"Mia?" Klaric stood in entry of the open door, looking at the girl strewn on the bed. His gaze studied her tear stained face and eyes dazed with exhaustion, she just stared at the ceiling, ignoring his presence. 

"You need to eat something." he placed a bowl of strawberries next to her. She'd always loved the sweet, red fruit, he could recall her declaring that if she could only eat one thing for the rest of her life it would be strawberries. 

"I don't want anything from you." Mia rasped, she didn't let her gaze wander to his face. She knew she wouldn't be able to restrain herself from attacking him. Although he let her get away with the last attempt, she was certain that once he was returned to his original body the first thing he would do is kill her.

"Take your fucking fruit and get out," her tone was drained of emotion. After spending hours sobbing and grieving, she'd given up. Crying won't bring Bonnie back. She rolled onto her side, her back facing him. "Please....... just go."

He hated how much she was hurting, but killing Bonnie Bennett was necessary, the witch was a hindrance, he didn't have time for complications. "I'm sorry." he quickly muttered before exiting the room. 

"Katerina." he called out, the doppelganger rushed to him. After Mia's outburst, Katherine was on edge, making sure to obey whatever Klaus said, in the fear he would displace his anger with her descendant onto her instead. "Get her to come out that room and eat something, she's been in there for 2 days."

"She won't listen to me," Katherine retorted. "There's only 3 people who's opinions she actually cares about. Caroline Forbes, Stefan Salvatore..." she noticed his jaw clench at the mention of the younger Salvatore's name, "... and Bonnie Bennett. Well, now it's 2, considering you killed Bonnie."

"I didn't ask for excuses Katerina, when I tell you do something just do it." he raised his hand to touch her face but she flinched back. "So jumpy." he chuckled, "I have to meet up with the aunt, I want Mia out by the time I return." 

Once he'd left Katherine stumbled back onto the couch, her legs quivering with fear. Being in his presence made her feel like the terrified 17 year old she once was. She'd spent 500 years running from him but he'd still managed to catch her. It was times like these that convinced her she was cursed, being born as a doppelganger sealed her destiny. She was an innocent girl when she'd met Klaus, banished from Bulgaria and sent to start a new life. He enchanted her, lured her in, once his true intentions had been uncovered she fled. This is why she was in this situation. She was being punished for running, for putting her safety first.

Fate was a fickle fiend, by killing herself she gained immortality. However it was an eternity where death was constantly dancing in the shadows. Danger lurked behind every breath she took, she hadn't learnt to enjoy life without the fear of being caught.

"Get up." Katherine went into the room and pulled Mia's arms. Of course she felt bad for the girl but her main concern was not angering Klaus.

"No." Mia whined, "Just let me stay here, wallowing in self pity. You should try it Kat, it's very soothing."

 "Please." Katherine begged, "he's going to kill me if you don't leave this room."

"Don't be so dramatic." Mia scoffed, however once she saw the desperation and fear in Katherine's eyes, she rose from the bed and made her way to the bathroom. "Okay, let me at least shower first."

"Thank you." Katherine let out a sigh of relief, part of her stunned that Mia listened. 

After showering and putting on the clothes that Klaus had left for her, Mia flopped onto the couch next to Katherine. "Where did he buy these clothes from, Walmart?"

"I think they're Elena's." Katherine laughed.

"Oh." Mia pressed her lips together, feeling a hint of guilt. "The little creep went through her things?"  She threw her head back and groaned. "I feel like I'm going insane, being trapped in here and it's only been 4 days."

"Eat." Katherine handed her the bowl of strawberries that Klaus had left for her. "We finished all the bourbon last night, there's officially nothing for us to do." She reached over and awkwardly patted Mia's knee, comforting wasn't her strong suit but she wanted to try. "I'm sorry about Bonnie, I know you two were close."

"I just can't believe she's gone." Mia rubbed her temple, the thought of never seeing Bonnie again caused a dull ache to appear in her heart. "I should be used to it by now," she gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head, "I've lost so many people, it shouldn't be a surprise to me anymore."

