Writing in Progress....

Tristan seemed slightly disappointed when they had a girl, but then she'd looked at him with blue eyes that were piercing and so like his own and he knew he'd be just as protective and love her as much as he did Aurora.

Eliyah was thinking just about the same. So when Finn warned the siblings being too loud, too obvious, would draw their father, she agreed. She set up plans and organised time tables.

Kol hated it and argued against it but it was Finn that dragged Kol from trying to sneak out as Eliyah was getting her child to sleep.

Luckily, it gave them a few more years, before word of Mikael coming.

Tristan found Eliyah as she was packing, "just where are you intending to go?"

"We are leaving." She told him simply. "My... Someone is coming, and if we stay, any of us, we'll die. We will be taking our leave of the Castle."

"From my home?"

"I am taking out daughter, if you wish to stay, you will do so Alone. Especially as my brother is most likely asking Aurora to join us also." Eliyah said as she looked towards him.

"You think you can take my daughter from me?"

"I would like you to come with us, Tristan, but I will Not leave my daughter here." She told him calmly. "And you will not keep her from me."

Tristan looked from Eliyah to their daughter who was napping on their bed as she packed. "Have you started mine?"

"Not yet."

"Finish your own. Quickly." He said and reached for a bag as he started to collecting his own things.

Monroe was around 15 when they found witches who helped figuring out how Eliyah was able to have a child, and why the girl had a habit of shifting into a small cat, usually doing to hide away when the couple, or siblings, were fighting.

Unknown to Monroe or Eliyah, Tristan made a deal with the witch, creating something that would block off Monroe's magic.

It was only months later he used the bracelet for the first time.

Monroe had woke up to it on and all but screamed as she felt it missing. It felt like hell and she gripped at her chest. She moved and found Eliyah quickly. "Mama, mama, somethings wrong." She said desperately.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Eliyah asked as she stood hand raising to her head, checking her temperature in case she was sick.

"I can't... I can't feel it."

"Feel what?"

"Magic? Nature... life." She tried to explain.

"It can't be so dramatic." Tristan said and they both looked to him.

"What?" Monroe asked softly.

"Tristan, what did you do?"

"I'm simply testing it, your new bracelet, love."

Monroe slowly looked down at a silver bracelet and immediately went to remove it. They hissed and pulled their hand away and slowly looked back up at Tristan in betrayal. "Father..."

"It is for a safety thing, Roe." He told them gently, "your magic, changes and people tend to use those with power, and you, sweet one, are so innocent and so very powerful."

"And obviously far too trusting." Monroe said. "Why can't I take it off?"

"Only the one who puts it on can do so."

They held their wrist out. "Take it off."

"No. You're acting out." He told her.

"This is a punishment?" She asked him horrified. "I was good. What did I do?"

"That boy you've been sneaking off to see." He said, Monroe stilled and their eyes fell.

"You're seeing someone?" Eliyah asked in surprise.

"He's just a friend."

"Is that what you want to call it?" Tristan asked, "then why wouldn't you tell us?"

"You don't like me talking to Anyone." Monroe said. "I just wanted a friend."

"You can have friends, Monroe." Eliyah told them gently and brushed her hair back, a section of white against her mostly black hair became more obvious as she brushed the hair behind her ear. "But if you were sneaking out, that's Dangerous."

"Mama..." She said quietly. "I hate this, please, I need my magic back."

"You'll have to ask your father. But I'll start breakfast for you though." She offered and leaned to press a kiss to her temple before heading towards the kitchen and Monroe turned back towards Tristan.

"Father-"

"You'll have it on for the next day or two." He said simply. "And if I find you break trust again, you'll get it back." He told her calmly. "And I will mention, I'm a little offended you call for your mother rather than me."

"Mama is the one I've always gone to about emotions." They said with a confused frown. "That's what your meant to do. Its what... everyone does, mama's the emotions one in the whole family."

"Oh, and what am I?"

"My father."

Eliyah appeared just as Tristan's eyebrows drew together and was about to ask a follow up and drew Monroe to the kitchen to help cook.

Monroe was around seventeen when Tristan started to be antsy. She'd been wearing the bracelet for almost a month. They'd gone out and gotten into a fight. They'd won, but her knuckles and lip was split.

It seemed to have made Tristan, and Eliyah, to remember that unlike them, she wasn't a vampire. They'd lay across a seat for hours, holding their ribs, in looser fitted clothes they'd stolen from Kol, complaining about their dresses fit making things too sore, which had given their parents a perfect chance to see the mottled dark bruising that coated the skin over her ribs and abdomen.

It seemed to be the catalyst that made Tristan do something that basically no one seemed happy about.

He turned them.

Monroe could barely remember how it happen but they woke to Eliyah holding them, her neck sore, and almost immediately pressed closer to their mother, even the dimmest light hurt her eyes, and the yelling in the next room. Finn and Klaus's voice with their fathers occasionally, but his was calmer. Unrepentant.

"What happened?" Monroe whispered against Eliyah's shoulder.

"Your father did something drastic, I need you to drink something for me okay? Can you sit up for me?"

Monroe didn't want to move, she felt perfectly comfortable curled against their mother. But her voice sounded on the edge of desperate, like when Kol or Finn debate travelling away, alone. Or they're arguing with some doctor about Aunt Rory. So they carefully pulled away from her and Eliyah gave a slightly shaky smile and grabbed a cup from a close by table and, rather than place it in her hand she raised it to Monroe's lips. Monroe just leaned forward and wrinkled her nose at the taste but continue to drink, then the pain hit. She winced and slowly pulled back as she felt the veins crawl down from their eyes and then teeth drive though their gums and her hand came to her mouth.

"I know, Monroe, can you just finish this for me?" Eliyah said softly and Monroe looked to her and slowly nodded.

"I don't think I wanted to turn." Monroe said quietly after it was empty. "Why would father do this?"

"He didn't want to lose you."

"He thinks this would make me want to stay? He killed me."

"I turned you." Tristan said and Monroe stilled. "You're like the rest of us now." He reasoned. "You're supposed to be Like Us."

Eliyah held Monroe closer as they let her. "You never should have done that, Tristan." She told him. "It should have been her choice."

"Her choice would be to be like family!" Tristan snapped. "And if it wasn't then she shouldn't have a choice."

Monroe pulled from Eliyah and stepped away, "I'm going to go to bed. You can argue about how my life should go amongst yourselves." They said quietly and left the room quickly before either could respond.

There was a knock on Monroe's door and they didn't say anything but it opened and she looked up and it was Lucien who slipped into the room.

"Hey, your family is arguing again." He said casually.

"I know, and it's our family. Uncle Luc." They said simply.

He hummed in disagreement and poked her arm to move along on the bed and when they moved he slipped onto the bed and sat against the headboard, Monroe sighed and just fell to lie their head on his lap. "I didn't get a choice in turning either, most of us didn't." He said lightly. "Your mothers family was turned by their parents. I was an accident. Aurora and Tristan were the only two who had a level of choice. We understand." He said softly, "and you know your father, he's very specific, but it's his version of showing he cares."

