"what is all this?" asked Elijah entering the dining area of the compound. He looked amused and slightly surprised by the scene.

Maeve smiled back at him affectionately. She set the plate on the table and turned to him.

"I thought I'd do something. So..." she spread open her arms and gestured to the table. On the table she set it up decoratively. Two plates, and three large plates with covers on top of them. Two Victorian style cups were set next to the plates. A jug was set in the centre of the three plates.

"What brought this on?" he asked her, as he walked closer to the table.

"Just because." Elijah looked at her suggestively making Maeve recoil immediately.

"Fine. It's a date." she admitted to him. "Don't say anything. I kicked Nik out and Kol already stayed out somewhere. It's just the two of us for the time being."

He closed the gap between them. "I love this." he placed a kiss on her lips. Both smiled into the kiss.

Maeve hummed still smiling even after pulling away from the kiss. Elijah walked around the table and pulled up the chair at the head of the table. "Please." he gestured at Maeve to take a seat.

She graciously smiled and settled into the chair. Elijah took the chair next to her. "What did you get us for lunch?"

Maeve feigned offence at his choice of words. "Get? I made this breakfast." Elijah gave her a look of surprise with a bemused soft smile.

"Honestly Elijah your lack of faith is hurting me."

"Oh how will I ever heal that wound?" he satirized opening the lids over the plates one after another. Croissants, Bacon and pancakes were Maeve's choice for breakfast.

Maeve kicked his foot under the table as harshly as she could. "Sorry." he quickly muttered. "Please."

Both began to eat breakfast, enjoying the perfectly cooked meal prepared by Maeve. She hummed before she began to talk, "last night was a bust."

"Not completely. You seem to have earned some cash." Elijah gave her a flat look to which she only beamed.

"Will you two ever stop acting like children?"

"Let's see..." she acted thoughtfully, "no." Maeve took a mouthful of a bite of her croissant and hid her smile.

Elijah rolled his eyes but shook his head with a smile.

Both were pretty deep into their own bubble unbothered by the world. If only it could have lasted for long.

"Elijah." someone called him from the door. Genevieve stood there by the door eyeing Elijah like a piece of meat on sale.

"Genevieve?" Maeve bitterly said the woman' name. The red haired resurrected witch only offered he ra disdainful smile and decided to interrupt their time by strutting in casually.

"Elijah, I was wondering if we could talk." Maeve gripped the fork in hand tightly, as she glared at the witch.

"Please he's got me. Prostitute yourself somewhere else."

Genevieve turned her head casually to her ── scanned her completely and returned again to Elijah. "I have a request."

Elijah looked over at Maeve for a moment before he pushed his chair backward and turned to the uninvited witch.

"I'm told our coven hasn't been able to celebrate feast days in the open since Marcel restricted the use of magic. Now with the new peace, I'd like that to change." Genevieve answered turning around to face Elijah.

"Am I to assume that you have a certain feast day in mind?"

"The Fete Des Benedictions. Feast of the blessings. In the past, members of the community offered witches gifts in exchange for blessings. We'd like to use it as a forum for introducing our young harvest girls to society."

"So your coven attempted to destroy my family, and you yourself held my siblings in unspeakable torment. Not to mention, conspired with another witch to torture Maeve. And you would like a party for the witches."

Genevieve touched Elijah's forearm a quick slick attempt to woo him. "You said it yourself. It's time to make amends and bring peace."

Maeve fumingly stood up making her chair scratch over the floor as it moved over the floor. "Bitch you better thank your fucker assholic ancestors because your head is still a part of your body." She walked past Elijah and thrusted herself between the two forcing Genevieve to take a few steps back ── away from Elijah.

"You really want us to throw you a party because you think you're worthy? After everything you did to us, you still think we will throw a party?"

Genevieve smiled still acting politely and keeping a warm approach to the conversation. "Maeve...the whole reason for the treaty was to bring peace between the factions. This celebration is giving us that."

"Don't be so stiff, both of you." a very familiar voice commented from the doorway. "Tourists love a festival. Besides, what better way to cement the solidarity than a show of faith toward a one-time enemy?"

"I certainly hope that this one-time enemy is not keeping your bed warm." said Maeve, sardonically with a single raised brow and gazing at Klaus.

He shook his head as he further entered into the dining area of the Abbatoir. Genevieve nodded her head and turned around. She whispered something into Klaus's ear before she left the compound.

Klaus grinned, his arms wound behind his back. "Who said maintaining alliances can't be fun?"

"You are insufferable! Didn't I tell you to entertain yourself somewhere far away for at least an hour?"

