Chapter 20 | The End of the Affair

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Flashback; 995 A.D

A blonde 7 year old girl was sitting against a tree all alone. She had her knees pulled to her chest and tear stains coating her cheeks as she stared at the ground unaware of her surroundings.

"Rebekah?" A soft soothing voice called out to her causing her to look up. Miralette stood in front of her with a concerned expression, "what's wrong?"

Rebekah sniffed as she let out a fake giggle, "nothing, nothing. I am fine."

Mimi slowly sat down next to her, not letting her worried gaze falter, "clearly not. What is the matter beks?" The blonde didn't reply as she avoided eye contact. Mimi gently rested her hand on top of hers, "you can tell me, Rebekah. You know that."

"Mother and father were yelling again," Rebekah mumbled so lowly that Mimi almost missed it.

The brunette couldn't help but sigh, this wasn't the first time she had found an upset Mikaelson sibling because their parents were arguing or Mikael had scared them. She had an effect on them all, just her presence soothed them from their fears.

It was rather humorous considering anytime the Mikaelson and Emberson families came together for dinner they acted as if everything was perfect, as if they were the happiest family in the world. Mikael made Mimi sick knowing everything he does to his children - to Nik - behind closed doors. Her father acted nothing like him, if anything Mikael reminded her more of her mother.

"They were arguing over Niklaus again," Rebekah added when Mimi stayed silent, lost in thought.

Miralette wanted to ask what had happened to start the argument or if Nik was alright but for now she had to focus on the younger girl who was currently sobbing again. Mimi wasted no time in pulling the girl into her arms letting Rebekah rest her head on her lap.

"He is so scary," Rebekah cried, speaking of her cruel father.

Mimi hated seeing the girl cry. It had to be one of the most heartbreaking things she had to witness. Rebekah was so young, caring, innocent and full of love. Mimi had a constant urge to protect the girl from everything. Rebekah was only two years younger than Miralette but the Emberson girl still saw her like as a baby sister.

"You do not have to fear him, Rebekah," Mimi whispered, trying to soothe the girl. "I will always do whatever I can to protect you from him."

"But we can never stop him from hurting Nik, can we?" Rebekah asked in a murmur.

Mimi sighed, "one day we will, one day."

"Will you protect me from monsters?" The young girl asked innocently.

Mimi couldn't help but laugh, "I will certainly try."

Rebekah hummed in satisfaction as the two fell into a comfortable silence. Rebekah snuggled closer to the brunette as her tears finally stopped falling. She felt safe whenever Mimi was around, always safe with her.

"Hey, Lettie," mumbled the blonde.

Mimi smiled at the nickname only Rebekah and Kol used for her, "yeah Beks."

"Thank you, for everything."

Mimi ran a hand through the blonde's hair, "what are best friends for?"

Rebekah looked up at her with bright eyes, "what's a best friend?"

Mimi giggled, "a best friend is someone a little closer than a friend. Anyone can be a friend but a best friend is the first person you go to for anything. Someone who you trust and love with your whole heart. Kind of like a sibling just not blood related."

"So we are like sisters then?"

Mimi smiled softly, "yes, Bekah, we are like sisters."

Rebekah grinned, "then I have the best older sister in the whole world."

"And I have the best little sister."

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Chicago; 2011

"Welcome back to Chicago, Stefan," Klaus spoke as he stepped out of the car, holding a hand out for Mira to take as she sluggishly followed.

"What are we doing here?" Asked Stefan.

"I know how much you loved it here," Klaus smirked, "Bringing back memories of the good old ripper days?"

"Blacked out most of them," Stefan stated, "A lot of blood, a lot of partying. The details are all a blur."

"Well, that is a crying shame. The details are what make it legend."

Mimi rolled her eyes, "Well, I'm not in the mood to reminisce about Stefan's crazy years - even though you did sound like a lot of fun back then," she voiced to the Salvatore. "I'm going to wait in the car."

She left the two as she went back to the vehicle, her phone began ringing just as she opened the door. With a loud sigh she pulled it out of her pocket to see it was her brother.

  Pinching the bridge of her nose, she picked it up as she got back into the car, "I thought you said you would stop bugging me."

"I thought you said you'd stop answering," he fired back instantly.

"Fine, I'll hang up."

"No, wait!" He shouted, "as your older brother you have no right to hang up on me."

Mimi squeezed her eyes shut in both exhaustion and irritation. Matteo was the only one who she talked to once or twice each month. Only to let him know she's fine and to check on him, Adelaide, Caroline and Ellie. She doesn't call the other girls because they would ask too many questions and want her to come home whereas Matteo has learned that he can't convince his little sister to do anything.

"Is there a good reason for this call, older brother," she mocked.

