"Why do you still put yourself through this? You do realize there's no actual reason you have to be here?" Emma's voice came out in a confused tone as she and Rebekah stood at her locker together. Up until then Rebekah was listening to Emma complain about the difficulty of the algebra exam she had just taken.

"Well, not only is it a good way to keep an eye on Elena and her little friends," Rebekah started to say.

"And torture her." Emma added for her friend. Something Rebekah didn't even try denying.

"But I also have obligations here. The dance committee is preparing for the school dance which is only days away. They are in desperate need of my help." The blonde's words made Emma laugh in amusement as she slammed her locker shut before the two started to make their way out of the school.

"Well, considering how the last one turned out, I can't even bother arguing with that." Emma joked. In truth, Rebekah's explanation made sense. While school and the whole experience was something Emma had been exposed to her for her whole life and it was nothing new to her, it was to Rebekah. She wasn't here to bother with classes, homework, and exams (as she's more than shown by now). Instead, she just wanted to have fun with it. And who could blame her. "But unlike you, I'm not a fan of high school, and after a day spent in it, I'm eager to do something fun. Want to join in?"

"Sadly, I have plans. I'm meeting the mayor for the Wickery Bridge event this afternoon." Rebekah shared, the tone of her voice already revealing that she doubted it would be much fun. Emma could easily assume the same, which made her stop by her car and, instead of unlocking the door and getting in, turn to the blonde with a questioning look in her eyes.

"Okay, what are you up to?"

"What do you mean?" Rebekah pretended to be oblivious.

"Oh, come on! When I went by your house a couple of days ago, Klaus was all cagey and not letting me in. Then I proceed to find you hanging out with the Salvatore like you're all the best of friends, and now you're meeting the mayor?" Emma listed off the events that happened in just the last few days. "You're digging for something."

"Couldn't I just be building connections in hopes of achieving a more peaceful life in Mystic Falls for myself and my family?" Rebekah questioned light-heartedly.

"No." Emma's answer was short, sweet, and leaving no room for bullshit.

"Fine, get inside." Rebekah shook her head at her friend's persistency, moving towards the passenger side of Emma's car while the brunette quickly unlocked the car and jumped in before Rebekah could change her mind about telling her what was going on. Emma was sure that if she herself started digging and doing her thing, she could find out. But why put in the work if you can just have someone tell you?

"So? What is it?" The Park woman asked her friend once both found themselves hidden away in her car. Of course, if anyone with any kind of special hearing decided to listen in on their conversation, the car wouldn't provide much protection, but at least this way they looked completely normal. Like making plans for the rest of their afternoon together.

"The short version is, the night my mother tried to kill us, I was with Elena. There are these tunnels and caves beneath Mystic Falls." Rebekah started to explain, Emma's brows furrowing curiously. Until now, she'd heard nothing about caves and tunnels. "They've been there for thousands of years, and the old Vikings used to write on the walls."

"What do old Viking scriptures have to do with anything?" Emma couldn't help but ask. The beginning of this story certainly wasn't making much sense.

"There is only one weapon out there which can kill an Original. Made from a tree which we destroyed before returning to the old world." Rebekah reminded.

"Yes, the stake which burned along with Mikael's body when Klaus killed him. I was there, I saw it. It's gone." Emma said in a reassuring tone. If that is what Rebekah was worried about it, then Emma was happy to reassure her the stake could no longer be a threat.

"It's not. There are records of the tree in the writings I found." Rebekah said, but Emma was still somewhat lost. and seeing that prompted the blonde to go on. "Records written three hundred years after we left the area."

"There's more of it out there." Emma mumbled. It wasn't a question but rather a statement. It was no surprise both Klaus and Rebekah were both eager to discover what exactly happened to the tree. It also didn't go unnoticed by Emma that at no point did Rebekah mention what the tree was. But Emma didn't care about that information, she had no use for it. "A tree that old, it's probably been cut down by now."

"And guess who's in the possession of the milling ledgers for this town?" Rebekah asked, the annoyance in her eyes as she did was answer enough for Emma.

"You have got to be kidding me." If the Salvatores knew what they had in their possession, there was no doubt they'd use it the first chance they got. "So how do you get the information you need without them knowing what you're looking for?"

"That's what I'm trying to think of. And why I'm meeting with the mayor." Rebekah stated.

"I could help." Emma offered instantly. The gears in her head were already turning as she tried to think of something. "Especially considering people are wary of a Mikaelson snooping and asking questions. But if it were a high school student, asking for some kind of biology project researching the flora and fauna of the area, or a history project about the role of Mystic Falls in the Industrial Age. Well... It'd be a lot harder for people to say no." She suggested shortly after.

Well maybe the idea with the Industrial Age wouldn't work considering her history teacher was Mr Saltzman, and he would be on to her in an instant. Considering there was no such project that he's assigned.

"The mayor would certainly be more forthcoming. The Salvatores would be trickier, but not impossible." Rebekah seemed to think over the suggestion for a moment. While she knew her family had somewhat of an alliance with the Mystic Falls founding family members, she also knew that the mayor wasn't a foolish woman. Rebekah alone asking questions could be suspicious, but with Emma by her side, spinning stories about a school project which she needed for her good grades... That could be more believable.

"Alright." Rebekah gave in after a couple of more moments passed in silence. "Come with me to the Bridge thing. If we fail, at least we tried." Rebekah said with a nod of her head.