"It's his way of keeping control."

"Same thing for him." He said simply. "Come on, Roe. You should know well enough by now. What else is wrong?"

"What if when father take my bracelet off I still can't feel my magic?" They said quietly.

Lucien's hand moved to the bracelet as she stared at it. "Well... you'll still have everyone." He said softly, thumb running over her skin.

"I'm meant to be able to change, to have Magic... I'm not meant to be this." They told him in a whisper. "Why did he have to do this?"

"Because he loves you."

"You're meant to be Mean. You don't Like him." They said annoyed.

"Yeah, but you're his kid. We can bitch sometime when you aren't having a breakdown." He told them simply. She frowned and turned to bury their face against him.

Monroe woke the next morning to a hand on their wrist and frowned and started to pull it away but the hand tightened on their hand. Monroe's eyes flickered open with a small frown and saw Tristan as he carefully removed her bracelet.

Their breath caught in their throat as they felt the magic rush through her body again. "Morning, little love." Tristan said softly and his hand moved over their hair. "Your new ring is waiting in the kitchen with breakfast." He told her, "come on, time to get up." They just nodded slowly and pushed up, "did you not change before bed?" He asked them.

"I wasn't really thinking."

"Hmm, and you're still stealing Kol's clothing?"

"Comfortable." They said simply as they got up while Tristan frowned while Monroe walked towards the door.

"No shoes?"

Monroe just shrugged. Eliyah stood as she entered the room and drew her into an embrace and Monroe melted against her. Neither noticed Tristan's annoyance and jealousy as she did so.

"Your father got you a ring." Eliyah told her as she pulled back from her, "and I made you food." They nodded lightly and sat down, "we should just get you these clothes in your size."

"No need to encourage her." Tristan told Eliyah immediately as he sat down and pushed the small jewellery box to Monroe.

"They don't like dresses at times, Tristan, that's fine." She said simply.

Monroe smiled at her slightly and finally picked up the box and opened it. They took in the ring matched her father and Aunt Aurora's.

"Do you like it?" Tristan asked her as she took it out and she nodded lightly and went to slip it onto her middle finger, "it would fit better on this one." He tapped at their ring finger. "That's the one I sized it for."

They paused, "I wanted it to match moms placement."

"I'll get you one to match my side as well, maybe with a different stone. A ruby maybe?" Eliyah offered.

Monroe nodded as she slipped the ring onto their ring finger. "Okay."

"I see you still favour your mother." Tristan sighed.

"... You killed me, it's not favour it is trust and the fact looking at you reminds me of the pain of death and turning." She said in a whisper. "I love you, but you hurt me."

Tristan looked upset, then sighed, he reached out and Monroe forced themself still as his hand moved to her hair, and then to her jaw and made them turn to him. "You know it was for you, don't you?"

Monroe's eyebrows drew together and looked confused, unsure of themself. "You killed me."

"I made you stronger." He told her gently. "I did it to protect you." He continued, "you remember you were lay out in pain for almost a month because you were in a fight." He reminded her.

"I healed. I was fine." They said simply. "I... I want to eat."

"Okay, eat, then we're going out, all three of us, so you'll have to dress." Tristan told her.

"We are?" Eliyah asked.

"I thought we'd teach our daughter to hunt, I thought it would be a good family activity."

