Sometimes, Emma wished her mother wasn't such a hard working woman. She remembered a friend she'd met during her time in Portland and how her mum would sometimes call in sick to work, say her kids were sick too and then take them on a one day adventure. Emma had suggested something similar to her mother at the time. It was the first and last time she brought up calling in sick when no one actually was.

So, of course, she didn't bring it up today either. Rebekah's arrival had served as an excuse for her mother to weasel her way out of a further conversation with Emma as she had to start getting ready and head to work for the afternoon shift she had that day.

Because of that, instead of getting more explanations and answers and learning about herself, Emma was left home alone to worry about what she was, what was happening with Alaric, where her friends were and a whole lot of other issues.

Rebekah's visit had been short. She'd come to explain what happened while she and Caroline were cleaning up the remnants of last night's dance when Alaric showed up, determined to kill Rebekah. The Originals were running into hiding again. Rebekah promised it wouldn't be long, but with Alaric having the white oak stake in his possession they needed to go until they could come up with a plan.

Emma hated saying goodbye to her friend, especially as she didn't know how long she'd stay away, but it was the right thing. And Rebekah had promised she'd be back before Emma could imagine. But the promise didn't sound very convincing, Rebekah obviously not believing in much of it herself.

According to the Mikaelson sister, all three of them were leaving. She herself was already on her way out of the small town, simply making a stop at Emma's since she didn't want to just abandon her without an explanation. And after it, Emma was left wondering what would happen next. If she'd learned anything about Mystic Falls, it was that things rarely went according to plan.

She could only hope all three of the Mikaelsons had time to leave before the sun set and Alaric was allowed to roam the town without the necessity to keep to the shadows. The thought often had her glancing out of the window, wondering where they were and if they were safe. She'd texted both Klaus and Kol after Rebekah left, but neither had yet answered.

The sun was starting to set, and that paired with the lack of replies had Emma pacing the length of her living room, her eyes frequently jumping to the large wooden clock resting on the wall. She was both checking how long it had been since she sent the texts, but also counting down the minutes until her mother was home.

Even though she doubted she could fully focus on stories of siphoners and what it meant to be one until she was sure all three of the Mikaelsons were safe. A part of Emma was very grateful for the fact that Elijah was already out of town or he'd be just one more vampire to worry about at this time.

The sound of her phone pinging had Emma jumping in her spot, heart skipping a beat before she relaxed and reminded herself that it was just that, her phone. And a message from Kol on it, informing her that he hadn't left yet, but would be doing soon once he packed up at the house.

'Don't leave yet, I'll be there in 5' Emma quickly typed on her phone, already grabbing her bag and car keys as she headed for the door. She herself had no reason to worry about being out in the streets as the purple sky started to grow darker and darker. And she wasn't about to let either of the brothers leave without saying goodbye first. Even if she did have to wrestle Klaus into it.

Emma always appreciated how easily a small town made it to get from one place to another. Usually, she was more of a fan of big and bustling cities, full of life and energy, but she couldn't deny the perks of Mystic Falls. There were, after all, so few she had to appreciate the odd outlier here and there.

Jumping out of her car and rushing through the door of the Mikaelson home, Emma listened around, calling out the names of both brothers in hopes of someone realizing she was there. But soon she realized it was highly unlikely as she heard sounds of what seemed to be a struggle coming from one of the rooms on the bottom floor. And if those weren't enough, the sound of a blood chilling scream had Emma running towards its source... Like an idiot.

"Klaus!" She called out his name in a worried tone, eyes looking into every room until she came upon the sight of Tyler and Damon restraining Klaus while Stefan's hand buried into his chest.

"Get her out of here." Damon grunted out, taking Klaus' other arm from Tyler and restraining the hybrid all on his own. Just the fact that he could do that let Emma know whatever they were doing him had Klaus growing weaker by the second. She watched the momentary confusion on Tyler's face, unsure of what exactly he should do, and used it to say the first thing she thought of.

"He sired your line." She pointed out, knowing they couldn't kill him if they had that information. They'd all die not long after. But Tyler already knew that about himself, and yet he chose to participate. And was now standing in front of her, arms on her shoulders and about to force her out of the house.

Thinking on her feet, Emma didn't try to resist, knowing her own strength could not stand against that of a hybrid. But a hybrid was a supernatural creature. Her hand wrapped around his wrist in return, skin coming into contact with his and she could feel the magic bubbling beneath her fingers. But just as she was about to pull on it, the connection was broken and the magic was gone.

Tyler was flung through the air, his back slamming into one of the walls and making it crack while an arm wrapped around Emma's waist. She had a short second to look to the side, seeing Kol's face before everything became a blur once again. Emma shut her eyes as he ran her arms holding on to his neck while ignoring the momentary feeling of sickness which came over her because of the sudden movement. But as soon as it started it was over, and Emma felt them come to a stop.

"Jesus!" Her own mother's panicked gasp had Emma opening her eyes only to find herself standing in the hallway of her own house. Marissa seemed to have just come back from the hospital, Kol rushing through the door right after her. "How many have you invited into the house, Emma?!" Her mother questioned in a scolding tone once her heart rate was back under control.

"Three." Emma said simply, not really wanting to get into a whole discussion about it. Definitely not in front of Kol.

"Uh, Kol Mikaelson, pleasure to meet you Mrs Park." Kol awkwardly stuck his hand out to Marissa, his other arm remaining around Emma's waist even as she removed her arms from his neck. Instead of reciprocating the greeting, Emma's mother simply sent her daughter a look which could best be depicted as 'Are you serious?!'.

