[Sam is tired of this circling conversation that's been happening on and off since the Gilberts came back, and it's not his place to get involved. But Elena isn't here to speak for herself and neither is Dean so:]
They had planted one of their witches in her life, years before Dean and I came back into the picture. They were keeping her close so that when they were ready, she was readily available. So whether we were involved or not, whether she and Dean had gotten together or not, the witches would have taken her. At least we're aware of what happened, and we're able to rally the troops.
[He tamps down the if we weren't the ones involved in this, you wouldn't be here. He knows what it's like to come back from the dead, it's disorienting and difficult. But it's also worth saying.
Miranda sets her jaw, still unconvinced and unhappy with the way she perceives her daughter has been placed in danger, but there's only so much they can do there. "So what exactly is the plan? Trust this Elijah? I've heard stories of Elena working with him in the past, and he hasn't exactly been helpful. Didn't you say something about Elijah stabbing you in the back?"
Stefan, who's been hanging back quietly with Buffy in the corner, really doesn't want to draw too much attention to himself without Elena's presence, but he's the one best able to speak on this, so:
"Not saying that it didn't happen, but Elijah is fond of your daughter, and no other members of Elijah's immediate family is involved in this. In fact, the person he cares about most in this whole mess is on our side. He has no reason to turn his back on us."
"Fond? We're relying on an Original vampire's fondness for Elena?" Miranda seems suspicious.
Sam rubs his eyes.]
We really don't have time to keep debating this. We need to be moving. Even with these charms we have a long drive ahead of us.
[Stefan sighs, before looking directly at Grayson. "Look, I know that there are likely conversations you want to have with me and you have no reason to trust me, but you asked me to save your daughter once and I did, and I didn't stop after that once. Elena and I aren't involved anymore but she's one of my best friends in the world, and I want to see her alive. Will you at least trust me when I say that I will bring her back to you?]
( They do need to have this conversation. They all do. One at a time. A merry-go-round of conversations are coming to Grayson and to Miranda, because neither of them have accepted their circumstances, not really. They have learned every piece of new information, and poorly adjusted to it. They haven't even tried to adjust to it. Grayson's done his best, rigid attempt at being a father, at asking the relevant questions. He's also held his wife up. Quietly. They've been ghosts in this bunker and now their daughter is taken.
He knows he and Miranda have to stay back. He knows his son is going. That he's a "hunter," and he hates that, too, but it's the closest equivalent he can find from the founder's council. His sense of pride is fucked up. He can be proud of his daughter's accomplishments, and still lost among her decisions and the avenues her life took.
That her life would always take.
But, he remembers what that life is worth. He thinks back to that night. He remembers the water rising. And he remembers Stefan there. He remembers refusing her. Help his daughter. Her life is worth more. And that means more than he knew then. He sees it now. He sees who she is. For the first time. )
Go. ( He turns to his son who's already gearing up, refusing to stay back because she's his sister. The dig about his real sister will also be addressed. Everything will be addressed. He realizes now nothing has actually been addressed. He his wife have danced around everything. They've been living on pause. How could they not. They're living a life they don't recognize. But, they need to finish their stages of grief for their old life. It's clearer than ever.
Elena needs her people to save her. ) Save her again. We'll be here with Dawn.
( And they'll have a different conversation. And help research. And they need so many more. And he will be there. And make real strides. And have the hard conversations with each other. With his wife. With Stefan. With Dean. He does think talking to Dean will help his wife. But he needs to get their daughter back. )
[Tension flows out of Sam's shoulders now that they finally have forward motion. He gathers his things, takes the charms and heads out with Stefan as they sort through what cars are being taken.
Before Jeremy can follow after her sister and everyone else, Dawn catches Jeremy's hand and gives it a small squeeze.]
Be safe. You come back too.
[A beat.]
Also I'm sorry for whatever third degree Buffy gives you while you're trapped in the car with her.
And with that, they will all pile into their cars and begin their long drive from Kansas to Baltimore, but thanks to the charms, they should get there not far behind the group, though Dean does arrive first, being the closest.
The compound itself doesn't seem like much. A nondescript building tucked away in an industrial space, all illusions, of course, but it keeps things quiet. Not long after Dean arrives, Bela, Rusty and Elijah pull up next to him, and they climb out of the car.
