What have you got so far?" Caroline asks.
"Bungie jumping, swim with dolphins, visit every continent, play with a baby panda." Elena answers as Caroline and Stefan look to her confused as they walk into the school.
"Play with a baby panda? Can you even do that?" Stefan asks.
"I can try. What else should I put on here?" Elena looks down to her notebook filled with bucket list ideas.
"Why exactly did you decide to make this list?" Caroline asks, noticing the signs of subtle distress in her friend.
"No reason. Anyway, rob a bank." Elena waves her off.
"No. You're not robbing a bank." Stefan states sternly.
"You're cute." Elena says simply, writing it down on her list.
"Buy a house." Caroline says deciding to humor her.
"No way. With as many compulsion wielding friends as I have, I should never have to pay for a single thing for the rest if my life." Elena replies making the other two smile at each other.
"No." Stefan says.
"Come on. Pleeeease. It wouldn't even be that hard. She already makes googly eyes at you every chance she gets. All you gotta do is flash that hot brooding look and she's putty." Elena pleads as they take their seats in history class.
"I'm not gonna seduce then dump Sarah Fell, you psycho." Stefan rolls his eyes as she pouts.
"Why not?" She whines.
"Because it's horrible."
"She is my nemesis, Stefano. Nothing is horrible."
"Find something else and shhh." He shushs her as a familiar face walks into the rooms
"Good morning everyone." Alaric Saltzman greets the calls as he makes his way the chalkboard.
Elena let's out a small squeal and turns to Stefan bouncing in her her seat as he sends her an amused and confused look.
"Alaric Saltzman. It's a mouthful. I know. Doesn't exactly roll of the tongue. Saltzman is of German origins. My family emigrated here in 1755 to Texas. I, however, was born and raised in Boston. Now, the name Alaric belongs to a very dead great-grandfather I will never be able to thank enough. You'll probably want to pronounce it "Ala-ric," but it's "A-lar-ic," okay? So you can can call me Rick. I'm your new history teacher." Alaric finishes with a smile as Elena whispers to her self,
"Yeah, you are."
"Do not sleep with the teacher." Stefan whispers to her, misinterpreting her excitment.
"1.) I do what I want, 2.) gross, 3.) legally, he's my step dad." She whispers back to him making his eyes go wide.
"You think that's nuts? Wait till I tell you why he's here in Mystic Falls." She adds.
"DAMON KILLED YOUR MOTHER!" Stefan shouts shocked, gaining the attention of the people around them.
"Shhhh!" Elena shushs him smiling and waving at the other grill patrons around them.
"I'm sorry, but oh my god! That's insane. Why are you friends with him?" Stefan ask making her laugh.
"His crazy matches my crazy." Elena shrugs
"And not killed, turned. Also not my mother, just the woman who gave birth to me." Elena says taking a sip of her milkshake.
"So that's why Mr. Saltzman is here? To avenge his wife." Stefan says making her nod her head as she steals his fries.
"Wow. That's just... wow."
"I know." She says.
"What are you gonna do? As much as you've tamed my brother, I'm willing to bet he'll kill this guy if he comes at him." Stefan says making Elena glare at him.
"I didn't tame him. I just asked him not to kill the locals."
"Are you gonna let him kill the teacher?" Stefan asks taking a sip of her milkshake.
"No! They're gonna have an epic bromance. Or, at least they did in the OG timeline. They're good for each other. Damon brings out Ric's wild side and makes him less boring, while Ric cosplays as the angel on Damon's shoulder."
"Then what are you gonna do, because I'm pretty sure Damon will kill him if they meet on their own."
"Hundred percent, that's why I'm gonna introduce them." Elena says standing up and leaving Stefan with the bill.
Elena stands in the doorway of classroom and knocks lightly on the door.
"Hi, Mr. Saltzman, do you have a minute?" She asks feigning shyness.
"Of course…" he trails off.
"Elena. Elena Gilbert. But everyone called me Ellie or El." She says walking into the classroom.
"Right. Elena Gilbert, you're in the last teacher's 'Jackass File." He says looking down at his desk and picking up the file.
"Which I find weird, because from what I can see you're at the top of not only this class, but all your classes. You also have a 4.5 GPA, you're co-captain of the cheer squad, best time on the track team, and debate captain." He says with a impressed expression.
"Mind telling me why you're in this file?" He asks with a raised brow.
"I was framed?" Elena says more like a question making him chuckle quietly.
"Okay. I have a bit of a mouth and I hate bullies. Tanner had a god complex and bad habit of picking on kids who were trying their best." Elena admits.
"Fair enough. I hope I never warrant your wrath. Why is it you wanted to speak with me?" He asks leaning back in his chair as Elena takes a seat on the edge of his desk.
"All righty. This is gonna sound insane and it's completely understandable if you have a meltdown, but I need you to just listen to me." She says making him lean forward with furrowed brows.
"I was adopted by my parents Greyson and Miranda Gilbert. The night I was born a teenage girl walked into my dad's medical office in labor. As it turns out, she was sent their by her baby daddy and my paternal uncle, John Gilbert a.k.a my bio dad. After the girl gave birth she ditched me with the Gilberts and ran. She moved on with her life, got married, became a professor, but a few years ago she went missing. I know what happened to her. And by your expression I'm gonna go ahead and assume you know I'm talking about Isobel."
"Are you saying-" Elena interrupts.
"That Isobel Flemming is my birth mother? Yes I am." Elena confirms.
"How do you know about me?" He asks softly with undertones of suspicion.
"Look, I'll explain everything, just not here. Something tells me you're gonna need a drink and I'd like to introduce you to someone. Meet me here after school." Elena says writing down the boarding house's address and sliding it over to him. She stands up and walks towards the door.
"And don't bring your weapons." She calls over shoulder as she leaves.
Elena's walking to her next class when her phone rings.
"Hola." She answers.
"Hello, gorgeous." Enzo greets through the phone.
"You know when I text you, you don't have to respond with a call." Elena says.
"I was born in 1876, this is the best you're gonna get. Anyway, what is this about a roadtrip to Mexico?" Enzo asks.
"Yeah, I'm thinking me, you, Stef, Dames, Remy, and depending on how the rest of my day goes, my new history teacher."