Eliyah looked unsure but nodded, "go dress, sweetheart." She told Monroe. She frowned but nodded in agreement and pushed to her feet silently.

~~~~~

It was Lucien she want to a year or so later after her having had months of being stuck in the damned bracelet, "help me leave." She said in a whisper.

Lucien stilled, "you're not the only one who would be in trouble here, love."

"Please, uncle Luc, I can't..."

Lucien nodded, "write your mother a letter." Monroe nodded immediately.

She shifted from the small black and white cat for to looking out the carriage, eyes wide and amazed as they were on the boat. Just her and Lucien. It was dark, moonlit and beautiful.

"Eliyah and Tristan are going to kill me." Lucien told her.

"You're my favourite Uncle." She said rather then denying the comment and he laughed lightly and wrapped an arm around their shoulders. He tugged her into his side.

"Any specific place you're wanting to go?"

"No clue, I don't know where we can go."

"We'll find you somewhere."

She looked at him, "you're not going to stay are you?" She asked quietly.

"I still love them, Roe. I like being there."

Monroe sighed but nodded, "okay." They agreed softly.

"But I'll get you safe first." He offered.

"Thanks, Uncle Luc."

Eliyah turned up alone with a bag, her eyes scanned the home that Monroe and Lucien had set up. Monroe appeared at the bottom of the stairs and paused. "Mama?" She said lightly then sped forward and slammed into her and hugged her again.

Eliyah caught her with a soft laugh stumbling back just a little. "I missed you, sweetheart." She said softly as she returned the embrace. "Your father is Not handling you leaving well." She added as she stepped back. Monroe frowned and looked towards the door, "he's not with me. Aurora is having a dark period, he's taking care of her."

"He's doing something Stupid again?"

"He's doing what he believes is right."

"That means nothing. He killed me and cuts my connection to my magic when ever he wants to punish me. Wheat he believes is right is... not the same thing as what is right or good." They said voice slightly colder.

Eliyah sighed then let her eyes take Monroe in, "I like your new wardrobe." She offered. "I knew this would look good on you." She offered, "more comfortable?"

Monroe nodded, "it's great." They offered, "and thank you for giving me a name people is neutral to masculine."

"Hmm, Tristan wanted a boy."

"I know." They chuckled.

"Did you have to run from me too?" Eliyah asked as they ate and Monroe paused a moment.

"You wouldn't have left him. You'd tell me he was doing what he thought was right, that he was my father. And I wouldn't have gotten away." Monroe told her carefully. "Father would treat me like he would Aurora. Locked up, powerless and Alone."

"I wouldn't-"

"You let him Kill me. You let him block my Magic as a punishment for... talking to someone?" They reminded her. Eliyah looked upset and Monroe smiled at her, "it's okay, mama, he's your husband, I know you put him first."

Eliyah frowned, "have I been so bad?" She asked, "... not anymore. You," she reached to take their empty hand, "I am putting you first." Monroe tilted her head, not fully believing it but nodded slightly then took her hand in return.

"I may be splitting with your father." Eliyah said casually, well, she attempted to be casual. Months later placing a letter to the side a she joined Monroe.

Monroe looked up from their book, "... okay?" She said carefully. "Do you... want to talk about it?" They asked carefully.

"I think you running away from us both perhaps was a rather harsh realisation." She said simply. "I'd rather choose you over him."

Monroe frowned, "Mother... don't split for me."

"I should have split from him the moment he turned you." She said gently and moved to sit beside Monroe and brushed their hair back gently. "Me and you, little one. Always and forever."

Tam was the first down the next morning and John tried and failed to start a conversation as she made herself coffee and ignored him.

John sighed. "Stonewalling me isn't very mature." He said. Tam stayed silent so, as Elena walked in, he turned to her. "Morning."

"What are you doing here?" Elena asked.

"Coffee?" John asked.

"We're not doing that. No more avoiding. Why are you here?"

"I'm here to protect you. That's all I can say for the moment."

"Wow. Sounds real trustworthy, John." Tam said as she drank her own coffee.

"Do I not even get Uncle now?"

"No."

"What do you mean that's all you can say?" Elena asked John.

"I'll tell you more when I'm convinced I can trust you." John said pointedly.

"You're the one who -" Tam started annoyed, but Jenna walked in, and she stopped.

"Oh god, I'm late." She said as she grabbed her bag.

Alaric walked in after her. "That's what you get for hitting the snooze three times."

"What the hell?" Jenna asked as she noticed John.

"Good morning to you, Jenna. Alaric..." John greeted them.

"It's okay, I'm confused, right? Because we were not expecting you, like, ever."

"Well, I got in late last night. Elena let me in." John said easily.

"You know, I'm uh, probably gonna take off." Alaric said, looked awkwardly between them and then headed out.

"I'm still confused here." Jenna spoke up.

"I decided to come back and stay for a while." John said simply.

"Not here, you're not."

"Actually, you can't stop me from living here."

"Actually, I can. As legal guardian-." She said simply.

"Yeah, about that..." He said and his eyes flicked to both the twins and focused on Elena. "Elena, you want me to explain the situation, or would you like to do the honours?"

"She said Legal. Since you decided you didn't want that responsibility." Tam cut in annoyed. John looked to her with a mix of annoyance, hurt and surprise.

"Okay, what's going on here?" Jenna asked quickly.

"I'm sorry, Jenna. I should have-"

"I'm their biological father." John cut Elena off. "There, now you know." He said and walked away.

"What?" Jenna called in confused.

"He's a dick." Tam muttered.

"Language - What happened to your hair?" She asked. Then held her hands up to stop her. "I'm late. We're talking about this later." She said, still looking lost.

"And I... Am gonna hide in the gym for the day." Tam said as Jenna left.

"From Aunt Jenna or John?"

"Both." Tam returned easily as she grabbed her headphones.

.

Tam rubbed over the bandage on her collarbone for a moment and took a slow breath before she continued to hit the bag. She made sure to focus on hits with her uninjured arm. Then she frowned as the bag suddenly swung less. She stopped and pulled her headphones down and looked to the other side of the bag and saw Elijah, one hand on the bag.

"Why are you here?" She asked with a sighed and crossed her arms.

"I thought I'd ask you the same." He returned as he moved more into her eyeline easier. "You're here an awful lot, aren't you?"

"Nothing wrong with wanting to stay fit." She said simply. "You dodged my question."

"I thought we could talk."

"At the gym? Only way we talk is if you're sparing with me." She motioned to the ring. "So, I imagine -"

"I'll happily join you." He responded simply and she looked at him surprised. "Come, we'll see if you can keep up with a vampire." He said as he slipped his jacket off and placed it to the side. She reached for her water bottle as he placed his jacket beside her.

"That's..." She trailed off as he moved towards the ring. "Okay. This seems like a trap. Because I'm at a disadvantage." She said lightly but did follow.

"You'll have to learn to find a way around that." Elijah said as he watched her. Her eyes tracked his hands as he rolled up his sleeves. "You're human. A doppelganger. Vampires can and will come for you." He told her. "And they won't care if you're human or injured." His eyes flicked to the wrap on her wrist then the bandage.

Tam frowned for a moment then nodded sharply. The 'talk' quickly shifted. Elijah began to correct and coach her through each move as they fought. He caught her hits and her anger rose each time.

He caught another punch and dragged her closer and caught the other hand as well. "You're thinking too small. Too slow." He said with a mocking smile. "Have you ever won a fight?"