Matteo huffed, "have you heard from Caroline at all the past few days?"

Mimi's eyes opened slowly and her brows furrowed, "no, actually, I haven't. Why?"

Matteo bit his cheek, "just wondering," he tried brushing the question off.

"Matteo," Mimi said sternly, "what's going on?"

"Nothing," he replied quickly, "look baby sis, I gotta go."

"No-"

"Lots of people to see, things to do, lives to ruin, souls to torture. So I'll, uh, call you later. Hope you're enjoying your wondrous trip."

"Matteo-"

"I love you, bye," he hung up.

She pulled her phone away from her ear and stared at it in annoyance, "That little bitch."

Suddenly the door opened and Klaus got in next to the female hybrid. He instantly noticed her clenched jaw and asked, "everything alright, love?"

Mira gave a fake smile, "everything's fine. My brother just wants me to kill him."

"It's too bad you can't dagger him," Klaus quipped, receiving a blank stare.

Mira narrowed her eyes, "was that meant to be funny?"

Klaus' eyes widened at her threatening stare, "No, no, not at all. Let's go, shall we," he said to the driver he had compelled them, regretting ever saying anything.

"That's what I thought," she mumbled.

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"I think this is a bad idea," Mimi voiced as they stood outside a bar, "you know my reputation with witches."

  "Don't worry, Mimi. This witch won't do anything," Klaus reassured.

  Mimi chuckled, "it's not me that needs to be worrying, Nik."

  "Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Klaus spoke to Stefan.

  The vampire looked around the bar he remembered being in back in 1920, "I can't believe this place is still here."

  "You got to be kidding me," an unknown female voice spoke causing Mira to look over at an older woman

  "So a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bartender—"

  "Stop," the woman interrupted, "You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny." Her gaze met Stefans, "I remember you."

  "Yeah. You're Gloria. Shouldn't you be-"

  "Old and dead?" She finished for him. "Now if I die, who's going to run this place, huh?"

  "Gloria's a very powerful witch," Klaus stated.

  "I can slow the aging down some. Herbs and spells. But don't worry, it'll catch up to me one day." She finally looked at Mira, "now my power ain't nothing compared to yours though."

  Mimi raised a suspicious brow, "you know me?"

Gloria shrugged, "Every witch knows about you, your kind and your bloodline. It's common knowledge for all witches. Plus they all hate you and most want you dead."

  Mira smirked in amusement, "what about you? Do you want me dead?"

  "Nah, I'm not as obsessed with you as the others. Your death would do me no good."

  "So how'd you know it was me?" Mimi asked. "Not many have seen my face."

  "I sensed your power the second you walked in here. Since your magic is no longer dormant any witch could sense you from a mile away. A witch of your kind hasn't existed in almost 2000 years and you're also a vampire. That strengthens your powers, making you something that has never existed before."

  Klaus narrowed his eyes, "how'd you know she had her full powers again?"

  "I felt it," Gloria explained, receiving confused looks.

  "What do you mean?"

  "All witches everywhere felt your chaos magic the second you let it free. Certain witches are telling others about you. Your identity is no longer a secret, Mira Delgado. Or should I say Mira Emberson?"

"So, all my secrets are out, huh?" Mimi mused.

  Gloria held her hands up in defence, "witches love to gossip. Especially gossip about you. Sweetie, you've officially uprooted the supernatural world. In a way no one has before."

  Mimi rolled her eyes, "wow, go me."

  She really didn't care that everyone around the world was finding out the truth about her. She knew it was bound to happen someday. She just hoped it scared them into staying away from her.

  "I need a drink," she announced, "Stefan, care to join me?"

   The Salvatore nodded and followed her over to the bar not catching the look Mira and Klaus shared along the way.

  "I know why you're here. A hybrid out to make more hybrids? That kind of news travels," Gloria said to Klaus as both Stefan and Mimi used their enhanced hearing to listen.

"So what am I doing wrong? I broke the curse."

  "Obviously you did something wrong. Look, every spell has a loophole, but a curse that old. We'd have to contact the witch who created it."

  "Well, that would be the original witch. She's very dead," Klaus replied. Mimi's eyes widened at the mention of the old witch, her blood boiling just thinking about her.

  "I know. And for me to contact her, I'll need help. Bring me Rebekah," Gloria demanded

  "Rebekah. Rebekah is a bit preoccupied."

  "She has what I need. Bring her to me."

  Stefan suddenly takes a picture off the wall before looking at Klaus, "What is this?"

  "Well, I told you, Stefan. Chicago's a magical place," Klaus smiled.

  "But this is me. With you.," He showed him the picture of Stefan with his arm around Klaus's shoulders back in the 1920s.

  Mimi chuckled, "don't you two look friendly."

