Maeve sat across from Caroline inside the Luncheonette cafe in Mystic Falls. Caroline kept her eyes sternly on Maeve. She kept twirling the spoon in her coffee mug.

"The...sugar's melted." said Maeve, pointing to the mug.

"I know." Caroline set the mug on the table, her eyes never leaving Maeve. "Why did you tell my mom about Damon?"

"I...I wasn't thinking. I just──"

"Yeah yeah yeah. I got the gist of it. You felt that my house would be the one place where no one would be like, 'oh Maeve is a bad guy now. She cannot be trusted' I heard you with Klaus that night."

Maeve hung her head low avoiding her eyes. "I'm sorry, Care."

Caroline slumped her shoulders. "Don't worry about it. Mom's a little out of it. Doesn't understand why I didn't tell her before."

"Exactly! Why didn't you tell her?"

"Telling her then would mean telling her I am a vampire."

"And then you got over it." finished Maeve.

"I'm not mad." blurted out Caroline making Maeve freeze in response. "It's just...everything!" she let out frustratedly. "You know everyone hates you."

"Yeah I felt it, saw it, heard it." said Maeve bitterly.

"I don't hate you. I hate that I have to pick a side." said Caroline. She paused for a moment before she began again, "why did you save me? It's not like we had been the best of friends before."

Maeve leaned on the table, resting her elbows on the edge of the table and interlocking her fingers in front of her coffee mug. "Because, you died because of Katherine who came to spite Salvatore's name. You were a rebound for Matt to get over Elena."

Caroline opened her mouth but Maeve waved her hand stopping her words, "don't deny it. Everyone could see it. You were turned for Klaus. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Katherine did all of it for the sacrifice."

"Wait...so you knew from the start about the sacrifice?"

"No. I knew there was something odd. I mean, The curse of the sun and the moon. That's what we knew. Vampires and Werewolves, both wanted to break it. So Katherine turning you and triggering Tyler's curse, seemed like more than just a show of power."

Caroline groaned audibly before letting out a huff of air. She drank her coffee silently, her eyes still on Maeve. "I know you are far more than just a blonde. Why do you put yourself back?"

"I am never the one am I?" asked Caroline 

"For me you are the one and only." said Maeve flirtatiously, throwing a wink Caroline's way. A faint blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Now..." she cleared her throat and began, "about Elijah. What is going on over there?"

Maeve leaned back in her chair with a roll of her eyes, "nothing. I mean...I may have, kind of flirted with him yesterday."

Caroline squeaked sitting up in surprise, "you did? Dang! So...what next?"

"Nothing. We had breakfast, I told him about the summer and he left."

Caroline furrowed her brows, "that's it? Nothing else. No kissing, nothing?"

"No. He left to prepare for dinner tonight." said Maeve, "with the Salvatore brothers."

"Wow." said Caroline making Maeve chuckle.

"Anyways he asked me to join him for dinner tonight."

"That's great! You can dress to impress." Maeve hummed in response shying a little.

"I am not going to do anything like that!" she said sternly. "Now...what happened between you and Klaus on your birthday?" a blush crept up on Caroline's cheeks turning them red. Maeve raised a single eyebrow at her. "Something did happen. What is it? Tell me everything!"

"It was nothing. He just bought me a bracelet." replied Caroline, her voice lowering slightly, "a diamond bracelet."

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" shouted Maeve slamming her hand on the table. People sitting at tables around them jolted upward hearing the sound and turned their eyes on them.

"Sorry!" Maeve apologized sheepishly giving an awkward wave. Caroline sank in her seat, covering her face with her hand. Maeve turned back to Caroline clearing her throat, "So, what did he say or do? Other than the bracelet I mean. Can I see it?"

"He said something. I just...I don't know."

"Tell me or show me. Actually just show me!" Maeve said holding up her hand, palms stretched out upward. Caroline laughed and grabbed her hands. She closed her eyes pushing on her memory.

Klaus settled on the bed, closer to Caroline. There was a low hunch in his shoulders. "And I could let you die, if that's what you want. If you really believe your existence has no meaning. I thought about it myself, once or twice over the centuries, truth will be told. But I'll let you in on a little secret. There is a whole world out there, waiting for you. Great cities and art and music, genuine beauty. And you can have all of it. You can have a thousand more birthdays. All you have to do is ask."

