chapter twelve
season three, episode three
the end of the affair.

"Welcome back to Chicago, Arabella," Klaus grinned, stepping out of the suv. Arabella could basically feel the mocking in his tone. He knew Chicago hurt her too badly once Stefan forgot her. Now he forced her back.

Arabella and Stefan followed him out of the car, the hybrid walking up to a door. "What are we doing here?" Stefan questioned.

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

Arabella shook her head. Stefan had only been a ripper the first couple years he lived here. Once Ara stepped into the picture, he calmed down. "Blocked out most of them," Stefan responded. Ara narrowed her eyes. He hadn't blocked them out. He'd been forced to forget. "Lot of blood, lot of partying. Details are all a blur."

"Well that is a crying shame." Klaus spoke dryly, ignoring his little sister, who was glaring daggers into the back of his head. "The details are what makes it legend."

Arabella Mikealson sat beside Stefan on a barstool, his hand resting on her thigh as Ara watched Rebekah waltz around the bar. Stefan moved his hand from her thigh, dancing upwards until he grabbed her chin.

Ara's eyes bore into his as he forced her to look at him, smiling. "Hey, don't worry about Rebekah," He whispered, pressing a haste kiss to her lips. "Focus on me."

"Always and forever," Arabella whispered against his lips.

"Chicago was magical," Klaus spoke, making Ara blink out of the memory with a heavy heart.

"Yeah, well, I'll take your word for it," Stefan replied curtly, walking past the siblings. "Like I said, I don't remember most of it."

A frown pulled on Arabella's lips as her mind flashed to Ophelia Adams. Ophelia had so much of her life taken away by compulsion. Every memory of Kol. Aea wondered if she thought it was trauma blocking as well. She wondered how Ophelia was coping these days.

"Down to business, then?" Klaus questioned Stefan.

"Why am I still with you?" Stefan asked, turning to face the hybrid. "We had our fun. Your hybrids failed. I mean, don't you want to move on?"

"We're going to see my favorite witch," Klaus responded, making Arabella huff. "If anyone can help us with our hybrid problem, it's her."

Klaus climbed back into the car, Stefan and Arabella joining him. Ara's eyes flickered as she realized he was talking about Gloria. Gloria was one of the few witches that could stand their family. But it had been nearly a century, there was no way she was still alive.

The trio walking into the bar where most of Arabella's time in Chicago had been spent, looking around. "Looks familiar, doesn't it?"

"I can't believe this place is still here," Stefan responded, eyes dancing around the room.

"You've got to be kidding me," A woman's voice spoke. Arabella's head snapped over, surprised to find Gloria still alive and well.

"So, a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bar-" Klaus started.

"Stop," Gloria interrupted. "You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny." She smiled, pulling Arabella into a short hug. "How you doing, Bells?"

"Good," Arabella smiled, hugging her back. "How about you?"

"Hanging in there," Gloria grinned. She nodded towards Stefan. "I remember you."

"Yeah," Stefan nodded. "You're Gloria. Shouldn't you be?"

Gloria hummed in response. After Klaus erased Stefan's memory, Arabella had walked back to Gloria sobbing. The woman had been her comfort then. "Old and dead?" Gloria spoke, finishing Stefan's question. "Now, if I die, who's going to run this place, huh?"

"Gloria's a very powerful witch," Klaus informed Stefan.

"I can slow the aging down some," Gloria explained. "Herbs and spells. But don't worry, it'll catch up to me one day."

"Not anytime soon," Arabella cut in.

"Stefan, why don't you go and fix us up a little something from behind the bar?" Klaus requested.

"Yeah, sure thing." Stefan nodded, walking away.

Gloria watched him go before turning to Ara. "Still don't remember you, huh?" She asked the blonde quietly. Arabella only shook her head in response, making Gloria send a glare towards Klaus.

"You loom ravishing, by the way," Klaus told the woman, attempting to suck up.

Gloria wasn't having it though, shaking her head as she put her hand up. "Don't. I know why you're here. A hybrid out to make more hybrids? That kind of news travels."

"So, what am I doing wrong?" Klaus questioned, sitting across from the two witches. "I broke the curse."

