Saving Grace

[LivinDeadGirl]

Thunder rumbled darkly overhead, bringing with it blinding flashes of lightning every so often. The air was unseasonably chilly tonight and the rain would be even colder once it started. The vicious winds bent the trees and shrubs to its will without mercy as it picked up, brining in black clouds with it. It was going to be a long night.

It was a welcoming disposition, Margaret felt as she walked down the middle of the abandoned street. Her red locks were whipped behind her as she walked slowly against the wind. Sounds from all over the town were carried to her in a muffled tangle, though she chose to ignore it. The smells, however, were what guided her. A building in the middle of town was still alight with life and she paused outside of it to glance up at the sign Mystic Grill. A delicate eyebrow arched in skepticism. How could have this little town stirred up so much talk. Maybe she was in the wrong state…

All the same, she stepped inside. The warm air assaulted her as soon as she was out of the wind, as did the smells. The bells jingled overhead to announce her appearance, which irritated her to no end. Some turned around to have a glance at who entered, some stared at a new face. Her cobalt hues turned to blue fire as she surveyed the crowd, as apparently it was the place to be. The music was loud and the people were everywhere.

She agilely maneuvered her way across the room and to the bar, her eyes sweeping over the contents along the wall before a man greeted her. He was muscular and blonde. Not unhandsome to look at and perhaps even cute to the rest of the girls in the room. He smiled at her, showing his dimples, “What can I get you?”

Margaret sat down on the stool, wondering how the bartender would taste with sound whiskey in his veins, but she laced her fingers together and smirked, “Jameson, if you would,” she answered, the Irish still lingering in her voice, causing him to double-take. A growl rumbled in her chest, too low for these humans to hear. This couldn’t be the right place.

---


The stake had caught fire when he had plunged it into Mikael’s chest, consuming him in the flames. It had been satisfying to see the life leaving his father’s eyes, especially after being hunted all these years. Finally, no more looking over their shoulders. Now they truly were unstoppable.

Klaus paced in his mansion. While one problem had been sorted out, another had taken its place. He hissed under his breath as he stopped to make himself a drink as ideas coursed through his mind. Stefan had his coffins. Little Stefan… Who had to go ruining all his plans these days. He glared at the glass as he quickly took a sip. Suddenly, he threw the glass across the room and watched it shatter against the wall.

A couple of his hybrids came running into the room with questioning expressions, but with the answering one on Klaus’s face, they quickly returned to their posts. Elena was the key to everything. To his hybrids, to controlling the Salvatore brothers. They were so swept up in love with her, there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do to keep her safe. While she was the source of his followers, a little persuasive threats with her would be enough to convince Stefan to give up the location of the coffins.

Klaus reached into his pocket and pushed a button, then waited as he listened to the ringing. Finally, “What?” answered his patience.

“Now, that isn’t any tone to be taking with your creator, Tyler.” He said, sweetly acidic, “Not when I can command you to bite that pretty little thing of yours.” The end went silent. “That’s much better.” Klaus praised his little pet. “I have a job for you. Meet me here in an hour.”

[BeautifullyxMad]

Karaya Sanders. Fearless hunter. Girl-Next Door looks. And Devoted Friend. Karaya Sanders was sitting in the Forbes home while Caroline vented to her. Was it hard being in the same room as a creature she had been trained to kill? Of course it was, but this was Caroline Forbes, her best friend since kindergarten, and the one reason why she could believe that vampires were different. Of course, Caroline and she hit a rough patch a few weeks ago when she was ordered to kill her, but she didn't. She helped save her, and the brunette girl looked to her friend. "I can't believe this!" her blonde friend was practically in tears. "I can't believe that after all I've done, he can't hear me over Klaus."

"It's the sire bond, Care. You want to go to the Grill and compel the bartender into thinking we're 21?" she offered and Caroline sighed, looking over to her brunette friend. Karaya had been called at nearly eleven at night by Caroline, crying. Still, she got ready in minimal time, allowing the natural curl of her hair to show through and she only put on a little eyeliner and mascara before pulling on her grey schemed outfit for the day. Still, Caroline was in her dress from the dance that was supposed to have happened that night and she definitely needed to do something to get her mind off of the events of the night. Karaya hadn't been able to go because of work, but she had gotten off and the Grill was opened until about 2 in the morning on weekends, so she was ready to go.

Caroline nodded. "That sounds great." she told her. "Let me change."