"I don't wanna die." said Caroline in a weak voice. 

Klaus offered his wrist to her. "There you go, sweetheart. Have at it."

"Happy birthday Caroline."

Maeve smiled as the memory ended. She opened her eyes looking at Caroline who was avoiding her eyes. It was her turn to avoid Maeve.

"That was so sweet!" squeaked Maeve pulling her hands up to her mouth with a foolish grin dangling on her lips.

"Stop grinning!" exclaimed Caroline trying hard herself to hide her own smile.

"So...what do you think?"

"About what?"

"About Nik. The gift. What he said." Maeve said waving her arms in the air.

"I don't know."

"So you like him then. At least the gesture, right?"

"I guess...I mean it was sweet."

Maeve clapped her hands together, "I can see it! How lovely."

"Stop painting a picture." said Caroline warningly pointing a finger at Maeve.

"Come on...he is way better than any of the guys you went out with before. I mean, he has his sociopathic or psychopathic moments here and there but come on, that was really sweet. I mean the words, by the way, not even going to comment on the diamond bracelet." Caroline hummed knowing well there was some truth in those words.

Maeve gave one last look in the mirror and decided to leave for the Mikaelson mansion. The wall was too much but luckily she picked out an outfit suitable for a bike ride. High waist jeans were paired with a bright lavender shirt tucked in and a long floral printed jacket.

Maeve let the evening mist glide over her face as she made her way to the mansion. She could only hope the evening would go smoothly given how eventful it already seemed.

The mansion was now completely made, renovations done and additions into the previous structure had given a new vintage look to the entire place.

Maeve let herself into the mansion and sauntered around the long way to the parlor where hopefully, the rest of the guests and hosts were situated.

"Damon, Stefan. Elijah tells me you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss this as civilised men, shall we?" She heard Klaus say just as she neared the parlor room.

"Salvatore and civilised, two words that don't exactly go well when used in the same sentence." she piped in, strolling inside the room, "I do recall, Dr Martin informing me of a tedious dinner arrangement organized by Damon. Do you remember that, Elijah?"

"Vaguely." responded Elijah earning a lopsided smirk from Maeve.

Elijah discreetly eyed Maeve, taking in the strength she showed in just the way she sat in that chair. Her neck craned upward, chin out. Hair flowed so beautiful cascading down like the gentle moonlight in the deep forest. 

"Actually, I didn't come here to eat, Klaus. In fact I didn't want to come here at all, but I was told I had to." said Stefan making his way further into the room. 

"Well we can sit and eat or I could reach down your throats and pull out your insides. The choice is yours." Klaus informed bluntly as he took a seat at the table.

"Nice to see you Maeve" Elijah said taking her hand and placing a kiss on the back. Maeve blushed slightly at the gesture but composed herself quickly.

"Nice to see you too, Elijah." Maeve replied. She made her way to the table. Elijah pulled a chair for Maeve and then slid into the seat beside her. All of them sat at the table as compelled waitresses poured them wine and served the food. Maeve sat between Elijah and Klaus while Stefan and Damon sat in front of her.

"You lost your appetite?" Klaus asked Stefan who hadn't touched his food.

"Eat. I thought we agreed we'll leave grumpy Stefan at home." Damon nudged. Stefan reluctantly picked up the fork and began to eat.

"That's the spirit." Klaus smirked, "Isn't it nice. The five of us dining together? It's such a treat. Is that what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger out of my brother?" Klaus said.

"I knew how he felt about you, so I thought more the merrier" Damon shrugged taking a bite of his food.

"Elijah and I have had our share of quarrels over the centuries, but we always make it through." Klaus replied.

"Kind of like, uh, you and Rebekah, right? Where is she, by the way? Last I checked she was still daggered because you were afraid to face her" Stefan asked. Klaus looked threateningly at him.

Maeve turned to look at Klaus who hadn't told her either where she was. Maeve figured Klaus wouldn't have undaggered her but she couldn't do it herself since she didn't know where the original was.