Klaus shrugged his shoulder and playfully looked at her "I got bored." He glanced at the table and turned to the couple again. "I'll leave you to your date. Remember..." he began to leave the dining area, taking steps backward, "I have enhanced hearing." he winked at Elijah and sped away.

Maeve dropped her shoulders with a sigh. "Can't I ever have some nice, quiet and most importantly alone time with you?"

She turned to look at Elijah who smiled back at her. "We can get back to it."

"Nah, I'm done. The flirty bitch ruined it from me."

"I think you mean, flirty bitch from fucker assholic ancestors." Elijah said. He placed his hand at the base of her neck, his thumb tracing her jaw line.

"Don't make me laugh. I'm still mad."

"Don't let her ruin this. Come on, I am yet to taste your beautiful slightly burnt bacon." Maeve's jaw dropped at his words.

"You are...just urgh!" it only made Elijah smile more.

"Davina." Elijah called her name right by the entrance to the grand building where the feast was being held.

"Elijah." she bitterly responded.

"It's lovely to see you. And under far better circumstances."

"Is it? My friend Tim is still dead and your brother is still breathing." She snapped.

"Davina" Maeve spoke in a warning tone.

"Davina that's enough. Elijah has been a patron to us this evening. We will show him respect." Genevieve announced her arrival.

"I'll see you inside, Maeve." Davina walked inside.

"Thank you for all of this." Genevieve expressed her gratitude.

"This isn't for you." Elijah said not taking his eyes off of Maeve. "You know as well as I that your people would never accept a truce unless we showed them some respect. So be it. Enjoy your party." Elijah gestured for the entry door.

Elijah turned once again at Maeve. She saw he wore a coat over his usual suit. He stood right in front of her.

"Funny. No funny business." She raised her finger up sternly.

"Time will tell, I'm afraid." The two walked inside hand in hand. "You haven't set a bet for tonight have you?"

"None for your information. I don't think Nikky darling can afford anothsr pay up." said Maeve with a giggle.

The room was lit up. People engaged in conversations as waiters walked around with trays of champagne glasses. Davina and the other harvest girl stood on the pedestal talking with people.

Maeve noticed many as witches and vampires.

"Strange. I thought you would be in the company of your colorful friends." Elijah said out of the blue. Maeve turned around to see Hayley enter with a box in hand, right behind them.

"You wanted a representative for the werewolves. Take me or leave me." She sneeringly challenged him.

"Geez, you woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Maeve raised her hands in surrender.

A glass clinked bringing in their attention. "Welcome. As is our time-honored tradition, you are all welcome to deliver your offerings. It is our custom that no one should be turned away, no blessing be denied.

People lined up to present their gifts. A witch standing near the stage directed every person towards Monique and the other witch. Davina watched helplessly as every offering was passed on.

"Think about it. One last time, I volunteer happily to gouge that witch bitch and bruise her to pulp." Maeve whispered to Elijah.

"I can help with that." Kol added walking up to the two. Maeve gave him a high-five.

"Believe me, darling, I would like nothing more but we must adhere to the terms of the treaty." Elijah said in a dismissive manner.

"Are we on nicknames now? Interesting." Kol teased and bumped his shoulder with Maeve.

Maeve punched him in response earning a short lived fake yell from him. "Fine. But it's my turn to give a gift." She made her way to the stage. As expected the woman held her hand and directed her.

"Sweetheart move the hand or lose the hand." Maeve said threateningly. She stepped back immediately.

"Davina. You know there is a quote in Harry Potter that I live by every day."

"Who's?"

"So you have read it." Maeve smiled controlling her excitement at the news.

"Don't let the muggles get you down." Both the girls giggled. "Here." Maeve handed her a box.

"What's this?"

"Your own grimoire. Create spells. Show the world who's the boss." Maeve cheered.

"Thank you so much."

The party resumed and Maeve walked around. She noticed everyone whispering among themselves.

"Diego. You cleaned up." Maeve laughed.

"Yeah. No way do I like this. Bowing down to witches. Really?"

"You signed the peace treaty didn't you?"

"Fine." Diego rubbed his face and pulled Maeve into a corner. "Did you know Klaus has been having secret meetings with the wolves?"

"What? No. Why? What do you know?"

"You really didn't know?" Deigo asked for reconfirming.

"I was in therapy and spending time with Elijah mostly. I wasn't exactly keeping up with Klaus Mikaelson. Now, what the hell?"

Diego turned away and let out a frustrated sigh. "Diego you have exactly two minutes to tell me, are you accusing me of something?"