Karaya nodded and she pulled her pocket knife from her back pocket and began opening and closing it. She was a hunter's daughter, and she herself was a hunter. She had been giving Elena lessons with Alaric, partially because Alaric thought it would be a good idea because she and Elena were about the same body build, and that way Elena had someone to connect with when she did. When Caroline came back out in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt they headed out to Karaya's Honda Civic and she drove out to the Grill. "We need to find a picture of Klaus and tape it to the dart board." Karaya thought aloud and Caroline nodded.

"Tell me about it. I think I'd hit the bull's eye every time." Caroline laughed, and when they got into the Grill, Karaya noted a new red head in there, and Caroline looked at her. "Alright, you set up the pool game and I'll get our drinks." she smiled, and Karaya nodded before she heard the thunder rumble outside again. That caused her lips to form a firm line as she set up the pool table for a game as Caroline came over with a full tray of shots.

"Damn, Care." Karaya chuckled.

"What? You even said you're a better shot when you're drunk, Ray." she teased and they both laughed a bit before they took up a shot and downed them very quickly.

-&-

Damon Salvatore was furious. Irate. Just down right pissed off. How could Stefan do that?! How could he prevent him from killing Klaus? How? Their plan was good. It was great, and it failed! If Stefan showed his face to him right now he was sure he would kill him over and over again until he felt satisfied. Which was likely to be never. With a low, almost inhuman growl, Damon decided rather than destroy everything at home that perhaps the Grill would be a better place to drink. He got into his car and drove off, still miffed. He couldn't believe how things went so insanely wrong. Sure, the Mikael problem had been solved, but the problem they had been aiming to solve had not been.

When he parked at the Grill and walked in he saw Caroline and Karaya doing some shots and playing a game of pool. Likely to distract from the utter failure that was tonight, and then he looked to the bar and saw someone new. Beautiful red hair, beautiful eyes... Beautiful everything. When Damon sat at the bar his phone rang, and it showed a text from Elena saying she had made it home safely, and he just brushed it off before he ordered his bourbon and nodded to the woman.

He closed his eyes before Caroline came up and smiled to the bartender. "Can I get two more tequila shots, please? Oh, and the darts for the board." she said, and Damon just brushed her off and turned to the stunning red-head and gave his usual smirk.

"You must be new to town." he said to her, his voice somewhat quipped an irate tone, but he tried to brush it off. "Sorry, had a rough day." he rolled his eyes and placed his head on the bar counter until his drink came to him.

[LivinDeadGirl]

More people filtered inside the smelly place in lieu of the storm and it was growing louder with people trying to make themselves heard over the music. A couple of girls came in, a blonde and a brunette, and ordered shots, then took to playing darts. Margaret watched them for a moment, downing the rest of her whiskey, then turned toward the bartender to order a second. It took enough of the edge off, but she would inevitably feed tonight, especially if the bartender kept smiling…

As she brought the new drink to her lips once more, the seat beside her was then filled. Normally, she wouldn’t have thought much on it, but she glanced over to catch the handsome stranger smirk at her. “You must be new to town,” he told her, his tone assuming he didn’t like that fact. It must have registered ever so slightly on her face, because he followed it up with, “Sorry, had a rough day,” and took to laying his head on the bar.

The redhead sipped her whiskey, chuckling lightly as she watched him with mild interest. When the bartender brought his drink, she caught his eye and nodded toward his drink, “Make it a double,” she said with a sly smile creeping along her features as her glacial hues shifted back to the man at her side, “Looks like you could use it.” She told him softly with an arched brow as she took another drink.

---

“No.” Tyler protested, “No, I’m not going to do that.” It was endearing when he tried to have a mind of his own. Klaus smiled politely.

“Tyler, I don’t think you quite understand your position. You will do as I say or I will force you to kill the blonde whom you love so dearly while I sit and watch.” Klaus retorted. Tyler’s jaw tightened and fire raged behind his eyes, but he didn’t say anything. “Besides, you can tell me no all you want, in the end, you’ll obey.”

Others had joined them in the room then. “Take as many as you need to the Salvatore house. If she’s not there, then go to her house. She’ll be at either or.” He paused for a moment, thinking ruefully. “If you come across dear brother, Jeremy, take him as well. He’ll be the next best thing.” Still, they remained silent. Such obedient little dogs. Klaus smiled.

One way or another, he’ll get those coffins back. “In the meantime, I think I’ll go out and socialize… Have a drink around…” he looked at Tyler and grinned, “friends.” He grabbed his jacket and made to go out to his car. “Call me when you have them.” He turned to Tyler, all traces of humor gone now, “And Tyler, don’t return without them. Not if you don’t want her dead.” He flashed a glare and got in his car, driving for the Grill.