"If you're referring to the fact that Rebekah knows I killed our mother I've already come clean to Elijah." Klaus revealed. Maeve looked at Elijah giving him a small smile. She did not bring up the topic earlier when they met knowing it wasn't her place to talk unless it was to console.

"Hey Stef, remember when you killed dad?" Damon asked curtly, "might wanna dial down the judgement till desert."

"We are here to make a deal, Damon. Doesn't mean we have to kiss his ass all through seven courses." Stefan replied. 

"I'm just saying we have a long evening ahead of us, pace yourself." 

"Yes, Stefan..." started Maeve setting her glass of wine down, "pace yourself. I mean, how many snide remakes can you really come up with at a time?"

Stefan set the fork down making it slightly clatter, "why don't you tell me instead, how's it going between you and Klaus? You two have gotten so close these days." involuntarily Klaus let out a loud laugh making even Maeve laugh along. The Salvatore brothers exchanged looks, unaware of why the younger one's question was answered with laughter.

"You are thinking of the boy, aren't you?" asked Maeve in-between her laughs.

"I couldn't help myself. It was right there!" defended Klaus still grinning at the memory.

"To..an──answer you, I am not dating Klaus. I have no intentions with him other than those of being good friends with him."

"Then why'd you laugh?" inquired Damon, curiously.

"That is frankly none of your business."

"Then tell me how'd it feel that your supposed best friend used you as bait against Klaus and then left you to die?" Stefan only wanted to touch a nerve. Silence fell over the table. Elijah took his glass of wine and took a sip from it before setting it down, just so he could frame his words properly.

But Maeve beat him to it, "I'll answer that when you tell me if you knew or didn't know that your brother has now kissed Elena twice?" although Stefan tried his hardest to ignore the feeling bubbling inside of him from Maeve's words, a flicker of that emotion showed up in his eyes. Maeve took it as her cue to continue on, "I mean, the first kiss happened when poor human Elena thought Damon was dying and kissed him. That means she started the kiss." Maeve added on looking at Klaus and Elijah like she was sharing a vital piece of gossip,

"Then he kissed her, recently actually. When we were in Chicago." Maeve leaned ahead on the table, her eyes meeting Stefan's, "I'm dying to know, Stefan how does it feel about the fact that while you sold yourself off to this person here on my left to protect Elena and Damon, they were both falling for each other? How does it feel to see and hear and watch as the people you care about go behind your back?"

Stefan remained silent. He couldn't come up with words. "I'll tell you. This can be your answer to how I feel. It feels like a knife was stabbed through the back and twisted around and pulled out with another twist."

"Okay..." began Damon nervously, "how about we keep Elena and homecoming in the do not touch pile?" he suggested seeing the blank stare Maeve was holding on her face,

"Hey...I am happy to never have to relive one of the worst nights of my life and sure let's keep Elena in the do not disturb pile. After all, if it's going to help keep the sacred Salvatore brotherly bond intact, I think we can make a few extra efforts, right?"

Elijah was amused at how polar opposite Maeve behaved now than the last time they met. She was willingly ready to do anything to save her friend and now she was so hostile with venom dripping from her voice. He had his personal rage towards the older Salvatore for his past actions but he didn't show it. He kept it to himself. Perhaps it was how comfortable she was now with the truth he tried showing her before.

Klaus chuckled pulling Elijah away from his thoughts. "It's just the allure of the Petrova doppelganger is still so strong." Klaus added, "what do you say, Brother? Should we tell them about Tatia?" 

Elijah seemed a little uncomfortable. Maeve noticed the conflict in him but again decided not to speak seeing as she felt jealousy crawl into her heart.

"Now why should we discuss matters long since resolved?" Elijah said with a light chuckle hoping his brother won't press more on it.

"Given their shared affection for both Elena and Katerina, I think our guests might be curious to learn about the originator of the Petrova line." Klaus replied.

"We're not going anywhere, Elijah. Please. Do tell." Damon smugly said with a short smile.

Elijah sighed looking over at Maeve who had her whole attention on the plate. Elijah noticed the change in her heartbeat and posture, almost concluding that she was a little jealous perhaps but slide it aside given the situation.

