' ' ' '

When Niklaus returned, Esther was awake.

And in that short little while, Grace and Elijah were about to go insane because of her.

Esther pestered them with questions, especially Grace. She was very intrigued with her 'mutation', as she called it.

Grace did not like her at all.

Elijah tried to make light of the conversation, but Esther said one backhanded thing after another. She was a powerful witch, Grace could tell.

Maybe an even match for her.

Finally, Esther decided to change the subject, asking Elijah about hosting a ball. He thought it was a pretty bold move, being that Esther just, er, got here.

Grace did not say much, surprisingly. Something was not quite right about that woman. And things only got worse when Niklaus arrived.

He came in with a sack full of blood bags for starters, which Grace could tell appalled Esther.

She smirked.

"Grace, love, won't you go wake up the- oh, hello, mother."

Esther stood, unsure of what to say for a moment. Niklaus was the one that had killed her a thousand years ago, and she had most certainly not forgotten.

He sat down the bag at once, giving a smile that actually seemed... genuine.

Grace furrowed her eyebrows, somewhat confused.

"Niklaus, dear. It has certainly been a long time." She paused, but when Nik did not say anything, she continued, "I know... last time we encountered, things didn't end very well. But- I'm here to set it right. With all of you. We're going to host a ball."

"We are?" Niklaus interrupted, a bit taken aback.

Grace decided that she did not want to hear any of this at the moment, so she would leave and come back once all the family issues were worked out.

Quietly, she walked past the two of them, muttering to Nik, "I'll see you later," and getting out of there as fast as she could.

Whatever problems Esther was bringing, Grace did not want any part of it. Unfortunately, she supposed she would most likely end up in that situation, anyway.

As for now, Grace was still thinking about what Elijah had told her.

Do some good for yourself, he said.

Was Niklaus not any good for her? That was a stupid question. Of course he was not any good to her. Grace had been put through absolute hell by him.

Elijah could be very cryptic, wise though he was. Maybe he had just meant that Grace needed to take some time away from the Mikaelson family altogether.

That would be really beneficial, she thought as she walked into the Salvatore house. How she got here, Grace had not a clue. What she did know was that she was going to get a bottle of tequila and have a nice drink to think things over.

It was at that moment, right when she settled down, that Caroline burst in, all in a tizzy.

"Hey, Caroline," Grace said warily, wondering if Caroline still thought she was murderous.

Caroline walked into the parlor, eyeing Grace with caution.

"I have my humanity, it's okay," Grace reassured, taking a sip of tequila straight from the bottle.

Caroline frowned, but more out of pity for Grace. She walked over, taking two glasses and setting them on the table.

"Have some dignity for yourself, Grace," she said, taking the bottle and pouring it into the shot glasses.

Grace looked over, eyebrows raised in surprise.

She laughed and shook her head, taking the glass.

"I'm sorry about the whole no humanity thing-" "Don't be. I know that Klaus put you up to it. God, he's such a terrible person. A monster," she said, downing a shot.

Grace stared a hole into the table. "Yeah, everyone keeps saying that," she responded, gulping down her own shot.

"It's just- it's kind of hard to get over someone when you're..."

Caroline was suddenly hit with realization.

"Oh my God. You- you're in love with him."

Grace noticed how Caroline seemed almost... scared for her.

And that scared her.

Grace stood up, wiping her hands on her jeans.

"Ah, just forget it. I don't wanna talk about it. I'll see you later," she said, giving a small smile before flashing out of the door.

What the hell was happening?

Everywhere she went, Nik was there or Nik was being mentioned. Some way, somehow... he was wherever she was.

Grace stopped breathlessly, in the middle of the road. Snow had started to fall lightly.

She knew what she wanted to do, now. Elijah's words made sense, in a way.

Grace felt a sudden peace come over her, and she knew how the rest of her life was going to go.

She let out a sigh of relief, oddly enough, and set off to search for Bonnie Bennett.

+++

Hours later, Grace made her return to the Mikaelson manor, where she supposed she would be staying for the night. Depending on how the next little while went, especially with Esther.

And now, not only Esther, but the rest of the family was awake.

Grace had no clue what she was walking into when she came through that door.

The first person she saw was Esther, in the enormous living room, if you would call it that. Quickly, Grace turned to walk away but was stopped abruptly by Esther calling her.

"Excuse me, Grace? Could I have a word with you, please?"

Grace stopped at the doorway, then turned with reluctance to face Esther. She walked into the room, hands folded politely.

"Esther. Yes, what would you like to discuss?"

Esther raised her eyebrows, perplexed at Grace's formal manner when she was so... ghastly.

"Tell me, Grace. How did you become... what you are?" she asked, tapping her chin.

"Did you have someone do this for you-" "No. I would never in a million years ask for this curse. I was experimented on by Travellers, which I'm sure you're probably well familiar with. I almost died in the process, for good. But, three hundred years later and now I'm here."

Esther nodded slowly. "Hmm, I see. Three hundred years as a vampire-witch? Certainly you've made some new discoveries."

Grace frowned, crossing her arms. "I don't understand."

"Oh, you know, things that witches can do which were believed to be beyond their boundaries. Testing the levels of the universe."

Slowly, Grace shook her head.

"Really? All these years and you've never tried to test your full power? I imagine by now, you could kill someone with a glance."

Grace glared at Esther. She was trying to manipulate her in some way.

"That's the thing, Esther. I don't want to kill anyone. Except you, maybe."

Apparently, Esther took offense to this. Grace did not mind much.

"I hear you're planning a ball or some fancy event," Grace said, walking around the room.

"Oh, yes. I think you should be the guest of honor."

a/n: hii wanted to let u guys know i have another tvd fic called 'the night we met' & it's stefan salvatore if u wanna check it out :) also there's only five chapters left of this book heehee