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"This doesn't make any sense. Why don't I remember you?" Stefan asked. Mira followed him and Klaus into a warehouse as the younger vampire continued questioning the Mikaelson about the photo.

"You said it yourself, that time had a lot of dark holes," Klaus repeated Stefan's words.

  "No, if you knew me, then why haven't you said anything?" Stefan queried, losing his patience with the lack of answers.

  "I'm a little busy right now," Klaus replied, striding quickly towards his coffins. "Memory Lane will have to wait."

  Stefan grabbed Klaus arm roughly, spinning the hybrid to face, "What the hell is going on? Answer me."

Mira narrowed her eyes, pulling Stefan's hand away, "try to keep the anger in check, alright."

  Klaus smiled at Mimi's words before looking at Stefan blankly, "Let's just say we didn't get off to a brilliant start. To be honest, I hated you."

  "Now, that makes more sense," Mimi noted.

Klaus went on to tell the story about Stefan and Rebekah falling in love back in 1920.

Mira shook her head, "Rebekah could do better," she mumbled which the boys chose to ignore.

"Your sister. So I knew another Original vampire," Stefan concluded.

"If you can't handle it, then don't ask," Klaus said as he grabbed Mira's wrist and pulled her over to one of the coffins. He gestured for his ex to open it - so she did.

There laid Rebekah dressed in the 1920's attire. Tears welled up in Mimi's eyes as she took in the sight of the dagger implanted in the blonde's chest, grey veins covering her gorgeous pale skin. She was dead but yet still beautiful. The female hybrid smiled as she tenderly pushed some of the blonde hair out of the deceased girl's face.

  "I don't recognize her," Stefan declared, looking down at the girl as well.

  "Well, don't tell her that. Rebekah's temper is worse than mine," Klaus responded as he pulled the dagger out of her chest.

  "Time to wake up, little sister," Klaus whispered. "I have a surprise for you," he voiced with his gaze on Mimi. Although the brunette hadn't taken her eyes off the girl who she saw as little sister.

  Thoughts ran through Mira's mind — thinking about how her reunion with Rebekah might even be harder than the one with Nik. The Mikaelson girl could hold a grudge. Klaus was right, Rebekah's temper was pretty bad and Mira knew she was about to be at the wrong end of it.

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  As time went on, the trio were still waiting for Rebekah's skin to return to normal and for her to awake.

  "Any day now, Rebekah," Klaus taunted, "She's being dramatic."

  "Look, why don't you just tell me what the hell is going on?" Stefan said with crossed arms, "I mean, you obviously want me here for a reason, right?"

Mira pursed her lips, "I'd like to know as well."

  "Well, you have many useful talents."

  "Do I?"

  Klaus smirked, "In fact, I learned some of my favorite tricks from you."

  Klaus finished up another story as he walked towards the exit, "I was your number one fan."

  "Why should I believe any of this?" Stefan wondered, following behind the Mikaelson.

  Klaus doesn't respond as he pauses his steps in front of a guard, "When she wakes up, tell her to meet us at Gloria's Bar," he compelled, "Then volunteer your carotid artery and let her feed until you die."

  "Oh, what a wonderful 'I'm sorry I've had you daggered for so many years, here's a welcome back and apology gift,' Nik," Mimi sassed.

  "Thank you, love," Klaus smiled sarcastically.

  "Where are you going?" Queried Stefan.

  "You think I'm lying, Stefan. You and I knew each other. You trusted me with one of your secrets and now I'm going to prove it to you," Klaus replied.

  "How?"

  "We're going to your old apartment."

  Mira groaned, "this trip down memory lane is giving me a headache," she mumbled as she followed the duo out of the warehouse. Not without taking one last look back at Rebekah before she exited. More fearful of the blonde girls reaction than she had been about her exes.

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  "What a charming little homestead," Klaus stated as he, Stefan and Mimi walked up to the vampires crappy old apartment.

  The male hybrid kicked down the door before entering. Both him and Mira sensing something or someone, "Do you feel that?" He asked, "Is anybody here?"

  "It's been vacant for decades. People must break in all the time," Stefan replied.

  Mimi raised a brow, unconvinced, "I'm sure that's totally it," she mumbled, sarcastically.

  "Why'd you bring me here?" Stefan asked.

  "Your friend, Liam Grant, the one who drank his wife's blood, I never could figure out why you wanted his name," Klaus voiced, "And then you told me your little secret. It was all part of your special little ritual."

  "To write it down," Stefan remembered.

  "And relive the kill," Klaus added, "over and over again."

  "That's not depressing," Mira remarked.

  Klaus chuckled at her words, "isn't it?" He walked over and opened the pantry door, "You believe me now?"

