Prologue:

Elijah had always thought the Salvator Boarding House was a haven for decades long due past. A masterly mix of modern and obsolete. Painting the halls with over a hundred year of the extremely personal history of its two undead occupants, there was quite an assortment of artwork and antiques ranging from throughout the last 146 years. He also knew that to an outsider it seemed like tasteful overkill from a Founding Family. But for those who knew (not to mention those who kept the secret themselves) it was an example of a century and a half of living without living.

As he stood waiting on the front steps mulling over his earlier conversation with Niklaus, who was actually astonished that Elijah (of all people) had been awoken, he knew there was a reason, a purpose he had been un-daggered. After being betrayed by his brother after betraying his then allies out of family loyalty, Elijah sincerely wanted revenge on his younger brother. All that could possibly be hoped for was that the Salvatores and Company would accept his help and choose to let history stay in the past. With Damon Salvator in charge, that most likely would not be happening.

Being a rational believer in getting unpleasant activities over with, Elijah first rang the bell on the aging house before opening the door and crossing into the threshold. He was greeted with a, "Get the hell out of my house!"

"You know Damon," he started, "Signing over the papers to a human would save you from dealing with any unwanted visitors."

"Been there, tried that. Didn't end very well," came the elder brothers sarcastic response. He and the doppelgänger were sitting on the couch, heads bent together in a way that showed they were increasingly close, while the younger brother stood by the fire listening to what the two had been discussing. The expression on his face showed that he did not agree with them. Occasionally he would interrupt with an opinion but by the dismissal of raised hands it was not even worth considering. Puzzled at the seemingly switched personalities of the brothers, he paced the wooden floors to reach the group. "What did you do this time Stefan?" sighed a resigned Damon before continuing, "And what do you want?" this time addressing the much, much older vampire.

"Oh, nothing," replied Stefan, still glaring into the fire, "Just found a way to change the game."

"This is not a game, Stefan! Besides he's already sold us out once, what proof is there that he won't do it again?"

"Either way we showed Klaus that we will do anything to give ourselves the advantage!" With the heated exchange the volume level had risen considerately. Preventing Damon from entering a biting retort, Elena interrupted.

"Will both of you shut up!" she exclaimed causing the brothers to gaze up at her in alarm. "Good. Now, Elijah, why are you here?"

"To thank Stefan for freeing me from that wretched contraption," commented Elijah, angling the response to the younger sibling before adding on. "Also I'm here to offer my assistance in the, how you put it, changing of the game."

"As I mentioned earlier, how. Can we. Trust. You?" challenged Damon.

"Because I came to you this time and just spent the last 5 months locked up in a coffin with a dagger in my heart. Such circumstances tend to make you very bitter."

"Fine. But if you turn on us this time, I'll help Klaus dagger you myself," prior to turning on his heel and storming into the next room.

"Damon!" shouted Elena. Shooting a half apologetic, half wary glance over her shoulder at Elijah she began to saunter away. "I'll try to reason with him," filing off to comply with the stubborn vampire. At the same time she left him alone with the humanity-less brother.

"What were you thinking?" wondered Stefan, watching the Original with cold, analytical green eyes.

"The same could be asked of you," countered the oldest Mikaelson.

"I asked first," was the response with a withering yet inquisitive stare.

"I was under the impression that you were all in need of my assistance, when you un-daggered me."

"That and I wanted to piss off Klaus."

"In that case you most definitely succeeded," chuckled Elijah. The pairs discussion came to a halt as Elena led the disgruntled brother back into the room. She settled into the couch and Damon pointedly strode straight past them all to the bar cart. Pouring himself a rather large glass of bourbon he plopped down the couch, kicking his feet carelessly up onto the coffee table. Elena rolled her eyes at his mindless, not to mention impolite, actions and turned to address Elijah.

"You want to help us?" her tone was measured, equal parts hope and suspicion.

"As Stefan so kindly confirmed, I am here to aid in the ridding of my brother from Mystic Falls."

"Whats the catch?" called out Damon before taking a long drink from his almost empty tumbler.

"No catch just a condition. My other siblings and I leave without harm when all this is finished. They do not deserve the treatment they have been given by Niklaus."

"Can you promise that they will leave Mystic Falls alone?" implored Elena.

"I give you my word that, if we succeed, my brothers, sister and I will leave this town and its inhabitants in peace," swore Elijah, ignoring Damon's bitter, "Like that's worth much!"

Everyone noticed the major if and the heavy presence it brought into the room along with it. Surprisingly, it was Damon that pulled out of his thoughts and voiced his opinions first.

Starring the eldest vampire in the room (and quite possibly existence) in the eye, he stated quick and decisively, "Let's make a plan."