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

"Well that would be the original witch," Klaus told Gloria, while Arabella's body stiffened. Her mother. She could contact her mother, who she never even got to say goodbye to. "She's very dead."

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

"Siphon Arabella," Klaus offered.

"Bring me Rebekah," Gloria told Klaus. Arabella straightened up, eyes snapping to her brother. Klaus respected Gloria. Maybe he would wake Rebekah up.

"Rebekah." Klaus nodded, looking away. "Rebekah is a bit preoccupied."

"She has what I need," Gloria responded. "Bring her to me."

Arabella wondered what it was Gloria needed from Rebekah, a vampire. Before she could ask, Stefan interrupted from the bar. "What is this?"

"Well, I told you, Stefan," Klaus replied, standing up and walking towards him. "Chicago's a magical place."

"But this is me," Stefan responded, holding up a picture. Arabella's eyes trained on it as she saw a picture of Stefan and Klaus smiling. "With you."

Klaus stormed out of the bar, Arabella hurrying after him with Stefan hot on her heels. "This doesn't make any sense, why don't I remember you?" Stefan questioned.

"You said it yourself," Klaus responded. "That time had a lot of dark holes."

"No, if you knew me, then why haven't you said anything?" Stefan shouted. Arabella took a step away from him. She wasn't used to Stefan shouting.

"I'm a little busy right now," Klaus retorted. "Menory lane will have to wait."

"What the hell is going on?" Stefan shouted, taking Klaus's arm and yanking the hybrid to face him. "Answer me."

Klaus grabbed Stefan's arm, pushing it off of him. "Let's just say we didn't get off to a brilliant start," He spoke. "To be honest, I hated you."

Arabella's hands were on the sides of Stefan's face as she kissed him gently, a smile tugging on her lips. Stefan pulled away, starting to kiss down her neck.

Ara let out a breathy whine, running her fingers through his hair, eyes fluttering closed.

"So scandalous, little sister," A voice taunted. Stefan pulled away as Ara's eyes flew open to reveal Klaus and Rebekah.

Arabella immediately smiled, pushing herself out of the booth and throwing her arms around her older siblings, who chuckled, hugging her back. "Arabella," Rebekah breathed out. "Is this the lucky man?"

Ara pulled away, stepping backwards as she put her hand on Stefan's chest. "Stefan, this my older brother and sister, Klaus and Rebekah. Guys, this is Stefan Salvatore."

Stefan offered his hand to Rebekah, placing a light kiss on her knuckles. Klaus however wouldn't shake Stefan's hand, only eyeing it.

"So this is the famous Stefan Salvatore I've been hearing so much about," Klaus commented. "You're right, he does have funny hair. I'm bored. I want to go."

Arabella scowled at him. He had no manners. "Then go without us," Rebekah replied. "We're not your girlfriends."

"No, you're my sisters, which means you have to do as I say," Klaus spoke, grabbing Rebekah and yanking her towards him.

"Your sister?" Stefan questioned, looking between the three vampires as they shared the memory. Klaus had cut out the part where Stefan and Ara kissed, of course. "So I knew another Original vampire."

"If you can't handle it then don't ask," Klaus retorted, stalking forward. Arabella kept her comment to herself. Stefan had met all of the Originals except Finn and Elijah in Chicago.

Arabella froze as her eyes landed on the coffins. She watched as Klaus opened one, staring down at the body. It was Rebekah.

She walked forward, eyes closing as she saw the corpse of her older sister. "I don't recognize her," Stefan commented.

"Don't tell her that," Klaus responded. "Rebekah's temper's worse than mine and Arabella's." Arabella gasped as Klaus pulled the dagger out. "Time to wake up, little sister."

It had been an hour and Rebekah hadn't opened her eyes. Stefan paced boredly, while Klaus stood watch. "Any day now, Rebekah. She's being dramatic."

"Or maybe she's had that dagger in her chest for a century," Arabella spat. It wasn't Rebekah's fault it was taking her awhile to wake up.

"Look why don't you just tell me what the hell's going on?" Stefan requested, crossing his arms over his chest. "I mean, you obviously want me here for a reason, right?"

"Well, you have many useful talents." Klaus commented.

"Do I?" Stefan retorted.