"When our family first settled here, there was a girl named Tatia. She was an exquisite beauty. Every boy of age desired to be her suitor. Even though she'd had a child with another man. None loved her more than Niklaus." Elijah told them. 

Klaus who was staring down looked up at his brother, "oh, I'd say there was one who loved her at least as much."

Maeve took in a deep breath which for her luck went unnoticed by the vampires excluding Elijah. He could see that the particular story of his past was making her jealous and her expression conveyed that she couldn't figure out why. He hoped that the girl felt something just like he did. 

"Wait a minute." Stefan's voice brought him out of his thoughts, "So you both loved the same girl?"

"Wasn't that clear with the story? I mean...you two did the same twice." mumbled Maeve incoherently taking a sip of her wine.

Elijah looked from him to Klaus and decided to continue the story, "our mother was a very powerful witch. She sought to end our feud over Tatia and so she took her. Klaus and I would later learn it was Tatia'a blood we consumed in the wine on the night our mother performed the spell which turned into Vampires. Tatia wouldn't make a decision between the two of us so for a time, Niklaus and I grew estranged. Harsh words were traded. We even came to blows, didn't we brother?"

"But in the end, we recognized the sacred bond of family." Klaus concluded.

"Family above all." Elijah said raising his glass

"Family above all." Klaus repeated clicking his glass with Elijah's.

Maeve sat nervously between the two brothers watching the other two brothers exchange looks with one another. Stefan and Damon, both could feel their bond was growing estranged.

After a few moments of dead silence, Elijah decided on speaking up again, "Why don't we move this evening along. So why don't we discuss the terms of this proposal?"

Damon looked up at the two and shrugged, "Klaus gets his coffin back. In exchange, he and the original extended family leave Mystic Falls Forever. Me, Stefan and Elena live happily ever after." He said glancing at Maeve. 

"Don't even think about looking at me, second choice." Maeve snapped. Damon quickly averted his eyes seeing Maeve flash her red ones.

"Deal sounds fair brother." Elijah responded looking at his brother. Momentarily he looked at Maeve who nodded ever so lightly, it was hardly noticeable.

"I don't think you understand. Elena's doppelganger blood ensures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those that oppose me. I will never leave her behind." Klaus said, "Let's say I do leave Elena under your protection. What then? How long before one of you turn her into a vampire? Or worse how long before she dies caught between your feuding? You see, each one of you truly believes that you're the one that can protect her. And that is truly a delusion." Klaus stood up and turned to lean and place his elbows on the head of his chair. He looked at Stefan and Damon before continuing, "Gentleman, the worst thing for Elena Gilbert is the two of you."

Stefan and Damon looked hesitant. Damon looked down at his hands before looking up masking whatever it was that he was feeling, "I'm gonna get some air." He walked away.

"Let me deal with this." Elijah said and followed Damon not before glancing at Maeve. She knew what they were going to do. She nodded at him discreetly.

"All this talk has made me thirsty. What do you say Stefan? Can I interest you in a little after dinner drink?" Klaus asked him as the compelled waitress walked to him.

"Really? Was the summer not enough?" groaned Maeve pulling a disgusted look. She returned to her dinner ignoring the two.

Klaus just smiled at her and pierced his fangs through the blonde's neck.  "Delicious. Aged to perfection." He commented and let the now dead girl fall on the floor.

"Well, I guess the only reason you agreed to this evening, Klaus is to drive a wedge between me and my brother." Stefan noted standing up and walking up to him.

"You're doing that well on your own." Klaus deadpanned, "Because of Elena, you're gonna lose your brother and have yourself to blame."

Before anyone could say anything further, Damon walked in with Elijah on his tail. "What do you say, Klaus? Time for you to put something on the table." Damon said.

Elijah walked to where Maeve was still sitting at the table. She looked up at him as if asking if things went his way. He nodded with a small smile and she looked back at the three to listen to their conversation.

"All done?" she asked him, her voice barely a whisper. Elijah hummed in response keeping his eyes locked on his brother.

"And continue the Petrova Bloodline. Every few hundred years, you'll have a new doppelganger to drain and never run out of hybrids, right?" Stefan concluded whatever proposal Klaus had for them. 

