The Girl in the Woods

Chapter 32: Goodbye

Disclaimer: One of the scenes here is inspired by a scene in the movie Salt. And I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals. This is purely a work of Fanfiction.

~TGITW~

Chapter 32: Goodbye

"The worst day of loving someone is the day that you lose them." – Elena Gilbert, The Vampire Diaries

NEW ORLEANS. 2011 A.D.

Things in New Orleans had unfolded the way that Faith had described.

Elijah had arrived days ago and found the witches planning a rebellion against Marcel. They held a pregnant Haley captive and was using her life as leverage against his brother.

At first, Niklaus refused to act until Elijah talked to him.

"Family is power, Niklaus. Love, loyalty, that's power. This is what we swore to one another 1,000 years ago before life tore away what little humanity you had left. Before ego, before anger, before paranoia created in this person before me someone I can barely even recognize as my own brother. This is us, the Original family. And we remain together, always and forever."

After Elijah's conversation with Klaus, he spent some time to himself. He wandered the coast, and his thoughts went to Faith. If they were to take over the French quarter, to do everything that he had just promised Klaus, he would be putting her in danger.

They would face too many enemies in New Orleans. He wouldn't be able to protect her from everything. Elijah's heart ached as he made the decision. He would have to leave her behind for her protection.

~TGITW~

"Hello?"

Klaus froze upon hearing Faith's voice. He did not expect for her to pick up the phone.

"Hello?" She asked again.

"Hello love." Klaus smiled adoringly.

"Klaus?"

"Yes, love."

"Is everything ok? Did something happen?" Faith asked anxiously.

"Everything is fine." He smiled as he pictured her worried face. Sometimes, she had the habit of jumping to the worst conclusions. "I just wanted to hear you voice."

Faith smiled softly and answered, "It's good to hear your voice too."

Klaus paused and clutched his phone tightly.

"Look Faith, there's some things I have to do...things you would not approve...I...I have to become the monster that you hated." Klaus said quietly.

Faith became silent.

Do you hate me?

Klaus wanted to ask the question, but he was too afraid to hear the answer. He wasn't ready to hear it. He couldn't bear the thought that Faith might hate him.

Slowly, she began speaking: "We hate the villains in the story. We hate those selfish greedy characters that trample on everyone."

Klaus could feel his heart drop at her words. He waited nervously for her to finish.

"But...don't we hate them because the darkness we see in them is the same darkness we see in ourselves? How can I hate you when we're the same?"

Klaus closed his eyes in relief. Somehow, Faith always knew what to say to comfort him.

Again, Faith and Klaus became quiet. Then Klaus answered as he watched the streets around him.

"Faith, I am standing in one of my favorite places in the world. Surrounded by food, music, art, culture and all I can think about is how much I want to show it to you...Maybe one day you'll let me."