Her grams is a lush, but she's learning now. Simple things, manipulation of fire and wind, but she has a lot of promise."

"Her mother isn't teaching her?"

Luka shook his head, unable to account for where the mother was or if she even had powers now that the subject came up. Bonnie Bennett did not like to speak of her mother, it would seem. Elijah filed a mental note on that away with a slight clench of his jaw.

"I suppose I'll have to visit her 'Grams' myself. I don't suppose you know how I could contact her?" The question was mostly rhetorical, but Luka did, as it happened, have an answer. "Bonnie gave her phone number to Cyn. You're playing her caseworker now, maybe you can get it from her."

"Or," Jonas interjected, giving his son an inscrutable look, "he might simply visit her at Whitmore College. I looked up Bonnie after you introduced us at the Mystic Grill."

That last sentence was apparently an explanation to his son, as it held no relevance to Elijah, and he frankly didn't care.

"That aside," the father continued, "who exactly is Cyn?"

"Cynthia Gilbert," Luka shrugged. "The other girl I introduced you to. Remember?"

Dr. Martin's lips thinned. "The one who felt like the void?"

"Void?" Elijah cut off whatever argument might have started, not particularly in the mood to wait it out. "I'm unfamiliar with the concept."

Luka contemplated the answer as Dr. Martin drew himself up and sent his son back up the stairs to complete his homework, assuring Elijah that it had nothing to do with their mission for Klaus, seeming to regret even mentioning the term.

Elijah waved it off, recognizing the man's desire for them not to have any distractions. He was a deeply focused and driven man; traits that had served him well all his life in both professions, Elijah had no doubt. He would simply have to add to his questions for the Bennett matriarch.

"Why are you so interested in the Bennett line?"

The vampire shrugged elegantly. "The same little bird told me Bonnie's mother managed to dessicate an Original, all on her own. That's a fascinating skill, don't you think?"

He crossed the foyer back to the door, leaving the warlock to ponder. Jonas had been rather insistent on the matter of finding a witch burial ground he was certain was in the area. "I understand you believe that any witch would consider the cause of subduing Klaus to be worth the risk to their life channeling so much magic would cost, but as they say," Elijah smiled flippantly as he turned the door knob. "Waste not; want not."

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The plan had been rather simple. Acquire blood, return to speak with Isobel, then track down a method to speak with Bennett tomorrow and be done for the day. The first step had been perfectly simple, but he had been waylaid before returning to Isobel by a couple out for a stroll in the gloaming. A couple that he happened to recognise on sight.

Stefan Salvatore and the newest Petrova doppelganger.

"You have to believe me, Elena."

"I do. I do! But I don't understand what Damon has to do with any of this. Why you freaked out when you saw Bonnie's new necklace at the Grill tonight, and what Zach has to do with any of it."

"Bonnie's necklace is a talisman. It was Katherine's. She was wearing it the night she died. How could Bonnie have gotten it?"

"She said Cyn brought it to her after the Heritage display. Maybe Mrs. Lockwood gave her permission."

"Or maybe Damon sent her."

"Why would he do that? Why would he care about a necklace… talisman, sorry."

"Why does he do anything, Elena? I don't know. I just know it has to have something to do with Katherine. I'll find a way to get answers out of him. Zach might be able to help. He doesn't trust Damon either, and he wants to help us figure out what his game is."

"Everything is about Katherine or Damon with you."

Elijah walked forward a little louder at the doppelganger's grumblings, deciding he had listened in long enough. Purposefully snapping a log, he watched with some amusement as Elena went from an unhappy, jealous attitude to melting against her vampire suitor for protection.

"Fascinating." He watched a pair of green and brown eyes sharpening towards him as Elijah walked fully into visual range, even for the human. "I warned both sets of guardians that I would be checking up on you, and yet immediately thereafter, you go off into the woods with…" He gestured loosely with one hand. "No protection? The same woods I understand a couple died in last month?"

He sighed, visibly disappointed in the follies of youth.

"Am I to understand this is what your current guardian allows you to do?"

"Jenna has nothing to – " Stefan cut Elena off, placing an arm in front of her protectively. "She's in no danger," he insisted earnestly. "We went for a walk, that's all. Why are you even out here?"

Elijah raised an eyebrow slightly at the impertinence, then glanced away from the boy's glaring green eyes. "I'm a fan of history in all its forms. This town has so many different founding stories that it's drenched in it."

"What do you mean?" Elena's voice was soft, appealing in its innocence. "There's only the one founding story, isn't there?"

"Is there?" He smiled politely, then dismissed them. "I'd suggest you make it home before the sun completely sets, Miss Gilbert. We wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Ms. Saltzman expects both you and your sister in one piece when you visit tomorrow."

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I have a rough outline for major events, but is there anything anyone wants to see in particular? I will do my best to accommodate.