CHAPTER ONE
'the return'

Silence engulfed the Gilbert property, the only noise for miles being the crickets which basked in the greenery outside.

This tranquil environment allowed John to reflect on recent events without any distractions; though if he were to be honest, his thoughts revolved mostly around one person. Elena Gilbert.

As if able to read his mind, his daughter appeared. Though she held a cold, distant look, something he was not used to seeing on the usually joyous girl.

"You scared me."

"Sorry."

"Is Jenna home?" He questioned.

"She had to meet the fire chief about the building. She doesn't know the truth, they've covered it up." Came her response, it was quick and concise making her disinterest clear.

"Yeah I know," The man nodded, his eyes following her as she moved some used dishes into the sink. "How's Jeremy?"

"Holed up in his room."

"Can I help?"

"Sure."

In the next second a knife was in the imposter's cruel grasp, the blade slicing through his fingers, ridding him of his life-saving ring. With inhuman speed he was pinned up against the counter, a hand firmly clasped around his throat.

"Katherine?" Realisation dawned upon his face, a pit of horror forming in his stomach.

"Hello, John," the vampire began, moving back slightly, allowing something or rather someone to step forward.

"Goodbye John." Natalie finished, burying a knife deep within the man's stomach.

The overwhelming scent of blood filled her senses, causing her to grin sadistically and veins to form under her eyes.

"Jeremy? Are you you up?"

The sisters shared a brief look, a similar smile etching it's way across Katherine's face.

One moment John was leaning against the counter for support, the next he lay on the floor; his hands pressed loosely over the stab wound, desperate to slow the bleeding.

His pain-filled grunts were interrupted by the real Elena approaching the scene, a gasp escaping her lips.

With no time to waste, the doppelgänger used one hand to assist her father in pressing down on his injury, entering numbers onto her phone in the other.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"Hi, I-I need an ambulance to 2104 Maple Street."

"Behind you.." John whispered, his words slightly slurred. He couldn't be sure of much, the lack of blood having gotten to his head, but he was sure of one thing; Katherine and the mystery woman were stood menacingly behind his daughter.

"What?"

"Behind you!" He repeated, more firmly, more frantic this time.

Elena span around, fearing the worst. Only to be met by an empty house, nothing seeming remotely out of the ordinary.

With shaky hands and tear filled eyes, she gently picked up the knife, holding it in front of her as she searched for any clues as to who was behind the attack.

A rush of wind behind her caused her to turn around, yet another gasp tearing its way out of her.

By the time she had turned back around it was too late. The Pierce sisters had left, the door slamming shut behind them.

»--•--«

"Did the Plan work?"

"Not exactly, Stefan figured me out. Although I did manage to fool Damon."

"I'm not talking about your plan to get a kiss from your pathetic little crush, Stefan, I'm talking about our plan for freedom." Natalie interrupted with a roll of her eyes, not remotely interested in her sister's love life. "The blonde, did he give her his blood?"

"God someone's gotten grumpy in their old age, you used to be so much fun-," An irritated glare from her little sister immediately shut her up.

"Okay, okay, yes he gave her his blood, just as we guessed he would. You need to relax! Everything's gonna be fine."

"I won't relax, I can't! Not until we are out of this godforsaken town and on the opposite side of the world to the Mikaelsons."

At the mention of the people responsible for their life on the run, Katherine straightened up, her entire demeanour becoming far more serious.

"I won't let them take you Nat, not again."

A tired sigh escaped the younger girl's pursed lips, "You can't possibly say that, not until we have all the things necessary to make the trade."

"Which we will, soon! In the meantime you need to calm down - they don't even know we are alive, let alone where we are."

"I know, I'm sorry. You know what this town does to me."

"What did I tell you about apologising for things which are out of your control?" Katherine spoke fondly, leaning her head against her sister's shoulder.

Natalia quickly followed suit, resting her head on top of Katherine's, immensely grateful for the comfort that the gesture brought.

"Till the end of the line." Katherine promised, tilting her head in order to press her forehead against her sister's.

"Till the end of the line."

»--•--«

The sun shone ever so brightly in the sky, a stark contrast to the miserable grief which consumed the Lockwood mansion.

"Hey Elena, thanks for coming, who's this?"

"My uh- cousin, yeah, my cousin Natalie." Katherine responded, stumbling over her words slightly, earning a chuckle from the girl next to her.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you. I only wish it were under better circumstances."

"Likewise, well, come on in."

A smirk fought it's way into Natalie's face at his words. God, humans were so naive.

The Pierces wandered round for a while, drinking, and mingling with people as 'Elena' and her estranged cousin Natalie.

"So, what next-,"

"Oh. My. God. Damon drives me crazy!"

The sisters looked at each other somewhat awkwardly, not exactly sure what to make of the young girl pacing in front of them. "He's waking around like he's some kind of hero for healing Caroline, when it's his fault all this happened in the first place!"

"I'm sorry Bonnie," Katherine shook her head, assuming the role of the sympathetic best friend. "What Damon's done is just, awful."

The witch inhaled deeply, allowing the fresh air to calm her foul mood. "Okay, better, hateful Damon moment over."