"Not accusing as much as I'm assuming. Go back, I'll explain." Diego stormed away with his phone in hand.

She walked back to the hall just as her eyes caught the figure of Josh being dragged to the stairs by Klaus.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please."

"Anything you know?" Kol asked Maeve appearing next to her.

"Like the drama queen ever speaks." Maeve snapped back. Her mind reeling back to her conversation with Diego.

"We are gathered here today to pay homage to our beloved witches, but one very special witch has been utterly ignored. That seems a little unfair to me." He pulled out a small box and showed it to Davina.

"No. I don't want your gift." She denied.

"I understand why you would reject me, given our past. In truth, many of us here today have been wronged in the conflict, which my brother's treaty ended. Your friend Josh was involved in a plot to kill me. It would be well within my right to execute him here and now. But. In the spirit of solidarity, and for your favor, Davina, I hereby pardon him. Josh, from this day forward, you have nothing to fear from me."

He turned to Davina with her gift in his hand. "Please."

"Boss!" she heard a very familiar voice. Maeve turned around to find Ben and Penelope making their way through the crowd towards her.

"Hello you two. This is a surprise."

"Well ofcourse it is. We are here." Ben answered her with a smile.

"You look fine, Boss. Like mighty fine." said Penelope. Before their conversation could move the sound of thumping feet and beating of drums interrupted them.

The lead drummer beat his drums once before he addressed the crowd, "Happy Fête des Bénédictions. We have a message for all of you from Marcel Gerard." The crowd erupted into frowning whispers gazing at one another. All the drummers took out razors and slit their wrists open bleeding all over the floor.

The vampires began to get agitated as the smell of blood slowly lingered into the air. Some bared their fangs while veins appeared underneath their eyes.

Elijah stepped ahead in an attempt to draw the attention of the vampires in the crowd away from the blood, "Control yourselves. This is a vulgar trick. We do not violate our agreement." He raised his tone reminding them of their promise.

The lights flickered before they went out making the vampires run wild around the room. Vampires lunged at the humans and the rest in the party feeding on whoever was closed. The witches safely guided the harvest girls out of the room as the crowd turned into a fit of chaos.

Ben and Penelope covered Maeve on two sides. All three flashing their eyes red and yellow with their claws out to attack. Screams echoed inside the small room. Maeve felt a tug on her shoulders forcing her to tilt her head back. In a moment of reflex she reached up and clawed her attacker.

"Maeve!" A distant voice of Elijah came but she couldn't make out from where. Minutes passed and the lights came back up.

Maeve looked around the room, a dull look had faded the previously charmjng atmosphere. The room had splutters of blood everywhere with pool of blood spread across the lavish brown floorboard. She looked at the blood on the floor seeping everywhere even under her heels. Her eyes then wandered to her hands; claws still out drenched in blood. With a low gasp and fear she turned her head to look over her shoulder. She saw a vampire just behind her sitting on the floor with a hand to his neck that bled profusely.

"Uh...boss?" Ben called her. She diverted her attention to him and then followed his gaze. Across the opposite wall were the words ‘there will be no peace’ scribbled using blood.

"Marcel did this? How dare he?" Ben aggravated. Maeve, however was feeling a little lost. The blood around her and the echoes of the screams still buzzing in her head immediately forced her to relive some moments she believed she had gotten past.

Elijah immediately went to her side gripping her by her shoulders and examining her properly. "Maeve? Are you okay? Maeve, answer me."

She was reliving so much in so less time that she didn't even hear Elijah's voice, just a quiet muffle in-between the screams.

She shook her head finally escaping the drowning memories. She gazed up into Elijah's worried eyes. "I'm fine." she said unconvincingly. "Marcel did this? Why?"

"We can always find out." Ben said with a small shrug of his shoulders.

"No. I'll do that. Maeve go back to the compound. You need to rest."

"Elijah." Maeve said pulling a particular face. He groaned in irritation.

"It's a losing game. Come on. But one of them is coming with us."

"Ben, you come. I don't trust Penelope's anger."

"Ahh!" Penelope shrieked offended by her Alpha's words.

Quietly the trio tiptoed inside Marcel's abode across the city borders.

"Marcel ── Maeve didn't know about the werewolf meetings." Diego revealed to his best friend. The three hid behind a large brick wall and listened into the conversation happening inside.

Marcel looked astonished. "Are you sure?"

"She said so herself." Marcel glanced at Thierry for a moment before he spoke.

"And you believed her." the tone Marcel used, settled nervously and suspiciously inside Maeve's head.

"Marcel, it's Dora..."

