Chapter 34

"You're an idiot," she deadpanned from her position on the couch, across from the lounging hybrid. Doe brown eyes framed by dark lashes watched him in amusement from beneath loose strands of hair. He was dangling the upper half of his body off the side of the couch, so when he glanced over at her, she was upside down. A smirk eased onto his face almost automatically from the insult.

"Oh, how I have missed you, my dear and lovely doppelgänger," he simpered, icy blue eyes lighting up in pleasure.

Elena rolled her eyes at his behavior. "No wonder Elijah left to his room, he's had his fill of you," she commented, looking over her shoulder to go over the objects outside the window once again.

"Yes, 'Lijah. My dear brother does tend to have a problem with stomaching things that I do," Klaus drawled, thinking on the lectures his brother would give him on draining and discarding humans like they were nothing special. He internally scoffed, shutting his eyes, he's had enough dramatics about how he gets his food.

"You do it on purpose," Elena mumbled, causing Klaus' ears to prick at her soft tone.

"And why would I do that?"

"Because you have made yourself believe that your brother won't take care to notice you or care unless you do something volatile to get him to stay with you," she told him, still not meeting Klaus' contemplative gaze.

He slowly maneuvered himself to sit upright with his elbows on his knees as he regarded his sister-in-law with a tilt of his head. Elena felt his eyes on her and slowly turned her head to give him a once over, and couldn't help but think of the Original Hybrid to look like a curious dog. But unlike his future self that would continue to deny any accusations like what Elena had just said, he seemed more open to her opinion of himself.

"We must have been close if you could see that," he said lightly, no hint of joking in his features.

She smiled softly, nodding. "It took awhile. But it was simple to pick out, since I saw the same thing every time I look in the mirror. You would do anything for family, whether it's in their best interest or not. You go about it all wrong though, but your siblings never sit down and talk it through with you. You all become ignorant to one another and fight. So it's not fully your fault. None of you try to understand what the other is feeling or how the other thinks, you all assume so much and it creates more chaos," she explained quietly.

Klaus nodded, not saying a word. His mind going over what she just said and finally being enlightened to all his family's troubles with one another. All the betrayals, hurt, anger, sadness, and pain became heightened when their parents had made them into vampires. It made it worse to communicate with one another as each one of them had each grappled onto a negative emotion that they let lead their new immortal life. Finn couldn't handle any of it, so he saw it a mercy to let him rest in his coffin. Elijah wanted to be a better man, so prideful that he could restrain himself from all the bloodshed that his younger siblings showered towns in. Kol was full of anger and became vengeful, his magic was taken from him and became something he had learned was an abomination to all that was natural to the earth. Rebekah wanted love, so she continued to search for it throughout the centuries and endured pain when each romance did not last. Himself, he was numb to it and filled with betrayal as he learned he wasn't fully his siblings' brother, but only half and all the resentment their father set upon him all made sense. He never truly felt a part of the Mikaelson Family, he bore the name, but it seemed like an empty title to him until just recently.

"Klaus," she called, breaking him out of his thoughts as she reached her hand out to cover his hands that he was balling into fists without realizing it. "Stop keeping it all bottled inside of you. You out of anyone should know it makes you feel worse than it originally did."

He glanced down at their hands and was once again mesmerized that this doppelgänger held no resentment for him, even through all the terrible things he had yet to commit against her and her family. But he was grateful that it brought her into his family's lives, as he hadn't seen how close his siblings were now compared to before Rebekah caught Elena on the outskirts of New Orleans.

"You are family, Klaus. Your siblings may not see the importance of it as much as you do, but they do love you and see you as their brother. Don't let the negative thoughts of Mikael suggest that they are not truly yours. I've seen how much he affected you in the future and he continues to affect you. You beat him in person, but don't let him win by letting his words continue to rule your thoughts," she said, squeezing his hand softly in a form of comfort.

Unknown to the two of them, Elijah had been in the hallway listening to their conversation with torn expression. He hadn't known his brother was still struggling, and wrote it off as a petulant child not getting what they wanted and killing in retaliation to punish him. He was sure none of them sensed him, too consumed with their conversation to notice and Elijah was glad for once that the others had gone to town leaving Nik and Elena together.

He slowly moved away and retreated back to his room and thought over what he was going to tell Rebekah and Kol when they got back from their trip scouting out the area.

Her doe eyes trailed over the form of the new man she had sighted strolling alongside a blonde woman and dark skinned man. All of whom she had never seen before now, and she would know since Giuseppe Salvatore made it clear that Mystic Falls was a close knit town and outsiders were easily sighted.

