CHAPTER 38.6: Did you smack him?
WARNINGS: temporary death, violence, blood

THE SIX GIRLS ENTERED THE Mystic Grill. A whole bunch of people were already there, dancing and having a great time as they listened to the band play.

"Wow!" Elena laughed as she looked around at all the people.

All of them began to dance or sway to the music, Caroline spinning Hayley around much to the brunette's amusement.

Jenna grinned a bit at the girls and just the excitement of the night until she saw her wife. Bianca and she made eye contact for a split second before the dark-skinned woman ducked her head and walked away.

Jenna sighed a bit. "I need a drink," she said, heading toward the bar.

Caroline grabbed her wrist before she could get too far. "Just talk to her," she told her, squeezing the woman's hand before letting her go.

Jenna sighed again and gave the blonde a smile before she continued on her way.

Caroline grinned a bit even as her eyes met Matt's. The boy passed them, grabbed somebody's drink that needed a refill, and then walked away. Caroline grimaced a bit, looking over at her girlfriends who were frowning after the boy.

"Things just got real awkward," Bonnie drawled.

Athena laughed a little, nudging Bonnie with her shoulder. "I'll get us some drinks," she said.

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BIANCA CAME UP behind Jenna hesitantly, rubbing her hands together. Jenna turned a bit when she felt her presence, meeting her eyes for a moment before turning away.

Bianca sighed a bit and leaned against the counter. "Ashes," she greeted.

"Mm. So you're talking to me now?" Jenna raised an eyebrow, looking over at her wife.

Bianca winced a little and dropped her head a bit. "I apologize for that," she said sincerely, reaching for her wife. Jenna huffed a bit and stepped into the hybrid's arms. "I wasn't thinking straight yesterday."

Jenna smirked a little. "When are you ever thinking straight?" She joked quietly, kissing Bianca's cheek.

The hybrid rolled her eyes, grinning as she pressed a kiss to Jenna's lips. "I love you. I know you're just trying to protect me. I'm sorry that I snapped at you."

Jenna twirled one of Bianca's curls around her finger, her other hand caressing her wife's chin. "You are forgiven. And I'm sorry for being so rude about it. I didn't mean to upset you more than you already were."

Bianca smiled a bit, leaning her forehead against Jenna's. "Apology accepted."

Jenna grinned. 

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"CARE?" ELENA ASKED.

"Hmm?" Caroline acknowledged, turning her gaze away from Hayley to look at her friend.

"Have you talked to Lorelei since school? After I showed her around she just kind of disappeared. I didn't even see her at lunch," Elena said. It had been on her mind all day. She didn't want to think that Lorelei was avoiding her, but she couldn't help but feel like that was happening.

Caroline tilted her head, thinking. "She came home after school with Gray, Olivia, and their friends. I think they had lunch in a classroom or something. Why?" She asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.

Elena shrugged. "No reason," she dismissed.

Hayley cocked an eyebrow. "Right," she said, not believing the girl.

Caroline glanced over at Athena who was leaning against the counter, her face screwed up a bit. She hadn't been as smiley as Caroline had become used too. Caroline looked at the band, thinking. She came to a decision, shrugging off her jacket. She handed it to a very confused Hayley.

"What are you doing? Where are you going?" Elena asked, her brows furrowed. Caroline doesn't answer, heading toward the stage. Elena and Bonnie share a look then turn to Hayley. "Where is she going?"

Hayley shrugged her shoulders, looking just as bewildered as them.

Athena came back just as Caroline hopped onto stage. "Hey, everybody," she said into the mic.

Elena and Bonnie stared at their best friend, open-mouthed and eyes wide.

Hayley was smiling slightly even though she was still very confused. Athena tilted her head, watching the blonde.

"Let's hear it for the band!" Caroline exclaimed, gesturing to the men behind her. Everyone clapped and whooped as Caroline clapped first.

Jenna came to stand beside her mother with Bianca following close behind.

"Weren't they awesome?" Caroline asked and the cheers grew louder.

"This isn't gonna end well," Jenna said before throwing back her shot. Athena blindly flicked Jenna's head much to the woman's dismay.

Elena looked over at Jenna, her mouth opening and closing before she looked at her best friend again.

"So there's these two girls," Caroline started as she fidgeted with the mic. It had been a while since she did anything like this. "And, uh... they've been having a rough couple of days." She chuckled nervously. "Um, you know, just 'cause I talk a lot doesn't mean I always know what to say or what I'm actually talking about. Uh, like now, I'm feeling loopy and I don't really know what I'm doing."

Jenna and Bianca shared a look, one awkward and the other amused. Hayley and Athena were both smiling, amused, and just very in love.

The lead singer reached for the mic but Caroline grabbed it quickly. "Um... I can sing. Yeah!" She glanced around nervously, smiling.

"Sing?" Elena repeated. She looked at her aunts, best friend, and Caroline's girlfriends.

Hayley shrugged, "she's got a nice voice."

"Yeah. I'm gonna sing," Caroline said.

"Come on, off the stage," the lead singer said, gesturing toward the crowd as he looked unimpressed at Caroline.

The blonde turned toward him, staring him in the eye. "You are gonna let me live out my rock star fantasies and you are gonna be my backup," she compelled.

His pupils widened before they dilated again. "What will it be?"