"She was Dora. Now she is the woman who decided to love an original, despite me telling her to never even look one in the eye."

"She could have gotten hurt today."

"She is a Lycan for god's sake, Diego. Those guys only hurt others." Marcel angrily responded. "Do you know why despite being the same as werewolves I entertained those idiots? Hmm?" asked Marcel.

Diego shook his head. "I'll tell you why, power. Diego, Lycans bring so much power. Not just because they are Lycans but because of this stupid innate quality of being loyal. A simple wordplay and they become your best allies."

Maeve's eyes went wide as she listened carefully to Marcel. "I met Ezekiel in 05' after the Hurricane hit and he came here with his pops and a bunch of happy helpers. I didn't want to be his friend but he had so much power and strength. I couldn't say no."

"But Maeve..."

"Same. She argued for us against the originals. The pack under her reign now is under my control too. Foolish idiots take my orders just like their Alphas because I am his best friend. Soon I'll take my city back from them." Marcel was determined to get what he wanted ── what he had and gave up.

"But what about Maeve? Marcel, she trusts us. We didn't even go see her when she was down."

"She's with them now. She's one of them. I don't know what happened but that is not Maeve. Not the Maeve who was easy to use to get more power." Marcel let slip.

Maeve stood dumbstruck next to Ben unable to move or speak or even breathe. Ben growled, his eyes turning yellow.

"All this was just a big plan to get more power."

"The witches here hate her but fear her as well. Giving her an access to my kingdom to cause her tiny little chaos was perfect. I suggested her to hide the fact that she didn't have her powers anymore ── only because it gave me more ground on power. It's all about the use, Diego. Learn it."

Use. That word again. Marcel was using her. Just like everyone else. She turned around and walked away. Elijah watched her leave with a dishearted yet angry look. He turned to Ben again and both decided to confront Marcel.

"Let me first." Ben requested Elijah. He nodded his head and cleared a way for Ben to walk into Marcel's view line.

"That was some elaborate plan you made there, Marcellus." Marcel visibly turned agitated and scared seeing Ben saunter into his temporary home. His heart thumped rapidly against his chest seeing the bright yellow eyes of Ben glaring at him.

"Ben!" he chuckled half heartedly. "Welcome to my new home."

"Really? I thought you found my kind some lousy back alley use and throw shirts." Marcel realised that he had been caught.

"You don't understand..."

"I understand plenty." Ben silenced Marcel. "You see, we are loyal to our pack...to our Alphas. That is exactly why I am not going to kill either of you two. But I have a monopoly in two departments. Business partnership with you, and controlling the foolish idiots you have been ordering around like takeout food."

"Ben please...it's not like that."

"I'll leave Elijah to deal with you. I have my Alpha to speak with." taking it as his cue, Elijah walked into the scene with a cold front.

Ben gave a small nod to Elijah and left the loft. Immediately he dialled Ezekiel's number.

"Oh God, what now?" said Ezekiel as soon as he answered.

"It's about Marcel."

Elijah walked back into the compound. His hand was still covered in blood. As punishment, he ripped out Thierry's heart in front of Marcel. He looked around the quiet place confused about the silence.

"Oh good you are here." he heard Kol express with a relieved sigh. "Maybe you can help." He drew a blank look but followed Kol closely.

Inside their wine cellar, Maeve had settled on the floor cross-legged with her back against the wall. She held a half empty bottle of Whiskey in hand. Tried tears stained her cheeks. Her eyes were closed but even then he noticed the puffiness of them and undoubtedly the redness.

"Maeve..." he called her name as softly as he could. She peered an eye open and tilted her head to her right side.

"Elijah...hey." She replied in a slurred speech. She struggled to attempt to get up.

Elijah went to aid her but she stopped his with a show of hand. "I got it. I don't need your help. I don't need anybody's help!" she raised her voice a little.

"I was just...." she glanced back at the space where she sat for some time before Klaus and Kol found her. "Thinking."

"Maeve let's get you to bed."

"No." she said stubbornly. "I want answers."

All three Mikaelson brothers exchanged looks. Maeve's phone buzzed on the countertop where she had placed it. "Oh look Rebekah's here too. She can answer too."

Maeve recieved the call and put it on speaker. "Hello Bekky Bekky. How is it exile treating you?"

"Are you drunk?"

"No...just tipsy and no inhibitions. Now that the entire Mikaelson clan is here. Answer me something." maeve's face fell immediately. A heartbroken look coaxing her tired face.

"Damon found out I had this special magic powers like I'm Houdini and he immediately started to manipulate me. So did Stefan and Bonnie and Elena. Selene they didn't even hesitate to fucking murder me using your parents!"

