"Stop calling me!" Mia screamed at her phone, there was no one on the other line but someone was constantly ringing. The name "Mentiroso" Liar, flashed repeatedly on the screen. Since the night of the sacrifice Elijah had been attempting to contact Mia but she ignored every call.

She understood the reason behind his actions, Klaus had promised him the one thing he desired the most, his family back. However, Mia didn't want to give into Damon's accusations, she didn't want her friends to believe she was choosing Elijah over them, so decided against voicing her opinion.

Shouts, alongside the sound of the cell door slamming shut caught her attention. She rushed downstairs and found a frustrated looking Stefan. "What's wrong, Stef?"

"Damon just tried to kill himself." Stefan ran a hand over his face. "Took his ring off and stood in front of the window."

"What the fuck?!" Mia walked around him to get to the basement but the Salvatore caught her wrist, stopping her.

"Don't go to him. He's hallucinating and I don't want him to say something hurtful to you." 

"Okay, I won't." Mia held her free hand up in surrender when Stefan raised an eyebrow at her with disbelief, "I promise."

 "I don't know what to do. I have Bonnie looking for a cure but...." he glanced down, realising he still had hold of her but didn't bother letting go.

"But what?" Mia was against the idea of them looking to Bonnie for every solution yet it was another thing she thought it was best to stay quiet about.

"What if we're just chasing a loose end?" Stefan moved to the table with Mia still in his hold. He poured some bourbon for the two of them and handed a glass to the brunette. "I don't want to tell him there's nothing we can do but I also don't want to give him false hope, you know?"

"Yeah." Mia murmured, before she could say anything else her phone began to ring, she looked down and saw it was an unknown caller. She pulled away from the Salvatore, who frowned slightly at the loss of contact.

 "One sec, I just need to get this." She walked out the house and answered. Making sure to stay silent, allowing the other person to speak first.

"I was wondering when you would finally answer." Elijah spoke through the phone, he heard Mia tsk and knew she was about to cut the call, "Amelia please, would you just listen?"

"I think this counts as harassment." Mia snapped, "You know, some people usually take a hint after 3 calls but not you, buddy." She laughed bitterly, "You are consistent and I applaud you for your dedication."

"You're upset with me." Elijah noted.

"No, I'm not upset at all." Her tone was laced with sarcasm, "What gave you that idea?"

"Perhaps you'd like to join me for lunch?" The Original offered. "To grant me the opportunity to elucidate."

"Perhaps not." Mia sassed but soon after felt a twinge of guilt. She sighed out of annoyance, cursing at herself for giving in. "5 minutes, that's all you get." The Petrova could sense the smile creeping onto his lips, "Meet me by the café alley on Queen Street in 20." she spoke quickly before ending the call.

She took a deep breath and swung the door open, "Stef, I'm just going out for a bit, do you need anything?"

"No, it's okay." Stefan responded with his eyes closed, from the couch. 

As she turned to leave, he called out to her, "Mia?" He'd heard her conversation with Elijah, prying wasn't in his intention but he was certain the Original would call her and his theory was now proven.

Part of him wanted to stop her, convince her that seeing Elijah was a bad idea but he knew the Petrova would feel uneasy unless she heard him out. She was too quick to forgive and Stefan worried that one day someone would take advantage of that.

"Just..... be careful." Stefan warned. 

"I always am." The brunette smiled and left.