Caroline beamed and leaned closer to whisper her song choice in her ear.

Athena tried to listen to what it was, but Caroline was speaking too low. Along with the static from the speakers and the chatter from the crowd, she couldn't hear it.

"I can't believe this is happening right now," Bonnie said.

Caroline looked back out at the crowd, finding Athena and Hayley's eyes. She grinned at them earning a smile back from both her girlfriends.

The band began to play a tune.

Caroline took a deep breath before starting to sing. "Close your eyes, give me your hands, darlings / Do you feel my heart beating?"

Elena and Bonnie slowly began to smile as her calming, soothing voice washed over them.

"She's good," Jenna said, smirking over at her mother and Hayley. Elena nodded in agreement.

"Yeah," Athena breathed, "she is."

"Do you understand? / Do you feel the same?" Caroline winced a bit when her voice broke on a high note, but that didn't make her stop. "Am I only dreaming? / Is this burning an eternal flame?"

Athena whooped, grinning as she and Hayley both began to sway to her voice.

Caroline's smile widened, everyone being able to hear it in her voice. "I believe it's meant to be, darlings / I watch you when you are sleeping / You both belong with me." Caroline didn't break eye contact with her girlfriends, hoping that they could hear everything that's been unsaid between them.

Jenna looked up at Bianca, smiling softly at her wife who wrapped her arms around her from behind. Bianca leaned down to kiss her, leaning their heads together.

Elena thought about Lorelei, holding her elbows as she watched her aunts. She wished the hybrid was here.

"Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming? / Is this burning an eternal flame? / Say my name / Sun shines through the rain," Caroline's eyes turn toward her best friends, grinning at their prideful and shocked smiles.

Elena shook her head a bit, in disbelief at her best friend, before she glanced over at Hayley and Athena who were mesmerized. They hadn't broken their stare at their girlfriend since it began.

"A whole life so lonely / You come and ease the pain / I don't want to lose this feeling, oh-h-h."

Elena's grin widened, almost splitting her face. Bonnie's whole face was pure shock and awe at her friend's voice. Hayley may or may not have tears in her eyes and Athena was laughing a bit, not even hiding her watery eyes as she put her hands over her mouth.

"No-o-o," Caroline sang, closing her eyes. When she opened them, Hayley was hopping up onto the stage. "Hayls, I—" The werewolf slid a hand behind her girlfriend's neck and pulled her in, kissing her firmly.

The crowd cheered. Elena and Bonnie were the loudest as they whooped and clapped. They held onto each other, endlessly happy for their friend.

"WHOO!" Jenna and Bianca cheered. Jenna held up her beer bottle as she laughed.

Athena was standing near the front of the stage, smiling as she watched her girlfriends. "Dip her!" Athena called over the ruckus.

Hayley grinned a bit, pulling away just enough to do as she was told. She dipped Caroline, the blonde's head near where Athena was standing. The redhead smiled at the blonde. Caroline smiled back softly, reaching behind her to caress Athena's jaw and giving her a kiss too.

None of them cared how it looked or if people were disgusted by them. They were happy. They were together.

The cheers grew louder at the dip. Elena jumped up and down in excitement, shaking Bonnie who was giggling with her friend.

"Yeah!" Bianca called out, clapping her hands over Jenna's head before she wrapped her arms back around her wife.

Caroline and Athena pulled away from each other, Hayley pulling the blonde upright again. Caroline laughed in delight, hugging the brunette and hiding her flaming cheeks in her neck.

Athena hopped up on stage and hugged them both. Hayley and Caroline were quick to wrap their arms around Athena. The redhead pressed a kiss to Hayley's temple, laughing with them as everybody around them cheered.

"I love both of you," Caroline said, tangling her fingers into their hair.

"We love you too," Hayley said, hugging her girlfriends closer.

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ATHENA CHECKS HER phone as she sits down at the table the girls had grabbed. She had gone to get the drinks she ordered earlier since she had ditched them to come see what Caroline was up to.

Four missed calls from lucianas wife

Ten missed calls from luciana

Twenty messages from lucianca

Five messages from lucianas wife

She frowned a bit, confused. She clicked on Katherine's first considering she had the least amount and didn't seem as angry.

luciancas wife

Damon just fucking TORCHED
the witch kid you made a deal with

If you don't answer your phone, Lu
will gut me, woman

I REPEAT. DAMON TORCHED
YOUR WITCH KID.

Athena, why the fuck do you never
have your phone on?? Stop putting
that bitch on SILENT.

I hate you so much and I hope you
choke on your own blood and die.

Athena blinked a bit. Well. Now she was scared to check Luciana's messages. So she wasn't going to. Her brows furrowed in annoyance at the top three messages.

Luka had on a ring so he'd be okay. He may have PTSD from being lit on fire, but he'd come back to life. Jonas was going to be a problem though.

"Hmm," Athena hummed, thinking about what to do next. She should probably find Jonas.

lucianas wife

did you smack him?

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

KATHERINE SAT ON the couch. The kids had been sent to an early curfew after what happened with Elijah. Some adults were still mingling around, mostly witches who were updating the spells to keep people from astral projecting.

Luciana was sitting on the other couch, flipping through a grimoire. She had been in charge for one day and shit had already hit the fan. The separated wives hadn't spoken, much to Katherine's dismay.