  Stefan slowly entered the pantry to see the list. Mira and Klaus staying out, letting him do it alone. The Emberson felt Klaus gaze on her but was trying her hardest to ignore it.

"You're awfully quiet," Klaus noted, "too quiet. What's wrong?"

Mimi shrugged, indifferently, "nothing. I'm just tired and bored of listening to Stefan's ripper days. Makes me annoyed that I'm stuck with the new and improved Stefan Salvatore."

"You and ripper Stefan would have been too much of a struggle to handle. So it's probably a good thing," Klaus mused.

The brunette threw her hands up in exasperation, "my point exactly," she huffed.

She looked towards the pantry, wondering why he was taking so long when she heard the former ripper say, "Look what I found." He comes out with a bottle, "1918. Single malt."

Klaus smiled, "My favorite. Let's go and find someone to pair it with."

Mimi eyed Stefan as he shut the pantry door. His startle when he saw her still standing there looking at him, "everything alright?" He asked.

"I don't know," Mimi narrowed her eyes, "you tell me."

Stefan frowned, "i'm fine."

"Yeah, but you're up to something," Mimi pointed out. "And I will figure out what." With that she walked out, following after Klaus, leaving Stefan behind feeling anxious.

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Gloria set down two bottles of beer for Stefan and Klaus while handing Mira a glass of bourbon.

"Where's Rebekah?" The witch wondered

"She'll be here," Klaus replied. "I can't just conjure her on demand." He took a sip of his beer before looking at Stefan, "What's with you? I thought Chicago was your playground."

"Fun Stefan's playground," Mimi quipped.

"So this is why you asked me to be your wingman?" Stefan asked out of nowhere, "Because you liked the way that I tortured innocent people?"

"I like it," Mimi voiced.

"Well, that's certainly half of it," Klaus answered.

"What's the other half?"

"The other half, Stefan, is that you used to want to be my wingman," Klaus stated as he poured two shots, sliding one to Stefan, "To friendship."

Reluctantly Stefan tapped his glass with Klaus' before they downed them.

Mira hummed, "isn't that just lovely."

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  Bill Forbes walked out of the dungeon cell he had been torturing his daughter in. He closed and bolted the door before hearing a gun being cocked. Lifting his head, he finds Liz standing at the top of the stairs above him, pointing her gun at him.

  "Hello Bill," she greeted.

  "Put the gun down, Liz. I know what I'm doing," Bill stated.

  "That's our daughter in there. She looks up to you. She loves you," the mother snapped.

  "Then she'll trust me to do the right thing. Let me do this, Liz. Not because she's a monster. But because we love her."

  "Adelaide," Liz beckoned, ignoring the man's words.

Addie stepped in behind Liz looking down at her friend's father before rushing past Liz and down the stairs.

Tyler had called her, to tell her his mother had something to do with Care's disappearance and after showing Carol what he truly was she still didn't give him many answers. So Adelaide went to get Liz and they both got the information they needed out of Carol.

  The Lockwood woman had explained that she had vervained Caroline and called Bill - Caroline's father and Liz's ex husband - to take matters into his own hands. Liz eventually figured out where he would have her daughter which was how they ended up in the dungeons.

  Bill quickly stepped in front of the older blonde vampire, stopping her from entering the room Caroline was trapped in.

  "You're not going in there."

  Adelaide glared at the man before looking up to Liz as if asking for permission to hurt him even just a little. Liz nodded without hesitation. So instantly Addie wrapped her hand around his neck and shoved him into a wall.

  "Look buddy," she spat, "I've had a rough couple of months and your daughter has been one of the only people keeping me together. If anyone deserves to be tortured the last person is Caroline. She's not a monster. You wanna know how I know that?"

  Bill clawed at her hand that was around his neck trying to get free, "nothing you say means anything."

  Addie rolled her eyes, ignoring his words she went on, "because I know what a monster really is. You're looking at a monster. And trust me, Caroline Forbes is nothing like me." With that she threw him to the ground and broke the cell door down.

  She didn't notice the smile that graced Liz's face at her words about her daughter.

  "Addie," a tortured Caroline wheezed out.

  Adelaide rushed over to her and broke the chains that had her locked in, "it's okay, sunshine, you're gonna be okay," Addie whispered.

  "My ring," Caroline said while looking down.

  Adelaide followed her gaze to the floor where Caroline's daylight ring was. Grabbing it, she quickly slid it onto her finger. As she looked up Caroline was staring down at her with a small sad smile.

  "Come on," Addie whispered as she gently picked Caroline up into her arms. The younger girl hissed in pain, "I'm sorry. Let's get you home."

  She rushed Caroline out of the dark and gloomy place wanting her in the safety of her home.