"If only." Stefan chuckled to himself. Mia had a certain talent for getting herself into difficult situations but she would almost, always find a solution by herself.

~~~~

"The fucking prick is 5 minutes late." Mia stood in the alleyway, anxiously waiting. She grew impatient and turned to leave, causing her to collide with a firm chest.

"Leaving so soon, Miss Petrova?" Elijah smirked, taking in her appearance. More specifically the black cap paired with oversized sunglasses. "What's this?"

"I'm in incognito mode." Mia responded as if it was the most obvious thing, "After what you did, I can't show my face in public again."

"I-" Elijah began but was swiftly cut off.

"You know, I was one of the only people who defended you. Not only did you prove me wrong but you proved Damon Salvatore right." She crossed her arms over her chest, "I don't think you can truly comprehend how humiliating that is."

She removed her cap and fixed her hair, "And if Damon wasn't on the verge of death he would 1000% be lording it over me."

"Death?" Elijah questioned.

"Tyler Lockwood bit him. Now he's hallucinating and jumping in front of windows without a daylight ring." Mia explained, "So I've hidden Tyler in an undisclosed location to keep him safe." In reality she'd just sent him to go stay in a motel out of town, she didn't trust that Damon wouldn't try to harm him.

Whilst she was talking, Elijah looked over her shoulder and saw a teenage girl observing them intently. "Who is that?"

"Who?" Mia glanced back, "Oh, that's just Dana." She smiled brightly and waved at the girl, however didn't receive a greeting in return.

"She's watching us." Elijah stated.

"Relax, she's harmless." Mia reassured, "Probably just wondering why I'm in an alleyway with a random guy."

The Original took hold of Mia's hand and led her deeper down the backstreet. The Petrova girl grew worried. "If you're gonna kidnap me ...... don't." 

"Caroline's in her car down the street, waiting for me." Mia informed him, "So if you try anything funny she's going to...." she paused, trying to think of a believable threat but drew a blank. "She's going to call Stefan and he'll kick your ass." 

"I also have this." she pulled out her keychain equipped with a weapon. After Klaus refused to return her confiscated blade, she chose a different method of self defence.

"A taser?" Elijah arched a brow with amusement.

"Yup, you wanna try?" She pointed it towards him.

"I do not wish to harm you, Amelia." He moved closer and pulled the sunglasses away from her face, revealing his favourite feature of hers, her eyes. They held an inordinate amount of emotion and that changed whenever Mia was in the presence of different individuals.

Elijah had studied the way the Petrova looked at others. But most importantly noticed the way she looked at Stefan Salvatore, it was clear that she had intense feelings for the younger brother.

 This came as a slight disappointment to Elijah, he'd misconstrued her affection for something more and felt ashamed for his lapse in judgement. He realised that Mia was an extremely loving girl but that didn't necessarily mean that the endearment shown to others was because she was romantically interested in them.

"Have you told him about Elena?" Mia murmured quietly, in case of intrusive ears.

"I gave my word that I wouldn't."

"Well, your word doesn't really count for shit these days." Mia snarked, "Did you tell him?"

"No, I didn't." Elijah replied. He took a step forward but Mia took three back. "He's spent the last 2 days parading about like a fool."

"He is a fool." Mia mumbled, "And so are you."

"Amelia, I had no choice." Elijah expressed, "Had I killed Niklaus my siblings would remain lost for eternity."

"But he still hasn't given them back!" Mia argued, "And I honestly don't think he's going to."

Elijah fiddled with the cuff of his sleeve, "He gave me his word."

"Oh, I'm sorry, that changes everything." Mia mused sarcastically. "Wait never mind, it doesn't change shit! This is the guy that daggered all his siblings. How do you know he won't turn around and do the same thing to you?"

She raised her brows, waiting for Elijah to respond. "I don't." he confessed quietly.

"Then do you seriously believe we have anything left to talk about?" After he failed to give a response, Mia shook her head in disappointment and looked away from him.

"Although you no longer trust me, I must express my regrets." Elijah drew nearer but her gaze remained on the brick wall beside her. He sighed deeply, grabbing her hand and placing the sunglasses in it.

The Original leaned closer hesitantly, pausing to see if Mia would object. When she didn't, he gently pressed a kiss on her forehead. "I am sorry, Amelia." He whispered before speeding away, leaving the Petrova girl alone.

"Fuck my life." Mia leaned back against the wall, her heart aching with guilt.

~~~~

"Ah, you've returned." Klaus addressed Elijah, who just walked into Alaric's apartment. "Did you have a nice time?"

"Niklaus, if you're to have your lackeys spy on me, at least have the decency to be discreet." Elijah criticised, glancing over at Katherine. The doppelganger avoided his gaze and left the room.

"What were you doing with Mia?" Klaus questioned, taking a sip from his glass.

"I hardly believe that's any of your concern." Elijah's brows furrowed at the familiarity in which the Petrova girl's name left his brother's lips.