Katherine glanced up when Damon walked into the room with another blood bag. He handed it to her. "Here you go," he said. She took it, not bothering with a 'thank you'. Suddenly, a stake was shoved through her stomach. She cried out more from shock than pain.

Luciana jumped at the sound, her head snapping up.

"What the hell?" Katherine snarled, glaring up at Damon.

Damon was suddenly thrown across the room, landing very, very hard on the floor. Katherine coughed a bit, looking over at Luciana as she gripped the stake. The blonde woman had stood up, her eyes blazing with an anger Katherine had grown accustomed to. An anger that made Katherine fall for her in the first place. It had been many years since that anger was directed at her.

"I am so tired of you Salvatores," Luciana snapped, her fingers slowly closing into a fist as she glared at Damon, slowly stalking toward him, "Katerina is a guest in this house. One that Athena already warned you not to harm. You both believe that you're untouchable just because Athena hasn't murdered you yet."

Katherine yanked the stake out, setting it on the table. She frowned at her ruined shirt, now having two holes and two blood stains.

"Ugh," Damon groaned, holding his head.

Katherine stood up from her spot on the couch, watching Luciana only. She couldn't care less what happened to Damon. Athena would get over his death.

At least, she didn't care until she saw the little girl staring at the scene with wide eyes. Katherine shot toward Luciana, wrapping her arms around the woman from behind and breaking her concentration.

"Katerina, get—"

"Shhh," Katherine muttered into her ear, her eyes focused on the little girl who was hiding behind the wall, "in front of you, near the entryway, toward the ground." Luciana looked, her whole body sagging a bit when she saw the kid.

"Julia, honey, what are you doing up?" Luciana asked, keeping her voice soft as she made her way over to the girl. She was only four, one of the youngest they had here. She was the daughter of two of the werewolves who had been trying for a kid for a long time.

"Try'na 'ind mama," Julia whispered, rubbing her eyes and hugging her blanket close.

Luciana hummed and scooped her up. "Okay, honey. Let's go find mama, yeah?" She smiled softly as the girl leaned her head against her shoulder, nodding tiredly. When she was sure Julia wasn't looking, she shot Damon a dark look which actually made the man flinch a little, then disappeared into the hallway.

Katherine watched after her, not even blinking. She seemed lost in her memories. At least, from what Damon could see.

He groaned as he sat up, his head pounding much to his dismay. His body ached, his healing going so slow. "Seriously, who the hell is that?" He asked as he slowly stood up.

Katherine's eyes flicked over at him. Then she spun on her heel and walked back toward the couch. "Gonna tell me what the fuck that shit was you just pulled?" She asked.

"It was for not telling me the dagger would kill me," Damon said through clenched teeth, rolling his shoulder. "Next time... it'll go in your heart."

"Ooh, I'm so scared," Katherine mocked, rolling her eyes. "You do realize I could've killed you every time you laid a hand on me today. I just didn't because it would be of no use with that ring on your finger." She sat down heavily, huffing. "You probably shouldn't treat someone who is trying to help you like that, by the way."

"If you wanna help, start talking," Damon drawled as he walked toward the front door, planning on going home.

"I'd love to, but you're not going to like it," Katherine smirked.

"Try me," Damon said, raising his hands up.

Katherine raised an eyebrow, standing up. "Fine," she said, "John Gilbert and Isobel want you and Stefan out of Elena's life. Oh, and especially Athena."

Damon rolled his eyes. "That's old news."

"Not the part where he offered me a deal," she said, crossing her arms. Damon shook his head, unbelieving. "He gave me a choice. Either I stay and help with Klaus or he kills Athena." She hadn't bought it, knowing that only one thing could permanently kill Athena, but then John had shown her a picture. And she had panicked.

Damon raised an eyebrow. "But he still tried to kill me," he smirked as if he got her there.

Katherine rolled her eyes a bit. "Right. That was part of the deal. I could only save one of you."

Realization falls over Damon's face. "So you chose Athena."

Katherine smirked a bit, tilting her head. "I said it was always Athena, didn't I?"

Damon closed his eyes, his lips thinning. He scoffed through his nose, smiling at the ground. "Of course, you did."

Katherine shrugged. "You wanted the truth, Damon. Would you rather I lie?" She asked.

Damon shook his head, waving his hand. He walked away, sulking.

Katherine hummed and walked over to the table, picking up her phone. She saw a text from Athena. A singular text.

barbie and wolfie's simp
did you smack him?

She scoffed, rolling her eyes in amusement. Her friend was such an idiot.

She quickly made her way to Luciana's room where she heard the witch heading. She appeared in the doorway just as Luciana tried to close the door on her. Katherine held a hand against it, keeping it halfway open easily.

"Wait, wait," Katherine said, not passing the threshold of the room as she stared into her ex-wife's eyes, "can we talk?"

Luciana shot her a deadpan stare. "Me trying to slam the door in your face wasn't answer enough for you?"

Katherine stared back at her, unimpressed. "I get it. You hate me. Whatever. Let me talk and then I won't bother you again, okay?"

Luciana seemed to be contemplating it for a moment. A long moment. Then the witch sighed, opening the door wider. Katherine relaxed, stepping into the room.