"In fact," Klaus continued. "I learned some of m favorite tricks from you. I was your number one fan."

"Why should I believe any of this?" Stefan questioned.

Klaus ignored him, compelling the security guard instead. "When she wakes up, tell her to meet us at Gloria's bar then volunteer your carotid artery and let her feed until you die."

"'No, Klaus," Arabella shook her head in protest. "I'm not leaving her, not again."

"And you think I would just leave you here to free the rest of them?" Klaus scoffed, turning to face her. "Come, Arabella, you'll see Rebekah soon enough."

Arabella huffed but followed Klaus, rolling her eyes. "You think I'm lying, Stefan?" Klaus questioned. "You told me one of your secrets and now I'm going to prove it to you by going to your old apartment."

Arabella's mind flashed as memories of their old apartment snuck in. Waking with his arm around her, dancing together in front of the window. What secret was Klaus talking about?

It sunk in a minute later. The wall. The wall that Stefan wrote all of his victims names on.

Arabella walked into the apartment with Stefan and Klaus. She hesitated in the doorway. All of her stuff was gone, but everything else had been left untouched.

"Do you feel that?" Klaus questioned, looking back at Stefan. "Is anybody here?"

"It's been vacant for decades," Stefan spoke , finally stepping inside. "People must break in all the time. Why'd you bring me here."

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

"To write it down," Stefan whispered, realization sinking in. Klaus had told the truth.

"And relive the kill," Klaus nodded. "Over and over again." Klaus turned, swinging the bookcase open and watching as Stefan stepped inside. "You believe me now?"

"Look what I found," Stefan spoke a minute later, turning around with a bottle of something in his hand. "Nineteen eighteen. Single malt."

"My favorite," Klaus said, making Stefan hum as the hybrid took it. "Let's go and find someone to pair it with.l

Stefan shut the door as the siblings walked out of the apartment and back to Gloria's bar. Arabella hopped up on a barstool, swinging her legs as Klaus sat beside her and Gloria placed a shot of tequila in front of her. "Where's Rebekah?" Gloria asked.

"She'll be here," Klaus retorted. "I can't just conjure her on demand." Gloria didn't seem to appreciate the sarcasm, turning away while Klaus's attention went to Stefan. "What's with you? I thought Chicago was your playground."

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

"Well, that's certainly half of it," Klaus nodded. The other half was his baby's sisters unwavering love for the Salvatore.

"What's the other half?" Stefan questioned, even though the siblings couldn't give him an answer.

"The other half, Stefan," Klaus spoke. "Is that you used to want to be my wingman," He lied easily. He slid a shot glass down towards him. "To friendship," Niklaus toasted.

"I'm confused," Stefan spoke as Klaus continued to drink. "If we were such great friends then why do I only know you as the hybrid dick who sacrificed my girlfriend on an altar of fire."

"All good things must come to an end," Klaus replied easily.

Stefan wrapped his arm around Arabella as they smiled for a picture. Before the picture could be taken, Stefan leaned in, whispering a joke to Arabella that made her throw her head back with a laugh.

Ara's laugh was short-lived as gunshots sounded throughout the building. Stefan didn't waste a second, pulling her down to the floor behind a counter.

"They're using wooden bullets," Stefan spoke, picking a bullet up off the ground. "They know."

Arabella's eyes closed, a single tear rolling down her cheek as the realization dawned on her. Their father was here. "That means he's here."

"Who?" Stefan asked her. "Who's here?"

"Rebekah' Arabella!" Klaus shouted, pushing through the crowd of people escaping. "Come on, we've got to go sweetheart's."

Rebekah and Arabella stood up, walking to their brother's side. "Take Stefan, take our sister and go," Arabella instructed Klaus. "I'll stay and fight him and catch up with you later."

Klaus nodded, leading Rebekah and Stefan away as Arabella turned around to find her father staring at her. "Hello, Arabella." He greeted, coldness seeping out.

"Father," Arabella greeted before her eyes narrowed, nodding her head slightly and making him fly backwards.

Mikeal got up with a groan, staggering to his feet. "You're not the one I'm after."

"Nik is my brother," Arabella retorted. "If you're after him, you're after me."