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  "So I'm confused. If we were such great friends, then why do I only know you as the hybrid dick who sacrificed my girlfriend on an altar of fire?" Stefan asked smartly.

  "All good things must come to an end," Klaus laughed slightly.

  You compelled me to forget," Stefan registered.

  "It was time for Rebekah and I to move on," Klaus replied, his happy mood dimming immensely, "Better to have a clean slate."

  "But why?" Stefan wondered in curiosity, "You shouldn't have to cover your tracks, unless you're running from someone."

  Mimi tensed and Klaus was the only one to notice. She knew who the Mikaelson's were running from, he haunted all of her nightmare.

  "Story time's over," Klaus decided not liking Stefan's prying.

  "I need another drink," the Salvatore announced, "A real one."

  "Thank god for that," Mimi sighed in relief after he had left. "He was giving me a headache."

  "Tell me about it," Klaus said as he poured himself another drink.

  The silence they fell into was soothing although Mira was silently stressing and Klaus noticed.

"You're scared," Klaus pointed out randomly, breaking their silence.

Mira furrowed her brows and she turned to face him, "excuse me?"

"Of Rebekah's reaction," he elaborated, "you're scared of how she's going to react to you being alive this entire time. That's what's been bothering you all this time."

Mimi clenched her jaw, "I am not. I'm glad you're finally undaggering her. It's a cruel thing that none of your siblings deserve."

Klaus hummed, thoughtfully, "maybe. Although, I know it's been a thousand years Mimi, but I can still sense when you are nervous."

"Good for you," Mira rolled her eyes.

"You're scared she's going to hate you," Klaus figured, "that she won't forgive you for staying away - for making her live in grief." Mira squeezed her eyes shut tightly trying to block his words out. "Scared she will want nothing to do with you because you let her go through life believing the woman she saw as an older sister was dead."

"So what if I am?!" Mimi snapped, confirming what Klaus said was true. "What if I am scared of all of it, Nik? Rebekah can hold grudges better than anyone. Her emotions tend to get the best of her — something she got from you," she sassed. "Seeing me alive isn't going to make her happy. It's going to hurt her, far worse than my death did," she painfully whispered.

Klaus stared at her. He wanted her to let it out but he didn't think she was truly that worried. He couldn't lie and say he had completely forgiven her, it still made his heart pang when he thought about how much time they could have had together had she come to him and told him the truth. Although he understood that it was and is very much Esther, Mikael and Evelyn's fault for everything that happened all those years ago.

He couldn't push her away and forget about her especially now that he knew the truth of her still living. That was why he had brought her with him — why he selfishly took her away from her new family. Because despite what she had done, despite how hurt he was, despite everything.

Klaus Mikaelson still undoubtedly loved Mira Emberson with his whole cold dead heart.

He knew the pain of her lying would always be there, just as the pain of him telling her he didn't love her a thousand years ago would always stick with her. They hurt each other in more ways than one because they were two destructive people. Who would most likely continue to hurt one another, and yet at the end of the day their hearts would always beat for the other no matter what.

"She will forgive you," he insisted. "Yes, Rebekah can be stubborn especially when she is hurt, but she loves you more than anything in the world. More than her own brothers," he chuckled, "she won't be able to be angry and hate you forever because she needs you. We all do."

Mimi looked into Klaus eyes that stared at her longingly, "none of you need me, Nik. I'm not someone that is worth being needed - not after what I've done."

"You have no idea how wrong you are, love," Klaus whispered, his gaze never faltering as he moved his hand to caress her cheek. "We all fell apart after losing you. None of us were ever the same. We became the worst versions of ourselves."

Mira laughed sadly, "you weren't the only ones."

"It might not be easy but Rebekah will come around. You being alive might mean there's hope for the Mikaelson family after all," he smiled.

Mimi didn't reply as the two held eye contact, Klaus' hand still stroking her cheek. She didn't think much of his words but they would mean a lot in the future.

The future of Klaus and Mira.

But in that moment it was as if the two were entranced with each other, afraid to look away. They didn't notice but they were unconscious and slowly leaning closer together. They felt each others breath on their skin.

"This can't happen," Mimi whispered so quietly that if Klaus wasn't so close he would have needed he enhanced hearing to hear it.

"Then pull away, love."

Mira bit her cheek, "I never had that kind of willpower when it came to you."

Klaus almost grinned at that but a voice stopped him from doing anything except being annoyed as Mimi pulled away quickly.

Mimi was snapped from the trance Klaus had caused - both pissed and yet thankful for as she took in the person that sat next to Klaus. "Here we go," she mumbled as Klaus was visibly angry when he realised what had happened.

  "I see they've opened the doors to the riff-raff now," the male hybrid said, not sparing a glance in the vampires direction.