She glanced around, not having had the time to really take everything in earlier. It looked like their old room except minus Katherine's things. Bookcases, plants, candles everywhere. Luciana always liked to use candles more than electricity in the bedroom.

"You asked about Elena earlier," Katherine began, slowly turning around, "I just wanted to tell you that no, I didn't tell her anything about the past. Nobody knows anything." She sighed when she got no response from Luciana. Not even an eye twitch. The woman was an expert at hiding her emotions, possibly better than Katherine and Athena combined. "I also wanted to tell you that Athena responded. One message though. All it said was 'did you smack him?' Which is, honestly, a very Athena thing to say—"

"Shut up," Luciana said, having made her way toward Katherine. She shoved the vampire down onto the desk chair and sat in her lap. Katherine's hands went to her hips automatically, tugging her closer. "I'm tired of hearing you talk," she muttered, dragging Katherine's head to her and kissing her hard. 

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ELENA'S PHONE STARTED ringing and she pulled it out of her pocket. She grimaced a bit when she saw it was Stefan. She answered, placing the phone to her ear. "What?" She asked. Her brows furrowed when she heard him speaking, but couldn't make out what he was saying. "I can't hear you."

Caroline shot her a confused look, but Elena just shrugged.

"Hold on," Elena said as she gave her friends a 'one minute' look as she moved toward the back entrance of the Grill.

Athena tensed a bit when she felt a familiar aura nearby. She turned to look at the door just as Jonas entered. Bonnie looked at him too, having noticed him come in.

He seemed to be looking for someone.

"Find Elena," Athena told the three girls as she made her way to Jonas, pulling out her phone and dialing Katherine's number. It picked up after the third ring.

"What the fuck do you want?" Luciana's voice came through the line sounding annoyed.

Athena scrunched her nose in disgust. "I need Katherine. Jonas is going after Elena. She'll know what she needs to do," she said then ended the call. "Dr. Martin. You okay?" She asked as he turned to face her.

"Where is she?" He demanded, not interested in playing games.

Athena raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand."

"My son is dead," Jonas snapped, his eyes dead and cold. He slowly stalked toward her, but she wasn't afraid of him.

"Whatever it is you think you need to do, stop thinking it," Athena said, meeting his eyes head-on. She was an Original. "I think it's time you start showing me some respect."

"You killed my son," Jonas spat, "you don't deserve respect."

"I didn't kill your son. You did. Luka and I, we had a deal. Had you not forced his hand like you probably did, he wouldn't have endured that. Besides, I gave Luka a ring. He'll wake up," she drawled, crossing her arms and glaring up at him.

Jonas glared at her. "How dare you? My son... is dead and you are still trying to play mind games. They killed Elijah and they killed Luka. My only shot to get my daughter back is if I have Elena."

"You're not going to get her," Athena said.

Jonas, his anger increasing, turned his head. He blew up the lights above the stage causing people to jump and stare. "Where is she?" He demanded.

Athena raised an eyebrow.

Jonas clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. All the lightbulbs in the Grill began shattering. People screamed and ducked to hide their heads. 

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"ELENA?" CAROLINE ASKED as she checked the bathroom. She hadn't seen where her friend had gone. Hayley went to check outside while Bonnie went to check around the restaurant.

She looked up when the lights went out, confused. She turned toward the door just as it opened. Lorelei and Elena came in with Stefan trailing behind them.

"We have a problem," Elena said.

Caroline tilted her head. "What's going on?"

"Jonas is here and he's after Elena," Lorelei explained.

Caroline's eyes widened. That's why Athena wanted them to find Elena. "Oh, my God!"

"We have a plan," Stefan said, "but I need to get Elena out of here."

Caroline eyed him for a moment before looking at Lorelei. "What can I do?" 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"NO ONE IS getting out of here until I have her," Jonas threatened.

Athena's hand wrapped around his neck, squeezing hard enough that it cut off his airway. "Do not speak to me like that. I don't care how you feel about me, you'll show me respect. I gave your son a deal and he accepted. I gave your son immortality. I am a Goddamn Original. I can have every one of your body parts ripped from your body before you could even say my name."

Jonas gripped her wrist, trying and failing to push her away. He lifted his hand causing glass to shatter along the wood. Flames lit up along the line of alcohol on the wood.

Athena rolled her eyes and dropped him. She was quick to leave to grab Luka, undoing the spell that kept everyone in the restaurant.

She appeared in the doorway of the Martin's apartment, staring down at the boy who was breathing heavily, rubbing his chest. "Good you're alive," she drawled, grabbing the back of his shirt and yanking him up.

Luka gasped, his eyes wide in terror. "Wait, wait! Please! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! My dad didn't believe you and—and—"

"Relax," Athena sighed, setting him on his feet, "you're fine. I don't kill teenagers anyway. Let's go." She grabbed him, dragging him back to the Grill.

Back at the Grill, Caroline had attacked Jonas to give Lorelei some time to get Elena out of the restaurant. She hadn't really gone against a witch stronger than Bonnie yet, even in training, so it was a shock to her system when the aneurysm spell was actually causing her pain.

She cried out, putting her hands on her head. She screamed in agony, almost pulling out her hair.

"Caroline!" Hayley shouted, letting go of Bonnie who was being helped by both her and Matt. She rushed over, shoving the witch into the wall with glowing eyes. "Drop the spell!" She growled.