Her interest was piqued at how he exudes such confidence and an old charm that she thought she had outgrown. With both Salvatore boys neglecting her, she felt she had the right to make them see what they were missing by bringing this man in on her game and using him as a means to an end. Her eyes narrowed in speculation, 'a very delicious means to an end' she thought. She couldn't wait to sink her teeth into that strong and lean neck of his.

Tilting her head to the side, the hat casting a flattering shadow upon her as she fluttered her eyelashes towards the unsuspecting male who was browsing alongside the blonde and the other handsome young man. But seeing the other woman put a bit of a damper on her mood, although normally she would have revelled in it. The upside, the blonde didn't seem to have any interest in her target and noticing the distance between the couple and him gave her the opening she needed to tempt the newcomer.

"Hello, are you three new around here?" She asked, politely. Emily stood a few feet behind her with a frown, recognizing immediately the newcomers were vampires.

The three looked up at her sharply, their expressions and eyes giving nothing away except faking a welcoming warmth that drew the doppelgänger into false security.

"Why, yes. My name is Rebekah and this is my fiance Marcel, and my brother Kol," the blonde helpfully produced.

The greeting pleased Katherine more knowing that Kol was going to be her new toy. She sent Kol a sultry gaze, which the man was unfazed by but recognized he was being eyed as her next conquest. She didn't want to show that it affected her, but she was getting the same treatment from all the other males in her life. So it made her quite irritated. Katherine was positive she hadn't lost her charms.

"Well, I could be your guide here, if you need someone to show you around," she suggested, kindly.

"No thank you. My wife's uncle has got that covered for us. We're only visiting and don't plan to stay here all that long before traveling again," Kol answered, calmly. His voice sent shivers down her spine if it wasn't for the fact that he mentioned he had a wife.

'That wouldn't do', she commented to herself, doe eyes narrowing at her prey. Though it wouldn't be that hard to persuade this man Kol away from his wife and warm her bed instead. She was busy planning her next step of action that she hadn't noticed the looks being traded between the trio and the distasteful expression that flickered briefly across Rebekah's face. Kol didn't know what to settle on, amusement that Katherine was aiming for the third Mikaelson unknowingly or irritation since he didn't even want to be bothered with the woman.

"And who seems to be your wife's uncle?" Katherine questioned, hoping to gain some more information on the woman and how strong the bond was between them.

"We would rather not say as her uncle likes to keep family matters within the family. Better safe than sorry, he says," Kol smoothly answered, not caring if Katherine wouldn't accept the response.

She pouted prettily at him, and he found it interesting at how almost identical his Elena and her were. But taking in her features some more, the more differences he saw. And he was glad he had gotten the better doppelgänger.

"I promise not to say a word to anyone of whom," she persuaded, sweetly.

Kol shook his head. "My apologies, but I am loyal and gave my word to my beloved and her family. So I am afraid there is nothing here for you," he replied, charmingly.

Emily watched the exchange and recognized the interest her friend Katherine was showing like a spider to its future lover and meal. The Bennett Witch grew weary of the bedmates and she was hoping she would have stayed with one of the Salvatore boys, but seeing as they were drifting away with open eyes. She supposed she couldn't blame the boys. But now, Katherine was setting her eyes on a married man, not that she was surprised but she would have hoped that she had more tact than that.

Turning her attention to the trio, she noticed an old magic tied to them and it eased her mind. Seeing the man Kol deflect Katherine's questions allowed her know that he knew what she was trying to do and gave her the notion that he was protecting someone.

'His wife' her magic seemed to whisper to her, before a flash of a woman's face that was identical to Katherine's appeared in her mind. The image gave her compulsion to follow the trio as they retreated down the road to understand why her magic wanted to protect the man's wife. The woman in her mind's eye was not Katherine, so Emily could only surmise that it was the next Petrova Doppelgänger as what her friend had told her was inevitable.

The doppelgänger in her mind made her feel safe and warm, like she was home and surrounded by a family she had always wanted before Katherine saved her life. The woman was surrounded by the same old magic as the trio, but also magic that was close to her own or essence of her own. Still looking in the direction of where the trio disappeared off to, she promised herself that she would speak to them and wife of his, to try and understand why she felt the need to protect them and her.

"Emily, come," Katherine's voice broke through Emily's thoughts.

"Yes, Miss Katherine."

"I loathe that woman," Rebekah hissed beneath her breath, holding onto Marcel's arm as they all went to meet Uncle Johnathan at Pearl's Apothecary. The only bright side to meeting John there was how smitten he was with Pearl and how fond he was over her daughter as well. Seeing them together made Rebekah smile blissfully, but towards the back of her head, she knew that it wouldn't last. John wouldn't want to become a vampire, and he would have to move on with his life to create the future Gilbert generation that would later bring Elena into the world. And Pearl's association with Katerina would no doubt bring more attention and trouble that would keep the woman and her daughter from getting peace as they currently were.