"Just making conversation." Klaus shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "The two of you seem close."

"Amelia has been a dear friend to me, during my time here." Elijah responded.

"You speak her name so fondly." Klaus remarked with a brow raised.

"If you have a point brother, I suggest you get to it." Elijah quipped with a sharp tone. "What is it exactly that you're implying?"

"Are you suggesting there's something to imply?" Klaus hit back, he took another sip of his drink and paused. A tension thick silence filled the air for several moments, until the hybrid broke it, "Do you fancy her?" 

"I'm afraid I don't see the relevance of thi-" Elijah started.

"Do you fancy her?" Klaus repeated, his voice becoming loud and resonant. "I hear she went with you, to Cordoba. What exactly did you do there?"

This sudden mass of questions caused suspicion to ring through Elijah's mind, however he decided it was in his best interest to cooperate. "She accompanied me to a gala, the very same gala where Alexei Romano set us astray, which I hear was your doing."

"Guilty as charged." Klaus smirked, "And then?"

"She asked that I take her to the Roman Bridge and so I did." Elijah continued speaking but Klaus' focus remained on a certain detail as the smirk dropped from his face.

"You had no right." The hybrid spoke with a low growl, his fists clenched, causing the glass in his hand to slowly fracture. "You just can't help yourself, can you?" It felt as though the cycle of Tatia was repeating, only this time Klaus was determined to get what his heart was set on.

"Niklaus, I assure you I haven't the faintest idea what it is you're talking about." Elijah pinched the bridge of his nose, "But if this is just a lust filled desire you have, then you should know that Amelia despises you. Just now, she was expressing her doubts of your proposed aims."

"What do you mean?" Klaus asked, making no attempt to conceal the hurt on his face.

"She believes you won't fulfil your word." Elijah turned around, his back facing his brother. "That you have no intention of reuniting me with our siblings."

Klaus drained his glass of its contents, "Well she was wrong. I gave my word that I would bring you all together." He picked up the dagger that was hidden in his coat and dashed towards Elijah. "And so I shall." He dug the dagger into the older Original's chest.

Elijah groaned out in pain and shock, glancing down at the weapon buried in him. He gripped onto the hybrid's head and looked into his eyes with desperation. However Klaus simply hushed him whilst grinning, "You need to learn to stay away from things that aren't yours." Once his brother's body had faded to grey, he discarded of him onto the floor.

The front door swung open, revealing Stefan Salvatore, his eyes darted to Elijah on the ground then back up to the hybrid, "You just keep popping up, don't you?" Klaus smiled, pleased that his plan was slowly falling into action.