She narrowed her eyes for a moment then wrapped her leg around his and they both fell back as she twisted her wrists from his hand and pinned his hands either side of his head.

"Fast enough?" She asked breathlessly as he stared up at her in surprise as she had him pinned.

"Certainly faster." He said softly and didn't fight against her hold. "Well done." He said and she let go of his wrists, a small proud smile tugged at her lips for a moment before it fell neutral again.

"So any other advice on how I'm meant to fight someone stronger?" She asked him.

"The way you just did." He said easily. "Use their strength, weight... weaknesses." He tilted his head slightly. "You seem to know that."

"Boxing champion since junior year." She said easily.

"I feel like you should have told me that." He said, and she hummed as she stood up.

"You already decided I wasn't really a fighter." She said. "Why correct the assumption?"

"You wanted me to underestimate you." He said as he pushed to sit up as he watched her.

"No. You already did." She corrected as she stretched and pushed back a wince. "So what do I get for dropping an original?" She asked as she rubbed her wrist.

"Dinner?" He offered as he stood.

"You wanna buy me dinner?"

"I'd like to, yes." He admitted. "Shall we?"

"I..." She frowned lightly and then nodded. "Yeah, okay. I'm gonna need to shower first. I feel gross." She told him quickly as he reached for his jacket.

"Is there showers here? Or do you need to go elsewhere?"

"None here. Probably need to head home quick." She told him.

"I have a place closer if you have spare clothes."

"I do... Well, you're not going to kill me, so sure." She said simply and followed him.

.

She was surprised how relaxed she was as they spoked. There was a moment of silence as Elijah's eyes fell to her plate and Tam noticed and tensed slightly. He tilted slightly. "You don't eat much." He told her lightly.

"I don't feel hungry." Tam said softly. "Haven't really since my parents die."

"If you don't eat enough, with the way you work, you'll pass out." He told her, and as she went to argue, he continued. "Then you'll rather upset your siblings." He said. She stared at him for a moment then picked up her fork and took another bite of food pointedly. "Perhaps a habit you should get back into."

She sighed. "Are you trying to get me to be healthier when I'm more than likely going to die soon?" She asked.

"With the hope you don't." He returned easily.

"Well with both of us wanted dead, both of us surviving, after Katherine did seems highly unlikely." She said calmly. "My main focus is making sure Elena survives." Tam told him pointedly. "So, please, stop assuming I'll live. Expect the worst, even if you want to hope for the best." She said gently. "I never assume I'll win a fight. Nor should you." She told him, and he frowned but didn't disagree.

.

Tam frowned as she looked around the Lockwood mansion at the historical party. "Why do I have to be here?" She asked Jenna quietly.

"Because you cut and bleached your hair without asking. Now I'm bothering you over it." Jenna told her simply.

"Why couldn't you just ground me?" She asked after a moment.

"Because you stay in the house anyway. And you need to socialise more." She said easily. "So, you're here. And you're staying for at least an hour."

"Fine." She murmured. "I'm getting coffee. Want some?" She said and motioned towards the drinks table.

"No, I'm going to find Ric." She told her and Tam nodded.

"Have fun with your boyfriend." Jenna knocked her arm before they parted.

"Tamsyn." Elijah said as she poured herself her coffee. She jumped slightly and he smiled in amusement. "It's good to see you."

"You almost gave me a heart attack." She murmured. "I forgot you'd be here. It's not my usual scene." Tam sighed and looked to him. "Coffee?" She offered and held out the cup.

"I'm more of a tea fan." He drawled.

Tam rolled her eyes and placed her cup down, as she thoughtlessly made the tea. "You're a little snobby, aren't you?"

"Am I?" He asked amused. She shamelessly nodded as she passed him the drink. "This is a Tea party." He took the teacup with a small nod of thanks. "What brought you here?"

"Jenna. She's making me socialise."

"How rude of her." He drawled and took a sip of his drink.

She picked her cup back up with a small laugh. "She's framing it as a punishment, I didn't exactly ask about the newest changes I made to my hair."

"You need to ask permission?"

"Mhmm. Yes and no. I don't think she'd say no." Tam said carefully. "There was possible school issues. But mostly the lack of discussion. I think." She shrugged.

Elijah hummed lightly and tilted his head to one side before he raised his free hand and brushed a section of hair that fell in front of her eyes behind her ear. "Well, I think it looks rather good on you."

"Thank you." She said and the looked to her coffee as she twisted the cup in her hands as she flushed slightly. "So writer?" She asked as she avoided his eyes.

"Yes. Looking to research historical sights in smaller regions of Virginia." He said almost innocently, and she bit her lip to stop a laugh.

"Smart liar." She said under her breath and met his gaze again.

"Twisted truths." He corrected. "Would you be up talking to me about the witch-"

"Tam." John said and joined them. "I didn't expect you to be here." He continued, as if he hadn't cut Elijah off.

"Uncle John." She greeted. "Jenna brought me. Elijah, this is John Gilbert. John, Elijah Smith." She introduced them.

"Wonderful to meet you." Elijah said as he held out a hand.

"And you." He said as he took the hand. "How are you finding the town?"

"It's very homey. I'm rather enjoying being here."

"Good to know. What were you asking Tam about? I'm sure I could help." He said pointedly.

"John. Seriously?" Tam asked with a sigh as Elijah raised an eyebrow.

"It was more a side thought. No need to worry, Mr Gilbert."

"Oh, I'm not too worried." John said easily. "Tam can protect herself."

"I'm aware." Elijah said simply, and John almost looked worried.

"We ran into each other at the gym." Tam explained quickly.

"She's a good fighter. Always places to improve -"

"I had you pinned. I think I'm pretty good, Elijah." She cut in slightly amused and insulted all at once. John still looked unsure and Tam looked past him. "Carol looks determined to talk to you. Enjoy the party, Elijah." She said and turned to him.

"We'll talk later." Elijah said simply. Both of them ignored John as she watched him walked to meet Carol.

"What are you doing around Elijah?" John asked in a quiet, sharp voice. Her gaze flicked to him and she went to walk away but he caught her arm. "He's dangerous, Tam."

"So's Isobel, and you work with her."

"It's different." He defended.

"Because you slept together?"

"Tam-"

"Biological or not, she is not my mother." Tam said sharply. "And you never cared enough to be my father." She told him and pulled from his grasp before she went to find Jenna.

Elijah found them both later, after he'd disappeared into the office. After he and Jenna talked of a tour of sights in the town, he shifted to leave.

"Are you headed out?" Tam asked him.

"I am, were you going, as well?"

"I was." Jenna looked to her and frowned about to comment. "I've been here over an hour." She reasoned.

"Okay. Fine. We'll go."

"Oh, I can drive her." Elijah offered.

"That works." Tam nodded.

"Are you sure?" Jenna asked him.

"Of course. I'm already leaving, so it's no harm."

"Okay. I'll see you back at home." Jenna told Tam.

"See you at home." She said and headed towards the door with Elijah.

"Subtle." Elijah said lightly as they got outside.

"I wasn't meant to be." She told him easily and he held out his keys to her. She looked at him thankfully as she took them. "I wanted to annoy John as well."

He raised an eyebrow but opened the door for her. She slipped into the seat. She leaned over to push his door open.

"John's your father?" He asked lightly as he got in and she started to drive.

"Biologically.

"Hence the adopted comment."

"Exactly."

"You're still a Gilbert." He said watching her.

"I am." She admitted. "I just wish I was also a Sommers instead of whatever Isobel's bloodline is. Since, it's likely the doppelganger line."