Bonnie smiled, reaching over and placing a hand on Katherine's arm. A fearful look immediately replaced the previous easygoing one, and she was quick to excuse herself.

"Um, I-I've got to find Tyler, pay my respects.. I'll be back."

"Okay."

Bonnie rushed out of the room, phone in hand, frantically dialling Elena's number.

"Hello?"

"Elena, where are you..?"

"Bonnie, I know I'm late, I'm getting in the car now - be there in five!"

A beeping sound could be heard as Elena hung up, Bonnie's expression morphing into one of panic.

She went to leave only to be stopped by two brunettes standing directly in front of her.

"We haven't officially met, I'm Natalie and this is my sister, Katherine."

»--•--«

"I know who you are."

"Of course you do." Natalie responded, her lips quirked up slightly, showing her amusement "You're the best friend right?"

"We've been putting all the pieces of Elena's life together, Isobel told us it was a bit of a puzzle." Katherine continued, not giving Bonnie the time to respond. "We do know who Jenna and Jeremy are, and we've met that delicious ex boyfriend Matt who's sweet on Caroline.. and then there's you, the vampire-hating Bennett witch"

"Did she do good?" Natalie asked mockingly, the teasing smirk never once leaving her face.

Cries of agony could soon be heard, the sisters dropping to their knees as the witch attempted to give them an aneurysm. Only it didn't last very long, as they quickly lifted up their heads, revealing grins which would put the Cheshire Cat to shame.

"We've been around a long time Bonnie, you're gonna have to do better than that." A warning, a threat coming from Natalie's sweet lips. Katherine having gotten the girl pinned up against the wall, fangs bared during this time.

The doors flew open revealing the room to the rest of the party, a display of Bonnie's magic. Not a strong spell by any means, but a smart one. It forced Katherine to back off for fear of being caught.

The little witch was resourceful, Natalie would give her that.

"Nice-," she started only to be cut off by an all to familiar voice sounding from behind her.

"Katherine."

"Stefan."

"Leave her alone." He said waltzing into the room. Any lesser experienced person would believe him to be the epitome of calm, but Natalie knew better. His clenched jaw and hands were telltale signs of his discomfort at the return of the sisters, or more specifically at the return of Katherine, his ex lover.

"Okay." She shrugged, letting Bonnie go.

She walked away, trailing a long finger across Stefan's chest. Natalie followed after her, but not without shooting Stefan a withering glare first.

"What are you doing here?" He asked Natalie, not in the mood to deal with Katherine at that moment in time.

"Well after the way that you treated my sister last night, I figured a public place would be less violent." She said nonchalantly, checking her red painted nails for any chips.

"She's taking this a little far don't you think? Elena could walk in any second.."

"Mm but that's part of the fun Stefan, you know how my sister is." She taunted, smiling innocently at him.

"Hey guys." A new voice joined the conversation.

"Hi, Matt." Katherine responded, jumping into character. "I- uh, I heard Caroline's doing much better."

"Her recovery was miraculous, you must be so relieved." Natalie piped in.

"I am, thanks uh.."

"Natalie."

"Natalie, thanks Natalie." He smiled, walking off.

"Jesus Katherine, you didn't tell me his eyes were so blue!" She exclaimed, covering up any emotions with humour. God she hated the Mikaelsons. Hated the way that every time she saw the colour blue she thought of Rebekah and Klaus, hated the way that what used to be her favourite colour was now a constant reminder of the pain which she and her sister endured at their hands.

"I know right-," Katherine started, only to be cut off by Stefan. "You guys need to leave now."

"You're hurting my feelings Stefan," Katherine teased "Damon was much happier to see me."

"Then again, he did think you were Stefan's girlfriend." Natalie pointed out snickering.

"Listen I'm not doing this with you."

"Okay.. How about we don't have a couples fight in front of all of your friends? Walk with us?" She suggested.

"Just tell me what you're doing here."

"Maybe I missed you.." Katherine flirted, loving the way it made Stefan squirm.

"Andd I'm out." Natalie interrupted already waking away, really not wanting to spend the day watching Katherine pine over Stefan.

"Stay safe baby sis."

"I'm like two months younger than you!"

"11 months."

"Whatever."

»--•--«

She wasn't far from the mansion when her phone began to ring. Assuming it was Katherine, the only person who really had her number, she picked up.

"What's up?"

"Really love? 500 years since we last spoke, and the first thing you say to me is 'what's up'."

A startled choke escaped her lips and on instinct she chucked the phone deep into a nearby lake.

How?

The question plagued her mind like a curse, because really, how? How on earth had he gotten her fucking phone number?!

Unfortunately, that wasn't the only issue. All those feelings, all those urges that she had fought to keep at bay over the years were resurfacing. Only this time, they were twice as strong.

If that's the affect that only one of her soulmates had on her from just hearing his voice, she dreaded to think how drastic the consequences may be if she were to physically meet all of her soulmates again.

"Oh shit." She suddenly realised.

"That dick made me lose my phone!"

A/N: thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed!

Words: 1982
Originally published: July 27th 2024