She tilted her head, making Mikeal's neck snap. She turned, running out to the garage before freezing. Klaus was holding Rebekah's body up, a dagger sticking out of her chest.

Klaus grabbed Stefan's shoulder, forcing him to look at him. "Stefan, until I say otherwise you must forget Arabella, Rebekah, and me. Until I say otherwise you never knew us, Stefan." He compelled. "Thank you. I had forgotten what it was like to have a brother."

"You compelled me to forget," Stefan realized, nodding.

"It was time for my sister's and I to move on." Klaus replied.

Arabella slammed her hand on the counter in rage. "That wasn't your choice to make!" She shouted. She stood up, needing to clear her head as she walked away from her brother.

"Arabella," A boy whispered, grabbing her arm and pulling her into a hallway.

The blonde's eyes widened before she took in the appearance. It was Theodore. Theodore hadn't abandoned her. "I never stopped trying," The blonde whispered. "Theodore, I have to tell you something."

Theodore shook his head. "I'm taking you home, Arabella," The boy replied. "You don't deserve to be stuck with him."

"Theo, you don't understand," Arabella whispered in reply. "Klaus pulled the dagger out of Rebekah. She's waking up as we speak."

Arabella watched Theodore take in the news, the boy stepping away from her as his emotions swirled. "What?"

"Gloria needs Rebekah for a spell," Arabella explained. "She's waking up." She paused. "Klaus knows Rebekah will be pissed and he knows that she loves you. Stay with us. You can be with Rebekah."

Theodore stared at her before slowly nodding. "For Rebekah, I would do anything," He admitted. "Promise Klaus won't try to kill me."

"I promise," Arabella nodded. She pulled Theodore out of the hallway with her, taking a tentative step towards Klaus. "Niklaus?" She called. "This is Theodore Blake. Rebekah's lover."

"Perfect," Klaus grinned, in a much better mood than Arabella had expected. "You'll be my way to get in Rebekah's good graces. Chop chop, all three of you."

Arabella resisted the urge to roll her eyes as she, Theo, and Stefan followed after Klaus to the garage where Rebekah was waiting. The hybrid instructed Theodore and Stefan to wait outside, only allowing Ara to come in with him.

Arabella hid behind a shelf, scared to see her older sister. Rebekah had woken up. "Rebekah," Klaus called. "It's your big brother. Come out, come out, wherever you are."

Arabella got deja vu from the decade dance. Rebekah vamped forward, sticking the dagger straight into Klaus's chest.

Arabella only smiled as she took in the sight of her older sister. "Go to hell, Nik." Rebekah spat out.

Klaus pulled the dagger out, letting it clatter onto the ground as Rebekah pouted. "Don't pout," Klaus spoke. "You knew it wouldn't kill me."

"No but I was hoping it would hurt more," Rebekah retorted, turning away.

Arabella stepped out of her hiding spot into Rebekah's view. The blonde froze as she took in her younger sister. "Arabella."

Ara stepped forward, basically falling into her older sister's arms, two tear's running down her face. "I never gave up on you, Bekah." She whispered.

Rebekah shushed her, pushing her hair out of her face comfortingly. "I'm here, Ara, it's okay."

"I understand that you're upset with me, Rebekah, Arabella," Klaus spoke, laying his hands on their shoulders. "I brought you a little peace offering. You can come in."

Arabella smiled, stepping away from Rebekah as Theodore stepped into the room. The two lover's froze, taking eachother in before Theodore rushed forward, pulling Rebekah into a hug.

He pulled back with shaky hands, planting kisses along Rebekah's face. "I never stopped hoping I'd see you again, Rebekah." He whispered. "Never."

Rebekah smiled, tears of her own streaming down her face as she kissed Theodore back. Arabella wondered what Klaus's peace offering for her would be.

Klaus turned to Stefan, walking forward and putting his hand on his shoulder. "Now you remember."

Arabella's lips parted in surprise as she watched Stefan remember. First dates, dancing together, kissing under the moonlight.

"Stefan," Arabella whispered tentatively, stepping forward and searching his eyes desperately. "Do you remember?"

"Arabella," Stefan breathed out, eyes searching the blonde's face. "I remember. I remember everything."

rys rambles

shorter chapter but figured the bex and ara reunion made up for jt