"Most likely." Elijah agreed. "The parents are the ones that matter. If they're the one that cared for you."

"Yeah. Its just... a shock to the system." Tam told him. "What were your parents like?"

"I'm over 1000 years old."

"Yes. You're old. I got that. You don't need to talk about them if you don't want to."

Elijah watched her silently for a moment. Then finally spoke. "My mother was a wonderful woman. A witch. She did everything she could to keep us safe." His eyes shifted out the window. "My father was a strict man who did what he believed was best, but he wasn't the... kindest of men. Though, not many Vikings were." He said simply. "And it was a very different time."

"Right... I didn't mean to push." She told him softly, her gaze flicked to him for a moment. "I was genuinely asking. I'm sorry if you didn't want to."

"I wouldn't have spoken if I didn't wish to." Elijah told her.

"Okay. Good." Tam nodded. "Sometimes things I say come across wrong." She explained. "So... Viking?"

"Yes. He was one."

"Hmm... Iceland, Sweden... Norway?"

"Mother was Norwegian, Father Icelandic. You researched Vikings?"

"I got into an argument with an idiot about Vikings as a job or title versus ethnicity. I can be a little bit too much."

"Not too much." He said easily. "Determined. Interesting."

"Very nice of you, Elijah. But there's no need for flattery." She told him. "I'm good with being the extra one, I just dive in a little deep once I decide I like things. You've seen me in the gym."

"That I have." He agreed. "I don't see an issue with it. My younger brother was the same with Magic when we young, and I myself tend to learn new instruments and music as it comes. We all have something we... dive into, Tamsyn."

"You're a musician?" She asked quickly. "That's so much cooler than a history book writer." Elijah forced an almost shy smile back. "What's your favourite?"

"Piano. And do you prefer your sport or art?"

"Both. Hand to hand sport is great in stress, but... art is very... It's a good way to let out more than just bad emotions, unfortunately I haven't done it in a while."

"You seemed to be having fun when we were fighting."

She turned and tried to give a shaky smile but failed. "Hey." She murmured to Damon.he shook her head slightly.

"Not really." She murmured softly.

"I could heal you." He offered. She stayed silent, honestly considering it and Damon watched her surprised. "Should I get the doctor?"

"... No. And yeah, probably a bad idea to heal me." She said softly. "Medical stuff." She muttered. "Where's everyone?"

"Elena's breaking up with my brother. Jeremy just left. Ric took Jenna home. Had to compel her."

"Yeah, she okay?"

"Yeah. Just you." He offered.

"Thanks for visiting. Me... I hate being here." She said softly.

A nurse walked in. "Elena-"

"It's Tamsyn." She immediately corrected.

The nurse frowned but moved but picked up the file. "Right, sorry." She said. "Can you tell me-"

"Feels bad. Hurts. How long will it take to heal?"

"It could take a few months to get mostly healed. Then you still won't be able to strain to much." She offered. "Can you tell us how you broke your wrist?"

"Went too hard with a work out." She said simply and Damon's eyes flicked to the new splint on her wrist.

The nurse didn't look like she believed her. "Well, you won't be able to do that for a while." She told her. "Now, just how much pain are you in? Do you think you need more pain killers?" She asked, but it sounded like a challenge, she didn't plan to give her any.

"Does it matter?" She muttered lightly.

The nurse sighed. "We can't give you any more yet, Ms Gilbert."

"Yeah, that's what I thought you'd say." She muttered.

"Sweetheart, we can't-"

"You can. My dad was a Doctor. I'm aware. Just... I'll be fine. Thank you. Leave, please." She said her grip on Damon's hand tightened. The nurse frowned but nodded and left.

"Are you-"

"What does Jenna think happened?" She cut him off quietly.

"That you got mugged on your way home."

She stared at him. "You know how much she already hates me being out?"

"Prefer her to remember stabbing you?"

"Couldn't be another break in?"

"People would start questioning things." He said simply. "It made the most sense. Besides. You decided you needed to Heal. So no more 12 hour gym sessions."

"... I may just bite you." She muttered annoyed.

Damon looked at her amused. "Pretty sure I'm not your type."

"I'm never gonna date you."

"Good." He said. "I think I like you as my friend."

"That's cause you're a dick... and you're slowly becoming my best friend." She muttered.

"Yeah, yeah, try and sleep, Tammy."

"Tam." She corrected lightly but did let her eyes slide closed.

.

"I'm fine." Tam said as she walked into the house and everyone hovered.

"You were stabbed." Jenna said annoyed.

Tam looked to her and blinked. "I know? It's me who got stabbed. I have a good reminder. I'm fine."

"No. You're not. We're doing take out and a movie. And you're going to pretend like you 12 again and curl on the couch with ice cream and a blanket." Jenna told her and Tam winced slightly but nodded slowly.

"Okay, Aunt Jenna."

.

Tam swore as she went to grab something and tried to use the arm in a sling. Jenna rushed into the kitchen. "Are you-"

"I'm fine!" She snapped quickly her hand over her shoulder as she waited for the pulsing to slow. "... Sorry." She said. "I feel useless." She told her quietly.

"You're injured, not useless. You need to let yourself heal and relax." She told her. "I need you to let us take care of you." She said. "Now, what did you want?"

"I just wanted a drink." She murmured.

Jenna nodded, grabbed a bottle of water went to pass it to her before she paused then opened it and past it to her.

"...Thanks." Tam murmured as she took the bottle.

"You know you can rely on us, right?"

"Mhmm."

"Okay. Come on, I'll let you pick the movie." She said then guided her towards the living room.

Elena made an excuse to go as Alaric and Jenna curled up on one sofa. Tam wrapped herself in a blanket best she could as they watched the movie.

.

The next morning Elena's bed was empty and Tam frowned but dressed. She frowned in annoyance as hair kept catching in her clothing as she changed with one hand.

"Hey, you see Elena?" Jeremy asked as Tam grabbed a coffee in the kitchen.

"No. What happen last night?"

"A lot." He said simply.

"Jer..."

"Tried to kill Katherine. Elena got hurt a little." He said lightly. "But she was fine before I left."

"Why didn't you leave together?"

"I drove Bonnie home." Tam raised an eyebrow and he shrugged. "She said she was fine."

"Mhmm."

"I'll ask Stefan at school, she probably went to his. Katherine gone and all."

"Uh huh. I'll-"

"You've got the day off. Take it." Jeremy told him and Tam frowned in distaste. "Do it. I'll tell Jenna."

"What the - Jeremy, what the hell!?"

"Rest. You haven't stopped since..." He trailed off. "You need a break. Take it. Even if it's just to make US feel better."

"Fine." She sighed. "I'll take a day."

"Good." He said simply.

.

Elena hadn't been at Stefan's she'd been abducted. The vampires tried to trade her. But Damon and Stefan got her back.

.

Tam looked in the mirror then at a box on the counter and moved to the door to Jeremy's room and called through the door. "Hey, Jer. Red or blonde?" She asked.

"Blonde." He answered immediately.

"Thanks!" She called back and looked towards the door again when she heard him scramble towards it.

"Wait, what?" The door shook. "What are you doing?"

"Don't worry about it!" She called back simply before she started the shower.

She looked in the mirror again after and almost smiled as she shook her newly dried hair, that had gone from down her back too around shoulder length and a pale blonde. Her eyes flicked to her shoulder.

She tightened the towel she had around herself and knocked lightly on Jeremy's door, he was quick to look over as she opened it. "Damn, Tam. Jenna's gonna kill you." He said but he was smiling. "Looks cool."

"Thanks for deciding for me."

"You can't blame this on me." He said quickly.

She hummed, eyebrows raised and when he went to speak again there was a knock at his door. She closed the door headed into her own room.