"Hayley, no!" Caroline cried out.

Jonas grabbed a bottle, smashing the bottom of it and sticking the sharp end into Hayley's neck. The werewolf's eyes widened, blood pooling in her mouth. She cried out as Jonas dug it further into her neck.

"NO!" Caroline shot electricity from her fingers at him, the bolt connecting with his right arm.

He cried out, stumbling away from Hayley and holding his arm to him. He couldn't feel it, the smell of burning flesh and the sight of it telling him it was even still there.

Hayley crumbled to the ground, her fingers reaching helplessly for the glass in her neck.

"What the hell?" Matt said. Jonas smacked him over the head with a bottle, knocking him clean out.

"Hayley, Hayley," Caroline sobbed, crawling over to her girlfriend. The werewolf coughed up the blood that pooled in her throat, looking up at the blonde. "Athena! Athena, please!"

The Heretic in question appeared beside her as soon as the last syllable was out of her mouth. Her eyes were wide, staring down at her girlfriend in shock. "I'm going to pull it out," Athena told Hayley gently, brushing the werewolf's hair back.

Hayley nodded.

The redhead pulled the glass out, picking out the shards. Caroline's hands were smeared with Hayley's blood, the terror on the blonde's face sickening. "Breathe, Caroline. Just breathe," the blonde muttered to herself, her voice trembling.

Athena tossed the glass to the side and looked down at the werewolf's lidded eyes. Her wound was healing, thankfully. "You'll be okay, my love," she said, letting Hayley grip her hand. The redhead turned toward Caroline, setting her hand on Caroline's neck, forcing the blonde to look at her since she hadn't taken her eyes off of Hayley's wound. "She's going to be okay."

Caroline nodded, breathing heavily.

Athena bit her wrist and put it in Hayley's mouth to help the wound heal quicker. Hayley gratefully took a sip of her blood, sighing in relief when she felt like she could breathe again.

Caroline kissed Hayley's forehead, resting there for a moment as she listened to the werewolf's heartbeat return to normal. She breathed out in relief.

"I'm okay," Hayley promised.

Caroline smiled a bit, blinking away the tears in her eyes. The blonde crawled over to Matt who was blinking slowly, not looking entirely there. His head was bleeding and Caroline could tell he'd die if they didn't do something.

Half of her contemplated it. Relished in the thought of not having the boy around to pester her anymore.

The other half thought about Ms. Donovan and Matt's friends. It wasn't his fault that he was dragged into this when he knew nothing about it. Plus, his dying wasn't something they needed at the moment.

His blood though was causing her to struggle a little bit. She had great control over her bloodlust, at least she thought she did. Her eyes blackened, veins protruding under her eyes. Matt's eyes widened, wincing. She breathed out, controlling herself and making her eyes return to normal.

She bit into her wrist and forced her blood into his mouth. He swallowed unwillingly.

"Come on, we gotta go," Athena said, placing a hand on Caroline's back.

The blonde nodded. "We can't just leave him here. He saw me," she said.

Athena hesitated, then placed a sleeping spell on the boy. She stepped around her girlfriend and grabbed Matt's arm. She yanked him up, throwing him over her shoulders.

"Come on," she said, walking out.

"Where's my Dad?" Luka asked, confused as he watched the three women walk out with an unconscious Matt.

"You didn't see him?" Athena demanded, glaring at the boy. She was going to kill Jonas when she got her hands on him.

Luka shook his head quickly. "I was helping someone who got burned. He must've slipped past me. I'm sorry," he said.

Athena grunted and went to her car that she brought here earlier. She sat Matt in the back, buckling him in. She gestured for the other three to get in. Luka slid in beside Matt and Hayley sat beside the witch. Caroline slid into the passenger seat.

Athena got into the driver's seat and started the car.

Then they were off to Elena's house.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

LORELEI AND ELENA enter the house. Stefan follows behind them. He hadn't left them alone, unfortunately, and it didn't seem like he would until this was over.

"Thank God," Bonnie breathed as she quickly stood up. Jeremy followed after her.

"It's not over yet," Elena dismissed, looking up.

"What's going on?" Jeremy asked, confused.

"He'll explain," Lorelei replied as Elena went up the stairs. The werewolf watched her for a moment, pacing a bit as she set her hands on her hips.

Stefan's brows furrowed. "When did you guys get home?"

"A few minutes ago," Bonnie shrugged.

"Did you check the house?" He asked, looking around.

"And why would we check the house?" Jeremy scoffed.

Elena climbed up the stairs, looking around. She went into the bathroom, breathing a sigh of relief. She turned on the water and rolled up her sleeves. She ducked her hands under the water, cupping them.

She looked up, gasping when she saw Jonas in the doorway. She tried to run but Jonas grabbed her arm.

His eyes widened when he saw the veins and dark red eyes staring back at him. Katherine lunged at his neck, sinking her fangs into the skin. She shoved him to the ground after she was finished, running her tongue over her lips.

Lorelei, Stefan, and Bonnie all run up the stairs, standing at the entrance.

Katherine leans against the counter, nodding toward Lorelei. "You're welcome."

Bonnie moved into the room, kneeling beside the man. She looked up at Katherine, her eyes slightly misty. "You didn't have to kill him," she said.