"I need your help." Stefan informed, "For my brother."

~~~~

"All this waiting around for news is ruining Scarlett for me." Caroline whispered to the group. She was accompanied by Mia, Jeremy and Bonnie, they were all sat in the Town Square watching Gone With The Wind.

"We should've heard something by now." Bonnie spoke quietly, making sure not to disturb Mia, who had fallen asleep with her head on the Bennett witch's lap. 

"Alaric just texted me." Jeremy piped up, looking down at his phone. "Damon's escaped, he's looking for Elena." His eyes widened as he read the next message, "The sheriff's looking for him."

"What?!" Caroline exclaimed, causing Mia to wake up.

"What's wrong?" she mumbled sleepily, sitting up straight. She looked over at the Gilbert boy, "What's the matter Jer? Is the movie finished already?"

"I'm going to find Elena." Jeremy stood up but was stopped when Bonnie grabbed his hand.

"If Damon is off the rails, there is nothing you can do to stop him." The Bennett witch advised, "Let us take care of it."

"You keep doing this." Jeremy complained, brushing the girl away, "You left me behind before and guess what? Jenna still died. Now I'm going to find my sister." He began to walk away, "You go ahead and try to stop me."

"He's just upset Bon." Mia comforted, rubbing the girl's back. "Let's go find Damon."

"Mia, my mom is after him and who knows how many deputies." Caroline refused, "We should stay here until we know it's safe."

After a few minutes Mia spotted Jeremy stumbling into the Grill, holding up Damon. "They're over there." Caroline and Mia used their vampire speed and rushed to the restaurant, leaving Bonnie behind. A loud shot could be heard coming from inside.

Upon entry they spotted Liz kneeling by Jeremy, whispering comforting words. The Gilbert boy's breath was jagged as it slowly came to a stop. Blood trickled out the wound in his chest, causing his shirt to stick to the skin.

"What the fuck happened?!" Mia ran over to them.

"I- I was aiming for Damon." Liz stammered.

"It's okay, he still has his ring. He'll be fine." Caroline assured.

"The ring won't work." Mia interjected, "This wasn't caused by anything supernatural."

"Oh my god!" Bonnie exclaimed, "Jeremy, wake up." She shook him gently, forcing back the sobs that were threatening to leave her throat.

"Wait, I got it." Caroline bit into her wrist and pressed it to the boy's mouth.

"What are you doing?!" Liz stared with wide eyes, ogling the dark veins under her daughter's eyes.

"She's helping him." Mia snapped, she stroked Jeremy's hair, rejecting her tears from falling, "Jer, please drink it. You need to be okay, you can't die." However the Gilbert boy remained motionless, his heartbeat nowhere to be heard.

Alaric staggered in, "Bonnie, what's going on?", his eyes landed on Jeremy's blood stained body, "Oh my god."

"He's not drinking it." Caroline sat back in defeat. "What are we gonna do?"

"Let me try." Mia leaned forward but Bonnie grabbed her arm.

"Don't." The Bennett witch rose from the floor, her legs quivering. "I know what I need to do. Ric, you need to grab him. T-take him with us."

"No, no, no. You can't move him." Liz declined, "This is a crime scene."

"Mom, you let them go." Caroline ordered. 

"All right, I got him." Alaric picked the younger boy up from the ground. "I got you buddy." 

~~~~

Bonnie had managed to resurrect Jeremy with the power of the old witches. They warned there would be consequences but the Bennett witch insisted they save him. Mia sat outside the boy's room whilst he slept, although unlikely, she was certain another danger would appear. 

This was until Alaric had assured her he would keep watch and encouraged her to go home. Damon had been found by Elena and was on the brink of death, his brother had been missing for several hours without a trace.

"Hey there." Mia stood in the door way, grinning at the older Salvatore.

Damon noticed the smile on her face and recalled the memory of her proclaiming that if he was ever bitten by a werewolf she would laugh at him. "Don't you dare."

"I'm not going to." Mia bit on her lip to stifle her laughter, "My, my, my. What a predicament that young Damon has found himself in."

"Shut up." Damon chuckled weakly, his chest aching.

"What was it that you said at the fair?" Mia cleared her throat and spoke in a low pitch, "This is reality and there is no such thing as werewolves."

"Okay, I get it. I was wrong." The blue eyed vampire admitted. "You should get out of here. I could hurt you."

"Awh. You think you can hurt me?" Mia lay beside him, "That's cute."

"I'm being serious, Pierce. It's not safe." Damon warned. He rolled onto his side, groaning with excruciation. "You should hate me."

"Who says I don't." Mia smiled, she picked up a damp cloth and patted it across his face.

"I know you don't." He smirked, "You wouldn't be here otherwise."

"I can leave." Mia teased, shuffling off the bed.

Damon yanked her arm, pulling her back. He leaned closer, craving affection, "I've been such a dick to you lately."

"Yeah, you have." The brunette hummed, "To be fair, I've been a bit of a bitch too."

"Nothing compared to me." Damon disagreed, running a finger down her arm, "I killed your best friend, I basically sold you to Elijah. I've treated you like crap but you're still here. I don't deserve it."

"It's okay, let's not talk about that." Mia comforted, she pushed his hair back from his forehead. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"It does, it matters." Damon winced, his breaths grew deeper. "I was angry with ever- ...... everything and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

Mia gasped sarcastically, "Did Damon Salvatore just apologise? Hold on, I need to record this." 

"Don't push it." The Salvatore lips upturned, "It's never happening again."