"You know what I find interesting? A few months ago I would've felt the need to ask you about that last addition." Enzo says.
"I'm glad we've moved past that. So, you in?" Elena asks.
"Sure. As long as Damon doesn't talk and I get the front seat."
"Done and done. Gotta go, handsome!" Elena hangs up after he says goodbye.
"Ocean Eyes! You here?" Elena calls out as she walks into the boarding house.
"Well hello there, Ellie." Damon flirts walking down the stairs.
"No time for our will they/won't they banter. I need to talk to you." She says dropping her jacket and bag on the floor and walking to the bar.
"Just make yourself comfortable." Damon mutters walking behind her, picking up after her.
"Thanks. Have a seat." She says downing her drink and handing him the glass.
"So, a few years ago you turned a woman who worked at duke, right?" Elena asks.
"Yeah." He says confused.
"After you turned her, she turned it off and faked her death. She left behind her husband, who saw you killing her. The man became a vampire hunter to find and kill you."
"Okay. I'll go kill the guy. Thanks for the heads up." Damon says patting her shoulder and standing up.
"No, no, no. Wait a second. I'm not done." Elena says though a laugh.
"The woman, Isobel, she's um… my birth mother." Elena says making his eyes go wide.
"Oh my god, Ellie. I'm so sorry-" she interrupts him.
"No. You don't have anything to be sorry for. Even if she meant something to me, you only did what she asked."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Damon asks.
"It just seemed like such an awkward conversation." Elena stresses the such.
"How was I supposed to casually bring up that you banged and drained my egg donor?"
"Well, when you put it like that." He laughs.
"I'm only telling you now because, her hubby showed up. And I need you to not kill him." Elena says.
"Why?" Damon asks confused.
"He's gonna be important to me and maybe to you. I think as soon as we tell him what actually happened, he won't want to kill you anymore. Not until you open your mouth, that is." Elena smirks.
The door bell rings causing Elena to stand up from the couch and turn to the Salvatores.
"Okay, boys. Best behavior or he might give us detention." She says to the brothers walking over to the door.
"Hi, come in." She greets as the teacher nods and steps inside.
"What is this about, El? What can you tell me here, that you couldn't tell me at the school."
"No wasting time with you, huh? All right. I know, that you know, about vampires. I also know, you think Damon Salvatore killed your wife... Or maybe you didn't know that yet." Elena adds noticing the look on Alaric's face.
"How do you know about vampires?" Alaric says, slowing bringing his hand to his belt."
"Hey, I said no weapons. No ones gonna hurt you. They promised." Elena says.
"They?" Alaric says looking around as he follows Elena into the living room.
As soon as Alaric notices the oldest brother he let's a stake drop from his sleeve.
"Down, boy! He's not gonna hurt you." Elena assures, slowing placing her hand on his arm.
"What is this, Elena? What are you doing." Alaric asks suspiciously.
"Not leading you into a trap, if that's what you're really asking. Just… have a seat, please. I'll explain everything."
"I'm good right here." Alaric says making Damon roll his eyes and back the seat next to him.
"We insist. Oh, come on. I don't bite." Damon smirks as Elena facepalms.
"Christ, Damon. Do you want him to kill you?" She asks rhetorically.
"I'm sorry, about my brother. He's… well, he's just a dick. There's really no excuse. We don't want to hurt you. El made us promise and we don't break our promises to her. You can stay there. Will stay over here." Stefan mediates while pulling Elena to his side.
"Fine. Just, stay there. Please explain what's going on Elena." Alaric says calming slightly.
"Alright, for the one, two, three, four, five, six, sixth time." Elena counts on her fingers.
"I know the future. The future? Yes, the future. Or at least a version of the future that would have happened had I not interfered. Why are you telling me? Excellent question. Because you sir, play a very large and important roll in said future. If you want." Elena says acting out the questions in a deep voice making the brother laugh and Alaric look extremely confused.
"What do you know about Isobel?" Alaric asks after processing what she explained.
"In high school she dated my bio pop/uncle. Then got preggers with yours truly." Elena gestures to herself.
"Side note, Uncle dad's the one who told her about vampires and gave her that ring. Maybe don't take it off. It's magic." She points his ring.
"After she left me with the Gilbert's she went to duke, met you, became a professor, and began her obsession with the supernatural. Then she sought out Damon, turned, then met my doppelganger " Elena says causing the men to look to her confused.
"She knows Katherine?" Damon asks.
"Yep, she was an occult professor, she studied quite a bit of supernatural phenomenon, included doppelganger and vampires. Which brings us back to how your wife is only technically dead, being a vampire and all. She was turned by my friend here." She pats Damon's shoulder.
"My wife's alive?" Alaric asks shocked.
"Yeah, if it's any consolation she loved you, that's why she faked her death instead of divorcing you. She wanted you to remember only the good. I don't think she meant for you to see her death." Elena tries to comfort her.
Alaric drops his stake and sits down in the chair closest to him, Damon, understanding how he feels, walks over to the bar and pours him a heavy drink.
As he hands it to him, Alaric let's out a humorless laugh before downing it all in one gulp.
"So this is it?" Alaric says after a few minutes of silence.
"All my research, the training, and obsessing over what happened. This is how it ends?" Alaric asks before standing up and walking our of the house.
"I think that went well." Damon says dropping down on the couch.
"If you consider having an existential crisis well, then sure." Elena says putting her feet on his lap.
"What's going on with you." Damon pats her leg as she looks at him confused.
"The blonde one called-" Elena interrupts with an eye roll.
"Her name is Caroline."
"Uh huh, good for her. She called and said she's worried about you. Wanted me to check on you." Damon shrugs.
"What? Why?"Elena asks.
"She's said when get in your head you try to distract yourself, i.e. bucket lists and mexican road trips."
"I don't know. I'm just so… fucking bored! God! I fixed all the things that needed fixing and the next problems won't happen for months! And even those probably won't happen because I've got Slater in my back pocket." Elena rants.
"So speed things up." He shrugs.
"What?" She asks confused.
"Yeah, start your plans or whatever."
"You do realize this has to do with Klaus, right?You and Stef could die. All my friends could die." Elena says with her brows raised.