Bela looks both the same and different as when he last saw her - she died around the time he died the first time, and she still looks like she's twenty four years-old. But the hair cut is different. Her style is a bit sharper, upgraded to match her partner, to an extent. She stays on the opposite side of the car for the moment, before raising an eyebrow.]
( Dean does his best to case the space (6), but it's a glamour of some sort, a spell that just looks like a nondescript building. He waits his turn, alone.
Another car joins him and he moves from leaning against his car, straightening up. He stiffens, because he sees Elijah first, which means Bela won't be far behind. And - that guy. Rusty. )
It was psychedelic.
( But, faster, even though he doesn't thank her. If he had a heart for her, or anything, he'd say she looks better. Hotter. Vampire looks good on her. But she's Bela. )
Sam's on his way. Bringing even more of the cavalry.
[She lays out one of the blueprints she's made of the areas she's been in, but it isn't in the deeper areas where they'd likely be keeping Elena.]
You, I and Rusty will enter first. They're likely keeping Elena in one of the inner labs, so we may have to cut our way through some of the less important witches, but once we get to the witch who holds the deed, Elijah and the others will be able to clear more of that playing field while we can get to the higher priority targets.
( Priorities. Who's he looking for? While waiting, he stocked up on witch-killing bullets, assuming anyone coming to help might, too. He wonders if Sam emptied their stock, too, and brought it with him. His brother's resourceful. It's Elena. )
I do. But we need to make sure that she's still the only one on the deed before we kill her.
[There is a chance that the Inner Circle made that choice before they started to truly put their plans into motion but Bela is hoping not. They likely don't know that she's more in this for David than the clout of the Inner Circle and would rather not fix what isn't broken.]
[Time is of the freaking essence, which is why they're not going to waste their time trying to go around the city.]
We're going to go in and ask them.
[The direct approach is usually the best.]
They consider me an ally. They'll answer when I ask - or at least Judy will. After all, it would be terribly tragic if poor Judy would to die and I would not be able to get in and do business.
[Rusty smirks, almost as though he's tempted to do exactly that, but he's not feeling that extra. Besides, the illusion holds better if it doesn't vary too much from the face underneath when illusions are not your primary skill set.
He blurs Dean's face just enough, lengthens the hair, adds a beard, and it's almost enough to turn him into a whole new person. By the time Sam and the others arrive, Rusty's got his new face on as well.
Sam looks over at Bela, face cold as he puts himself ever so slightly between her and Allison, like he's sure she might shoot at some point. Bela raises an eyebrow, amused.]
Sam.
["Bela." He then glances over to his disguised brother. "Dean?"]
[When Stefan Salvatore and Buffy Summers follow, Bela nods. Team's all here. Good.]
Sam won't need one. For now, it's just going to be myself, Rusty and Dean entering. Once we get inside and take out the witch holding the deed, the vampires should be able to enter, but we also may want to have a clean up crew on the exterior, making sure none of them slip away.
[Rusty interjects: "And if you're going to argue that some of them may be willing to change, you're wrong. If they're this close to the Inner Circle in this moment, they're already bought in and have assured them of their loyalty. They will only play nice simply to make it easier to kill you."
Sam glances to Allison and raises an eyebrow. Breaching with the vampires or hanging back to catch the stragglers?]
( Allison doesn't flinch. Neither does Buffy. This is war, remember.
Allison does evaluate their two options.
"Some of Monroe's loyal faithful got away," she says. "That can't happen again with the Inner Circle." Because, they will all be on the chopping block, along with her network. She readies her bow, able to target any fleeing witches.
Buffy looks to Stefan. "You go in," she says. "I got it out here." It's Elena and she knows what Elena means to him. )
Rusty and Dean flank Bela as she makes her way to the door, ringing for entrance. It takes a moment, but eventually the door is opened by a woman with frizzy gray hair and a scowl on her face.
"Talbot? What are you doing here?"]
Special delivery. I'm here to make a drop off.
[The woman shakes her head. "You'll have to come back. Doors are closed."
Bela nods slowly.]
Do you want to be the one to tell the Gainors that the special artifact that they need for their incredibly important solstice ritual was left at the door because you wouldn't let me do my job?
[The woman grits her teeth. "Fine, give it to me."
She reaches for the box in Bela's hand and Bela snatches it back.]
And leave without payment? No thank you.