"We'll see, I can be very persuasive." Mia rested her head on his chest and drew patterns across the material of his shirt with her finger.  "I'm sorry too, for hitting you.... on many occasions."

"I deserved it, every time." Damon added, Mia felt his chest vibrate as he laughed.

"True." she giggled, the sweet sound causing his smile to widen. Upon hearing his pulse decline, Mia let out a shaky breath, "You're making me wish I'd been nicer to you."

"You did everything right, Mia." He played with her hair, threading his fingers through the soft strands. "The only regret you should have is not dating me."

"We would kill each other." Mia sassed.

"We would kill for each other." Damon corrected.

"That too." She looked up at the boy smiling down at her. "I don't hate you, I know I act like I do and sometimes I even feel like I do. But I don't." 

"I don't hate you either." He whispered, "I think it would be impossible to hate you."

"Please don't die." Mia's voice cracked as she spoke, "We can't loose anyone else." Tears spilled from her eyes and she sat up, her face hovering above his. "I can't lose anyone else."

"Well if I could stop it, I would." Damon teased, he wiped away the tears from her cheeks. "Don't cry for me." He hunched up, coughing. "It's getting worse, you should go."

Mia placed a kiss on his cheek, his skin scorched with a fever. "I didn't think I'd ever say this but .... I'm gonna miss you."

"I'd miss me too." He joked, "I need you to tell Elena something for me."

"You can tell me yourself." Elena's voice came from behind them.

"I'll leave you guys alone." Mia walked out the room and made her way to the fireplace in the living room.

Several minutes had passed when she heard a voice speak next to her, "Whatcha thinking about?" She whirled around to see Katherine, smirking at her. "Zdravei Mia."

"Oh my god." Mia jumped at the girl, embracing her. "How'd you get out?"

"Klaus let me go, so I could bring this." The doppelganger held up a vial.

"Is that..."

"The cure to wolf venom." Katherine completed, "I've already given it to Damon. Kinda interrupted a heartfelt moment between him and Elena." She walked towards the door, "Well, I've done my bit.... see you later."

"Wait, you can't go." Mia objected, "You said we were going to spend time together, like a family."

Katherine sighed, thinking back to Klaus' warnings not to involve herself in her descendant's life. "I only said that because I thought we were dying."

"You don't mean that." Mia shook her head, "Did Klaus say something to you?"

"He didn't need to. I'm not the kind of family you want, Mia." Katherine contended, "I don't do the birthdays and girl trips. It's a fantasy and it's one that you need to get over."

"Why are you saying this?" Mia reached out for her but the doppelganger pulled away. 

"Because it's true. You're better off without me." Before the younger girl could object, Katherine spoke again, "What are you not getting? I don't want to get to know you. I don't want to play happy families."

"Then fuck off." Mia snapped, "Go ahead and run, just like you've been doing for the past 500 years. I don't need you."

"That's fine." Katherine walked to the exit, ignoring the feelings of guilt. "Stefan's with Klaus, by the way. I don't think he's coming back."

