In loving memory of

ROSALYN PAIGE

January 23rd, 1827

August 12th, 1865

Since the few months I had come back to Mystic Falls, I hadn't dared step foot here. I didn't need to. More so, I didn't want to. I was scared.

I remembered the exact day she was buried. It was a cloudy day, the sun was hiding as if even it couldn't bear the sight of my dead mother. She was never supposed to die. She was supposed to be there when I got married when I had my first child when I grew old. She was supposed to take care of me until she couldn't.

My hands grazed the cold gravestone, my fingers feeling the words etched with care. The entire town had cared for her. She had been kind to everyone, and they in return thought she was an angel. I almost laughed at the irony.

My mother. An angel.

Me. An angel.

My mind struggled to grasp it. I was supposedly this divine celestial being, but I sure didn't look like it. Weren't angels supposed to be always generous, always kind, or at least beautiful? I wasn't at least two of those things.

I got angry, I lashed out, I couldn't form relationships. I didn't give people second chances, I pushed everyone out, I couldn't stay positive.

Klaus had said that I was a form of beauty, that I could potentially become one of the most powerful creatures on the planet. He probably thought that would make me happy, but all it did was make me nauseous.

How could I, the girl who hardly passed science, have power so big? How would I have control over it?

With great power, comes great responsibility. I remembered hearing that line once, from a movie I couldn't remember. Whoever said it was wise.

If my mother were here, she would help me. She always knew what to do when I was sad. Whenever I had a scraped knee or a scratched elbow, she would bend down, wipe away my tears, and tell me to be strong.

"You're such a tough girl, my sweet Lyn. You can overcome anything. Surely a scraped elbow won't knock you down."

"I wish you were here with me," I whispered, kneeling down on the grass. "I'm lost, Mommy. I don't know what to do. Why did you have to die? Why did you have to leave me alone?!"

My voice cracked on the question, and I furiously wiped away the tears which threatened to fall. I had still been wondering why and how my mother had died. Angels were supposed to live forever, weren't they?

What on earth could kill an angel?

I faintly remembered her saying that her life was being sucked, but she was delirious at the time, literally on death's door.

"I'm going to live for you," I mumbled. "Your death was not in vain. You succeeded mom, you gave your power to me, and I'm going to use it for good."

I smiled softly, tasting the saltiness of my tears.

My phone had been dinging and buzzing for the past 5 minutes, and so when it started ringing, I picked it up in frustration.

"What."

"Kaitlyn, why weren't you answering your phone?" Elena asked in annoyance. "I've been trying to reach you."

"Yeah, I noticed," I croaked, my voice still watery.

"Are you okay? You sound like you've been crying," Elena said.

"I'm fine Elena," I snapped. "What do you want?"

"Elijah has some information that I think you deserve to know. After all, you were kidnapped with me," she then prattled the address which I was supposed to meet her at, and hung up.

She hadn't even given me the time to decline. I stood up from the grave, not looking at it anymore, and dropped the roses on top of the grass.

"I'll come and see you again," I whispered, before walking away.

∆ ∆ ∆

"You're finally here," Elena said in annoyance. "Let's go."

We were next to a meadow, and I spotted a car parked down the road, which I assumed to be Elena and Elijah's transportation. The Original vampire was dressed in yet another immaculate suit, and his hair was somehow perfect, like always.

"Kaitlyn, you came," Elijah stepped forward, and then glimpsed my expression. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," came my gruff reply. "Elena said you had important info?"

By the end of his explanation, my jaw had dropped multiple times.

"Klaus is your brother?! You were in love with Katherine?! You're gonna kill your own brother?! The sun and moon curse is fake?! Klaus is half vampire half werewolf? Elena's gonna live?"

He almost smiled at my rush of questions. "I'm a bit behind on the times, but I believe the term you are searching for is O.M.G."

"Guys, I need to go back," Elena spoke up, coming back looking distressed. "Klaus revealed himself to Jenna, but as Alaric. I think she knows about the supernatural now."