She'd just got to her drawers when her door opened. She turned and saw Elena walk in with a suited man. Tam stilled quickly. "Leave or turn around." She said quickly. Eyes locked on the man. The suit's eyes eyes seemed to scan her, momentarily paused on her hair but then flicked to the towel. "I'm serious."

He seemed to be pulled from his surprise and turned as he closed the door. "I was unaware you'd be... indecent." He said.

Tam glared at his back then to Elena. "Well it's my bedroom. One of you should have." She said and quickly tugged on clothes, a vest and cargo pants. Tam sat on the edge of her bed and rubbed lightly over the bandage but still decided against the sling and splint. "I'm Decent." As he turned around she continued. "Why are you here?"

He raised an eyebrow and shifted towards the window and sat himself. "Forgive the intrusion. I mean your family no harm."

"Why did you kill those vampires when they tried to kill me?" Elena asked. Tams lips pursed in annoyance.

"Because I didn't want you to be taken. Klaus is the most feared and hated of the Originals, but those that fear him are desperate for his approval. If word gets out that the doppelgänger exists, there'll be a line of vampires eager to take you to him and I can't have that."

"You're Elijah?" Tam asked.

The man looked to her and nodded. "I am, may I have your name?"

"You don't already know it? Since you stalked my family."

"... Wonderful to meet you, Tamsyn." He said easily and her eyebrows drew together a moment.

"Tam." She corrected. "Anyway, aren't You trying to kill Elena?"

"Let's just say that my goal is not to break the curse, Tamsyn." He said pointedly and she narrowed her eyes. "And it's any Human doppelganger they'll come after." He said pointedly meeting her sharp gaze.

"So what is your goal?" Elijah pulled his attention back to Elena.

"Klaus's obsession has made him paranoid." He started. "He's a recluse. He trusts only those in his immediate circle."

"Like you?"

"Not anymore."

"You don't know where he is, do you? So, you're trying to use me to draw him out."

"Well, to do that I need you to stay put and stop trying to get yourself killed."

"How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Because we're alive." Tam said carefully. "He's in the house, Elena. He only needs one off us. We can't beat him."

"No." Elijah agreed. "You can't. Instead, I'm here and I'm prepared to offer you a deal." He said with a smile towards Elena. The smile was as obviously staged, and perfected as it was charmingly cold.

"What kind of a deal?"

"Do nothing." Elijah said as he stood. "Do nothing, live your life, stop fighting and then, when the time is right, you and I shall draw out Klaus together and I shall make sure your friends remain unharmed." He said calmly as he walked the room. Tam frowned and barely held herself back as his hand trailed over her desk and flicked open a sketch book.

"And then what?" Tam asked him.

"Then I kill him." He said as he paused a moment on a drawing before he closed the book and faced them.

"Just like that?" Elena didn't sound like she believed him.

"Just like that." He agreed easily. "I'm a man of my word, Elena. I make a deal, I keep a deal."

"How are you gonna be able to keep everybody safe?"

"I notice you have a friend; Bonnie, is it? She seems to possess the gift of magic. I have friends with similar gifts."

"You know witches."

"Together, we can protect everybody that matters to you. So, do we have a deal?" He asked her.

"Do we get to meet them?" Tam asked quickly.

"Do you see that as a necessity?"

"Personally? Yes."

"Tam wants to meet the witches. I need a favour." Elena told him.

"We're negotiating now?" He asked amused.

"You need us." Elena said easily. "We get something for this."

Elijah hummed lightly, as if in thought. "What do you want?"

"Stefan is stuck under in the fell church ruins. With Katherine. I want him out."

"Not Katherine." He said bluntly.

"That's fine."

"We want her kept there too." Tam agreed. "Even if I can get Why she's a horror."

"Oh?" Elijah looked to her questioningly.

"A man wanting to kill you over a stone to break some curse? After she already lost everything? That's hard. And now she's been running for 500 years." She said and tilted her head lightly and looked at him curiously. "You don't think being hunted for so long would harden someone?" She asked him.

His eyebrows drew together for a moment as he looked away for a moment. "Do you wish to meet the witches now?" He asked her rather than responding to the actual question.

"It'd likely be best." She said with a half shrug.

"We have a deal." He said and looked between the twins. Before either could respond he tugged Tam to her feet, an arm wrapped around her waist before he sped them from the room to his car.

She quickly knocked his chest to push him back. "Don't do that!" She said on instinct, her voice pitched up.

He just looked amused and didn't even pretend to move at the push. "Well, we couldn't just walk out." He said simply before his gaze moved to her hair once more. "Why blonde?" He asked gently.

"I don't know. It was this or red. I let Jeremy choose." She shifted in place and ran a hand through it. "Does it... look bad?" She asked, not even sure why she felt so self conscious about the question.

"No." He said quickly and met her eyes for a moment. "No, I like it." His voice was gentle, soft, unlike what she'd heard from him before. She saw a flash of... something and the softness disappeared and he was suddenly away from her and got into the drivers seat. She frowned before she got into the car, her hand immediately tight on the door handle as usual. "Red also would look also wonderful on you." Elijah said causally as he started to drive, his eyes flicked to the grip she had on the door.

"... Thank you?"

"What helps distract you?"

"Not much... Talking?" She said and let herself lean back in the seat, eyes closed. "I prefer driving."

He hummed in understanding. "Hm, would you like to hear about those that first where settled here?"

"First?"

"Native Americans and Vikings." He said.

She turned to stare at him and he smiled before he started to talk calmly.

They got to an apartment and Elijah knocked lightly before he walked in. "Elijah, are you- This is?" The man asked as he looked to her.

"Jonas. Meet Tamsyn Gilbert. Tamsyn, Meet Doctor Jonas Martin."

"It's Tam, Doctor Martin. You're Luka's dad?" She asked holding out a hand.

"Yes. Elena's twin?" He returned as he took the hand.

"Is he manipulating her?"

"I'm rather sure he actually likes her." Jonas told her and Tam nodded.

"Bonnie is worth more than being manipulated." She told him. "She's already lost too much to all this vampire drama. So, please don't like her get hurt."

"She's a witch. We stick together." He agreed with a simple nodded.

"Thank you." She said and her eyes caught on the books around the room. "Are those grimoires?" She asked and stepped forward, a hand reached out but stopped just before she touched any.

"You actually know what those are?" Jonas asked in surprise.

She shot an unimpressed look at him. "A witch's spell book." She said dryly and looked back to the books. "I had a witch-y phase. My dad wasn't the biggest fan." Tam told him. "Used to visit Ms Bennett, Bonnie's Grams, she always liked to talk magic. It fascinated me, she got me into lectures as well. So witches... and the rest." She said gently.

"The rest?" Jonas asked.

"Mhmm. Vampires, wolves, ghosts, tales of immortals and travellers. Qetsiyah was one of my favourites. Her and Silas. Broken hearts, magic, immortality, and curses." She said and looked to him. "You can't say it's not interesting."

"Usually witches do tend to keep to themselves." Jonas offered. "But, yes. They are all interesting." He agreed. "Why would your dad dissuade you?"

"He was on the council. He's a Gilbert. Apparently there's a line of them hating Vampires. And anything supernatural to be honest. They've been connected to witches dying in the town as well." She said softly. "... I'm adopted." She said and her eyes flicked to him, seeing the annoyance on the mans face.

"You know where the witches were killed?" Elijah asked quickly, suddenly closer to him.