"You wouldn't let that happen. If your asking for permission, you have it. Things were getting a little quiet around here anyway."
"You cool with this?" Elena turns to Stefan.
"Of course. I want to meet this Klaus guy and get my memories back."
Elena smiles jumps on to him, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, guys." She says after hugging Damon.
Elena walking up her front porch steps whistling when she's suddenly pushed against the side of her house.
Looking at her vampire faced, mirror image Elena remains unimpressed.
Katherine, noticing her expression, changes her face back and smirks.
"Hel-" Elena interrupts.
"Zdraveĭ, Katerina. Dlava bogu, che si tuk. Naistina se otegchavakh." (Hello, Katerina. Thank god you're here. I was starting to get really bored." Elena says in the Bulgaria she's spent years perfecting.
"Kakvo?" (What?) Katherine asks with genuine confusion.
I have to say, you surprised me. Not many do. I'm almost impressed." Katherine says after speeding Elena to a house she most likely compelled.
"I aim to please." Elena counters with a smile.
"I got your message, 'game on'?" Katherine asks in her usual bitchy tone.
"Yes, a bit theatrical, I'll admit, but I just couldn't help myself. I mean, it's not everyday you get a step ahead of 'The Katherine Pierce.' I wanted to make an impression." Elena shrugs with a smirk walking over to the bar and pouring two glasses of red wine.
"I assume we have the same taste." Elena says placing the glass in her double's outstretched hand.
"Mmm, that we do. How are my Salvatores?" Katherine asks after taking a sip.
"Ah, of course. Well, I don't speak for them, but I believe they're doing good. Certainly better than the 1864." Elena says trying to get under her skin while making herself comfortable on the couch.
"I doubt that." Katherine scoffs accidentally letting emotion bleed through her voice.
"Careful, Kitty Kat. One might believe you care for the brothers." Elena says shaking her head, mock disapprovingly.
"I'm kidding, of course. You and I both know you only truly loved one." Katherine let's out a dry laugh.
"You and I know, huh? Do share, Elena. How is it you know that?" She asks walking closer to Elena.
"That is a long story, Beautiful. One I will only tell when you're ready. And I'm betting that will be sometime before I leave for school in the morning. Speaking of." Elena says pulling out her phone causing Katherine to raise a brow.
"Hello." Elena's adorable aunt Jenna greets through the phone.
"Hey, Jen. Just letting you know I'm crashing with a friend tonight. So please wake up Remy for school and remind him he has a biology quiz tomorrow." Elena says with a thoughtful expression.
"Okay, will do. Have fun. But not too much fun, but if you do use protection." Jenna parents making Elena laugh lightly and smile in amusement.
"Of course, Jen. Thank you . I love you, see you tomorrow." Elena says hanging up after Jenna says goodbye.
"Aww, how sweet." Katherine mocks attempting to hide her jealousy, taking a seat next to her.
"I'd say jealousy looks bad on you, but nothing looks bad on us."
"Jealous? Of you? Aren't you an orphan?" Katherine asks cruelly, becoming confused when Elena smiles at her smugly.
"On the subject of dead parents, how is Isobel?" Elena ask in a mock genuine tone making Katherine look to her surprised.
"What do you know, Elena?" Katherine asks threateningly, abandoning the banter.
"Countess Elizabeth Bathory was definitely a vampire, ornithology is the study of birds, there are 206 bones in the human body, and erotic asphyxiation gives the most intense orgasm known to man." Elena answers instantly while Katherine looks on with an expression seemingly crossed between amusement, confusion, and homicidal rage.
"About me." She demands sternly.
"Right. Well, you were born in Bulgaria in the 15th century to a traveler family. That's cool. You once loved the noble original, you killed yourself, your entire family was massacred, you stalked Stefan over the years, and you have killer taste in heels." Elena replies making Katherine lunge at her.
"How do you know all that?" Katherine asks threateningly after pinning Elena down by her throat while she tries to pry her hand off.
"Kinky." Elena breathes out when Katherine releases her.
"Threatening me or the people I love, won't get you anywhere, Katerina. Give me one night. Free of threats or secret agendas. Just one night to prove to you that I can be trusted." Elena says as Katherine looks to be considering it.
"You have until tomorrow. If I'm not sold by 7AM I will lock you away and kill anyone who tries to stop." Katherine tells her making Elena smile and bounce on her heel a little.
"Deal." Elena attempting to shake her hand.
"Come on." Elena says pulling Katherine towards the door.
"What are you doing?" Katherine asks stopping as Elena tries to pull her arm.
"Oh, come on, Katerina. What's the harm? It's not like I can hurt you." Noticing the hesitation on her doubles face Elena smirks.
"I dare you." Katherine huffs and leads a still smirking Elena out the door.
"This is where you wanted to come?" Katherine asks judgementally as a bell jingles over the diner entrance.
"Yep." Elena responds, walking towards the counter.
"Hey, Kitty." Elena greets her favorite waitress.
"Hello, dear. Have a seat I'll be right with you." Kitty replies without turning around from the blender.
Elena sits Katherine down opposite her in a booth in the back of the diner.
"Alright, hun. The usual-" Kitty cuts her self off when she catches sight of the vampire doppelganger.
"I never knew you had a twin." She says shocked, looking between the two.
"Neither did I. I was adopted." Elena informs, technically not lying.
"Kitty meet Kat." She introduces.
"Wow, this must be so exciting for you. Nice to meet you, sweetheart." Kitty shakes Katherine hand, who still looks shocked Elena would introduce her to someone she knows.
"It really is. Although, I feel like I've known about her, my whole life." Elena says with a secretive smile.
"You really don't look like any twins I've seen before. So similar." Kitty says shaking her head a pulling out her notepad.
"What would you like, dear?" She asks Katherine, causing her to smirk.
"Well everyone looks very delicious." Katherine holds in a grunt when Elena kicks her under the table.
"Don't you mean everything, twinsie?" Elena asks making Katherine smile.
"Of course. I'd like a double cheeseburger, no onions, extra pickles, with fries, and a chocolate shake, please." She making Elena eyes widen slightly and Kitty laugh.
"That's Betty's usual. Want that too?" She asks turning to Elena making her nod.