"Learn from me then." Katherine suggested, "Don't get close to anyone, don't get attached. It hurts less. No disappointment, no grief."

"That's sounds lonely."

"It's better that way." Katherine concluded. "The less you have to love, the less you have to lose."

Mia's eyes softened with sympathy, her friends had always displayed Katherine as the villain, overlooking the obstacles that caused her heart to darken. 

"It doesn't have to be that way anymore." Mia shifted closer to her ancestor and wrapped an arm around her front, Katherine initially tensed up at the gesture but surrendered, leaning in to the warm embrace.

Although Mia was enjoying the moment, a thought was constantly plaguing mind, "He's gonna kill us, isn't he?" she whispered.

Katherine was asking herself the same question, she was aware that Klaus wanted to make her pay for all those years of running but she was unsure of his plans for Mia. She knew Klaus to be a vindictive individual and was shocked when he didn't pull Mia's heart from her chest the second she laid her hands on him. Her mind lingered on the possibility of him giving Mia the same treatment as her, prolonging the suffering to teach her a lesson.

However, she gave the answer she thought was best, "No, he's not going to kill us." she caressed Mia's hair, resting her chin on her descendant's head. "We're going to get out here and then we're gonna spend so much time together," She felt a single tear trickle down her face, "like a family."

"Like a family." Mia repeated softly.

Katherine felt guilty for lying to her but she hoped these words would provide Mia comfort in her final hours.

A feminine voice spoke from outside the apartment, "I don't think this is a good idea."

"You're an investigative journalist," a separate voice replied. "We're investigating."

"Damon?", Mia shot up from the couch upon recognising the latter's voice. "Damon!" she rejoiced.

"Mia?!" Damon exclaimed, his voice muffled from behind the door. He pulled on the door knob until it fell from its socket then Andie pushed open the door. 

"Thank god." Katherine mused sarcastically.

Damon beamed, "I don't think I've ever been happier to see you Pierce." he pointed at Katherine "Not you, thought you might be dead."

"Unfortunately not." Katherine responded.

"Wow, you were right. She looks exactly like Elena." Andie ogled Katherine, she walked in and held her hand out to Mia. "Hi, I'm Andie. Damon's told me a lot about you."

Mia looked at Damon warningly, "All good things, I hope." she shook Andie's hand.

"Mostly." Damon smirked.

"And I just want you to know that there's no awkward feelings between us." Andie patted Mia's hand, reassuring her, "It doesn't bother me that you and Damon slept together."

Mia's eyes widened and jaw dropped slightly. What the fuck. She glared at Damon, who flashed an innocent smile.

"Sorry to break up...... whatever this is." Katherine piped in, "But what are you doing here?"

"We are here to rescue you." Andie told her.

"No sweetie, we're here to see if she deserved to be rescued." Damon corrected, "Mia's our main priority."

"Right." Andie nodded.

"Awh, D, my saviour." Mia moved closer to the door, pressing a hand to her heart. "I didn't know you cared that much."

Damon chuckled at her dramatics, "What can I say, you have that effect on me."

"I heard about Bonnie." Mia mumbled, she knew Damon claimed not to care for the Bennett witch but after seeing how he was after Rose died, she was worried about him.

"Yeah, it's a shame." Damon murmured, glancing at Katherine. He wanted to tell Mia the truth, that Bonnie was actually alive but he didn't trust that the doppelganger wouldn't inform Klaus. 

"Are Elena and Caroline okay?" Mia asked.

"Don't worry about them, let's focus on you." Damon took the vial from his pocket and waved it around. "Got you some vervain."

"It's not gonna undo anything." Katherine spoke up.

"I didn't bring it for you." Damon snarked. "Mia can share it with you if she wants to."

"And I will." Mia peered over her shoulder at Katherine and gave her a warm smile. "But she's right, it won't undo the compulsion."