  "Oh, honey, I've been called worse," Damon mused.

  "You don't give up, do you?" Klaus spoke as he played with a tiny umbrella.

  "Give me my brother back. You'll never have to see me again," Damon smirked.

  "Well, I am torn. You see, I promised Stefan and Mira that I wouldn't let you die, but how many freebies did I really sign up for? And clearly you want to die, otherwise you wouldn't be here, so..." Klaus mumbled to himself.

  "What can I say? I'm a thrill-seeker," Damon remarked, seemingly amused by everything.

  "And clearly a dumbass as well," Mimi snarked as she downed her drink.

  Klaus suddenly wrapped his hand around Damon's throat, lifting his body off the floor.

  "I'm boozey, so you'll forgive me if I miss your heart the first few tries," Klaus said before stabbing Damon in the stomach with the tiny umbrella, earning a grunt of pain.

  Mimi was still seated, not even watching the pair as she calmly drank her drink.

  "Oh! No, that's not it." Klaus stabbed him again, "Oh. Almost."

  "You want a partner in crime?" Damon strangled out, "Forget Stefan. I'm so much more fun."

  "Both of you only piss me off these days," Mimi spoke to herself, "must be a Salvatore thing."

Klaus threw the vampire back causing him to crash into a table and land on the ground. Klaus ripped off the leg of a chair for a makeshift stake, and crouched down, over Damon.

  "You won't be any fun after you're dead," Just as Klaus lifted his arm to kill Damon, Mira held out her hand and lazily set the stake alight with her magic. Klaus threw it away with a grunt of annoyance.

  "Really?" The Mikaelson asked, disappointed.

  "Have some respect and take it outside boys. You're not dogs," Mimi chuckled silently, "technically you aren't dogs."

  "Thank you, Mira," Gloria said in appreciation, having watched everything unfold and was going to intervene but the chaos witch beat her to it.

  Damon tried to sit up but Klaus shoved him back down, "You don't have to negotiate your brother's freedom. When I'm done with him, he won't want to go back."

  With that he let go of Damon, returning to the bar. Mimi stood and held her hand out the raven haired man. He reluctantly took it and let her pull him up.

  "Do yourself a favour and get out of here, Damon," she whispered firmly. "I'm done saving you from your own dumb mistakes."

  Damon stared at his old friend in sadness. It would never be the same. They would never trust each other again. Although he knew she still cared about him deep down because she continued to rescue him every time he almost got himself killed.

  The question was, what would he do when she stopped saving him and became the one trying to kill him?

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Caroline was now home in the comfort of her bed, drinking a blood bag. As she finished she handed it to her mother.

"Thank you," she whispered as she laid back.

"Honey, your dad, all our families, we have beliefs that have been passed on through generations. And we were taught never to stray from them," Liz said, trying to soothe her daughter's mental pain.

"You did," Caroline retorted softly.

"You taught me to look at things in a different way," Liz replied.

"I just thought that he was the one who got me."

"He did. He will again," Liz reassured.

They both turned their heads to the doorway where Adelaide appeared. Liz stood from the bed walking towards the door.

"Hey, mom?" Caroline spoke, causing Liz to turn back. "Thanks for believing in me."

Liz smiled at her daughter and gently rubbed Adelaide's arm giving her a smile as well as a nod in appreciation before she left the two alone.

  "Let me tell you," Addie started, "these past two days have sucked without you."

Caroline laughed a little but it turned into a sob, "He hates me. My dad hates me,"

Adelaide came over, sitting beside her, letting Caroline rest her head on her lap as she continued to cry, "then it's his loss carebear. If he can't see past the vampire stuff to see how brilliant his daughter is then it really sucks for him. He is an asshole for what he has done, if anything you should hate him."

Adelaide caressed Caroline's head as she continued to cry harder, "thank you," the younger blonde whispered through her tears.

"For what?" Addie asked, frowning.

"For saving me and being here. For everything," Caroline replied.

Addie smiled, "I'm starting to realise that I'd do anything for you, sunshine."

Caroline sobbed once again upon hearing the familiar nickname, "I miss Mimi."

Addie sighed as she hugged Caroline tighter to her, "me too, bub. Me too."

━━━━━━━

  Stefan, Klaus and Mira stood outside the warehouse that contained a possibly free Rebekah and Mimi's nerves were through the roof.

  Stefan stood away from the pair as he thought about his awful night and everything that he learnt.

Klaus grabbed the brunette's arm, "Mimi —"

"Don't," she cut him off, knowing he wanted to talk about what almost happened, "please don't."

Klaus only sighed and nodded, letting her go. Where did this leave them? And where the hell would they go from here? Neither of them knew.