"Yes. I did," Katherine said, glancing down at the witch.

Bonnie sighed heavily and moved toward his head. She reached forward, moving to close his eyes when suddenly, he awoke and grabbed the woman's head.

Bonnie screamed, trying to push him away. "Get him off!" She screamed.

Lorelei and Katherine shot forward, the younger of the two snapping his neck. Bonnie stumbled backward, breathing heavily. Katherine put her shoe up against the witch's neck, silence filling the room as they waited to see if he woke up again.

Athena appeared in the doorway, staring down at the witch. She frowned a bit, sad she couldn't've been the one to kill him. Her arm shot out, stopping Luka from entering the room.

"Dad!" Luka cried, his eyes wide as he stared down at his dead father.

Stefan and Bonnie stared at Luka in shock. "You... you're supposed to be dead. I saw you dead," Stefan said.

"Dad," Luka whispered, clutching onto Athena's arm. He turned to her, his eyes a little wild now. "You—You have to help him! Please, please! We're sorry for everything, I promise! Just help him, please," Luka sobbed desperately.

Jonas stood above his own body, watching his son helplessly. His face was softer now, the craze that had fallen over him subdued at the sight of his son alive.

Athena knew that look. She had lived that look. Except her son hadn't come back and she hadn't died. She had to live with the knowledge of her son's death and the fact that she'd never be able to see him again for the rest of her life.

Athena looked at Luka solemnly. "I cannot," she said softly, apologetically. She dropped her arm, letting the teenager go to his father. Athena followed, kneeling on Jonas' other side.

"What are you doing?" Katherine asked, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"I'm putting him to rest, Katerina," Athena replied, not looking away from Jonas' face. She reached forward, closing his eyes.

"Oh," Katherine murmured, nodding. Lorelei grabbed Bonnie's wrist, gently guiding the older girl out of the room. Katherine shoved Stefan away from the door, shutting it behind them.

Athena cast a spell over the room, silencing it. Then she placed a hand on Jonas' neck wound. She dragged her fingers over it, the skin healing at her touch. She then placed a hand on Jonas' chest.

The lights began to flicker. Luka shuddered at the raw magic coming from the woman, crawling away from her. It was far too much, he felt like his skin was turned inside out.

She chanted a series of words in Greek, her eyes shifting from her normal sky blue to a terrifying orange color. Black flames seemed to be dancing in them, a glimpse at a much more terrifying creature flicking in them.

Abruptly, the lights stopped and Athena's mutters ceased.

Her eyes flickered back to normal and the older woman sagged against the counter, breathing heavily. She curled into herself, pain radiating through her body. She almost screamed at how much it hurt.

Luka watched her, his eyes wide with concern and curiosity. He had no idea what she had just done—

Luka yelped a bit when Jonas suddenly sat up with a gasp. "What the fuck?!" The teenager shouted, staring at his now very much alive father.

Jonas blinked a couple of times before his eyes met Luka's. A relief only a parent could feel filled him as he reached for his son, pulling him into the tightest hug he'd probably ever given him. One hand cradled the back of his head, the other clutching the teenager's shirt.

"I—I thought you were dead," Luka said, clutching onto his father for dear life.

Athena grunted a bit, uncurling. "He was. Now he's not," she drawled, standing up and shaking out her tired limbs. She was exhausted. So very exhausted.

"But—But how?" Luka stuttered, staring at her in awe.

Athena shrugged. The Martins stood up, Jonas turning to face the woman. "Thank you," he said sincerely, staring at her with such gratitude it made Athena's skin crawl. She wasn't used to being stared at like that anymore. "I owe you an apology. For everything that I did tonight. I wasn't thinking clearly. I should've never laid a hand on your partners—"

"No, you shouldn't've," Athena agreed. Then she sighed. "But I understand why you did it. Why you did everything tonight. I know what it feels like. The loss of a child." Her eyes glaze over as the memory takes hold of her, curling around her neck and weighing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Jonas set his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it. Her eyes snapped back to his, coming back to herself. "Thank you, again," Jonas said.

Athena gave a curt nod. She held out her hand to Luka who tilted his head in confusion. Athena glanced down at his ring. "Oh," Luka said, quickly surrendering the ring back to the woman. Athena stuffed it in her pocket.

"Time to get your family reunited, no?" Athena asked.

Luka laughs a bit in disbelief, grinning at the thought of finally seeing his sister again. Jonas smiles a bit as well.

"Go out the window. Stay quiet. Don't let anybody know you're alive. I'll get Luka out of here," Athena said to the older Martin.

The man nodded and quickly did as he was told.

Athena took down the silencing spell. She and Luka quickly exited the room, finding Lorelei, Bonnie, Stefan, and Katherine still standing at the top of the stairs.

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "That was long," she drawled.

"I'm old," Athena shrugged, knowing her friend would understand what she meant. Katherine scoffed a bit. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"EVERYTHING'S TAKEN CARE of," Lorelei said as the group all walked down the stairs. Caroline and Hayley had just dropped Athena and Luka off before heading to Caroline's house to deal with Matt properly.

Elena turned, her cheeks flushing a bit when she met Lorelei's eyes. The werewolf blushed too, her eyes bouncing away. Katherine, Athena, and Damon all glanced at each other, suspicious.