"Consider it a small return on my investment in her well-being. See, after you hand me back the coffin, I'll ensure her safety for the rest of her natural life. You know it's what's best for her." Klaus reasoned, "So? What do you say Stefan? Do we have a deal?" 

Stefan walked over to where Klaus stood and took his hand as if to a handshake but smiled and replied, "Nice try Klaus. But no deal." 

Klaus's smile faded away and he broke Stefan's leg and held his hand straight above the fire. Elijah sped Damon to the wall holding him there. Maeve stood up from her seat watching the scene unfold with wide eyes.

"Bring me my coffin before I burn him alive." Klaus threatened.

"I'll get it." Damon said looking at Stefan. 

"Go with him brother. You keep him honest. When you return I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family." Klaus said looking at Elijah. Without another word Elijah left. 

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Maeve yelled.

"Isn't this the one who also stood by watching you almost die?" Klaus asked looking at Maeve.

"Yes but I am not them. Unlike you just because violence is a part of my life doesn't mean I crave it everyday!" Maeve snapped back. 

"Go ahead, kill me. I know you'll do it when he brings the coffin." Stefan groaned.

Klaus pulled him away from the fire, "You really have given up, haven't you? Where's the fight? Where's the ripper?" Stefan pushed him away from him with a growl. Klaus looked at Stefan but noticed something. Maeve turned around instantly following Klaus's line of view.

"Elijah. Why haven't you left?" Maeve looked at Elijah and Damon before turning back to Klaus.

"Well, where are your manners, brother? We forgot dessert." Elijah replied. He removed the cloth from the plate in the hand of a waitress. On it were placed three daggers.

"What have you done?" Klaus asked stepping back a little. Maeve could see the fear in his eyes. 

"What have you done?" Elijah repeated, "See, I've learned not to trust your vulgar promises, Klaus. We're doing this on my terms now." Just then a guy walked in the room. He wore clothes fashioned almost a century old.

"Kol." Klaus said slowly stepping back, his eyes widened and arms raised in almost surrender.

"Long time brother." He said in his accented voice. Klaus tried speeding away but another figure sped in front of him grabbing the dagger and stabbing him in his hand.

"Finn don't." Klaus said before screaming in pain. Elijah walked to stand next to Maeve when he saw she was shocked and seemed to have paralyzed on place. He pulled her a step back, keeping his hands on her waist.

Klaus had speeded in opposite direction but was once again stopped when Rebekah walked in wearing a red dress.

"Rebekah." 

"This is for our mother." She raged and stabbed him with another dagger. She pushed him back and Kol held him in a grip.

"You're free to go. This is family business." Elijah said looking at the Salvatores. Damon gestured for Stefan to follow. Both brothers walked away towards the exit.

Maeve cleared her throat and stepped away from Elijah, towards the exit but was forced to stop when she was engulfed into a tight hug.

She wrapped her arms around the blonde original with a giggle before she muttered, "Re──be──kah, need...air..t──to breathe." Rebekah pulled away smiling at Maeve.

"Holy shit, woman. The homecoming queen should count her lucky stars, you look absolutely stunning!" complimented Maeve.

"I'm sure she's thankful." answered Rebekah with a giggle.

A figure approached them from a side smiling as he looked at Maeve, "I don't think we've met before." he said.

"We haven't since you were daggered. It's kind of obvious." said Maeve making him everyone let out a chuckle. Everyone except Klaus. "The name is Maeve."

"I'm Kol. Nice to meet you. I must say you're really beautiful." he said taking her hand and kissing the back of it.

"Thank you, Kol, that's nice of you. You look──like you are on your way to the twenties themed high school dance." she tried her best to compliment him.

"So, well, seeing as it's family business──" she turned around looking at Elijah who quickly made his expressions blank. It felt odd to Maeve to see the change but she let it slide. "I'll leave you all to it then."

"Nonsense. Stay here." countered Rebekah.

"I appreciate it, Bekky but family first. I wouldn't want to impose. So...see you in the morning to whoever survives the night in this Mikaelson reunion. Bis später and Au revoir. " she waved a salute and sprinted out of the room.