"Alrighty, I'll be right back." She says walking away from the doppelgangers.
"I was joking about the wine. So freaky." Elena mutters.
"Why are we here, Elena? Your clock is running out and you wanna waste time eating greasy diner food?" Katherine asks lowering her voice.
"They have the best milkshakes in the world. And we're not likely to run into anyone from town here. Also, call me Betty." Elena adds making the vampire roll her eyes.
"Let's talk about the Salvatores." Elena says out of the blue after Kitty brings their food.
"What about them?" Katherine asks faking nonchalance.
"Why do you love Stefan more than Damon?"
"I don't know." She says with a faraway look.
"Well I do." Elena smirks taking bite of her fry.
"Oh, do you?" Katherine asks mockingly.
"Yep, doppel-curse." Elena says pointing at her with a french fry.
"What?" Katherine asks confused.
"Way back when, the travelers placed a spell on doppelgangers to bring them together so it would be easier to find them and use their blood to break the travelers curse." Elena explains forgetting Katherine doesn't know Stefan's doppel-status.
"That doesn't make any sense. We show up in different lifetimes. We would never have met if I didn't turn." Katherine says.
"Right, you don't know about Silas and Amara. Okay, buckle in. This is a long story." Elena proceeds to explain the history of their ancestor and her terrible life decisions.
"So that's why I felt drawn to Stefan from the moment I saw him." Katherine realizes.
"Yep."
"Then why aren't you with him? Don't you feel this 'doppel-pull'?" Katherine asks.
"Yes and no. I don't feel romantic attraction so I just only wanted to jump him. I would have but, he's too sweet. Taking advantage felt really wrong." Elena explains making Katherine nod.
"But, very not cool of you, Kat. Playing with Damon's emotions like that. You're lucky you're cute or I would have killed you hours ago." Elena says as Katherine raises a brow.
"Really? I'm 500 years old. I could kill everyone in this room before you could blink." She says leaning in, threateningly.
"True. But I had the element of surprise. And I was trained by my bio dad/uncle John. I'm an excellent fighter." Elena says as Katherine tries to hide an impressed expression.
"On the subject of my birth parents could you not tell Isobel anything I tell you tonight? I really don't need her in my business." Elena says making Katherine smirk.
"Sure, if you tell me what you know about why I'm here." Elena raises a brow.
"I'm not stupid. You're obviously smart and prepared. And you don't seem like the type to believe I'm here for true love. You're also informed about the doppelganger history, even more than I, so it's safe to assume you know about other curses." Katherine shares.
"Yes, I know why you're here. And if you try to turn any of my friends I'll kill you regardless of how much I like you." Elena says sweetly with a shrug causing Katherine to glare at her.
"Why don't you hate me?" She asks angrily.
"Whatever do you mean, Katerina?" Elena asks innocently.
"You aren't scared of me. You aren't angry with me. After everything I've done. Toying with your precious Salvatores and killing anyone who gets in my way."
"I don't-" she cuts Elena off.
"Why not? I've killed hundreds, probably thousands of people. I manipulate, use, lie, steal, torture, and betray all for my own selfish gain. Why don't you hate me?" She asks frustrated.
"Cause your my fucking idol, Kat!" Elena yells surprising Katherine and earning looks from the other customers.
"I think you're awesome. I think you had a hard life and an even harder death, but through it all you managed to survive." Elena says sipping her milkshake.
"I dig it." She shrugs while Katherine still looks at her confused.
Katherine remains silent for a few minutes before Elena gets bored and decides to mess with her.
"You know, you're kinda shit at interrogation." She says as she dips a fry in her shake.
"What can I say? I'm better at emotional manipulation." Katherine shrugs making Elena giggle.
"That you are. Where is Mason? Still in Florida, Kathy?" Elena mocks teasingly as Katherine let's a a surprised snort.
"I'd asks you how you know that, but-" Elena interrupts.
"I'm not gonna tell you."
"Don't do that to Tyler." Elena says sternly as Katherine smirks.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Katherine says innocently.
"Sure you don't." Elena returns sarcastically.
"I have it." Elena says after a few moments of silence, Katherine raises a brow.
"The moonstone." Elena informs making the vampire stiffen.
"Let's get out of here. I'll explain my plan." Elena says before they pay and leave.
"So you are going to, contact Elijah, convince him not kill Klaus, turn a rapist and or pedophile, kidnap a werewolf, make Elijah call Klaus, then let him sacrifice you?" Katherine asks incredulously.
"Yep." Elena replies popping the 'p'
"Are you fucking insane?" Katherine asks seriously making Elena laugh.
"Generally, yes." She says as Katherine looks on, concerned for her mental stability.
"I don't understand you." She says throwing her hands up.
"You seem... well, like me. You have the Petrova fire. You're a survivor. Someone willing to do whatever it takes to get want they want." Elena tilts her had as Katherine continues,
"Why are you doing this? What aren't you running?" Katherine asks making Elena smile at her.
"If you knew what you know now, about having to live 500 years on the run and never getting fully attached to anyone, never finding a home, would you still run?" Elena asks as Katherine nods silently.
"Exactly. Because you're a survivor, whatever it takes. But, I don't want to survive, Kat. I wanna live." Elena says as Katherine stares at her in realization.
"And I can't live without my Scooby Gang." She adds trying to lighten the mood.
"If I didn't have them, I'd book it, for sure." She says making Katherine smile slightly.
"I know who he is, Kat. I have no illusions about my future. But I think if they can all live their lives freely, I'll be cool." She says with a shrug.
"I underestimated you." Katherine admits.
"Everyone does. It's because I'm so hot, no one expects me to be this smart." Elena says making Katherine smirk at her in amusement.
"But that's not all I want from him." Elena says after a few minutes of drinking in silence, Katherine raises a brow in question as Elena leans towards her.
"I'm gonna get your freedom." She punctuates by taking a sip of her wine, Katherine laughs.
"Are you now?" She mocks.
"Mmm hm." Elena smiles.
"Right. I just gonna leave, then your gonna negotiate with the 1000 year old psycho who's been hunting me for 500 years and what? Just call me up with a quick 'you're free now'." Katherine says in disbelief.
"Yep."
