Lightning Strikes Twice

Sixty Six

Alex moved in front of the vampire Hayley has tied to a chair.
"You and your buddies took one of the only people who had ever really cared about the people of this town and me. And for that, you deserve this."
Alex's eyes went gold and she sunk her fangs into the vampire who whimpered. As she did, she created sparks. She pulled away as Hayley put her hand on her shoulder.
"That's enough, Alex. I'll take it from here." Hayley says, pulling Alex away.
Alex knew this wasn't really her, either of them. But vengeance, grief, and a desire to protect create a nasty monster. Besides, Alex is a Mikaelson. If blood isn't flowing, it's not them.
Hayley finally killed the vampire after Alex stepped back. Blood spattered all over the two wolves. Hayley untied the vampire and then as they walked out, unceremoniously threw the body into a dumpster. Hayley took out a piece of paper and made a few scratches.
"How many?" Alex asked.
"Too many." Hayley said, then stopped short. "Alex, I think you should take the backseat in this. You've helped enough. You're still a child."
"No! Jackson was family! I will not just stand back." Alex replied furiously.
Hayley ran a hand through her hair. "How about this? You be my eyes and ears. Any mention of this, and we toss the evidence. Got it?"
Alex groaned but knew Hayley was right. "Fine. However if Mom asks me to my face, I can't lie to her. Everyone else, yes. Her? No."
"I know and I'm not asking you to. Omission is valid."
Alex sighed. "Let's go get the blood off of us before anyone starts to suspect something."

Méalla was bouncing Saoirse on her hip when she joined Hayley on the balcony of her room. Hayley was holding Hope, looking lost.
"How are you feeling?" Méalla said quietly, looking over the city instead of at Hayley.
"I don't know. Right now, all I feel is anger and then numbness. Does it ever get better? Outliving the ones you love?" Hayley turned towards Méalla, shifting Hope onto her opposite hip.
Méalla took a deep breath. "Not really, love. It's like a sword to the heart every time. I cope by writing. Klaus copes with painting. Elijah avoids and Rebekah searches for validation through every body else."
"Does it help? Finding an outlet?" Hayley asked, looking at the ground sadly.
"I can't know for sure, but I do believe it does. May I suggest finding a passion? I just keep finding hobbies. Maybe you need something that is grounding. Leadership is great, but it's not an outlet."
Hayley looked at her. "And how do I choose?"
"Do what I do. Make a list of them, then close your eyes and where your fingers land will be what you do. "
Hayley looked at her for a long moment. She was analyzing every detail of Méalla, trying to decipher the future. She was failing.

"Davina, hey. I wasn't expecting you to call." Méalla picked her up her phone right after she put Saoirse down for a nap.
"Really? I try to unlink you, and all you say you didn't expect me to call? Aren't you mad?"
"Davina. You did what you needed to do for what you believed would bring your lover back. I don't know if how you went about it was a good idea but I can understand it. Honestly, I'm not mad, just a little disappointed you didn't feel you could come to me about this." Méalla sighed.
"Sometimes you sound more like my mom than my actual mom."
"One, your mom's a bitch. Two, I already have two daughters and a niece who are a handful. I prefer having you as a friend."
"Méalla, I'm really sorry about the way it happened. All you've been is good to me and I've been up and down." Davina said, sounding ashamed.
Méalla let out a chuckle. "Davina, you are young. You are growing and changing, sometimes that means you feel confused. You try many different solutions. It's natural."
"Méalla, I have to tell you something." Davina blurted out.
"Please do not tell me you're involved in this prophecy." Méalla groaned, throwing her head back.
"No, it's not that. But it's just as big."
"Oh?" Méalla arched her eyebrow to herself.
"I have a way to raise Kol."
"Are you sure? Davina, you have already been tango-ing with some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. You have stuck your neck out a lot for this."
"It's going to work. When I unlinked Klaus, he created a nexus vorti. It's powerful enough to bring Kol back."
"Davina, I would love to see my brother again. But I must warn you to be careful of blind devotion. It might not cause only your downfall but that of the ones you love. As long as you realize this, I cannot stop you. I wouldn't be able to anyway. But there are people here who care about you. Enough to be terrified when you stick your neck out. I am not asking you to stop. Trust me, if I was able to do magic I would be raising hell trying to get him back. I just ask you to be careful. Remember you are cared about, and not just by Kol." Méalla finished softly.
"Méalla, I promise to be careful. I just want him back."
"I understand. I feel that way about a few people, myself. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into. And if you see him before I do, tell him he's now my beta reader. Maybe I'll let him read the book he's been dying to get his hands on, not only the one he knows."
Davina laughed. "I'll relay the message. Thank you for caring."
"That's what friends, no, family, do. We care. It might be in screwed ways, but we care."
""Bye Méalla, we'll talk soon!" Davina hung up the call.
A small smile formed on the hybrid's face. She turned around to find Freya staring at her tenderly.
Méalla was suddenly bashful. "What's that look for?"
"The wisdom you sprout for others is awe inspiring and yet you never seem to follow your advice. And I heard the maternal instinct in your voice. She may be your friend, but you'd protect her like a child."
Méalla pointedly ignored the first part of what Freya said.
"She is a child. Compared to us anyway. And for some unknown reason, I have been collecting new family members ever since I returned to New Orleans. Two daughters, a niece, probably sisters in law, a new sister, and a lightning strikes twice. Maybe our luck will soon turn in our favor. And if not, I have all of you."
"There you go, sprouting wisdom you personally never seem to take to heart." Freya sighed with exasperation.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Méalla tried to dodge, but Freya wasn't so easily deterred.
"You tell Davina that growing and changing is normal, and natural and yet you punish yourself for changing and growing. You tell Rebekah and Klaus to follow where love takes them and yet you hesitate. You help Alex through her nightmares and never address your own."
Méalla shifted all her weight to her left foot. She desperately wanted to get away from this sister conversation.
"Little Sister, I may not be as experienced as you. And yet even I can see the harm you inflict upon yourself, bending over backwards for others. You need to put yourself first sometimes. And when you need reminders of that, I am here."
Freya had barely finished speaking when Méalla had sped over to her and gave her a giant hug, hiding her face into her sister's chest. She started crying softly, and then louder. She just wanted a release. And her big sister held her through it all. She rocked and shushed, she stroked Méalla's back and hair. They stayed in that embrace for long after Méalla stopped crying, just there. Being held. Looked after.