[BeautifullyxMad]

Karaya laughed as she watched Caroline draw on a napkin. "Caroline, that's terrible! Give me that!" she said, turning the napkin over and taking the pen from her as she downed her last shot and drew a half-way decent looking Klaus before drawing devil horns and a mustache on it and taking one of the darts to keep it in place on the dart board and took up her dart and threw it, hitting his forehead with precision. She made a little arm motion. "Hell yeah." she smiled and Caroline shook her head.

"Ray, I think you're drunk." Caroline chuckled slightly, and Karaya shrugged a bit and picked up the next dart and threw it.

"Care. I missed my shot at the school on prank night." she said, throwing the dark and picking up the last two. "He fed me his blood and threatened to turn me." she threw the next one. "And now he's antagonizing my friends. If I'm drunk then I need to be drunk 24/7 so I can hit that shot."

Caroline looked at her as the last dart hit Klaus' eye and then she turned when she heard the door open and pulled down the napkin and took back the darts. The devil appeared as Karaya was talking about him and suddenly the fun drunk that was Karaya became the dart-throwing one, and she turned to take a drink of her water and caught sight of Klaus and her eyes narrowed. Karaya wasn't a smart girl when she was drinking because she didn't think things through thoroughly, and she also had a wicked sharp-tongue.

Caroline turned Karaya back to the dart board and watched each dart hit the bull's eye. "I think you've won, Ray. Want to call it a night? I'll pack my bag and stay the night with you." Caroline suggested but Karaya shook her head.

"Why let him ruin our fun?" Karaya said, walking over to the pool tables. "Let's play a game of pool. We'll be further away from the bar that way." she said, and Caroline followed her to the pool table, pulling out her phone and texting Bonnie. "Wanna break?"

"Sure." Caroline said, taking up the pool cue as Karaya racked the balls.

-&-

Damon looked to the woman after she said to make his drink a double and he nodded to her. "Yeah. Things just didn't go as planned today." he admitted, and he began drinking his liquor before he turned and extended a hand to her. "I'm Damon Salvatore. What's your name?" he asked, but soon he heard some chuckling and when he looked at the dart board he couldn't help but to give a small chuckle at the drawing. It seemed everyone was pissed that Klaus was still alive, and from what he remembered, baby hunter, as he had always called Karaya, had nearly been turned by Klaus. That had been intense from what he had heard from Elena, but what had been worse was he wasn't there. That just made him more angry and he drank some more of his drink before turning to the woman.

"What brings you to small town, Mystic Falls. I should probably warn you about all the animal attacks as of lately." he told her, a glimmer coming over his eyes, but the moment the door opened to reveal Klaus he felt his mood bubble up with anger, but he couldn't lash out. He needed to feed. From the vein. That always calmed him down, and nothing would calm him more right now that to bleed someone dry in this bar. Oh that even sounded divine when he thought of it, and it allowed him to relax slightly.

He looked to the beautiful red-head before Klaus came over. "Watch it, he's the local trouble maker. No one likes him." he grumbled, and he had a feeling Klaus could hear him, but he rightfully didn't care. He was pissed off. More at Stefan than anyone else, but he was still pissed. He was so close to having killed the Original hybrid, and now there he was taunting him. It wasn't any fun at all. He hated it more than anything else.

[LivinDeadGirl]

When he glanced at her, Margaret couldn’t help but look into his blue eyes and be reminded of the sea. With the anger mingled in his voice, there was a fury that was set deep in those hues. An image flashed across her mind that almost made her break her glass in hand, but she was able to check herself just before it did. It wouldn’t do well to out herself here, though with as many people here, not many would notice. But this man at her side would.

She leaned against the bar, resting her head in the palm of her hand as she looked him over. He was much more handsome than the bartender and would more than likely make far better company for the night than blondie, especially with all that frustration. Margaret smirked lightly.

And then he was holding out his hand to her and introducing himself as Damon Salvatore. It was an interesting name, she had to admit. She hadn’t heard something that odd since landing on these shores. She arched a brow and placed a hand in his, “I’m Margaret Hayes,” she leaned in closer slightly, pulling his hand toward her more, “but you may call me Maggie.” She told him before releasing hold on his hand.

Then he was inquiring about what brought her to town and warning of some animal attacks- as if that fazed her. Maggie was enjoying just watching him talk. Something shone in his eyes just then, which sparked her attention as she sipped her drink. What was that?