Without even bothering to wait for Katherine's elaboration, Mia rushed out of the house.

~~~~

The Petrova girl barged through the front door of Alaric's apartment, her eyes immediately went to a saddened Stefan. The strong, distinct smell of human blood came from his direction as a small drop remained on his chin. "Stef?" she moved towards him but was stopped when Klaus appeared in front of her.

"Hello, love." Klaus smirked.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Mia yelled, infuriated that the hybrid had messed around with Stefan's obvious addiction to human blood. "Why would you give him that?"

"I'm helping him reconnect with his true self." Klaus told her, "Preparing him for our trip."

"What trip?" Mia quizzed, she looked over his shoulder and smiled softly at Stefan, hoping to provide him comfort. She'd seen him deal with his blood lust issues first hand and knew the self loathing he experienced with it.

"We're leaving tonight. That was the deal." Klaus informed, "In return for healing his brother, Stefan is to come with me." He edged closer to the girl, "You could come with us, if you'd like." The consideration of agreeing stayed on Mia's mind, she weighed out the options. 

If she went along she could make sure that Stefan didn't stray too far from his true self. Almost as if he could read her mind, Stefan cleared his throat, snapping her back to reality. "No." He mouthed silently to her, whilst shaking his head in warning.

"Well?" Klaus raised his brows, "What will it be?" He hoped she would join them, it would grant him the opportunity to be closer to her again. To gain back all the years lost.

"You're fucking insane if you think I'd go anywhere with you." Mia sneered, "First you kill Jenna, then Elena and you seriously think I'd want to be near you."

Unbeknownst to her, Klaus had noticed the warning she received from the younger Salvatore. It irked the hybrid that Mia was so quick to obey Stefan but was constantly fighting with him. "You only have yourself to blame for Jenna's death."

"That's not true." Stefan objected from behind.

"Isn't it?" Klaus glared at him, "She assisted your brother in freeing my wolf and vampire. If it wasn't for them, Jenna would be alive."

"I didn't have a choice." Mia murmured, however his words had affected her more than he knew, "Caroline's my friend, so is Tyler. You were going to kill them too."

"Well, I could've chosen anyone and they would still mean something to someone." Klaus remarked, he saw the Petrova's eyes glisten with tears. Of course, it made him feel bad but his anger overshadowed any feelings of guilt. "We best get going."

"Can I at least say bye?" Mia requested. Klaus responded only with a nod and hum. The brunette ran to Stefan and wrapped her arms around him, "I'm so sorry, Stef." She sobbed quietly, "This is all my fault."

"None of this is your fault." He consoled her, holding her close to him, "You didn't make him choose Jenna, just like you didn't make Tyler bite Damon. Don't blame yourself for any of this, okay?"

"Let me come with you." Mia pleaded, "I need to make sure you're okay."

"I'll be okay if I know you're safe." Stefan responded, "Look after yourself."

"I will ...... I love you." Mia whispered. All her past experiences of love had ruined the perspective of the emotion for her but she was certain that she was in love with Stefan. She hadn't felt it this intensely with anyone else, but knew it was best to step aside, for Elena.

"I love you too, Mia." Stefan whispered back, he'd spent countless nights contemplating this issue. He knew he loved Mia but was unsure as to how. He knew it wasn't in the same way he loved Elena, it definitely wasn't the way he loved Lexi or Bonnie and Caroline. It was different, unfamiliar so he pushed it aside.

Mia pulled away from the hug, studying the pain in his face, "You'll be okay?"

"I'll be fine." He smiled in reassurance, he glanced back at Klaus, who's eyes burned with jealousy. "You should go." And with that, Mia left, her sobs could be heard from outside as both Stefan and Klaus felt their hearts weakening to the sound of it.

"Pick up the last of the bags and bring them outside." Klaus ordered.

Stefan lifted up the rucksack, without realising the front zip was open. A file dropped from its holder and landed on the floor. Papers scattered across the wooden boards, the Salvatore knelt down to retrieve them and picked up a picture.

"Don't look at them." Klaus snapped, rushing over to Stefan to grab them but the younger vampire held his arm back, holding them away from the hybrid.

"That's me and you." Stefan blinked in disbelief, in the picture the two were smiling, wearing old fashioned attire. "What am I doing here with you?" He looked at the next picture and his jaw dropped slightly.

This picture also had the two of them but on Stefan's right hand side stood a blonde woman, however that wasn't the detail the Salvatore was focussing on. Instead he was looking at the familiar brunette woman, beaming brightly. Her dimples on show as Klaus had an arm wrapped around her waist.

"That's Mia!" Stefan exclaimed.

THE END

I'm joking.... April fools

A/N: HELLO MY DARLINGS. I hope you enjoyed that chapter.

SOOOO.... that was the big reveal. How you guys feeling?

I have important news, You guys are going to be going back in time for the next few chapters. Get ready for the 20s.

Another quick thing, Mia is gonna be quite different in these chapters. More innocent and passive. It's not the baddie, snarky Mia that we all know and love but I hope you guys love this version too. She's a cutie.

After the flashback chapters, I will be starting Season 3. Which I am very excited, one of my favourite seasons.

Thank you for all ur support throughout the first 15 chapters. It means the world to me and I appreciate every single one of you.

LOVE YOUUU

Published: 1st April 2022