"There's always a loophole." Damon remarked, "Did he tell you to stay in this apartment until he said it was okay to leave?"

"Yeah, he said we can't leave until he tells us to."

"Okay, well did he tell you to do absolutely everything he says until the end of time?" Damon questioned.

"No." Katherine chimed in.

"There's your loophole." Damon tossed the vial to Mia. "Drink this and it'll prevent any further compulsion."

As Mia was about to hand the vial to Katherine, Damon interjected. "Wait, don't give it to her yet. She has to answer one question."

"Wait, do I have to answer a question too?" Mia quizzed.

"No Missy, you don't." he turned to Katherine and glared. "You double-crossed us with Isobel, why?"

Not wanting to witness and argument between the two Mia interrupted, "Why don't we just talk about this later? There's no need to spoil the mood."

"It's okay, Mia. I didn't think you could stand a chance against Klaus," Katherine shared, "I was looking out for myself."

"And where did that get you?" Damon mocked, "Trapped in here like an idiot."

Mia raised her hand with an offended look written on her face, "I'm here too." she handed Katherine the vial, who took a sip and began coughing. Mia rubbed the girl's back. 

"I'm fine." Katherine waved Mia off, still spluttering.

"And anyways I'm only here because I'm the smartest." Mia bragged, "I was the first one to figure out Klaus was in Alaric's body."

"Do you want a sticker?" Damon taunted.

"Yes, that would be nice." Mia nodded. "Also you do realise you called Klaus stupid and he was there the entire time. You best get running Dames, he's coming for you." she teased.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'll keep an eye out for any vengeful history teachers heading my way." Damon stepped forward, wanting to be near Mia but was stopped by an invisible force. He mentally cursed at Alaric for never inviting him in. 

"So, what do you think of Andie?" Damon looked over at the woman who was ruffling through Alaric's papers.

"She seems nice," Mia shrugged "different from your usual type." 

Damon quirked a brow, "What's my usual type?"

"Petrovas." Mia teased, she bit her lip to stifle a laugh. Katherine however, made no effort to hide her amusement, she laughed loudly catching Andie's attention.

"Funny." Damon deadpanned, he waved Andie over. "Come on, we better get going." he looked at Katherine, "You owe me and I will collect."  

Before they left the Salvatore faced Mia,  "At least I can tell everyone you're alive. I don't think I've ever seen Stefan so moody." he grinned as Mia's cheeks flushed red.

"It was really nice to meet you." Andie smiled then left, closing the door behind her.

After a few moments of silence Katherine spoke up, "You hooked up with Damon?!"

"It's a long story." Mia smiled sheepishly. She downed the rest of the vervain from the vial, the liquid sent a scorching sensation down her throat. She lurched forward, tears streamed down her face as she coughed.

Katherine held out a glass of water, "You're meant to dilute it if it's your first time."

"You could've told me that before." Mia scolded lightly, taking the water from Katherine. 