"And that way, you also get a ride there." Emma joked as she turned the keys and started the car, ready to drive to the bridge. Before pulling out of the parking lot, she made sure to silence her phone. What she didn't remember when she offered her help was the fact that she'd told her mother she'd be home after school for lunch. And while at first it slipped her mind, it was also something she wasn't looking forwards to. Now at least she had a way out of it.

There were many ways in which Emma was happy to help Rebekah, but the blonde's latest methods were not one of them. Something told her that if she decided to join the little private party hosted by Damon and the newly arrived Sage, all Emma would accomplish would be becoming a meal.

However, while she was unwilling to participate in what would surely be a... wild night, it didn't make Emma any less suspicious. If she'd caught on to the fact that Rebekah was digging for something, it wasn't too far of a reach to assume Damon had too. And yet, he was more than willing to invite Rebekah back to his home and let his guard down. With all the bad blood between the two vampire families, somehow Emma doubted hate sex was incentive enough to forgo safety.

After leaving Rebekah after the Wickery Bridge event, Emma didn't let go of her suspicion. And maybe it was the gut feeling that compelled her to do what she did. Because instead of going home after grabbing dinner at the Grill, Emma ended up turning her car around and heading for the Salvatore Boarding House.

She wasn't planning on going inside, or even driving straight to the house. Instead, she parked her car at the edge of the road which led to the house. Her plan didn't require Rebekah's help, and it didn't involve stopping Damon. But a plan she did have. And the one person involved was the easiest to turn. The one playing both sides without even knowing it.

It was simple really. Rebekah was looking for something, and Damon knew it. What he didn't know was what exactly Rebekah was looking for. And whatever tonight's little party was, Emma suspected it was a way to do just that. Whether Damon found it out or not, Sage would know. If he did, they'd have a head start once Sage realized working with Damon was not in her interests. And if he didn't, well, at least she'd eliminate Sage as his little helper.

So when Emma spotted the red head walking down the path leading from the Salvatore house, she didn't hesitate in getting out of her car and walking into the street where she could be seen. "Sage, right?" She made her presence known as she spoke up, making the red head look her way as she paused in her movements.

"Rebekah's friend." Despite not talking to each other during the event that afternoon, Sage did remember Emma. And she remembered her being there with Rebekah.

"We haven't been properly introduced, I'm Emma." The brunette said with a sickly-sweet smile on her face as she extended her hand to the vampire politely. Of course, she couldn't be sure what Sage's reaction to her approach would be. Because of that, Emma could feel the smooth surface of a wooden stake clutched in her left hand. Better safe than sorry.

"I don't think there's any need for introductions. I'm not looking to make new friends." Sage brushed her off with ease, but the smile didn't leave Emma's face. She wasn't about to be deterred by minimal signs of resistance.

"I understand. I just thought everyone could use friends who look out for you and your interests." Emma said innocently. This time it was Sage who smiled, although it was more in amusement than anything else.

"And you would be looking out for my interests?" The red head questioned, somehow doubting the truth in that statement.

"When they align with my own? Of course." Emma said honestly. "Can you really say the same for Damon? The man whose goal is to kill the Originals, one of whom, I understand, you're in love with?"

"Finn's done nothing to Damon, he has no reason to kill him." Sage dismissed Emma. She thought this was simply a misguided attempt of a human to win an Original's favor. And with Damon's promise to let Finn live; Sage had no need for Emma's friendship.

"Well, maybe not, but I don't think he'd spare him either. I mean it would just be a waste of time to bother with reversing the spell placed on all five just to spare one." Emma said, still maintaining her innocent act, acting like she was just talking, not like every word, sentence and question was a careful step forward.

And those steps were leading just where she wanted to, it was obvious from the confused look on Sage's face as Emma's question registered in her mind. "The linking spell their mother put on them? What happens to one happens to all?" The brunette prompted further, acting like she expected Sage to know about this, like she was simply reminding her of it.

"I... I don't..." Sage was no at a loss for words, and Emma had to do everything in her power to prevent the victorious smile from spreading over her face.

"Oh, he didn't tell you." She acted surprised herself. "Well, at least-" Emma was about to say something, however, she was interrupted as another voice joined in on their conversation.

"What is this? What are you doing here?"

Both Sage and Emma's eyes turned towards the blonde who was rushing towards them at a speed much faster than Emma could follow. Within a second, Sage was much further away from Emma now, pushed up against one of the trees by the side of the road as Rebekah had a hold of her.

"Rebekah, hold on. There's no need for that, Sage and I are friends now. Aren't we?" Emma asked, finally letting the small smirk appear on her lips as she sent Sage a questioning look.

"Friends? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Rebekah questioned, completely lost as she struggled to understand what happened between the two women before she arrived.

"I can see why your family likes this one so much. She's just as bad as the lot of you." Sage spat as she pushed Rebekah away from her, straightening her coat. Rebekah was wary, but once she realized Sage wasn't making any threatening moves, she decided to remain where she was instead of attacking again. And it turned out to be a wise choice once Sage spoke up again. "Damon knows what you're looking for. He also knows where it is."

Rebekah couldn't stop her eyes from widening in surprise. And she couldn't stop herself from sending Emma a highly inquisitive look as she wondered what the hell she'd done to make Sage switch sides. And while she noticed the look, Emma didn't explain, instead, she raised her eyebrow at Sage.

"And if you know he knows...?"

"That means I know too."