[The woman weighs her options before sighing. "Fine. Get in here and make it quick."
Bela glances back and nods to the two men before they make their way inside, falling in step behind the witch.]
( Dean takes the rear, casing the layout of the entranceway and foyer, mapping everything out in his mind. (10) He just doesn't know what he's looking for, so he's able to make where they are, the other doors, the stairs up and the long hallway back. )
( You don't have to tell him twice as he takes off, still cloaked. Unfortunately, third floor is a vague description and there are a host of doors in the manner. It's going to take some time. Also, three flights of stairs. (3)
Outside, Elijah looks up, the tell-tale sign of a deed being broken. A neck being snapped.
"The way is no longer barred.. Those of us going inside, it's time. Hold what line you can," Elijah says to Sam and to Allison, and Buffy. Jeremy slides off the front of the car they brought, crossbow in one hand.
["Have fun, darling," Bela says into the ether, before heading off to crash a wedding with Rusty.
Stefan nods and falls in step next to Elijah as they make their way to the door. This isn't the kind of wetwork he enjoys but it is the kind of wetwork he's made for, so just making sure he and Elijah on the same page.
It's Elena. He'll do whatever it takes to get her back.]
So we're just clearing out as many witches as we can to keep them off their backs?
( "Let the bodies hit the floor," he says, lyrically. And poetically.
This is his sister. And these are evil sons of bitches witches, some literally. Jeremy is in. )
Go.
( Jeremy bursts through the front door, crossbow at the ready. Fuck stealth. The more sound they make at the front, the more they might be distracted from the ceremony. Maybe they'll speed it up. He doesn't care. )
[That certainly draws attention to Jeremy. They were probably expecting Jeremy Gilbert, someone who's made enough of his own reputation as a hunter - but not now and not this quickly. They likely assumed that Elena would be dead by the time they got here.
But as four witches swing around the corner, it's not just Jeremy Gilbert they're confronted with. It's Jeremy Gilbert, Stefan Salvatore, and Elijah fucking Mikaelson.
No one expected an Original vampire to come to play today.
"Oh, shit," one of them shouts, before ... immediately turning and running the other way. Likely to send up the alarm but also because maybe they're not looking to die today.
That leaves three witches, and all of them begin throwing spells, looking to pin the three of them to a nearby wall (Witch 1 vs. Elijah - 15, Witch 2 vs. Jeremy - 19). Stefan just barely manages to zip to the side (16 vs. 15), and turns to get into closer range of that witch, catching them around the throat (18 vs. 8) and slamming Witch 3 down into the ground.]
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everyonelives2025-07-26 07:05 pm
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[Sam is tired of this circling conversation that's been happening on and off since the Gilberts came back, and it's not his place to get involved. But Elena isn't here to speak for herself and neither is Dean so:]
They had planted one of their witches in her life, years before Dean and I came back into the picture. They were keeping her close so that when they were ready, she was readily available. So whether we were involved or not, whether she and Dean had gotten together or not, the witches would have taken her. At least we're aware of what happened, and we're able to rally the troops.
[He tamps down the if we weren't the ones involved in this, you wouldn't be here. He knows what it's like to come back from the dead, it's disorienting and difficult. But it's also worth saying.
Miranda sets her jaw, still unconvinced and unhappy with the way she perceives her daughter has been placed in danger, but there's only so much they can do there. "So what exactly is the plan? Trust this Elijah? I've heard stories of Elena working with him in the past, and he hasn't exactly been helpful. Didn't you say something about Elijah stabbing you in the back?"
Stefan, who's been hanging back quietly with Buffy in the corner, really doesn't want to draw too much attention to himself without Elena's presence, but he's the one best able to speak on this, so:
"Not saying that it didn't happen, but Elijah is fond of your daughter, and no other members of Elijah's immediate family is involved in this. In fact, the person he cares about most in this whole mess is on our side. He has no reason to turn his back on us."
"Fond? We're relying on an Original vampire's fondness for Elena?" Miranda seems suspicious.
Sam rubs his eyes.]
We really don't have time to keep debating this. We need to be moving. Even with these charms we have a long drive ahead of us.
[Stefan sighs, before looking directly at Grayson. "Look, I know that there are likely conversations you want to have with me and you have no reason to trust me, but you asked me to save your daughter once and I did, and I didn't stop after that once. Elena and I aren't involved anymore but she's one of my best friends in the world, and I want to see her alive. Will you at least trust me when I say that I will bring her back to you?]