"Are you okay now?" The older Petrova asked as Mia sat back on the couch. When Mia nodded, Katherine took a seat next to her, "Good, now tell me the story."

~~~~

"I found more bourbon!" Mia cheered, bouncing on her heels. "It was in Alaric's room, looks like Klaus had a stressful night."

"Probably because you attacked him." Katherine teased, she took the bottle from Mia's hand and took a swig.

"Attacked is such a strong word," Mia sighed, laying upside down on the couch. "I barely touched him."

"Sure, whatever you say." Katherine yanked Mia's arm, bringing her up from the seat. "Dance with me." The two jumped around, swinging their arms and whipping their hair. The volume of the music was so loud that they were unable to hear the key entering the lock and all of a sudden the door swung open.

Klaric walked in, taking in the scene. He watched Mia dance and laugh, it warmed his heart to see her happy. Almost enough for him to forget about the terrible day he'd had.

However that warmth disappeared almost instantly when she scowled at him after noticing his presence. She sat back on the couch, folding her arms and crossing one leg over the other. And just like that, his bad mood had returned.

"You mind turning that down?" he nagged, taking a seat in the chair adjacent to Mia.

"Why so grumpy." Katherine asked after she took the music off. Mia could sense that he was stressed and hoped that another one of her friends hadn't been hurt.

"This body has outlived its usefulness." he grimaced, looking at the history teacher he'd inhabited. 

"Wasn't really useful in the first place." Mia muttered spitefully. 

"Do you want a drink?" Katherine offered, attempting to move his focus away from Mia.

"No, Katerina." he declined with annoyance laced in his tone, his vision remained fixed on Mia. "I don't want a drink."

"Come on," Katherine urged, she made her way towards him and held the bottle out. "It might loosen you up."

Mia faced down, peering through her eyelashes, worried for her ancestor. This girl is literally asking to get killed.

Klaric shot up from the chair, snatched the bottle from Katherine and hurled it at the wall. Mia winced when a fragment of glass rebounded and scraped her skin. Klaric's head jerked in her direction, seeing the wound on her skin fuelled his anger. 

"Look what you made me do." he fumed, seizing hold of the doppelganger by her arms. "What I want is for you to sit down and shut up."

Katherine's shoulders slumped and she did as she was told. Mia hooked her arm around the girl's waist and rested her head on her shoulder. "He's just a dick, ignore him." She traced her finger around Katherine's palm, trying to comfort her.

Maddox, the witch, entered the apartment and winked at Mia. "How you ladies doing?"

Before they could answer Klaus cut in, "Maddox, what took you so long?"

"You've got a lot of luggage." Maddox replied, two other men walked in carrying quite a few bags.

"So he's rich enough to own all that stuff but couldn't buy us clothes?" Mia whispered to Katherine, earning her a pinch on the leg as a warning to be silent. "I mean, don't get me wrong. I love Elena but these jeans aren't my style."

"Greta. Finally." Klaric called out to the woman who came in, her black curls bounced as she walked. Mia recognised her to be Luca's sister, her oval shaped brown eyes and high cheekbones showed the resemblance between the two.

"Hello, love." she leered at him, "Nice body. You ready to get out of it?" A large, wooden crate was wheeled in, Klaric looked over at it, smiling.

"What kind of freaky magic shi-" Mia mumbled.

"It's his body." Katherine interjected, speaking quietly. "They're gonna put him back."

"Crap." she could feel her chest tightening, she got up from the couch and hurried into the bedroom, Katherine trailed behind her, confused.

"What's wrong?" Katherine asked, closing the door, even though Klaus would still be able to listen in if he wanted to. 

"We're dead, he's gonna kill us." Mia began hyperventilating and pacing across the floor, "We're fucked Kat. We're totally screwed." she looked up, trying to stop the tears from seeping from her eyes but it failed as they streamed down her face. "There's so much I need to say to everyone, I'm not ready to go."

"Mia, calm down." Katherine spoke softly but was ignored as the younger Petrova began to sob.

"I don't want to die. Not yet." she shook her head frantically, "I need to tell Caroline that she saved me, I didn't think I would have a best friend after Lexi but I was wrong. She's my best friend and I would do anything for her."

Her rambling continued whilst Katherine could hear the witches begin their chanting. "I have to tell Stefan..... I need to tell him that I..." she fell back and leant against the wall, her chest heaving. "I'm never gonna see them again."

"And you, I have so much to tell you." She stood in front of Katherine, the tears showed no signs of ceasing. "I have looked up to you my whole life. Before everything that happened this year. When I was little I wanted to meet you. You were the Petrova that started it all, your family treated you like shit and that's why the Petrova Curse was cast."

