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While the Mystic Falls gang was celebrating Elena's eighteenth birthday at the Salvatore Boarding House, Cordelia was sitting outside the Southern Comfort Bar as she couldn't listen to Ray's silent pleas anymore. Cordelia felt Caroline's sorrow, a bond had tightened between them the night the Starlight saved her vampire twin from Jules and her pack. She closed her eyes and focused on the connection between her and Caroline, smiling softly as she felt her older twins joy and undead beating heart. Niklaus wandered outside, he found Cordelia sitting alone with her head leaning back against the wall; her expression was soft and peaceful. The sight was something else for Niklaus, he knew he'd be painting it the next time he was in front of a canvas.

"Love, you truly are an exquisite muse," Niklaus expressed softly, he leant against the wall and smirked down at Cordelia as she opened her eyes and looked up at him. Niklaus was left in awe as her usual meadow green eyes shone a rose gold instead, small veins much like a vampire appeared under her eyes in a pale pink tone making her look beautiful. "Astonishing..." Niklaus muttered before he knelt by her, reaching out in a trance of awe to cup her chin and look closer at her unique eyes. "To see a Starlight embody Saturn perfectly is something I had never expected in my thousand years of life," Niklaus added as Cordelia's Starlight eyes faded back to her meadow green. "Ah, there's the true beauty... as evergreen as the forest my siblings and I once wandered," Niklaus stated.

Cordelia bit her bottom lip, her heart skipped a beat at Niklaus' words and she found herself leaning in. Niklaus was surprised to see her moving closer but he didn't move, no matter how much he wished to, as he didn't wish to push her boundaries. "Master Klaus," A voice spoke startling the two apart just as Cordelia's lips brushed Niklaus', the ghostly feeling would haunt Niklaus' mind until he finally tasted her for the first time. Niklaus turned his head to Alex who held a neutral expression, "The wolf is ready to talk." Niklaus let out an irritated sigh, nodding before looking at Cordelia, "Perhaps another time, love." Niklaus stood up and headed back into the bar while Cordelia took steady breaths, she had to talk to Stefan about what just happened.

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Stefan watched the party from the woods, he smiled softly seeing Elena ─ who he was shocked to see alive ─ and Damon talking closely; he held hope that they would end up together. Elena was good for Damon, her life encouraged his subconscious to be the man he truly was. And Damon was good for Elena, 'cause he opens her life to more than what she thought was possible. Stefan turned to see Caroline dancing with Samuel, and while her smile didn't reach her eyes, she was still doing her best to have fun knowing that Cordelia would be pissed if she didn't at least try. Jeremy and Tyler were sitting together sharing a joint, the sight wasn't too surprising but Stefan assumed that Jeremy was helping Tyler relax before the full moon took its toll on the young wolf.

He spotted Jenna and Alaric watching over the party, an amusing sight to see considering Mason was present and trying to encourage them to get wasted with him. Bonnie wasn't present, the young Bennett Witch was spending time with her father's side of the family away from the chaos of Mystic Falls. Stefan felt a pang of guilt knowing that Cordelia was missing this, that she would be having the time of her life had she been able to attend this event. He could only imagine her being dressed up by Caroline only to spend half of the night talking to Damon or Alaric avoiding the teenagers before she would drag Stefan out of the party and just not look back.

"Long way from your new best friend," The familiar voice of Damon Salvatore taunted, he was shocked to see Stefan lurking in the woods out of sight. "I need you to stop following us, Damon. Causing some problems," Stefan replied with a blank expression. "With who? Klaus? Are we supposed to care what he thinks?" Damon asked him in disbelief. "What you're supposed to do is let me and Cordelia go," Stefan remarked in a harsher tone. "Saw that your latest stop was in Tennessee, you and Cori killers now?" Damon asked, Stefan sneered at Damon's accusatory tone. "Watch your tone, Damon," Stefan warned, "I'm trying to keep you alive."

Damon scoffed at Stefan's words but the next ones that came from the younger Salvatore caused him to falter. "If Klaus learns that Elena is alive, Cordelia will be the one punished for it. Soulmate or not, that kind of betrayal has consequences," Stefan informed Damon, the knowledge that those words were true uneased both of them. It was clear that Klaus loved Cordelia but he had been suffering for a thousand years, he wouldn't be nice about the betrayal; that's for sure. "Her twin sister and mother won't stop searching," Damon expressed, "Neither will Elena, she feels like she owes her." Stefan shook his head, "Doesn't matter, Damon. I've given you the warning. Stop before Cordelia gets hurt." With that, Stefan disappeared from sight.

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Outside the Southern Comfort Bar, Cordelia looked up to see Stefan approaching her, she stood up and met him halfway. "How did it go?" Cordelia asked as Stefan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as he let go of the emotions drowning him. "I'm hoping it worked but between Caroline and your mother, I don't know how long until someone shows up again," Stefan expressed before leaning back and mouthing, "Elena's alive?" Cordelia smiled softly and nodded, she hadn't had a chance to share that information with Stefan due to Niklaus' constant presence. "If it comes down to it, I'll... magically compel them to back off," Cordelia told Stefan who frowned, he knew going that far would be too much for the blonde so they could only hope Damon listened.