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He knows he and Miranda have to stay back. He knows his son is going. That he's a "hunter," and he hates that, too, but it's the closest equivalent he can find from the founder's council. His sense of pride is fucked up. He can be proud of his daughter's accomplishments, and still lost among her decisions and the avenues her life took.
That her life would always take.
But, he remembers what that life is worth. He thinks back to that night. He remembers the water rising. And he remembers Stefan there. He remembers refusing her. Help his daughter. Her life is worth more. And that means more than he knew then. He sees it now. He sees who she is. For the first time. )
Go. ( He turns to his son who's already gearing up, refusing to stay back because she's his sister. The dig about his real sister will also be addressed. Everything will be addressed. He realizes now nothing has actually been addressed. He his wife have danced around everything. They've been living on pause. How could they not. They're living a life they don't recognize. But, they need to finish their stages of grief for their old life. It's clearer than ever.
Elena needs her people to save her. ) Save her again. We'll be here with Dawn.
( And they'll have a different conversation. And help research. And they need so many more. And he will be there. And make real strides. And have the hard conversations with each other. With his wife. With Stefan. With Dean. He does think talking to Dean will help his wife. But he needs to get their daughter back. )
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Before Jeremy can follow after her sister and everyone else, Dawn catches Jeremy's hand and gives it a small squeeze.]
Be safe. You come back too.
[A beat.]
Also I'm sorry for whatever third degree Buffy gives you while you're trapped in the car with her.
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( And thank her for having a hand in saving his. )
Keep an eye on my parents. I love you.
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And with that, they will all pile into their cars and begin their long drive from Kansas to Baltimore, but thanks to the charms, they should get there not far behind the group, though Dean does arrive first, being the closest.
The compound itself doesn't seem like much. A nondescript building tucked away in an industrial space, all illusions, of course, but it keeps things quiet. Not long after Dean arrives, Bela, Rusty and Elijah pull up next to him, and they climb out of the car.
Bela looks both the same and different as when he last saw her - she died around the time he died the first time, and she still looks like she's twenty four years-old. But the hair cut is different. Her style is a bit sharper, upgraded to match her partner, to an extent. She stays on the opposite side of the car for the moment, before raising an eyebrow.]
Drive went well, I assume?
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Another car joins him and he moves from leaning against his car, straightening up. He stiffens, because he sees Elijah first, which means Bela won't be far behind. And - that guy. Rusty. )
It was psychedelic.
( But, faster, even though he doesn't thank her. If he had a heart for her, or anything, he'd say she looks better. Hotter. Vampire looks good on her. But she's Bela. )
Sam's on his way. Bringing even more of the cavalry.
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[She lays out one of the blueprints she's made of the areas she's been in, but it isn't in the deeper areas where they'd likely be keeping Elena.]
You, I and Rusty will enter first. They're likely keeping Elena in one of the inner labs, so we may have to cut our way through some of the less important witches, but once we get to the witch who holds the deed, Elijah and the others will be able to clear more of that playing field while we can get to the higher priority targets.
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( Priorities. Who's he looking for? While waiting, he stocked up on witch-killing bullets, assuming anyone coming to help might, too. He wonders if Sam emptied their stock, too, and brought it with him. His brother's resourceful. It's Elena. )
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[There is a chance that the Inner Circle made that choice before they started to truly put their plans into motion but Bela is hoping not. They likely don't know that she's more in this for David than the clout of the Inner Circle and would rather not fix what isn't broken.]
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( Is she going to get the call from someone down at the city records? Does she have a geek on payroll? Time is of the freakin' essence, Bela. )
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We're going to go in and ask them.
[The direct approach is usually the best.]
They consider me an ally. They'll answer when I ask - or at least Judy will. After all, it would be terribly tragic if poor Judy would to die and I would not be able to get in and do business.
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( As far as plans go. He doesn't hate it. )
OK.
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Do you mind if I put a simple illusion on you? Just to get us in the door?
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( Get this over with. )
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He blurs Dean's face just enough, lengthens the hair, adds a beard, and it's almost enough to turn him into a whole new person. By the time Sam and the others arrive, Rusty's got his new face on as well.