"And how can I trust that you're telling the truth?"
"Cause if I'm not you'll… kill Isobel." Elena says after thinking about it for a second.
"Darling, if you're anything like me, and you are. You couldn't care less what happens to the woman who abandoned you." Katherine finishes with a somewhat proud smile.
"You're right, Katerina." Elena says with an impressed expression.
"I don't care about her, I care about you." Elena shrugs as Katherine looks at her confused before schooling her expression.
"Forgive me if I don't believe you. I'm very familiar with what happens to people who trust our face. Why would you possibly care about me?" She asks.
"Like I said, I find your cockroach like, survival skills charming." Elena says with a teasing smile.
"Even if I did believe you, I want Klaus dead. Sooner or later he'll go back on his word and kill me. I'll never really be free from him." Katherine says seriously.
"He can't die, Kat." Elena says sternly.
"Yes, he can. I'm not certain how, but I know he's afraid of someone."
"I'm not talking about Mikael, Kat. I'm telling you, if he dies, you, everyone he turned, everyone they turned, and so on, will die with him. It's a sire line and every original has one. You and by extension, the Salvatores, are in Klaus's." Elena says.
"How could you possibly know that?" Katherine asks getting frustrated with her lack of information.
"I know everything." Elena says dryly, lacking her usual humor.
"I was born with knowledge of the future." She admits as Katherine looks surprised.
"It's why John trained me. Why I know about vampires, doppelgangers, werewolves, and the curse. My whole life I've known that if I make a mistake or forget something, the people I love would suffer. There's never been a moment where I didn't worry that all my planning and binders were for nothing." Elena as Katherine unconsciously moves closer to her.
"You can't wake Mikael. I can't watch them die, Katerina. I can't watch you die. I won't be able to handle it." Elena admits.
"So that's why you care for me. Were we friends in the future or something?" Katherine asks making Elena laugh.
"God, no. You absolutely hated OG Elena. To be fair, she was incredibly annoying."
"I care for you because, I didn't just see the future. I saw some of the past as well. I know why you want your freedom so badly and why you found yourself caring for Isobel. I know about Nadia." Elena says.
"I promise you, he will never hurt her." Elena assures in quieter tone.
"Why did you tell me this? Why trust me with this secret?" Katherine asks matching her volume.
"I saw it." Elena says as Katherine looks at her confused.
"When you found them. Your family. I saw the pain you felt and I understood that was the moment you decided to never trust anyone again." Elena says making Katherine stiffen.
"I don't just need you to trust me for the sake of my plans. I want you to trust me. I want you to have someone, just one person that you can count on without a doubt. One person to put your trust in.
So I'm gonna do everything in my power to prove to you that I'm that person.
First, by getting your freedom. Then I'm gonna find your daughter." Elena says as Katherine grabs her arm.
"No, you can't do that. I don't care what he agrees to. He will kill her to punish me." She says desperately trying to make Elena understand.
"Hey, I can do this. I know the future, remember? I know exactly what to do and offer to make him happy. He won't ever think about you again. I promise." Elena tries to assure.
"I… I can't be her mother." Katherine admits quietly making Elena's heart clench painfully.
"Are you kidding me? You already are. Look at you. Suffering for 500 years knowing she's out there and not being able to see her, hold her, talk to her, all for her safety. That's what a mother does. You're are her mother." Elena tells her.
"Do you feel that way about Isobel? Katherine asks trying to mask her hope.
"I didn't turn myself and search for her for 500 years." Elena says comfortingly.
"You know what I'm asking." Katherine rolls her eyes.
"I love my mom. Miranda Gilbert was a wonderful woman and an even better mother, but I've always felt a disconnect between myself and my parents. I thought it was because I was adopted, but I'd killing anyone for Remy.
I know Isobel loves me. I know everything she does, she does for my survival, but I just can't bring myself to love her. Maybe I don't want to get hurt again by losing another mother or maybe I just don't really know her. In the future I saw, she dies and we only talked on a few, less than maternal occasions. Usually while she was threatening me or the people I love." Elena adds with grimace.
"But this isn't about me. I need you to trust me. Which means I need to tell you something I've never told anyone, because I literally can't. My brain won't let me. But you can compel it out of me." She says grabbing the vampire's hand.
"You don't drink vervain?" Katherine asks accidentally letting her concern show.
"Normally, but sometimes I forget. I'm very busy." Elena defends herself childishly as Katherine rolls her eyes.
"How are you the person screwing with all my plans?" She mutters shaking her head making Elena laugh as she takes off her anklet, bracelet, necklace, and belly button ring filled with vervain.
"Can never be too careful." She says with a shrug when Katherine stares at her curiously.
"Okay. Do it. Compel me to spill."
"Elena, what is it that you want to tell me that you can't?" Katherine asks staring into her eyes.
Elena suddenly groans loudly and leans her head back on the couch.
"Seriously?" She says to herself as Katherine smirks.
"Which Salvatore do you find more attractive?" Katherine ask while looking in her eyes.
"I think they're equally hot in different ways." Elena answers instantly as Katherine shrugs.
"Fair enough, go get another bottle of wine." She compels making Elena scoff.
"I'm not your slave." She responds making Katherine stares at her until she realizes what happened.
"Holy shit!" Elena exclaims.
"Holy shit." Katherine mirrors.
"I can't be compelled." She says with wide eyes.
"You can't be compelled." Katherine agrees before Elena jumps up and pumps her fist.
"Fuck yeah! That's what I'm talking about. Woo! Yes!" She cheers jumping up and down.
"Just when I think I can't get anymore awesome." She says sitting back down.
"Did you learn Bulgarian for me?" Katherine asks with a teasing smile after a few minutes of thoughtful silence.
"Yep. I thought we could speak it in public, like some kind of secret language. I also speak Spanish and French. I'm currently working on Russian." She finishes with a Russian accent.
"You're really something." Katherine says with a shake of the head.
After a few more hours of talking Elena's alarm for school goes off.
"Can I borrow some clothes?" Elena asks with her best puppy dog eyes making Katherine scoff.
"I have those too. They don't work on me." She says as Elena's eyes seem to get bigger and more innocent.