Her gaze followed his to a man that had just come in. Obviously, there was history between the two, as Damon’s mood had gone from sour to worse. Still, she smirked behind her glass. This town might actually prove to be interesting.

---


Klaus walked into the bar and glanced around briefly. Caroline was with the little hunter of the town, whom Klaus smirked at when he saw her. His blood was well out of her system by now, but if she wanted to get snippy with him again, he wouldn’t hesitate and finish what he started and turn her into that which she hunter.

At the bar, Damon caught Klaus’s eye and caused him to smirk. He should have known he would be able to find the sulking vampire here. If he wasn’t here boozing, he was at his mansion doing the same. Perhaps he had gotten lonely in the big house all by himself and sought the company of others here. Klaus noted the redhead at his side and smiled when he heard him mutter to her.


“Now, now, Damon…” he said as he sat down next to him, “I know you’re a bit disappointed in how the night’s events played out, but that’s no reason to subject this lovely thing to your brooding and lies.” He turned his attention to the bartender for a moment, ordering a drink.

Klaus glanced toward the other end of the bar and saw the other two ladies playing a game of pool. His eyes lingered on them briefly, but his anger quickly tore them away. The drink he had ordered was brought to him and he downed it quickly, asking for another. He smirked again as he looked back to Damon, “Any sign of your brother and his little girlfriend? They seem to have bolted quick.” He grimaced, his voice laced with menace.

[BeautifullyxMad]

Every inch of Karaya's skin crawled when Klaus walked in. After Caroline broke, and made her next shot after getting a couple of balls in, Karaya made her move which did not go as planned. Her nerves were on edge and she watched the cue ball fly off the table and she walked over to where it landed near Klaus. The pool cue wasn't in her reach, but that didn't mean she didn't have other things to poke into Klaus. She often dreamed about killing him, and her father told her that was unhealthy, but he had noticed that since the incident at the school she had become a much better shot. After she picked up the ball and headed back over to Caroline, she tossed it to her, though once Caroline his the ball again she sunk a few more balls.

"You're off your game, Ray." Caroline commented and Karaya shrugged.

"Maybe I am, but what can I say? I'm a little bit drunk." she said, making a pinching motion with her thumb and index finger. Caroline shook her head with a smile.

"Every hunter I know drinks a lot. You're going to die of liver disease." she chuckled and Karaya laughed.

"Maybe. Alaric and I have been training a lot more lately, with dad being busy with all the other things. Besides, Alaric is a bit more fun to train with. He let's me use my handmade targets. We're actually supposed to have an early morning training session. Want to come watch?" she asked and Caroline shook her head.

"Nah, I'll have to help clean up the gym. I have to say I am proud of you. Haven't glared at him in two whole minutes." she said and Karaya shrugged.

"I want to enjoy my night out." Karaya said before she took up her cue and she made her shot. "Besides, I can glare at him anytime. Not like he'll be going anywhere. What with Elena to torture and us to play around with? Can't always give him that kind of satisfaction, you know?"

-&-

Damon rolled his eyes when Klaus came over and pulled out his phone, texting Alaric. He needed actual company too it seemed. A nice little number to feed from and his drinking buddy. That would be an amazing combination. Booze, friends, and blood. That sounded like an opening to a really good party, and Damon really liked the sounds of it. Still, he could hear Karaya and Caroline's conversation, though mostly involuntary, but he couldn't help but to agree with Caroline's statement. All of the hunters in town were heavy drinkers. He remembered how Karaya's father, a man who despised him, bought them all drinks after the incident at the high school. Since then he had seen a drastic change in that family. They were both more driven and he could have swore that they would kill him on sight.

He turned to Klaus. "Well, I'm sorry to bum you out, but can I just not drink in peace? I need to be away from the house... from everything, and being around you is not being away from everything." he hissed, and he turned back to Maggie. "Really, don't mind him." he told her before downing his drink and when Alaric showed up he sat down beside Damon and looked at the red head beside him.

"Hey Damon, hello miss." Alaric smiled. "Alaric." he introduced himself and soon his drink was put before him, "Thanks."

Damon then looked to Klaus, remembering something. "I thought you were leaving town?" he remembered, and soon Alaric looked around and noticed the overall atmosphere. Still, Damon didn't wait to hear Klaus' answer before turning to Maggie. "You know, he's not really a full local like I am. Just pops in every once in a while."

[sorry it sucks.]