"I'm guessing you're gonna want this back?" Katherine smirked, undoing Elena's necklace with the Bulgarian markings on it. Katherine had revealed that it had a place specifically for vervain during their lakehouse trip so Elena had taken to wearing that instead of the necklace Stefan gave her. She held it out toward Elena who stepped forward to take it. "Spin," she said.

Elena did as she was told, holding her hair up. Damon, Stefan, and Bonnie watched the two warily. Katherine clasped the necklace around Elena's neck and dropped her hands, aware of the stares she was getting.

Elena dropped her hair, fixing it, and taking a step away from the woman. "Thank you," she told her and Katherine merely nodded. The doppelgangers eyes went to Luka. "Hey, Luka," she greeted.

"Hi, Elena," Luka greeted back, "sorry about my dad..."

Elena waved him off, used to people trying to harm and kidnap her.

Stefan stepped up beside Elena. "Maybe you should go," he said.

"Don't be rude," Elena said, side-eyeing the man and stepping away from him.

Katherine snorted. "Well, I must go," she said, patting Athena's chest on her way toward the door, "Ти ни спря да правим секс и тя не е доволна от това. Ако не го разбирам повече, ще ти сритам задника." [You stopped us from having sex and she's not happy about it. If I don't get it anymore, I'll kick your ass.]

Athena rolled her eyes. "Blah, blah, you'll be fine," she chuckled, amused.

Elena's eyes widen slightly in horror. She didn't know what секс meant, but she had a very good idea about what it could mean. That is not what she wanted to think about.

Lorelei raised an eyebrow at Elena. "You alright?" She asked worriedly, setting a hand on the doppelganger's arm.

Katherine and Athena turned to look at her, curious. Athena burst out laughing at the horrified look on the girl's face while Katherine looked slightly ashamed and very embarrassed.

"I forgot you would know most of those words," Katherine said, staring blankly at Elena, "I apologize—"

"Just go," Elena said, closing her eyes and pointing to the front door.

"Yep," Katherine nodded, disappearing out the door.

Athena laughed harder, clapping her hands. "Oh, that was so good!" She exclaimed, wiping away a tear.

Elena shot her a deadly glare, but that seemed to just amuse Athena more.

"Ah, anyway, I must go," Athena said, mostly toward her daughter and Elena, "you gonna be okay?"

Lorelei nodded. "All good, but where are you going?" She asked, confused.

"I have to deal with something," Athena replied, glancing at Luka who was awkwardly shuffling toward the door.

"Oh," Lorelei nodded again, understanding, "okay. Bye, Ma. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course," Athena smiled, pressing a kiss to her daughter's forehead. She squeezed Elena's shoulder and then left out the door.

"Alright, you two are next," Elena said, pointing to the Salvatore brothers.

Damon saluted her and left obediently, deciding that today was already too much to handle. Stefan, on the other hand, lingered. He glanced between Elena and Lorelei, her brows furrowed deeply.

"Elena, can I speak with you for a moment?" Stefan asked.

Lorelei tensed, her fingers wrapping around Elena's arm more firmly. Elena seemed to follow her train of thought because she set her hand over Lorelei's, squeezing it.

"I think you can say whatever you need to say in front of Lorelei," Elena said, slipping her arm through the hybrid. Lorelei relaxed significantly, turning her head to stare at Elena.

Stefan scowled. "Fine," he said, glaring at Lorelei. She gave it right back, linking her fingers with Elena's just to spite him. "I don't think you should be around Lorelei or Athena anymore. I'm guessing you," he pointed at Lorelei, "knew that Athena was planning on sacrificing you, Elena."

Lorelei swallowed a little. Elena frowned at Stefan, "I don't care what you think, Stefan. I'm capable of making my own decisions. I forgave Lorelei and Athena for keeping that secret."

Stefan stared at Elena incredulously. "Are you serious? She's literally planning on giving you over to Klaus to murder you, Elena! How the hell did she mess with your brain? Can't you see she's brainwashed—"

Elena's fist connected with his nose before he could finish. She winced, cradling her hand to her chest. Stefan stumbled back, shocked as he raised his hand to his already healing broken nose.

Lorelei stared at Elena in shock and she very much wanted to kiss the doppelganger right now.

"Get out," Elena snapped through clenched teeth as Lorelei grabbed the older girl's hand to make sure nothing was broken.

Stefan stared at her for a moment before disappearing out the door.

"Gods, Elena," Lorelei laughed a bit, brushing her fingers over the doppelganger's hand with a healing spell. Elena sighed, relaxing as the pain disappeared. "That was awesome."

Elena shrugged. "He was being rude. I understand where he's coming from, but he didn't have to go that far," she said, fixing Lorelei's collar.

The hybrid hummed, nodding. "Yeah," she agreed, resting her hands on the older girl's hips. "I'm happy to see you. I'm sorry we didn't get to hang out much today. Olivia was just really excited that I was finally attending school with her and the others. I got caught up."

Elena raised an eyebrow, resting her hands on Lorelei's chest. "So you weren't avoiding me?" She asked, just to make sure. It had felt like that all day.

"What? No way!" Lorelei shook her head, grinning at the girl, "all I've wanted was to be around you. You know," her smile slowly turned into a smirk as she leaned closer to the girl, "thinking about perhaps finishing what we were doing this morning?"