"Alright, jesus. We really shouldn't have those." She says making Elena squeal and run to Katherine's suitcases.
"I know right. We really lucked out, if you ignore the whole curse and sacrifice thing." Elena says digging through Katherine's clothes.
"How long have you been here?" Elena asks noticing the amount of laundry.
"A week give or take a few days. You spend a lot of time with Stefan and Damon. I assumed you were dating one or both of them." Katherine shrugs.
"If I did that, I totally would be. Those boys are ridiculously attractive, I mean, damn." Elena says staring off into space thinking about them.
"Agreed." Katherine says picking up the clothes Elena left lying around.
"I hate what you did to them." Elena says quietly.
"Yeah, well I kinda hate it too." Katherine admits handing Elena a pair of earrings.
"Here, where these with this jacket and these boots." She says while laying out a leather jacket and healed boots.
"I said you had killer taste in heels, meaning I would kill myself if I had to wear them. I don't care how good they make my ass look, I'm not wearing those." She says glaring at the heal.
"Put on the damn boots. You're a Petrova, we have a reputation to uphold." She says sternly.
"Ugh, I liked you better when you were trying to sacrifice me." Elena says making Katherine smirk at her.
"Come on, I'll drop you off." Katherine says grabbing her keys.
"Thanks." Elena says walking past her.
"Do you often go to school sleep deprived and wine drunk?" Katherine wonders out loud as they pull into the school parking lot.
"On occasion." Elena shrugs making Katherine shake her head with a small smile.
"Bye, Kitty Kat. Thanks for the ride. Here." She says handing Katherine her number.
Hours later, after school, Elena is sluggishly making her way to her front door after being dropped off my Vicki, when she's slammed, more gently than last time, into the side of the house by a smirking Katherine.
"Dramatic bitch." Elena mumbles as she walks back to the porch with a chuckling Katherine behind her.
"So is this part where you lock me in a dungeon?" Elena asks already knowing the answer.
"You know, I've decided to let you play out your plan. I've gotten quite bored over the years." Katherine shrugs as Elena smiles at her.
"I'm gonna get your freedom, Kat. Then I'm gonna reunite you when Nadia. It's in my offical plan." She says definitively.
"But I do need a favor." Elena admits making Katherine raise a brow.
"You know Brady? The hot guy from Mason's pack? I need you to have him delivered to me."
"He's your werewolf? Why?" She asks as Elena just smirks at her.
"We wouldn't be sentencing him to death for something he hasn't done yet, would we?" Katherine asks in mock disappointment with a smirk.
"That'd be despicable." Elena says playing along before yawning.
"I'm gonna go." Katherine says turning around before she stops and turns back to Elena.
"I'm trusting you, Elena." Katherine says with vulnerability and threatening undertones.
"I know and stop calling me Elena. It's Ellie or El." She finally corrects.
"Alright, Ellie. And this whole trusting thing, doesn't mean I like you." Katherine says removing all emotion from her face.
"I know." Elena smiles.
Katherine smiles a little and huffs out a sigh.
"Just, be careful. And just know if you get yourself killed, I will be taking over your identity." Katherine informs making Elena bark out a surprised laugh.
"I'd expect nothing less, Katerina." Elena says honestly.
After a few seconds of what seems to be Katherine talking herself out of it, she pulls Elena into a tight hug.
"Thank you." She whispers with emotion in her ear, disappearing before Elena can reply, leaving her standing on her porch with smile.
We are definitely gonna get murdered out here." Damon says as he drives deeper into the middle of nowhere.
"They're in hiding and don't have daylight rings. They also wanted to meet on a neutral ground. This is the only place they would meet with us." Elena explains while Stefan leans between the front seats.
"Didn't that Slater guy explain we didn't want to hurt them?" Stefan asks.
"They've managed to survive 500 years on the run from Klaus and Elijah, no way in hell they're trusting us, even if Slater says we're cool." Elena says changing radio stations.
"This is it?" Damon asks in a judgemental voice as they pull up to an abandoned house.
"It's better than the place they would have held me last time." Elena shrugs getting out of the car and the brothers look at her confused.
"I'm sorry, what?" Stefan asks climbing over the seat.
"Oh you know, kidnapping and whatnot." Elena waves him off as they make their way up the steps of the abandoned building.
"We will talk about that later." Damon says sternly making Elena snort.
"You got it, boss." She says before knocking the rusted door knocker.
"Yo, open up. It's hella creepy out here." Elena shouts making the brothers smile at each other.
The door opens with an ominous creak making the trio walk inside.
Before they can say anything Elena is slammed into the wall by a snarling Rose.
"Oi, hands off the merchandise, Rosie." Elena scolds as Stefan and Damon pull the vampire off her.
"Rose, stop. It's not Katerina." Trevor says noticing the still visible marks on Elena's neck.
"Yeah, listen to Trev." Elena says as Rose calms down as the brothers release her.
"Doppelganger. I thought you were a myth." Rose shortly with an apologetic nod.
"You were myth-taken." Elena quotes with a smile making Damon groan.
"Ellie, I should not have to tell you not to quote Buffy the vampire slayer, in a room full of vampires." Damon says with a head shake.
"And yet." She responds simply with a teasing smile, turning to the older vampires.
"It's nice to meet you, I'm Elena, but you can call me Ellie or El." Elena says holding out her hand for them to shake.
"I'm Rose and this is Trevor, but you knew that." Rose responds after they shake her hand.
"Indeed. My bodyguards over there are Stefan and Damon Salvatore."
"Stefan. Lexi's friend?" Rose asks surprised as Stefan nods.
"Yeah. How do you know Lexi?" He asks.
"Old friend. She tried to set us up once." Rose replies with a small smile as Stefan chuckled.
"Sounds like Lexi." He says with a smile.
"As riveting as this is, can we get on with it?" Damon asks impatient as always.
"Fine. Why did you have Slater contact us?" Rose asks suspiciously.
"You're probably not gonna believe me, but whatever, can we sit?" Elena asks already taking a seat on the stairs.
"Alright, to make a long story short, I wanna get your freedom from the originals." Elena says as the brother take a seat next to her.
"What?" Rose and Trevor asks with the same amount of shock.