"Which time?" She asked. "But, no."

"I can hear your heart skipping." Elijah said slowly, voice lowering.

"That's cause your voice is hot." She said easily and didn't even spare him a look. He blinked and stared at her in surprise.

Jonas looked between them for a moment and sighed. "What do you need from me, Elijah." He asked as he reached for a book and physically passed it to Tam.

She hummed happily with a slight thank you as she sat down to read it as the two men talked.

"I'll need Luka. But we'll get it done." He said and tapped Tam on the arm lightly and she hid a wince and looked at him. "You can borrow that. If. You bring it back or hand it to Luka at school. Any damage to it will be returned to you."

"I will. Books are precious. I'll return it as soon I've read it." She offered.

"Good."

"Quick question before I go. Since I assume that was a cue to leave." She said lightly as she stood. "Why are you focusing on Elena?"

"She's the one of you both that people Know of." Elijah said honestly. "The first most have met, more social, easier to get to."

"Right." Tam said lightly with a frown. "Can you promise me my sister won't die?"

Elijah tilted his head slightly. "I promised to keep those you both cared for unharmed."

"Those we care for. Not specifically Us." She said carefully.

Elijah stayed quiet for a moment. "I can't give my word that you'll both survive."

"Then make it Me." She told him. "If one of us needs to die. Make sure it's me."

"I can't do that." He said, carefully but honestly. "I have no way of knowing I'll have that level of control over which of you He'll want."

"... Okay. Is there a way we can effect that?"

"Possibly. You'll find out more as time passes. Will you be joining me to get Stefan?"

"Sure." She nodded.

"Just take care to stay out of Katerina's reach." Elijah told her. "Jonas, do let me know when it's done." He said and headed for the door.

"I would advise against the flirting, Ms Gilbert." Jonas said as Tam headed out after him. She paused a moment before she continued without without another acknowledgement.

As they got to the car Elijah held the car keys out to her. "I imagine you know the way to the church better than I." He said simply and she forced down a smile as she took them.

.

"Good evening, Katerina. Thank you for having the good sense to be frightened." He said after the woman said his name in fear and stepped back as he entered the church ruin. Tam leaned against the back wall to watch curiously out of view of the woman. "Your release has been requested."

"What, by who?" Stefan said, confused.

"The lovely Elena drives a hard bargain. However, we reached a peaceful agreement, she and I. Please." He said and stepped to one side as he waved for him to walk out. "Come."

"I can't."

"Yes, you can. I've had the spell lifted."

Slowly Stefan walked out and moved through the line and relaxed a little after passing them. Katherine's gaze tracked his movements and as soon as he was past, she went to speed out, but Elijah blocked her way. "As for you, however, you should not exit until I say so. When Klaus comes, he'll want to know exactly where you are." He said, and she stilled, unable to get past him. "You're free to go. Elena will explain the arrangement to you. If she keeps her word, I'll keep mine." He told Stefan before he walked out.

Tam looked between them and followed. "You compelled her."

"I did."

"What's between you three?"

"Three?" He asked, his lips ticked up slightly.

"You two and Klaus. You were obviously close once." She said simply.

He stopped and she did the same turning to him. "For someone who is aware of the danger I could be. You ask a lot of questions."

"I like to know more when people want me dead it seems." She returned, matching his lofty tone. She shifted and barely stopped herself from wrapping an arm around herself, but let herself use the book as a reason to do exactly that. Half in attempt to block the cold of the winds. His head tilted softly and frowned a moment then his jacket was wrapped over her shoulders and then he was gone.

Tam blinked in surprise and wrapped a hand wrapped a hand over the edge of the jacket. A slight smile pulled on to her lips for a moment before she realised what she was doing and shook her head in time with Stefan calling her name.

She turned to him and he stared at her for a moment. "Is that Elijah's-"

"Yes." She said simply. "Can you... can you drive me home?"

"Yeah. Yeah, of course." He nodded. "Nice hair." Stefan said.

"Mhmm. You may stop mixing me and Elena up now."

"I didn't do it that much." He said with a slightly awkward laugh.

She raised an eyebrow. "You dropping by?"

"That okay?"

"Yes. Just, no 'sleep over'. We still share a room." She reminded him.

"Yeah. I know. No sleepovers at the Gilbert house." Stefan nodded as they got to his car. "... Wanna drive?" He asked when he saw her hesitate at the passenger side, seeming hesitant even as he asked.

.

"You're going to see Stefan?" Tam asked when she saw Elena already about to head out the next morning. 

"Yeah. Meet him before school." She said easily.

"Okay, you be sickening." She told her, waving her out.

"Mhmm, oh, has Jenna seen your hair yet?"

"Nope. I'm gonna sneak out, deal with it later." She hummed, reaching for her cap. "Have fun."

"Yeah, see you at school." She said easily.

"Like?"

"If John's working with her? What the invention is? About the tomb vampires?" He drawled and Alaric glared.

"Did you blank or something, Mr Saltzman?"

"I was a little distracted by my dead wife." He said flatly.

"You unfortunately do not have the privilege to get distracted when lives are on the line. I assume my 'mother' is how you got my uncles ring?" She hummed and Alaric looked at his hand.

"You know it's-"

"My dad had a matching one. I weirdly recognise family heirlooms, yeah." She said simply. "So, what did she want?"

"To see her daughter."

"Elena?"

"...yes."

Tam looked to Elena. "You were trying to find a Vampire who's playing dead? Really?"

"You not even be curious?"

"No. Because she's not our mother." She said simply. "And to say otherwise is disrespectful to mom." Tam told her. "So what's the threat?"

"To go on a spree."

"... Great."

"I'm arguing you should go instead of Elena." Damon said simply. "You're logic over emotions."

"Me and Elena are different enough in talking that people will likely tell the difference between us." Tam reasoned immediately. "I'd hope." She added after a moment.

"I want to do it." Elena spoke up. "I want to meet her. If I don't, I know I'll regret it."

"Fine." Damon said annoyed. "Both of you can go." He said and looked to Tam pointedly.

"Bite me." She said dryly.

"Tempting." He returned immediately and leaned closer.

"Back up before I break your nose." She said and finally knocked his arm off her but looked to Elena. "But you are an idiot if you think you're going alone." She told her.

"... You'd come with me?"

"I'm pissed at you, sure, but you're still my sister. I'm not letting you get yourself hurt because you want to do something stupid." She told her gently. "Okay? We always stick together." She told her. Elena smiled softly and nodded.

.

"Can you hear me? Thanks for coming, I'm nervous." Elena said quietly. Stefan smiled at her from across the room and Tam moved a hand over hers for a moment as they both sat together. "I'm happy that you're here. I love you." She said, the last comment towards Stefan who mouthed the words back.

"Hello, Elena." A woman with dark hair said sat opposite them. "You look just like her, that's eerie." Isobel.

"You've met Katherine?" Elena asked surprised.

"She found me after I turned. Genetic curiosity, I suppose. She would be fascinated by you."

"I still think that's a weird fascination." Tam drawled casually.

"You would. You're a twin."

"Identical and everything. Nice daylight amulet. Could you get more obvious?"

"Katherine helped me obtain it."

"Who's our father?" Elena asked.

"Not important. He was a teenage waste of space."

"A name would be nice."

"It would, wouldn't it?" She said and refocused on Elena. "You ask a lot of questions."

"Why did you compel that man to kill himself? Right after he told me to stop looking for you."