The two would just pretend what happened or what almost happened outside meant nothing but deep down they knew the real truth.

  "You two should stay here," Klaus said as he moved to enter the warehouse. "Rebekah's gonna be mad at me but she should be happy with a surprise or two."

  He didn't even give the pair a second to reply as he entered. He was met with the guard he compelled dead on the floor covered in blood and Rebekah's empty coffin.

  "Rebekah," he called out, "It's your big brother. Come out, come out, wherever you are."

  Rebekah suddenly comes out of nowhere, shoving a dagger into him, "Go to hell, Nik!"

  Klaus pulled the dagger out of his chest and dropped it into the ground. "Don't pout. You knew it wouldn't kill me."

  "Yeah, but I was hoping it would hurt more," Rebekah spat before walking away from him.

  "I understand that you're upset with me, Rebekah, so I'm going to let that go," Klaus said, following his little sister. "Just this once. Brought you some peace offerings. You can come in."

  Stefan walked into the warehouse, stopping in front of the siblings, "Stefan," Rebekah whispered with a smile.

  Klaus walked towards him, "Now you remember."

  Stefan shut his eyes and the memories he had with the pair came rushing back, "Rebekah," he murmured, stepping forward to her.

  "Stefan," Klaus said, earning the vampires attention.

  "I remember you," Stefan voiced, "We were friends."

  "We are friends," Klaus corrected. He looked back at Rebekah, he had to ask her a question before he reunited her with Mira, "and now the reason you're here. Gloria tells me you know how to contact the original witch."

"The original witch?" Rebekah asked in distaste.

  "What do you have that Gloria needs?" Klaus queried sternly.

  Rebekah touched her neck, expecting something to be there but was met with nothing, "Where's my necklace? What did you do with it? I never take it off!"

  "I don't know. I didn't touch it," Klaus replied.

  "We need to find it, Nik. Now, I want it back!

  "Tell me that's not what she needs, Rebekah!"

  She runs over to the coffin, searching for it but doesn't find it so she threw it onto the floor in anger.

  Klaus sighed, "okay, okay. One thing at a time. For now you need to see her."

  Rebekah turned to him with furrowed brows, wondering what he was talking about, "see who?"

"Come on out, Mimi. Don't be shy now."

  Rebekah's eyes widened at the name, "what did you say?" She questioned in shock.

  Klaus smiled in the direction behind his sister causing the blonde original to turn quickly. Mimi stood behind her with a pained expression as she came face to face with her.

  Both girls eyes filled with tears as they stared at one another, "Lettie," Rebekah softly said.

  "Hi, Bekah," Mimi whispered.

  Tears spilled from Rebekah's eyes, "how? Y-you we're d-dead. I watched you die," she stammered.

  "I have a lot to tell you," Mira said with a small tear falling down her own cheek. She always hated seeing Rebekah cry but for the first time ever, she was the reason the girl was crying.

  Rebekah didn't waste another second as she ran towards her older sister, falling into her arms. Mimi wrapped her own arms around the crying vampire, letting her hand soothe her blonde hair.

  Rebekah looked up at the brunettes taking her face into her hands as if making sure she weren't fake. Hopping that somehow her brother wasn't playing a cruel joke on her.

"You're here," Rebekah repeated between sobs.

  "I'm here," Mimi gave a small smile, afraid to tell her that she's been around the entire time.

  Rebekah frowned, "how'd you come back?"

  Mira couldn't form a sentence. Klaus stepped forward knowing she couldn't say it.

  "She came back a thousand years ago," he informed, "as a vampire."

  It took a minute for it to settle in before she pulled away from Mira, "what?"

  "Rebekah —" Mimi started but was cut off.

  "You've been alive the entire time?" She asked in a choked voice as if holding back another sob.

  Mimi looked down as she nodded solemnly.

  Rebekah shook her head, "the entire time?" She asked again.

  Stefan stood back watching everything unfold. He had been trying to figure out the story behind Mira Emberson and yet she was too complicated for such a thing.

  "Why? Why didn't you come to us? Come to me?" Rebekah exclaimed, her anger rising.

  More tears fell down Mimi's face as she struggled to answer, "so much happened back then, Rebekah. So much you don't know."

  "But it's been a thousand years, Miralette!" Rebekah shouted, "you've had a thousand years! Everything in me broke when you died and now I find out you've been alive the whole time."

The two didn't notice Klaus dragging Stefan out of the warehouse. Leaving the girls alone.

"Will you let me explain everything? From start to finish. Just hear me out and then you can let all your anger out."

Hesitantly Rebekah nodded.

Mimi told a deep breath before starting her story, "I woke up after Mikael had killed me..."