"Yes, we all do," Kol answered, his arms folded behind his back as he examined the area on their walk

Rebekah scoffed. "She was practically drooling over you. If you did not have Elena now, you would more than likely be panting after her like our dear brother."

Kol quirked a brow at his sister, opening his mouth to retaliate a response but Marcel beat him to it.

"I highly doubt that he would have, 'Bekah. Besides if he did not have Elena, Nik would be carting him around in a coffin," he said, causing Rebekah to mockingly open her mouth in betrayal.

"You are supposed to agree with everything that I say!" She exclaimed.

Kol stifled a laugh. "The man's smart, 'Bekah."

She rolled her sky blue eyes. "All men are pigs. I should have 'Lena turn against you with me. Start an all women's club just to spite you all," she told them, but still had not let go of Marcel's arm as they strolled across the street to the small shop labeled 'Apothecary'.

"She would never," Kol argued

"I wonder how she would react if she knew the reason you took so long to get to Mystic Falls was because you were questioning your relations to her and how you are struggling to show her the darkness you have coddled yourself in," she questioned him, sending him a sideways glance and noticed how he stilled and conflict war across his face.

"How?" He began, before Rebekah waved her hand at him dismissively.

"Please, brother. I've known you for centuries. You killed on your way here. If you are so conflicted on whether Elena will accept you or not… unsure if she would understand the bloodthirstiness and darkness within your very soul, you should just speak with her. You will be surprised to know how very little difference it makes," she told him with a smile.

"How would you know?" He snapped, eyes darkening.

"I was one of the people traveling alongside her, Kol. Marcel and I have heard quite a few stories, but it is different when she's around you. She is a bit hesitant to let herself go all the way, because she knows you are holding back as well."

They were right outside the door of the apothecary and could see Pearl smiling as she talked with John. Pearl's eyes sparkled in her joy and Anna sat beside her with contentment. Rebekah and Marcel shared a glance, and smiled softly at the image they portrayed. So happy and innocent, unaware of what truly lurked in the near future. The two though were broken out of their musings of the three inside by Kol clearing his voice.

"I will talk with Elena when we get back," he murmured, softly.

Rebekah looked him over and saw the slight quiver of his hands as he reached for the door to open it for them. He was nervous, but the gleam in his eyes told her he was also excited. "Good," she whispered.

Johnathan set his attention to the ground, nervousness taking over all across his body. The eyes of the others were not helping him at all either.

"So, you invited her over for dinner," Rebekah sounded out to him as if he were a child.

"Well, yes," he tried.

"Are we to be there? Or should we take Elena and our brothers out?" She asked, unsure of how to bring it up to Elena if they were to restrain her more into the bedroom.

"I will stay to keep an eye on Johnathan, while you lot take the others out of town. You all need to feed anyways," Marcel put in. Johnathan's eyes widened a fraction, forgetting that he was homing vampires that needed blood to function. But it didn't faze him as much as it did the first night.

"Marcel that would be much appreciated," Johnathan agreed, knowing that the younger man wouldn't be able to keep up with the others and it also gave him the assurance that he wasn't going to be left alone despite having Pearl and her daughter over.

"No worries," Marcel grinned at him, patting Rebekah's arm.

"At least Elena will be delighted at being free for once," Kol commented calmly, looking ahead towards The Gilbert household.

"Quite true, as well as a perfect moment to shed some skin," Rebekah sing-songed, nudging her brother out of her and Marcel's way to the front door. Kol narrowed his gaze at his sister while Johnathan looked on the trio in confusion, but before the man could comment, a blurred figure launched through the open door into Kol's body. But to give the vampire props, he didn't flinch and had caught the person who turned out to be Elena.

"We're going out!" She exclaimed, her brown eyes lighting up. Kol was holding her suspended in the air, his arms wrapped around her waist while her own were around his neck.

"Were you eavesdropping, love?" Kol teased, pinching her side lightly.

Leaning back, she widened her eyes innocently and said, "It's not my fault you all don't know how to talk like normal people."

Kol shared a glance with his sister before lifting Elena up bridal style, and leaning down so that his forehead met her own gently. "Darling, you did not fall for normal," he reminded softly, grinning internally when he felt and heard the intake of her breath at his closeness. He really relished the responses he got out of her of every minute of every day.