"Yep, don't pretend like you haven't been thinking of a ways to take out the Salvatores so you can give me to Elijah, from the moment you saw me." Elena says with a smirk as the two avoid eye contact.
"No worries. I get it. I'd do the same." She shrugs.
"But here's the thing, it's not necessarily because I'm handing myself over to him anyway. Like today." Elena says making the oldest vampires look to her with disbelief.
"You're kidding." Trevor says.
"Nope. And here's the kicker, he's already on his way here." She smirks as the two visibly start to freak.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Rose shouts walking towards her making the brothers stand up infront of her.
"No offense guys, but she's like really old and could totally kick your asses. Rose, please chill. I got this." Elena says pulling the brothers back down.
"You've got this? You've got this? Seriously. You do understand he wants to sacrifice you right? Not to mention the second he sees me and Trevor we're dead." Rose says walking towards the door only to remember it's daytime.
"And we stuck here. We're dead." She says turning back around.
"If you'd stop your bitching for a moment, I'd explain to you my plan to earn your freedom. Unless that doesn't interest you. By all means, if i were you I'd walk into the sun. No doubt less painful then what Klaus has planned for you traitors." Elena says pointing towards the door with a smirk.
"Or I guess just traitor, singular. After all, Rosie here was just remaining loyal to her friend." Elena mock muses.
"Fine." Rose states with a huff.
"You're gonna use me as a bargaining chip." Elena says simply.
"What?" Trevor asks confused.
"That's it? Just hand you over?" He continues.
"Yep. Eli's gonna be here in a few hours. Meet him at the door, tell him you've found the doppelganger, and in exchange you want you and Trevor's freedom. And really specify Trevor. Elijah's very particular about his wording." Elena explains to the still very confused vampires.
"Wait. If you already contacted Elijah why did you involve us at all?" Trevor asks.
"Good question, one I'm not gonna answer until you agree. So, you in?" Elena asks.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but yes. We're in." Rose says, Elena jumps up with a clap.
"Yes! Awesome! Okay. Have a seat folks, I've got a story for you."
Elena then explains how she knows what will happen and what would have happened.
"And your all 'I beg your forgiveness' and Eli's all like 'So granted' and just fucking beheads you." Elena says with a laugh then sighs.
"It was really hot." She says making the vampires stare at her like she's crazy.
"I mean, horrible. Absolutely horrible. What kind of person would be turned on by that? Certainly not I." Elena says with a nod as the older vampires continue to stare.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, doppelicious, but are you saying he would have killed me no matter what?" Trevor asks trying to process the information.
"Yep. And that right there, is why I chose to save your life." Elena says.
"What? You saved me because of that lame joke?" Trevor asks horrified as Elena nods her head enthusiastically.
"Rose, this girl is insane. She is gonna get us killed." He says turning to his friend, panic stricken.
"Calm down and take comfort in the fact that I know more than you. I want you alive for a reason, that's what you should really be worrying about." Elena says with a wink before walking deeper into the house with the Salvatore's behind her.
Elena is laying upside down on the couch clicking her tongue when she groans.
"Ugh, this is taking forever!" She says rolling off the couch on to the floor.
"I forgot what a drama queen he is. Probably wants to make an entrance." Elena says with an eye roll as the vampires shush her.
"Shh. Ellie, I think he's here." Damon says as the older vampires start pacing.
"Oh my god! He's gonna kill me." Trevor starts to hyperventilate.
"It's too late now. I've got this." Rose says placing her hands on his shoulders as Elena smiles at their relationship.
Across the abandoned house Rose opens the door, hiding from the sun.
"Rose-Marie." Elijah greets formally.
"Elijah. Please come in." Rose says trying to get control of her fear.
"Thank you. So tell me, what gives you the courage to contact me?" Elijah asks walking through the house like he owns it.
"I have something that I would like to trade for mine and Trevor's freedom. We don't want to run anymore." Rose recites the words Elena told her to.
"And I'm in a position to grant you that. What is it you believe is worth your freedom?" Elijah asks with as much condescension as ever.
"Katerina Petrova." Rose states.
"Go on." The Original demands.
"Her bloodline didn't die with her. She gave birth to a child before she arrived in England. She has a doppelganger." Rose tells a now intrigued Elijah.
"Do you have her?" Elijah asks urgently most likely already thinking of ways to lure out his brother.
"Elijah, you're a man of your word. I need you to guarentee that once I hand over the doppelganger, me and Trevor are both free to leave with our lives and that you will never come for either of us again." Rose specifies causing Elijah to smirk.
"You have my word that I will pardon both you and Trevor." Elijah assures.
"Follow me." Rose says walking through the house, entering a room with Trevor cowarded in the corner while the Salvatores stand on either side of Elena in a protective manner.
Elijah eyes meet Elena's before he speeds to her leaning down to her neck causing the brothers to growl, Elena subtlety raise her hand to stop them from getting themselves killed.
Elijah pulls away and leans back. "Human. Hello there." Elijah greets with a small smile.
"So, have they earned their freedom?" Elena asks gesturing to Rose and Trevor, confusing the original.
"It would seem so." He replies smoothly making Elena smirk.
"Fantastic. Before you two go, might I suggest using your new found freedom to visit the Salvatore boarding house in Mystic Falls? There may be some really cool jewelry in it for you." Elena says surprising the three vampires least acquainted with her.
Trevor let's out a breathless laugh as Elijah stares at her intently.
"I owe you my life, Doppelicious! We'll be there." He calls out as him and Rose wrap themselves in scarves before leaving the house.
"Now that that's settled, Hello Elijah, it's nice to meet you. I'm Elena, but you can call me anytime." Elena flirts lamely making the older brother snort and the younger shake his head with a smile.
"Pleasure." Elijah kisses her hand after collecting his bearings.
"You seem a tad confused. Have a seat, I'll clear some things up for you." Elena says dropping down on the couch with all the grace of a toddler and patting the seat next to her.
"Ellie." Damon says in a warning tone.
"Oh my god! I'm sorry, Eli meet Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Salvatores meet Elijah, the noble original." Elena introduces surprising the original with the use of one of his many monikers while Damon rolls his eyes at her blatant disregard of his warning.