"Dramatic impact. I wish it would have been more effective."

"Human life means that little to you?"

"Means nothing to me. It's just part of being what I am."

"No, it's not." Elena denied immediately. "I know other vampires, that's not true."

"Your new boyfriend over there by the pool table? Stefan Salvatore. Why Stefan? Why didn't you go for Damon? Or are you enjoying them both like Katherine did?"

"Let's not insult her like that." Tam said quickly.

"Oh, do you have one each?"

"Are you jealous or something?" Tam returned, quick to match her tone. "Why Elena?"

"I was curious. Besides. If I asked for her I knew you'd follow." She said. "But the real reason is: I want what your uncle wants. Johnathan Gilbert's invention." She said seriously.

"How do you know our uncle?" Elena asked.

"I used to spend a lot of time here when I was younger. John had a crush on me for years. He was the first one that told me about vampires." Tams head tilted slightly to one side in thought.

"So what made you want to be one?" Elena asked.

"It's a very long list of reasons, Elena. All of which I'm sure you've thought about."

"No."

"That was your first lie. It's inevitable, you're going to get old, Stefan won't." Elena looked at Stefan to see he seemed sad. "Forever doesn't last very long when you're human."

"I'm sorry but I don't have what you're looking for." Elena said as she stood to leave but Isobel grabbed her arm.

"Sit down," she said as she forced her to do so, Stefan walked towards them and Isobel continued, "and tell your boyfriend to walk away. I want the invention." Stefan stilled and stayed away.

"I don't have it."

"I know that but Damon does and you're going to get it for me."

"He's not going to give it to me."

"Then the blood will be on your hands." She told her and stood. "It was nice meeting you both."

Elena took a shaky breath, tears about to fall. Bonnie walked in, looked to them, Stefan and then left despite her look of conflict.

Elena let out a small cry and Tam pulled her into a hug until Stefan walked over to them and let Stefan pull her close instead.

.

"I'm going to kill her." Tam said upset when she met them at the Salvatore house.

"Hey, Tammy, take a breath." Damon said.

"She took Jeremy! She crossed a line!" She said annoyed.

"That's why we need to give her what she wants." Elena said.

"What? No." Tam said. "We don't give her what she wants. We drive a stake into her chest. Like Uncle John should have."

"See? Sensible!" Damon said quickly.

"But it'll be useless, Bonnie can take it's power away." Elena explained.

"I don't trust her." Damon said easily.

"I can remove the original spell." Bonnie told them. She looked more at Tam then Damon.

"John and Isobel will never know." Elena added.

"No, I'll get Jeremy in my own way." Damon told her.

"Really? How are you going to do that? Because Isobel is a vampire and Jeremy could be dead the second you walk in the door."

Tam stilled a moment at the fact and looked to Damon and Damon looked back and sighed. "Are you even up for this? I mean no offense, you're no Emily Bennett. Emily knew what she was doing." He asked Bonnie.

"I've been practicing."

"It's not piano lessons, honey."

"What's your favourite book?"

"What?"

"Name a book. Any book."

"Name a book... How about 'Call of the wild', Jack London?" Bonnie turned towards the library, a moment later a book flies in and Damon caught it. "Jack London, great parlour trick."

"We're doing this, Damon. And we're doing it my way. Now give me the device. We're wasting time!"

"I don't trust you. I tried to kill you."

"Damon, you tried to kill ME." Tam drawled and held up her still wrapped wrist. "That's... not a good metric. And me AND Elena trust Bonnie."

Damon stared at her then Elena before he gave her the device.

"Thank you." Elena said simply.

.

They stood in the town square. "I guess I'm stuck with double trouble." She said, not a single hint of amusement as they turned to her. "Where's the device?"

"Where's Jeremy?" Tam asked.

"This isn't a negotiation. Where is the invention?"

"Where is our brother?" Elena repeated Tam's question.

"Do you think that I came alone?" She asked and two vampires approached from behind them.

"Did you really think that we came alone?" Elena asked.

Isobel turned to see Stefan and Damon headed towards them. "For god sakes, call home."

Elena questioned her but Tam already pulled her phone out to call.

As it clicked and Jeremy's voice came through, 'hello?' she relaxed and clicked it onto speaker.

"You good, Jer?"

'Yeah yeah I'm fine, Uncle John hit his head. It was an accident.'

'We're all laughing,' Jenna's voice called over as well.

'But yeah I'm okay.'

"We'll be home soon, alright?" Elena told him.

'Yeah.' He said before the call ended.

"You were never gonna hurt him."

"No, I was going to kill him. Don't look for any redeeming qualities in me. I don't have any."

"But you took a risk with Damon. Why did you think that he was gonna give it to me?"

"Because he's in love with you."

"He did it for Tam."

"Is there a difference?" Isobel returned.

"Maybe not if you not an idiot." Tam said simply as Elena held out the device.

"Thank you." Elena said bluntly.

"For what?" She said as she took it.

"For being such a monumental disappointment. It keeps the memory of our real mother perfectly intact." Elena told her.

"Goodbye, Elena." She said then paused. "As long as you have a Salvatore on each arm, you're doomed. Katherine was smart. She got out. But we all know that you're not Katherine."

"No. She's not." Tam told her.

"You're closer."

"I will shoot you next time I see you." Tam told her flatly.

Isobel almost looked amused then she left. The other two vampires were gone. Stefan moved and embraced Elena. Damon looked at them upset for a moment and the couple looked at him.

Tam rolled her eyes and grabbed his arm for a moment. "Drive me home." She said. "I wanna see my brother and not throw up over random couple stuff."

Damon smirked slightly and threw his arm over her shoulders and guided her towards the car. "Gladly."

.

"They're gonna start thinking you're sweet on me." Damon said as he drove.

"Really? Pretty sure they're confused if you're in love with me or Elena." Tam returned simply.

"I was in love with Katherine."

"Who's a bitch from what it seems."

"So are you." Damon said simply.

"...Really?" She drawled.

"You just threatened to shoot your own mother."

"She gave me up. She's nothing to me other then the woman who threatened my brother. And hurt my uncle." She paused again. "Who apparently had a crush on her when they were young." She said slowly and Damon's gaze flicked to her.

"John? Had a crush on Isobel?"

"That what Isobel said."

"And Isobel gave Ric John's ring?"

"... I'm going to stop this line of thought. Because I don't want to think about that." She said slowly.

"Yeah, Uncle-Dad does seem awkward."

She groaned lightly. "No. Not touching that until there's actually something to prove it. I don't like that." She told him. "Let's pretend I don't know... Even if I know you're not going to do the same." Tam said and rubbed her face with the hand that wasn't tight on the handle on the door.

.

"Uncle John?" Tam asked as she walked into the kitchen, headed to get a drink of water only to find him on the floor bleeding. She moved quickly to press over the wound and her eyes flicked to the fingers that were on the counter. "What happened?"

"Oh my god." Elena said.

"Call an ambulance!" Tam said and looked over her shoulder to him. She reached to grab a towel and pushed it into Johns hand. "I need to sort... your fingers." She muttered and pushed to her feet.

Elena rushed to find Jeremy and Tam answered the door for the EMT's explained everything that happened. John caught her arm with his free hand and forced them to stop. "You need to go to the hospital." She told him.

"Keep your sister safe." He told her desperately.

"Always." She told him simply.

He nodded and let go and they got him into the ambulance. Then she looked at the blood that was still on her hands when the policeman came to meet her and she looked up at him. "Are you alright, ma'am?"

"As fine as I can be considering the situation." Tam said flatly.

"... I can get-"