Inside the Southern Comfort Bar, Ray had finally relented to Niklaus' demands and he now lays on the pool table still weakened by the wolfsbane in his system. "Okay, it's a three step process, Ray. This is step one. I want you to drink from my wrist," Niklaus informed him. "I already told you where to find the pack. What more do you want?" Ray asked in a broken tone. "Have you been listening to a word I've been saying, Ray? I have great plans for you," Niklaus informed him though irritated with the wolf's persistent lack of listening. Niklaus cut his wrist and made Ray drink his blood, the man too weak to deny the action. "You'll thank me for it later, huh. There we go, attaboy!" Niklaus praised as Ray consumed the blood.

Stefan and Cordelia walked into the bar hand in hand, the blonde glanced at Alex as he drank from a glass, his darkened eyes focused on her every move. "What are you going to do now?" Ray questioned Niklaus cautiously. "It's time for step two, Ray," Niklaus replied before he snapped his neck, effectively killing the werewolf. "You're back," Niklaus spoke as he turned to the couple, a small smirk on his face. "Did you doubt me?" Stefan asked with a raised brow, removing his hand from Cordelia's to wrap his arm around her waist. "Not for a second," Niklaus remarked, "After all, to leave the beautiful Ms Cordelia Forbes behind would be the greatest sin." Stefan knew his words were true.

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Caroline rolled over in her bed, she let out a slow sigh as she felt movement next to her, she turned her head to see Samuel asleep on his stomach shirtless. She turned her head to the board by her desk that was covered with notes, maps and newspaper cuttings tracking Cordelia and Stefan with Niklaus and Alex. Her heart dropped at knowledge that her sister was wandering the countryside with an Original Hybrid in charge rather than enjoying her summer break before Senior year alongside her friends and twin. It didn't feel right without Cordelia by her side, everytime she walked past Cordelia's room, the urge to cry and scream overwhelms her. Life seemed so unbalanced without Cordelia Forbes.

Her phone began vibrating, she turned to it expecting it to be Damon or Elena about the hunt however, her eyes widened at the sight of Cordelia's nickname, Bubbles appearing on screen. Caroline jumped up out of bed and answered the phone instantly, "Bubbles?" The nickname hit Cordelia hard as she leant against the bathroom door, sage burning in the sink to hide her voice from the Hybrid outside. "Hi, Buttercup," Cordelia replied, her soft voice sent a wave of joy through Caroline's body. "Oh my god! Cori, I have missed you so damn much," Caroline cried, she leant against the wall and slid down it until she was sitting with her knees to her chest. "I miss you too, Care... more than you'll ever know," Cordelia replied softly.

"Why won't you come home?" Caroline asked, her voice cracking as tears blurred her vision. "Caroline, please understand me. I made a deal and I will keep my word. And I miss everyone, but I know what I'm doing, okay? I'll come home soon, just trust that for me, please," Cordelia pleaded with her sister, "For now, just live life for me. Can you do that?" Caroline sniffled as she took in deep breath, she could be strong for her little sister. "I can do that, Bubbles," Caroline replied, her tone was soft but Cordelia could hear the promise in her twins words. "Love you, Caroline," Cordelia whispered before hanging up, she placed her phone on the basin and looked into the mirror as a tear fell down her face. Caroline sobbed as she dropped her phone, the sound woke Samuel who rushed over and pulled her into his arms.

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Cordelia changed out of the jeans and shirt she was wearing into some shorts and a tank top that she covered with a blue button-up that she tied loosely; hiking boots adorning her feet. The blonde tied her hair back and applied sunscreen to her skin, happy that she was well ready for their hike, she got rid of the sage spell and opened the door to see Niklaus standing before her. "Wish to explain why a buzzing sound could be heard?" Niklaus asked, he was all too familiar with a witches spell soundproofing a room. "Relax, Niklaus. I was calling my sister... see, unlike you, I know how to have a good relationship with my sibling," Cordelia snarked before pushing past Niklaus to approached Stefan.

"And being around vampires is annoying. You don't need to hear my sappy conversation with my sister nor the clear warning I gave her to stay away," Cordelia added as she packed her bag with water, snacks and a book to read should she get bored on their journey. Niklaus stayed silent at her words, he simply turned away and prepared himself for their hike. Stefan pulled Cordelia towards him, she stood between his legs as he rested his hands on her hips. "Are you okay?" Stefan asked softly, he saw the sorrow and pain in her eyes, that's why Niklaus backed off. "I will be," Cordelia replied before she leaned down and kissed him softly. She was beyond glad that Stefan was by her side through this.

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Rosemary Speaks. . .

Changes a lot of plot means free reign as a writer; Jeremy didn't die and come back so he doesn't see ghosts however, Matt will still start seeing Vicki cause of Esther... Andie doesn't die cause Elena and Damon are together... A few other things are different too, obviously...

Thoughts on the changes?

How are we feeling about the warnings?

How are we feeling about the distance between Cordelia and Niklaus? Don't worry, just wait for it...

Thoughts? Suggestions? Questions?

See you in the next chapter!