"Is she okay?" I asked, and Elena nodded. "Okay, well, I'll keep Elijah company as we wait. I need to talk to him about some stuff anyway.

The anxious brunette left soon after, leaving the vampire and me alone.

"So, what would you like to know Kaitlyn?" Elijah fixed his cuff links on his wrist and sat on a nearby bench.

"So, from the courtesy of your brother," I began, sitting on the bench as well as he grimaced. "I now know that I am an angel. A form of beauty! A divine being! Celestial!"

I made grand motions with my hands, almost smacking him in the face.

"Did you know what I was?"

A pause. Then, "Yes, I believe I figured it out on the day I met you. When I saw the scars on your back, I knew they looked familiar. After some heavy research, I found out."

"And you didn't think it was a good idea to tell me?" I asked indignantly.

"Some things are best unraveled on their own," he said cryptically. "Besides, it isn't as if I could just call you for a coffee date and drop the information."

"True."

There was another short silence as I tried to gather my thoughts. I had a million questions threatening to burst out of my mouth, but I knew I had to ask them strategically. The important questions had to come first.

"So what are my powers? Can I like burn people I don't like with my gaze? Convince people into becoming nice and beautiful beings? Shatter windows with my amazing opera singing?"

"Not quite," Elijah countered bemusedly. "What do you think you have accomplished so far?"

"Nothing. All I can think of is that I'm definitely immortal, and I heal faster than humans." I muttered. "Well, actually, I think I communicated with Katherine through a dream. Also, I can't really control it, but I can persuade people to do the right thing."

"Yes, yes, that makes sense," Elijah explained. "Angels do have the ability to telepathically speak to other people through dreams. And for the other thing, you can bring out the good that is already inside people. The more emotionless they are, the harder it would be to convince them."

"So, do I have any more powers?" I asked excitedly.

"According to my studies, once you are in angel form, you can obviously fly. Your wings are indestructible and bullet-proof. You are stronger, faster, and have endless stamina."

"Well, I definitely could have used stamina when I was running around that track last Tuesday. Man, these teachers seriously need to lighten up. I am not fit!"

"Kaitlyn, this isn't a joke," Elijah said exasperatedly. "Aren't you the least bit curious on how to shift?"

"I've had a ton of people tell me already," I rolled my eyes. "I have to find a way to harness it in my own way. Like what kind of bullcrap is that huh? It's like saying, you'll find a way to do it, you'll figure it out. Like, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"

Elijah looked a bit taken aback by my small rant, but he put his hand on my shoulder as his way of comfort.

"Actually, it's a little more specific than that. There is a sword that has the ability to give you power. On its first use, it floods you with enough power to shift. But I have also heard, that it can be used to drain power as well."

My heart froze at the last sentence. "Wait, you said it could drain power?! Could that kill an angel?"

"Yes, it could. The power flooding through your blood is the only thing that is keeping you immortal. If it were to be gone, all the years would catch up to you, and you would just die."

"My mother said she was drained," I breathed out quietly, ignoring the comment about my demise. "I should have listened to her."

"I'm sorry Kaitlyn," Elijah said softly, but my stomach was somersaulting, my ears blocking out the sounds around me.

"I could have saved her. If I just visited her more often," I wrung my hands anxiously. "God! If I wasn't so scared to see her on that bed, I could have figured it out! It's my fault she died. She was relying on me, and I failed her."

My breathing came out in short gasps, and I felt as if there wasn't enough air to sustain my lungs. I got up abruptly from the bench and clutched my chest, trying to inhale.

"Breathe Kaitlyn," Elijah ordered in concern, getting up next to me.

He put his hands on my shoulders and forcibly sat me back down. Then he pushed my head between my knees, and soothingly rubbed my back.

"That's it," he whispered. "Just breathe."

"I'm sorry," I sobbed, once I had regained my breath. "That hasn't happened for a long time."

"Have you had panic attacks before?" he questioned calmly.

"What?" I looked at him in surprise. "That wasn't a panic attack. I just get nervous sometimes."

"I.." he looked doubtful but left it alone. "Your mother's death is not your fault Kaitlyn."