"And now Marcel..." her voice softened. "Even he was using us? Me and my brother. I don't understand."

"Now for the ultimate question. Why haven't you all used me? That's all I'm good for anyway. Use and throw. I got the powers, connections, and strength. Why not use me? You had so many chances but no...no no no no no no no no no no ── you didn't use me. Why? I need to know. What makes you all so fucking special?" she paused and took another long swig of the whiskey.

"Or is this your way of manipulating me? Playing the long game. Making me think that I am helping you because I want to, and not because you asked or told me to?" Elijah stepped forward despite Maeve's non-verbal protests. "No no no, I can't trust anyone, no no no."

In a clear drunken state, Maeve began to mumble incoherently. Elijah grabbed the bottle from her and set it on the countertop. He wrapped his arms around Maeve and brought her in for a hug.

"I can't trust anyone, Elijah." she whimpered against his chest. Maeve pulled away from him with a sniffle. "Lilly...she was right, wasn't she? I am only good as long as I am useful."

"No." the three brothers responded with a strong authoritative voice in unison.

"You listen to me." Elijah placed his hands on both sides of her face, forcing Maeve to look him in the eye.

"Do not let a silly man like Marcel ruin everything you have accomplished through Therapy. Do not let him reel you backward into a dark corner that which you have conquered. He is not important. He does not matter. You do. Maeve, neither of us all here and those who truly care about you, truly love you only stay for the use. We are by your side solely because you are an amazing person with a heart so large it consumes us. You are the lighthouse to estranged boats floating around aimlessly in the sea."

"It hurts to be used, lijah. Why did I deserve it?"

"You don't deserve it, my dear." said Elijah, completely heartbroken at the state Maeve forced herself into to cope with the pain. "You deserve the world and Marcel is not the one you go there with."

She smiled half heartedly back at him. "You all will be here with me?"

Klaus and Kol stepped forward as well. "Of course, Maeve. We are not going anywhere."

"No more talking. Let me take you to bed." Maeve's eyes drooped on command.

"What did Marcel do?" came Rebekah's voice over the speaker.

Maeve giggled childishly, "I forgot she was still here." Elijah proceeded to explain everything they heard at Marcel's loft.

"Can you tell me why you haven't used me?" asked Maeve yet again. "I mean, Elijah could have but he never gets down hus moral high horse. But Nik! The great feared Klaus Mikaelson had a whole summer to kill me. I mean, with reason too. Aneurysms after aneurysms and not to mention the insults. Had he killed me nobody would have objected but no no no no no no no no no nope nope no. He friended me! Ahaha hahaha he did that. Cared for me."

She turned to look at Elijah. "I never told it to anyone but you know when Mikael attacked me? That time at home..com...hom...e──ing." she struggled to say the word but continued on nonetheless. "Damon stabbed me with silver and witch hazel. Mikael stabbed me then with a dagger. I was on the porch dying. Damon saw me but didn't help but this man...this man right here did. You know what he said? Don't die on me."

Elijah and Kol had a mirroring look of surprise on their face as they looked at Klaus. "You chose to love me, help me first but love me later. I mean, all of you. Right off the bat. I just would like to know why. Why are you so special." but Maeve was far too tired and drunk. She slumped slowly falling asleep. Elijah supported her body completely before he lifted her up and carried her up to his room.

Klaus picked up the phone to speak to Rebekah. "We'll call you back in some time." he kept his response short.

"It's fine, Nik. Take care of her. I'll get in touch with her later. Bye." Klaus ended the call and followed after Elijah.

Klaus and Kol stood at the doorway, watching as Maeve slowly went to sleep laying peacefully on Elijah's bed.

Klaus looked at his brothers, finally voicing the small voice inside his head. "Have either of you ever wondered why she became so important so easily?"

Elijah and Kol looked at him immediately. "I mean, she is a dynamic insolent stupid girl who sees something beyond our own eyes but there's this feeling like a──"

"Pull." said Elijah. "A want to help her, protect her, keep her safe."

Kol nodded agreeing with his older brothers. "But why?"

Neither of them had an idea. They needed answers but there was no way of getting them.

************************************
Hello world!

Long ass chapter and such bore... hehe

Anyways, hope you enjoyed the update. Also, I have a Klaus fanfic up on my profile if you all are interested go check it out.

Also two original stories [of my own ;) ] are also up. I will be attempting to update all four from time to time.

So go show all the stories the same love you show this story. I really appreciate it.

Take care everyone!

Raven :))