"Okay, just try and breathe." Katherine held her hand. "You need to calm down."

"My baby, the baby I had when I was younger." Mia blurted out, her ancestor took hold of her arms to stop them trembling. "I was gonna name her Katerina."

Katherine's lips parted in shock, she too felt the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. She blinked repeatedly, not wanting to show weakness. She had to be strong, for Mia.

"Mia, look at me." she cupped the girl's face in her hands. "I really want to tell you he isn't going to kill is but I don't want to lie to you." she wiped the tears from Mia's cheeks. "So here's what we're going to do. We're gonna walk back in that room, together, with our heads held high, if we die then at least we go out with dignity." 

"Let's go and show him that he doesn't own us, okay?" she consoled. Mia nodded, taking deep breaths. "Good girl, come on." The two held hands and walked out the room, with their heads held high just as Katherine said.

Mia's face contorted with confusion when she saw the two witches on their knees in front of the crate. "What the fuck." 

The flames of the candles grew, Alaric was stood motionless until suddenly his head jerked up and he let out a loud breath. He looked over at the two Petrova women, "Mia, Elena?" he exhaled then fell to his knees and landed on his face.

Maddox rose from the floor and opened up the crate, revealing a man with blonde hair, in formal attire. He looked down at Alaric's still body then back up and and raised his eyebrows, smirking.

"Now that's more like it."

Mia could hear Katherine's heart thumping rapidly, Klaus made his way towards two and Mia's pulse matched Katherine's.

"Ah, Katerina." he took a threatening step towards the doppelganger but Mia pulled her back and moved between the two. Klaus looked down on the girl and smiled, "I don't think she needs your protection love. She managed to take care of herself for 500 years." he spoke with a strong British accent.

He looked into Mia's eyes, part of him hoping for a glimmer of recognition in them but she simply stared back at him with a mix of anger and fear.

Klaus brushed the hair away from Mia's face and hooked his finger under her chin. He'd missed touching her, being near her. "You're free to go but you'll need to pass a message to the Salvatores for me."

Her breath hitched as he drew closer and whispered in her ear, "Tell them that the sacrifice will happen. The doppelganger will die and there is nothing they can do to stop it." he moved back, his hand still resting at the bottom of her face. "Can you do that for me, love?" He stroked his thumb against her cheek but she flinched away from his touch.

Klaus let out a small sigh then turned to Greta and Maddox and shook their hands.

"What about Katherine?" Mia questioned.

"I'm afraid Katerina won't be joining you." Klaus responded with his back facing her. "I still have use for her."

"I'm not going without her." Mia objected, her nails dug into her palms as she clenched her fists.

"Then by all means, sweetheart, stay." he faced her with a smirk plastered on his face. "You're more than welcome to."

"What the hell are you doing?" Katherine stood in front of her, wondering if she'd become deranged. "You need to go." She began gently pushing Mia towards the open door.

"No, not without you." Mia retorted, "You said we were gonna do this together."

"Mia, will you just go?" Katherine snapped, her shoves becoming more violent. "Don't be stupid!" Once they'd reached the door, the older Petrova girl gave her descendant one last jolt, using great force, causing Mia to end up outside the apartment.

"I'll come back for you." Mia sniffled as the two girls stood on opposite sides of the threshold.

"Don't." Katherine warned, sternly. "Now go." 

Mia nodded hesitantly, her eyes stung as they welled up with tears. "Goodbye." Katherine gave a soft smile and replied then watched as her descendant walked away, out of her vision, out of her life.

"That was quite a show." Klaus chuckled, he inched forward. "Don't tell me you've grown to care for her." Katherine gaze avoided his, whilst he stood before her. "She's better off without you. You can't be relied on." his tone grew colder. "her friends know that and soon so will she."

The words hit the doppelganger's heart with the power of a stake. They replayed in her mind after he walked away. She contemplated at the possibility of his words being accurate. That Mia didn't need her, she'd be happier without her. It'd been so long since the older Petrova had connected with somebody the same way she had with Mia. They were so similar yet different, Katherine always looked out for herself whilst Mia was constantly worrying about others. Despite everything Mia had endured in her life, she remained good, honest and caring. 

She's better off without me. 