"Yeah," I muttered unconvincingly. "Thanks for calming me down."

He smiled a little.

"Hey, I'm back!" Elena yelled from across the meadow, out of breath. "So, continue please."

∆ ∆ ∆

"Wow, a celestial being?" Rose uttered in astonishment, getting her usual order of fries.

"Yup," I said half-cheerfully, eying as she stuffed the food in her mouth. "You know those will taste just as good if you eat them slowly. And they do have other food other than French fries."

"Katie, please let me eat these wondrous potatoes in peace," Rose glared at me playfully. "I am enjoying these new weeks where I can actually enjoy everything."

"So are you planning on staying in Mystic Falls?" I asked curiously.

"I'm sick of traveling," she pointed out. "So yeah, I'm gonna stay awhile."

"Great! I'll finally have a loyal breakfast buddy," I laughed. "I need my breakfast."

"I don't actually eat breakfast," Rose commented, and I gasped dramatically.

"Out!" I yelled before we burst into laughter.

My phone buzzed, and I looked at it in surprise, seeing a message from Stefan.

Stefan:

Meet me in the garden outside my house, now. Important.

"Umm, Rose?" I said. "I need to go. Stefan needs me."

"That's fine. Leave me all by my lonesome," she said melodramatically, waving as I got up.

"Stefan, what do you want?" I asked curiously, once I had arrived in his garden. "Um, what is that? And why are you pointing it at me?"

He was shirtless for one thing, and his upper body was glistening with sweat. He was also holding a long stick and positioning it in my direction.

"Are you sure you didn't mean to text Elena? Cause this is feeling a little inappropriate Stef," I remarked, and he rolled his eyes.

"Please," he scoffed. "I'm called you here for some training. You need to be able to defend yourself in this town."

"I can defend myself!" I protested, crossing my arms.

I then screamed at the top of my lungs as Stefan threw the long stick at me. I shut my eyes, and when I opened them, he had caught the stick in mid-air, having vamp sped next to me.

"You're slow. And you're weak," he looked at me, and I tried not to feel offended.

"I'll try not to take that personally."

He ignored me and continued. "You need to build up some muscles and learn to stay safe at all times. Because you won't always be with someone Kaitlyn. You could be walking home at night, and get kidnapped again, or worse! Killed!"

"Aw, are you worried I'll get hurt?" I smiled a little, delighted at the fact that he cared about me.

"Yes, I am!" Stefan enunciated. "Now, put your bag down, and let's get to training."

30 minutes later, I was wheezing and laying on the grass, pretending I was dead so Stefan would leave me alone.

"Kaitlyn, I know you're not asleep, or dead for that matter. Come on, get up," I could hear his irritated tone from here.

"I feel faint," I shrieked. "I HURT!"

"Aren't you supposed to be a powerful angel?"

"Well, I haven't figured out how to be that yet, okay!?"

"Okay, just 5 more minutes Kate."

"FINE!" I groaned, grasping the extended hand in my direction.

He pulled me up with ease, and I got into a defensive stance, holding my fists in front of my face. Stefan positioned himself half a meter away from me, preparing to attack.

"I'm going to launch myself at any moment, and you need to block it, okay?" he instructed, and I nodded, even though I had no idea how I was going to do that.

How had I survived for all these years? Honestly.

"Okay, 3....2......"

His voice drowned out as my eyes gazed past his shoulder, making out a figure in a bush. I squinted, and then my heart lurched as I recognized the woman. Was that my mother? How did that make sense? My chest tightened again, and I found it hard to breathe.

Suddenly all the air was knocked out of me as Stefan tackled me to the ground. He quickly shot out his hand to the back of my head, blocking me from smacking it onto the ground.

"God Kaitlyn! I could have seriously hurt you! Why weren't you paying attention!" he yelled, but I rolled out from under him, getting up in a sort of trance.

"Mom?" I gasped, running towards the bush.

"What are you doing?!" I heard him say from behind me, but I kept sprinting until I reached the shrubbery.

