AWAKENED CONSCIENCE

A/N: Old story that I dug out from an old laptop. Glad I posted?

Movin' On – Rascal Flatts

I've dealt with my ghosts and I've faced all my demons
Finally content with a past I regret
I've found you find strength in your moments of weakness
For once I'm at peace with myself
I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
I'm movin' on

The day was spent listening to Rebekah's insane chatter as she ran from room to room, scolding us and the helpers on their work. She had taken it upon herself to take care of decoration, food, drink and even our clothing. This was decided the second mother asked for us to publicise our peace with a ball. It was also a means for her to make herself known to the council and promise them.

My first choice had been a dark blue tuxedo but she ripped it out of my hands and told me that the boys would be wearing black. Of course I complied because frankly, I didn't really care.

Finn and Esther had disappeared which did not really surprise me. Human thoughts always dated back to how he would cling by her side, rather than hunt with us. He always had been mother's boy and we had teased him relentlessly.

Then there was Elijah who had left last night and was yet to return. He had refused to talk to me but I knew him. Compassion was his greatest weakness and his strength which meant that it would not be long before he broke.

Anyway, with him gone, it left me with Kol.

Kol had been walking around in nothing but his boxers, fascinated by the small invention in his hand – my phone. He had downloaded game after game and with quick reflexes beat each one. That still did not stop him for searching for more. Occasionally, he would come into my room and ask about one of the applications and seeing as I wanted to be in good graces, I relented.

"This game – angry birds?" a crease was now formed onto his head but soon cleared up as he pressed a few buttons. "So simple and trivial, yet it demands my attention" he stated, falling onto my bed with his eyes glued onto the small screen. "I can't seem to stop playing" he added mindlessly.

After finishing the last button, I inclined my head towards him, "If you get changed, I promise to buy you your own" I vowed and turned my attention back to the reflection as I began to fix my tie.

"I like yours" Kol sat up and waved my phone at me.

I slumped my shoulders and addressed him once again, "Then I'll get you the same model" I offered but then realised my mistake.

"Model?"

I had confused him again.

Before I could begin an explanation, my phone shrilled it's ringtone, causing Kol to jump in surprise. I smirked at him and took it from his hands. "Later" I promised him and wanted to tell him to leave so I could answer the call. However, my saviour was my sister who barged into the room.

She was already dress in a dark green dress that was simple but hugged her figure. She had even pinned her hair up and done her make-up. In my defence, she had already awoken at 4 o'clock in the morning, wanting to get a head start.

"Why are you not changed?!" Rebekah shrieked grabbing him by the hand and towing him away while he just chuckled, amusedly at her antics. "The ball is in less than fifteen minutes" she pushed him out of my room and I followed.

My hands gently pushed the door closed before I finally answered my call. "Daniel" I smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I trust you have good news"

"We found three packs residing in New Zealand" he informed with a pleased tone and I too was happy with his revelation. "Elle is still in Scotland but she texted me about a few sightings" he tried to assure me of Elle's competence.

"What of Jackson?"

His tone remained professional and straight to the point. Just the way I wished it to be. "No luck in Cambodia, so I told them to head out up in Indonesia" he answered sternly.

"Okay" I replied, happy with what was happening so far. "Keep up with the updates"

"Sure thing boss"

I ended the call and placed the phone on the bedside stand.

For some reason, I felt a twinge of guilt but I assured myself with the promise of dissipating it with a drink or two. Just because I had them back did not mean that I would give up the quest of finding strength within numbers.

Sure, having my family back and quick to accept me gave me hope. Some part of me believed that they could be my redemption. However, I still needed to strengthen my army and determine my safety.

I would be a fool to believe that it was real and that they had forgotten everything I had done. Their side-glances and reluctance to be around me was enough to pique my doubts. It had only been three days which I doubted would be sufficient in erasing their own anger. I mean, if it had not been for mother, they would have left me – it had been their intention.

For the past three days, we had had many disputes. For one, she angered me by going after Elena and endangering the existence of my hybrids. Finn and Kol had occasionally made snide comments and it seemed that my threats would no longer work.

Nonetheless, these thoughts seemed to be erased every time I looked into her motherly blue eyes, filled with warmth and trust, reminding me of her acceptance and her forgiveness...and then – I really wanted to believe it was real.

"Perfection" Rebekah burst into my room and spun me around. Her hands reached up to tilt my tie before she ran her hands down my suit. She now wore a smug smile and tilts my tie, "Isn't this much better than that ghastly blue-"

Rolling my eyes at her hysteria, I complied, "Yes, Rebekah"

She would have continued to scold me but another pair of heeled footsteps joined us. We both turned to my mother who was dressed in a similar dress to Rebekah's but hers was shorter and in a dark midnight blue. "My son" she stepped towards me and my sister took this as her cue to leave. Mother approached me, accepting my hands, "You look very handsome" she complimented and I felt at ease with her appearance.

"And you look beautiful, mother" I returned with a smile.

She shrugged but acknowledged it all the same. "It is all Rebekah's doing" she revealed.

"Likewise"

Mother took a glimpse towards the doorway before looking back to me. Her eyes gleaming with her joy as a smile pulled at her lips. "Somethings do not change" she replied with a small laugh, reminding me of the past days where we were actually a family. A human life with no complications which now seemed to have been draw too far away.

"I still do not understand" I stated numbly.