Sam looks over at Bela, face cold as he puts himself ever so slightly between her and Allison, like he's sure she might shoot at some point. Bela raises an eyebrow, amused.]
Sam.
["Bela." He then glances over to his disguised brother. "Dean?"]
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( If he's masked, Sam will be too, right? Or is he staying out here?
Jeremy climbs out of the Impala, eyeing Elijah. He nods to Bela. He doesn't know what to make of Rusty.
Allison hides a smirk behind her hand and fights a laugh. )
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Sam won't need one. For now, it's just going to be myself, Rusty and Dean entering. Once we get inside and take out the witch holding the deed, the vampires should be able to enter, but we also may want to have a clean up crew on the exterior, making sure none of them slip away.
[Rusty interjects: "And if you're going to argue that some of them may be willing to change, you're wrong. If they're this close to the Inner Circle in this moment, they're already bought in and have assured them of their loyalty. They will only play nice simply to make it easier to kill you."
Sam glances to Allison and raises an eyebrow. Breaching with the vampires or hanging back to catch the stragglers?]
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Allison does evaluate their two options.
"Some of Monroe's loyal faithful got away," she says. "That can't happen again with the Inner Circle." Because, they will all be on the chopping block, along with her network. She readies her bow, able to target any fleeing witches.
Buffy looks to Stefan. "You go in," she says. "I got it out here." It's Elena and she knows what Elena means to him. )
Let's get this show on the road.
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Rusty and Dean flank Bela as she makes her way to the door, ringing for entrance. It takes a moment, but eventually the door is opened by a woman with frizzy gray hair and a scowl on her face.
"Talbot? What are you doing here?"]
Special delivery. I'm here to make a drop off.
[The woman shakes her head. "You'll have to come back. Doors are closed."
Bela nods slowly.]
Do you want to be the one to tell the Gainors that the special artifact that they need for their incredibly important solstice ritual was left at the door because you wouldn't let me do my job?
[The woman grits her teeth. "Fine, give it to me."
She reaches for the box in Bela's hand and Bela snatches it back.]
And leave without payment? No thank you.
[The woman weighs her options before sighing. "Fine. Get in here and make it quick."
Bela glances back and nods to the two men before they make their way inside, falling in step behind the witch.]
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Judy, sweetie, are you still the only name on the deed?
["Yeah," Judy responds without thinking, before she freezes to follow up with. "Why?"]
Oh, just checking.
[But before Judy can respond, Bela zips forward and snaps her neck, dropping her in a heap to the ground. She then turns to Dean.]
George Harper is their alchemist. He has a lab on the third floor. That's likely where you'll find Elena.
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Outside, Elijah looks up, the tell-tale sign of a deed being broken. A neck being snapped.
"The way is no longer barred.. Those of us going inside, it's time. Hold what line you can," Elijah says to Sam and to Allison, and Buffy. Jeremy slides off the front of the car they brought, crossbow in one hand.
"Let's go," he says, impatient. )
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Stefan nods and falls in step next to Elijah as they make their way to the door. This isn't the kind of wetwork he enjoys but it is the kind of wetwork he's made for, so just making sure he and Elijah on the same page.
It's Elena. He'll do whatever it takes to get her back.]
So we're just clearing out as many witches as we can to keep them off their backs?
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This is his sister. And these are evil sons of bitches witches, some literally. Jeremy is in. )
Go.
( Jeremy bursts through the front door, crossbow at the ready. Fuck stealth. The more sound they make at the front, the more they might be distracted from the ceremony. Maybe they'll speed it up. He doesn't care. )
Elena!
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But as four witches swing around the corner, it's not just Jeremy Gilbert they're confronted with. It's Jeremy Gilbert, Stefan Salvatore, and Elijah fucking Mikaelson.
No one expected an Original vampire to come to play today.
"Oh, shit," one of them shouts, before ... immediately turning and running the other way. Likely to send up the alarm but also because maybe they're not looking to die today.
That leaves three witches, and all of them begin throwing spells, looking to pin the three of them to a nearby wall (Witch 1 vs. Elijah - 15, Witch 2 vs. Jeremy - 19). Stefan just barely manages to zip to the side (16 vs. 15), and turns to get into closer range of that witch, catching them around the throat (18 vs. 8) and slamming Witch 3 down into the ground.]
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