━━━━━━━

Rebekah sat there in shock with tears filling up her eyes after Mira had finished. She really didn't know everything had happened and a lot happened.

"But you still stayed away," Rebekah's voice broke, "why?"

Mimi sighed, "because I was scared. As much as I hate to admit it Mikael still terrifies me to this day even if he can't get me. And I was a coward. I didn't even know how to tell you all I was alive. I couldn't exactly show up and be like 'hey guys, how's things? By the way, i'm not dead.' Could I?"

  "You could have come to us," Rebekah stated, "all any of us ever wanted was to have you back. Our family fell apart after you were gone. We grieved in different ways, it was chaos."

  Mimi didn't reply, she didn't know what to say. So they sat there, in the empty warehouse - silence surrounding them.

"I'm sorry, Bekah," Mira mumbled pathetically after a moment. What could she say to make it better, to excuse her letting them live in grief of losing someone they loved and cared about.

Could she say she was a coward? Would that make her feel better? No, because that's not the kind of explanation Rebekah or even Klaus we're looking for. They were left with their own thoughts trying to figure why she let me believe she was dead.

All Rebekah could think was that Mimi just didn't want to be apart of their messed up family. Which no one could blame her for but that didn't mean it hurt any less. And when Rebekah was hurt she let her anger take over.

  The blonde smiled bitterly as a tear dropped from her left eye, "sorry? You're sorry, Mira? That's all you've got?"

  Mimi looked at her with a look that showed her heart was breaking and she knew Rebekah was not finished just yet.

"I can't forgive you," the blonde chocked out as she stood up from her seat. "Not after how much pain I went through trying to grieve you. I need time."

  Mira nodded, "I know, and I understand," she whispered. "I should have stayed dead back then," she muttered to herself.

  Rebekah had more tears flowing down her eyes, "yeah, maybe you should have," she was no longer thinking what she was saying. Now far to consumed with anger and betrayal. "At least in death, it meant you weren't leaving us willingly."

  Mimi covered her mouth a she let out a sob at the words, "Rebekah..." she cried as she stood and moved out to reach for the blonde but Rebekah stepped back. That broke Mimi inside. Rebekah was right, she left them willingly and she hardly looked back. They all believed she left their lives involuntarily but that wasn't the case. Mira was selfish - she always knew it and she's no longer trying to believe otherwise.

  "No! Mimi, please don't," she whimpered. "You were tortured. Put through something that you didn't deserve by my mother and father. By your own mother. I can't imagine what that was like. But they were gone. All of them no longer around to keep us apart and yet on your own free will you no longer wanted to be apart of our family anymore. You didn't want to be my sister anymore. You stayed away, hidden for so long. Now you're here in front of me expecting forgiveness that I can't give you."

  "Goddamn it, Rebekah. I don't expect forgiveness!" Mimi snapped. "I won't excuse what've I've put you through. You just have to know that none of this was because I didn't want to be your sister or be apart of your family. My own insecurities stopped me from reaching out to you but that is no excuse." Mimi tried to stop her tears but seeing the broken look on Rebekah's face as she listened wasn't helping.

  "I love you, Rebekah. I always have and that has never changed. I've watched you grow from afar. I thought about you all the time. I didn't just forget about you. You were and alway will be my baby sister."

  Rebekah crumpled, falling to her knees with a hand cover her mouth failing to conceal her sobs. Mimi wanted to fall with her just like she always did when she was younger but was afraid to be pushed away again.

  Taking the chance — the brunette slowly stepped closer and bent down to the younger girls level. Mimi grabbed her free hand and pulled the other from the blondes mouth. She gave her a moment and when Rebekah made no movement to shove her away Mimi pulled her into her lap.

  Rebekah clung to her like she was afraid Mimi would disappear again. Leave her all alone and never look back for another thousand years.

  Rebekah broke down in the hybrids lap letting everything out, "you didn't protect me from the monsters, Lettie."

  Mira looked down, disappointed in herself, "But, I'm here now, Bekah," she tried to reassure, "I won't promise you because my promise probably means nothing now, but I am here. I'm not going anywhere this time."

"I don't know if I believe you," Rebekah said through her tears, hearing Mimi inhale deeply at the confession. "But, I do need you."

  "I need you too, Beks."

  Rebekah didn't forgive - she might never. But she loved her with everything in her. Just like Klaus, Rebekah couldn't push her away or have nothing to do with her. Regardless of the anger that was boiling in her - Rebekah always has and always will need Miralette Emberson.

Only this time, she swore to never let her go.

author note
I've only just reread this story and it needs a lot of work but I decided to just edit this chapter.

I'm not gonna lie I forgot about this book. I haven't had much motivation for this book lately so I'm not sure what I'm gonna do with it honestly.

-Kaylee