"Salvatores. The last vampires Katherine Pierce turned, if I'm correct." Elijah muses and nods in greeting.
"You aren't." Elena says with a smile not elaborating as Elijah raises a brow.
"I'm assuming you were compelled or are letting the information Rose-Marie may of shared with you go to your head." Elijah says in a pitying tone as Elena just smiles at his attempt to get under her skin.
"Speaking of Rose, you lied." Elena says as Elijah's smile drops.
"I can assure you, I did not break my word. I let them leave and as I have no attention of pursuing them, I've kept my word haven't I?" He asks.
"That may but true, but you don't exactly have the power to pardon them from Klaus, you haven't spoken to him years. You freed them from your vengeance, not his. But that don't know that. Nice little loophole, isn't it?" Elena asks as Elijah's eyes narrow slightly.
"Man of your word? Technically. But they could die because you've withheld a rather important piece of information." Elena says without the accusatory tone he was expecting.
"I wouldn't worry to much about your friends, seeing as how they handed you over to me to do with you whatever I please." He says changing the topic of his nobility.
"Are you taking suggestions?" Elena slips back into her playful flirty tone.
"Because mine would be turning me over to your brother in exchange for your siblings. You know, the ones not at the bottom of the sea." Elena says as Elijah stiffens while his eyes turn cold.
"I'm giving you five seconds before I remove the hearts of your friends here. What is it you think you know about my family." Elijah threatens making the brothers stand closer to her.
"Chill, man. Jesus, you really went form 0 to 100. I'm not trying to hurt you or anyone you care about. To be honest, I was counting on my looks to carry this conversation, but whatever. Look, I know things, alright? Things nobody outside of a witchy bloodline should, but here I am. I'm aware of the part I play in your brother ritual and I also know you want him dead for killing your siblings. But you're wrong. He didn't drop them in the ocean, he carts them around in those coffins. He only told you that to get you to stop bothering him." Elena takes a deep breath after information dump while Elijah sits there, stunned.
"How do you know these things?" He asks.
"When I was a baby I saw an entire future timeline, you and your sibling had a staring roll in my life. Let's just says I could do without the constant death of loved ones." Elena tells him thinking of her aunt.
"Prove it. Tell me something nobody could have possibly informed you of." Elijah demands.
"Celeste Dubois. Your lover from the eighteen hundreds that your brother inadvertently got killed." Elijah's eyes widen subtlety.
"She's not actually dead. Since her death she has been inhabiting other witches bodies and killing herself before moving on. I'm not sure who she's in now but I know she will jump in to a French Quarter witch named Sabine Laurent in September of next year." Elena tells him.
"That's not enough. You could be in contact with another witch who knows her. Something only I would know." He says making her roll her eyes.
"Fine. Who killed your mother?" Elena asks him.
"Mikael." He answers instantly.
"Who really killed your mother, Elijah?" Elena leans in.
"Mikael. What are you-" Elena interrupts.
"Really? No one else? Nobody else had a reason to want your mother dead?" Elena asks as his eyes narrow.
"Why are you asking me this?" Elijah stands.
"Because you know the truth. You know it and your hiding it from yourself. Who killed your mother?" Elena asks walking closer to him.
"Niklaus." Elijah says with realization.
"Believe me now?" Elena asks lacking humor.
"I believe so." He says reigning in his emotions.
"Fantastic!" Elena says cheerfully before turning back to the couch.
"Now we can get back to how you're gonna save my life." Elena says making Elijah raise a brow.
"Resurrection potion. Made for a certain brown eyed beauty." Elena says as the corner of Elijah's mouth lifts when she compliments herself.
"I can get it, what else would you like in exchange for your cooperation?" Elijah asks.
"I'd accept sexual favors, but your not being very receptive to my flirting." Elena pouts making the brothers look to her with wide eyes as Elijah's lip twitches.
"You're a better man that I, Eli. I wouldn't tried to collect the whole set." Elena tells him as he breathes out a sigh.
"El, can we talk to you a moment?" Stefan asks suddenly standing.
"We'll be just one sec." Damon tells Elijah holding up a finger as he pulls Elena away.
"The hell are you doing, Ellie? This guy could kill us all in a second. Stop flirting with him." Damon demands.
"Do you think if I push him far enough he'll choke me against a wall?" Elena asks distractedly licking her lips.
"You have issues." Damon whispers back to her making her snort.
"You don't say?" She replies with a laugh.
"El, why are you intrested in him?" Stefan asks thinking about the guys outdated hair. Hypocrite.
"You know what they say, Stef. Gentlemen in the streets, absolute beast in the sheets." Elena says wagging her eyebrows playfully making Stefan smile at her.
"Ellie, I love you, but you can't flirt with people who are trying to sacrifice you." Damon says sternly.
"Awe. You love me?" Elena asks completely ignoring the second half of his sentence.
"Oh my god. I can't do this. You deal with her." Damon says turning to Stefan as Elena smirks in victory.
"You guys know he can hear us, right. Even if we whisper." Elena whispers the last part as the brothers look to each other.
"Shit." They says at the same time as Elena walks back to the room with Elijah.
"Sorry about them, they're really protective of me. I think it's because they have mommy issues." Elena tells him as he nods.
"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't you join us for dinner? We aren't that far from Mystic Falls and we skipped lunch because you wanted to make and entrance." Elena says as the brothers join her on the couch.
"I've see you try to cook. I'll pass." Stefan says teasingly making Elena huff.
"Yes, I admit, I'm a shit cook. But i can place and order like a mother fucker." She says turning back the original, doe eyes on display.
"Of course. We have plenty to discuss." Elijah agrees making Elena pump her fist.
"Awesome! Alright, just follow us back to Mystic Falls." She says walking towards the door as Elijah stands and clears his throat.
"I think it's best if you join me." He says as Elena nods understanding his mistrust.
As they reach Elena's SUV Elena throws the keys to Stefan only for Damon to reach for them first.
"You sure about this?" Stefan asks looking at Elijah wearily.
"Totally. Love you guys. See you at home." She tells them kissing their cheeks before they get in her car.
"I parked quite a ways away." Elijah says as Elena turns to him with a smirk.
"Are you trying to sweep off my feet?" Elena asks playfully earning a half smile in return.