He carried her through the front door, eyes catching Nik laying sideways off the couch by himself and Elijah nowhere to be seen. Both Marcel and Rebekah held in a laugh at how relaxed the big bad Original Vampire was acting, it was quite the sight especially when Uncle John witnessed it as well. His brown eyes widened comically, as if he could not believe that the vampire every other immortal beings were frightened of was carelessly kicking out his legs and bobbing his head to some unknown beat.

"Well, well, well...brother dear," Rebekah simpered, speeding to leap into her brother's rather inviting form much to the horror of Uncle John and Marcel. But before Rebekah could land upon her target, Klaus had vanished to stand beside Elena and Kol, leaving his sister to pout.

"I heard from a rather loud obnoxious bird that dear Elena and I are having a night on the town!" Klaus cajoled, wrapping an arm around his little brother's shoulders. Kol glared at Nik from the corner of his eye, not enjoying how close his brother was to himself and Elena. But what Kol didn't realize that Klaus had noticed how possessive his little brother was with Elena now and add the fact that with Kol in town with the others, left more alone time between himself and Elena.

"Not just you and Elena, Nik," Rebekah interrupted, seeing that Kol was too invested in trying to set their brother's body on fire with his mind.

Klaus tilted his head. "Oh?"

"We all need to feed, Niklaus," Elijah put in, walking into the living room whereas Marcel and Uncle John had vacated to the kitchen for some late lunch.

"All together?" Klaus questioned with a grimace. "Sounds like a terrible idea."

"Always putting things so magnificently blunt," Rebekah grumbled out, resting her head on the arm of the couch, letting her sky-blue eyes roam over to Elena's doe brown ones.

"Well, Klaus has a point. It would be suspicious if all five of us left at the same time and fed in the same area," Elena brought up, meeting Rebekah's shocked gaze at her sister-in-law siding with Nik.

"Precisely, love. See, she is the only one that understands me," Klaus mournfully announced, causing a saddened gleam to enter Elijah's eyes that no one else seemed to catch other than Elena. But before the brunette could ponder more on it, Klaus had managed to slip her out of Kol's unsuspecting arms and carried her instead. "Onward Elena love! We get to take the town by storm!" He declared quickly, leaving behind the others and Kol's intensifying glare.

Rebekah stole a brief look at Kol, sharing a glance with Elijah. "So, how long do you think it will take us to pick up the pieces of Nik's carcass?"

"Oh, sister, what makes you think I will dismember him?" Kol questioned, his gaze following the path Klaus took Elena. The others didn't have to wait long for Kol to voice the rest of his thoughts. "I am just going to take his arms...maybe just his hands, if I am feeling generous."

"Knowing you Kol, you will go above and beyond," sighed Elijah.

"One of these days you are going to piss Kol off to the point where he will try t0 murder you and succeed," Elena scolded him, as he set her down on her feet a few towns over. He stopped them under a grove of trees without a hint of anxiousness or regret, awaiting for the shade of night to cover them.

Klaus rolled his eyes, putting his hands on his hips and stretched. "Been there and done that, love. Besides, he would not dare harm little ole me, if it upsets you."

Raising an eyebrow and folding her arms. "No, but I would suggest taking a page out of your book and just staking you for a century or two," she said.

Instead of being offended, Klaus grinned back at her. "Oh, you are learning! I knew you had it in you! Cannot see why Kol hasn't seen it yet," he muttered the last part to himself, shaking his head.

"What can't he see yet?" Elena ventured, knowing that Kol had been hiding the more violent and bloodthirsty side of himself. She only knew because it was the side he would show more often than not when he first got undaggered. But of course it could have been the repressed tension and mind set out for exacting revenge.

Klaus sent her a knowing glance. "Sweetheart, you know as well as I do that Kol is conflicted with revealing all of himself to you, even though I am more than positive you already went through that with him the first time meeting him," he answered, smiling at the grumble Elena let out.

"Sometimes I hate how well you know me, or maybe you're just reading my thoughts."

"I don't need to read your thoughts. It's like how you knew my own and how I'm feeling. We're not too different and I think Kol realizes it too, so he's more possessive of you when I'm around," he thought, humming a bit under the shade of trees.

Elena let out a laugh. "Yes, because you do it on purpose to get a rise out of him! You still did that before that whole hybrid bite fiasco."

"Ah yes, my hybrids. They sound a bit redundant and annoying now. I've lost my appeal for them," Klaus admitted.

"Good. Don't turn any werewolves, and we can eliminate a lot of drama and trouble," she told him, before adding. "Although you just tend to cause a lot of drama and trouble wherever you prance off to."

"It makes the years less boring for me. Also I do not prance."

"It makes you all the more intolerable, but fine... you frolic."

"Excuse me? If anything... I prowl!"