"We'll be in the living room." Emma announced, pulling on Kol's hand and leading him away from her mother. She wished they could have a more private setting, but knew better than to say she was taking a vampire to her bedroom. Especially since she wouldn't be surprise if Kol made some flirtatious remark about it. That's the last thing she needed her mother to know.

"What the hell did they do to him?" Emma questioned Kol as soon as she heard the door of her mother's bedroom closing. She doubted Marissa would take too long to change out of her scrubs. She hoped to get the bad stuff out of the way before Marissa could hear it.

"Dessicated him." Kol said, quickly after adding on an explanation. "The same thing that was done to subdue my father before Katherine woke him." He'd been caught up to all things Mikael after he and his siblings were free of the daggers.

"But he's still alive?" Emma asked, the small tinge of concern laced through her voice impossible to miss. Kol nodded his head in confirmation, the distant look on his face making it clear he was thinking of what to do next. "That means they know he sired their line. They've wanted him dead for ages now, they wouldn't be sparing his life."

"It was still quite smart pointing it out to them." Kol smiled down at her, once again enthralled by her quick mind. However, Emma was having none of it in a moment like this.

"And it's quite stupid for you to still be in town. Knowing they're descended for him will make everyone protect Klaus' body at all costs." Emma spoke at a quick pace, ready to kick Kol out of the house and make him run. "Leaving you as the only one still in town with a psychotic history teacher/vampire hunter with a dead set agenda to kill you. And an ability to do so."

"Don't you worry about me, darling." Kol smiled down at her, acting as if he were touched by the concern which only made Emma's glare harden.

"Well, despite my better judgement, I do." She pointed out, making it clear she truly didn't want something to happen to him.

"I'll be alright. I'm gonna make a call." Kol announced dismissively, stepping away from her and heading out of the room as he dug up his phone from his pocket. Emma wasn't sure who he could be calling, but she also had no time to question it as she watched him pass through the door of the living room at the same time as her mother entered it. Instead of questioning who Kol was calling, Emma prepared herself for the inevitable lecture she could feel coming on.

"What have you gotten yourself into?" Marissa questioned her daughter in a forceful tone. If it were any different situation, Emma would have been making a comment about knowing where she got her own from. "If I'd known how far you've gone..."

"You'd have what? Moved us away?" Emma questioned, more than aware that her mother had been considering in, in depth, from the moment she learned Emma had even befriended vampires. Now that she knew she'd also gotten involved in their business, Emma wouldn't be surprised to find the boxes and suitcases out by the morning.

"You're damn right I would have." Marissa's tone was one she often used to make it clear there'd be no further argument on the discussion. And usually, it was a tone that made Emma back down, but this time... Well, this time, for the first time when it came to this topic, Emma had the upper hand.

"Well then it's a good thing I'm eighteen and don't need to be living with a parent or guardian anymore." She pointed out, holding back a pleased smile as she uttered the words. That was one of the major reasons she'd been looking forward to her eighteenth birthday for years now; an end to the incessant moving around the country.

"Emma, I understand you care for them and they're your friends, but there will be other friends. Risking your own life isn't worth it." Marissa tried to reason with her daughter, her tone abandoning the forceful rush and coming out more desperate than before.

"And what would you say if I told you that if they die, so do I?" Emma raised an eyebrow at her mother watching as momentary panic spread over Marissa's face, her hand grabbing on to Emma's as if she were looking for something. It didn't take much for Emma to realize her mother was checking whether Emma herself had become a vampire in the short time since they last saw each other.

Holding back a scoff, she expanded on the thought she'd put forward. "When Finn died, all of the vampires in his line died shortly after them. If Alaric manages to kill all four of the Originals, then the world is rid of vampires. And how will you keep me alive then?" Her mother fell silent at that, not even thinking about such a possibility until Emma brought it up just then. Because she was right, if the vampire species died out, so would any chance of keeping Emma alive.

The silence in the living room was palpable, Kol and Emma sitting on opposite sides of the couch while Marissa's eyes watched them like a hawk. None of them spoke, unsure of what to say as they waited for the person Kol had called to help.

With her phone on mute, Emma glanced down at the screen as she saw a new message that came in. 'I don't think your mother likes me very much.' Emma had to pretend to cough in an attempt to stop herself from laughing at Kol's message, something that then prompted an actual cough. Thousand year old vampire, and yet still too intimidated by the meeting of her mother to be able to speak up and break the silence. Emma made a mental note to tease him about it once things settled down.

The sudden sound of the doorbell had all three parties sitting up, Emma the first to her feet knowing she'd be needed at the door if it really was who they were waiting for. She wasn't surprised to find Kol rising with her and following her into the hall, his face alert, listening in case it wasn't.

Coming to stand in front of the door, Emma looked up at him, a question painted across her face, waiting for his approval before she opened it. Only when he nodded did she reach for the handle, making quick work of unlocking it to reveal the Original vampire standing on the other side.

"Emma, it's good to see you again." Elijah said politely as he came face to face with the Park woman and his brother, sending a greeting nod to the latter as well.

"Come in, come in." Emma quickly ushered him inside, not wanting to leave him standing outside in the dark street for too long. She wouldn't be surprised by the idea of Alaric checking her house in his search of the Originals. And that wasn't a risk she was willing to take as she slammed the door shut behind Elijah. One more vampire invited inside. Emma was ecstatic to find what her mother would think about that. But there was no other way.