~~~~

Caroline, Stefan, Bonnie and Elena were all sat down in the living room of the Salvatore Boarding House.

"How are we supposed to get Damon to agree with the plan?" Elena stammered, holding her face in her hands.

"He'll come around." Stefan reassured, rubbing her back. "He's just angry."

"Can't we just lock him in the basement?" Caroline suggested, "Like vervain him and keep him there for a few days."

"That actually sounds like a good plan." Bonnie chimed in, looking at Caroline approvingly.

"We can't. It would just make him angrier." Stefan responded, "Right now we focus on tomorrow then we find a way to get Mia out."

A familiar voice spoke as the front door opened. "Do we have to?" Mia walked in, smiling triumphantly, "Can't we just leave her there? She's kind of a bitch."

"Oh my god!" Caroline rushed towards the girl and hooked her arms around her. "Are you okay?"

"Hi Care." Mia cooed, unable to move her arms. "I'm okay, I'm fine." 

Once the Forbes girl released her, Stefan wrapped his arms around Mia's waist, slightly lifting her off the ground. "Thank god." he exhaled loudly. "You don't know how worried we've been."

"It's okay, I'm here now." Mia stroked the back of his head, several moments had passed but the younger Salvatore brother still had Mia in his hold. "Um Stef, you can put me down now." she giggled, he mumbled a quick apology then placed her back down.

Mia's jaw dropped as the Bennett witch came into view. "What the fuck." she whispered in disbelief. "Bonnie?"

"The one and only." Bonnie beamed.

Mia sped to her and embraced her whilst crying with joy, "I thought you were dead," she said between sobs, "Klaus told me you were dead."

"We had to let him think that." Bonnie told her, her words coming out strained whilst Mia crushed her.

Mia planted several kisses on the witch's cheek, "Never do that again." 

"I won't." Bonnie let out a gasp when Mia had loosened her arms and pulled away. "I promise."

After Mia had hugged Elena, Stefan spoke, "So Klaus just let you go?"

"Yeah, I thought it was weird too." Mia replied, "Oh and he told me to pass a message." She explained everything that had happened during her time kept hostage. "He said there's nothing you can do. So we're all fucked."

"Not necessarily." Elijah voiced from behind, Mia whirled around and looked at him, "It's nice to see you again, Amelia."

She loomed closer to him then tugged on one of his arms, pulling him into hers. "I've missed you."

He laughed softly, "I've missed you too." 

"Where's Damon." Mia questioned, Elijah's arm remained around her waist.

"He's upset." Stefan told her. "About the sacrifice."

"Upset or angry?" Mia raised a brow.

"A mixture of both." Elijah smiled down at her. When he was told that Mia had been taken by Klaus he'd feared something awful had fallen upon her. Almost certain she was dead, yet here she was completely unscathed. Curiosity rang in his head as to why Klaus released her, he's never had a problem getting causing collateral damage before.

Caroline saw the Original's grip on Mia tighten so she held the Petrova girl's hand and pulled her away, into her arms instead to avoid suspicion.  "I've missed you so much. I love you."

"I love you too, Care." Mia whispered into her hair. "I'm never leaving you again."

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

Please make sure you vote (its the little star) some people have been reading but not voting.... it helps with my ratings x

This chapter is a little short. It was meant to be way longer but my brain is hurting so I'll just add the extra parts into the next one considering that episode is mainly Stelena angst.

Let's just ignore the fact that this chapter is called Klaus and the guy is barely in it. In the episode it's mainly flashbacks of Katherine so there wasn't anything I could do.

So.... I know some of you guys are still confused. I promise you.... it will make sense. TIME WILL REVEAL ALL.

ALSOOOO.Someone asked if Mia was going to go on the Klefan road trip. She isn't. Sorry if you wanted her to but she would have no purpose there.

I promise there's a reason why.....

LOVE YOUUUUU

Published:15th March 2022