This time her lips fell into a smaller and sadder smile. Her hands squeezed mine and her warmth pressed onto mine, calming me. "I have told you once and I will continue to remind you" she stated and reached up to rest her hand onto my shoulder. "I want us to be a family again. You have my forgiveness because you are my son" her tone stern and her eyes filled with honesty.

"Now, about that date of yours…" she began and I laughed, shying away from her touch and her inquisitive gaze. "Will she be attending?" she urged and I chuckled again, pulling away from her and pretending to be attending to my cufflinks.

"I…uh…I sent her a dress and a bracelet" I said awkwardly, feeling embarrassed and the moment becoming surreal. To think that even after killing her, we were now here, having a civilised conversation about me having a date.

"With an invite?" she asked, following after me.

I turned but kept my head bowed as I thought of Caroline. "Of course" I agreed.

"What is she like?" mother asked, sitting on the futon as she waited patiently. One leg crossed over the other while she looked up at me.

I turned my back to her and tried to hide my grimace as the thoughts of my past returned. Each memory filled, not with blonde locks but long mahogany tresses with burgundy highlights. Rather than light blue gleaming orbs, the thoughts fell back to wide chocolate-brown eyes filled with warmth. Instead of a tanned complexion, I could only think of the pale creamy skin exposed as the silk sheets draped from her form.

"She is different" I stated quietly.

Mother came behind me and held my elbow. "Is that good"

"Right now?" I turned to her, happy that the blurred images were fleeting. "Yes" I agreed quietly and forced a smile, wanting her protruding questions to come to an end.

She read my expression and gave a small nod in understanding before placing her hand out for me. "Will you be my escort?" she questioned upon hearing the music begin and the doors parting, permitting the guests to finally enter.

"It would be my pleasure" I answered and linked our arms together.

Together, we walked down the hall and slowly trailed down the steps. The guests moved their stares over to us before focusing on mother. Their curiosity piqued but questions remained unanswered as mother moved from my hold and walked towards Mayor Lockwood.

My attention was drawn to my most prized possession. A smile formed at the sight of her huddled between the Salvatore brothers. They too now concentrated on every move that my mother made, their eyes following her around the room.

If only they knew…

"Caroline"

I smiled at the sight of the young girl, dressed in the royal blue dress that I had bought for her. As expected the dress fit her perfectly. She had worn white gloves and on her left hand was the silver bracelet she wore. The sight of her in my chosen attire, made me feel proud and victorious. "You came" I exclaimed and she soured when her eyes found mine.

"Yes. I did" she quipped and made a move to walk away but I blocked her path.

Blue eyes locked on her blue as I complimented, "You look beautiful" I purred, intentionally brushing her arm with my fingers. "I'm glad you like the dress" I added, looking over her with an appreciative glance that had her hitching her breath.

"I-I-I uh…I didn't have anything else to wear" she stuttered nervously and made another attempt to step around me.

Yet again, I had acted rashly and blocked her path and was proudly looking down at her wrist. "Then explain the bracelet" I gestured towards it with a sideways glance. Knowing that I had caught her, she drew in a deep breath and made another attempt at walking away from me. This time, I permitted her to but followed closely by her side. "I'm glad you came" I whispered.

She stopped on her tracks and whirled around to face me. "Was this ball your plan to lure me into your home?" she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at me.

"Actually no" I smiled at her, "My mother is the one who wanted to have a ball as a way to welcome the town and reclaim peace" I explained, watching as she nodded but wore an expression of confusion.

"Peace?" she scoffed with a crease between her knitted eyebrows.

I nodded, "Yes"

She grimaced but then her whole face rearranged to her seriousness. "Do you agree to her terms?" she challenged, arching her eyebrow.

"Maybe" I shrugged and then smirked playfully.

Before I could toy with her again and find my amusement, my brother reclaimed everyone's attention as he called for us. "Would my family please join me up here?" Elijah called to us.

I craned my head back towards Caroline. "Duty calls" I grinned and then took her hand, surprising her when I placed a kiss on it. "Save me a dance" I winked and then walked back up the stairs next to my family.

Rebekah smiled at me so I paused by her side.

Elijah looked over us and then addressed the townspeople. "Now if everyone would gather around…" he raised his voice and they all complied. "My name is Elijah Mikaelson and I would like to thank you all for coming" he appraised them with a friendly smile. "Now tonight we shall be choosing the traditional waltz. So if you could please g-"

His welcoming words were disrupted by the thundering sound of the large wooden doors being opened yet again.

I checked the watch; 7:43.

The ball had been set to begin at 7 o'clock and I had assumed that everyone in Mystic Falls had arrived. This meant that whoever was arriving now was very late.

I looked back up to the doors at the lady removing the lace veil. Once it was pulled off, I gasped at the materialisation of my past standing a mere two feet away from me. "Isabella" I breathed and the sound was captured. Her eyes searching the room before landing on mine. They widened slightly but not so full of surprise which meant that she knew I would be here. Instead, her gaze dulled, hardening with the lingering stare but refusing to look away.

Old feelings returned and I felt unravelled, exposed as my strength diminished. "What is she doing here?" I growled under my breath, hating how vulnerable I was feeling.

My brother surprised me by pushing past me but pausing to glance at me and haughtily whispered, "I invited her"

Like everyone else, I watched, dumbstruck as my brother walked down the steps and captured her attention, making her divert her eyes from me as she happily grinned at Elijah.

I was now…forgotten.

A/N: Interested?
Question: Favourite/Least Favourite Mikaelson?