Elena smiled a bit, her cheeks flushing and her heart racing. It had been racing the whole time, but now blood roared in her ears. "I think perhaps we could," she whispered, sliding one of her hands up to cup the back of Lorelei's neck. She drew the girl in slowly, their noses bumping together.

"You're so beautiful, you know that, bella?" Lorelei murmured and leaned forward.

The door opened. "You were the one who dragged me out of there! I could've put out the fire just fine," Jenna said, sounding exasperated.

"I apologize for trying to not out us to the general public!" Bianca argued back, throwing her hands up. Neither of them really seemed mad, more like joking around.

Elena buried her face in Lorelei's shoulder, groaning loudly. She just wanted to fucking kiss the girl!

Lorelei squeezed her waist as she turned to look at her sister and sister-in-law. Jenna and Bianca seemed to realize what they had walked in on or well, stopped. Bianca winced since this was the second time she had stopped it from happening.

"Glad you two are home," Elena said, the words slightly muffled into Lorelei's shoulder.

Jenna rolled her eyes, amused. "Sorry, honey. I'm sure you two can go canoodle somewhere else that's not in the middle of my hallway," she said, patting her niece's shoulder as she walked by.

"Canoodle?!" Lorelei and Elena repeated in horrification, watching the woman go.

Bianca snorted a little and moved passed them. "Go to your room," she whispered to Elena, winking at her, "and sorry." She waved to them, smirking as she disappeared into the kitchen.

Lorelei rolled her eyes at her sister. Elena took the hybrid by the wrist and dragged her upstairs. She knew Bonnie and Jeremy were still here, locked away in his room. She really didn't want to think about what her brother and best friend could be doing.

Elena entered her bedroom first, going to her bathroom and shutting the door. She locked it to make sure Jeremy and Bonnie could come in. Lorelei, none the wiser, turned around from where she was taking off her shoes only to be backed up into the door, causing it to close.

"Elena—"

"I have been waiting for weeks to kiss you. So I'm going to do that now," Elena said, cupping the back of Lorelei's neck and finally—finally—kissing the girl. Lorelei kissed back eagerly, having been waiting for this, probably since the moment she saw Elena on those stairs. She slipped her arms around Elena's waist, tugging her closer.

Elena deepened the kiss, one hand slipping up and tangling into Lorelei's hair. She loved the hybrid hair, but she had no idea why.

Lorelei began to smile. It became so wide that they couldn't keep kissing without their teeth clinking together. "Lorelei," Elena laughed, "stop it, I wanna kiss you."

"I can't help it. I'm happy," Lorelei beamed, leaning her forehead against Elena's. She gave the doppelganger an Eskimo kiss, laughing with the woman.

"I'm happy too," Elena murmured, her smile softer but no less filled with joy. She scratched her fingers through Lorelei's hair a bit.

"Can I pick you up?" Lorelei asked. Elena nodded and the younger of the two was quick to do so. Elena's legs wrapped around her waist, giggling as Lorelei began to place a bunch of little kisses around her face.

They made it to the bed and Lorelei laid Elena down, crawling over her. Elena grinned up at her, cupping Lorelei's cheeks affectionately. Lorelei grinned back, brushing some hair away from Elena's face.

"Kiss me?" Elena asked, tilting her head with delighted eyes.

Lorelei happily did so.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"YOU'RE GOING TO stay in contact, right?" Luka asked Athena who was texting Klaus to make sure he was available to call.

The redhead glanced up. "If you wish," Athena replied.

Luka nodded, smiling a little. "I do."

Athena smiled back at him, "than I will." When she got the okay from Klaus, she dialed his number and placed the phone to her ear.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, dear twin?"

Athena's smile widened at hearing her twin's voice. "I need you to release Greta Martin," she replied, setting a hand on her hip.

"How do you know about her?"

Athena rolled her eyes a bit. "I know everything, dear brother. Now, release her, please."

Klaus sighed heavily on the other line. "She is the witch that will do the sacrifice."

"I have plenty of other witches for that. I made a deal. Let her go. Please?"

"Fine. Where would you like her to be dropped?"

Athena looked at Jonas. "Where?" She asked him.

Jonas looked up from the driver's seat, his eyes slightly wide. He thought it would take some more badgering and maybe some arguing to actually get Klaus Mikaelson to agree. "Whatever is closest to here that he's at," he replied.

"Tell him I'll drop her off at Richmond."

"Thank you, Niklaus," she said, smiling softly.

"I suppose you are welcome. Goodnight, sister."

"Goodnight, brother." They ended the call and Athena turned toward Jonas. "He'll drop her in Richmond. You'll know where."

Jonas nodded. "Thank you, once again. We don't deserve your kindness after everything."

Athena shrugged and patted Luka's shoulder. "Just stay out of trouble," she told them, stepping back and watching Luka get into the passenger seat. Luka waved to her as Jonas began to drive. She waved back and watched until she could no longer see their car.

Athena sighs.

Then everything went dark.

AN: you're welcome ☺️ i'm gonna say it right now. y'all are gonna HATE me next chapter... hope you enjoyed though :))) thank you for reading!!

edited:
finished: 02/21/24
wc: 8035