I blinked rapidly, trying to look for the person I just saw there, but the place was empty. I turned around, looking around the house and behind the trees, but nothing.

"Kaitlyn! What were you thinking?!" Stefan dashed up to me, looking at me in concern.

"I... I thought.... never mind," I shook my head fervently. "Never mind."

"Are you okay?" he asked gently, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I snapped, perhaps a little harsher than I should have. "I just need a shower."

∆ ∆ ∆

"I don't think this is a good idea," Andie was muttering as Damon busted the door open.

"You didn't have to come with us Kaitlyn," he reminded me, but I paid him no attention.

"She's my friend Damon. Of course, I was going to come."

"Thank god!" Katherine breathed in relief when she recognized our faces.

Andie and I walked in, and I bounded towards Katherine, hugging her tightly. She nestled her face in my neck, and I breathed in her scent, now realizing how much I had missed her.

"I'm so glad you're okay," I whispered, and she smiled as we separated.

"You're right, she does look exactly like Elena," Andie breathed in amazement, analyzing Katherine's features.

"Yep," Damon muttered, who was unable to enter past the threshold due to the fact that he hadn't been invited in. "Thought you might have been dead."

"Unfortunately not," Katherine hissed. "What are you doing here?"

"We're here to rescue you!" I said in excitement. "Just like I promised I would."

"Um, not quite. We're here to see if she deserves to be rescued," Damon pointed out, but I ignored him, clasping Katherine's hands.

"We're gonna get you out of here, and then after we kill Klaus, you'll be free! Damon, give her the vervain."

Katherine's eyes darted greedily to the vial in Damon's hand, but she still looked unsure.

"It's not going to undo anything," she said unhappily.

"There's always a loophole. Did he tell you to stay in this apartment until he said it was okay to leave?" Damon challenged.

Katherine opened her mouth to speak but found herself unable to.

"She can't say," I looked at Katherine. "Did he tell you to do absolutely everything he says until the end of time?"

"No," she said immediately, and I smiled happily.

"There's our loophole. If you drink the vervain, it will prevent any further compulsion, right Damon?"

The vampire nodded, and I snatched the vial out of his hands, earning a frustrated huff from him.

"I was going to toy around with her for a while," he said angrily, but I just rolled my eyes and gave the vervain to Katherine.

"Thank you Lynie," she said gratefully.

"Be careful with that. If he finds out you have that, you're never getting out of here," Damon reminded her.

She nods and downs the vial in one gulp, sputtering and coughing in the end. I hugged her again and looked right into her eyes.

"Once you escape, you come right to me! Okay?" I threatened, and she nodded meekly.

"Come on," Damon called impatiently, and I waved at her, my stomach in a knot at the thought of leaving her in the enemy's home once again.

∆ ∆ ∆

Katherine Pierce had a bottle of alcohol in her hand, the music notched up to the max, and was swinging her hips, running around the small apartment. She had decided to make the best of her time, being kidnapped and all.

She was ecstatic for the vervain she had just consumed, and also that she could check on her friend. She smiled at the mere thought of Kaitlyn Paige.

She froze when she heard footsteps coming up, and ran to turn down the music, plopping on the couch and sitting down motionlessly.

"This body has outlived its usefulness," Alariklaus muttered in disgust.

There were many people behind him, carrying suitcases and one person with a huge crate. Katherine offered him the alcohol in a sad way to cheer him up, but he took it from her hands and smashed it against the wall.

"Someone's in a bad mood," she muttered under her breath, and Alariklaus frowned even deeper.

"Shut up and stay sitting down. Greta, finally," he motioned towards a dark-skinned witch walking in.

"Hello, darling. Nice body, ready to get out of it?"

The procedure was simple, he just had to walk into the crate, and the witches would chant some hocus pocus, and voila! He would be back in his charismatic body.

As he was standing in the crate, listening to the spell of the witches, his mind absently went to the angel girl he had met a few days ago. There was something about her, the innocence and purity, that made her extremely alluring.

Oh well, he thought to himself. She'll probably die soon anyway. No point in thinking of unimportant things.