Getting used to the new job and how to interact with the rest of my life. Though now I have found time for myself on the weekends. I want to write! I had a sweet message from someone this week that really made me want to get back to it. So here we go!
A/N: A witch loses her parents and is trying to make sense of her much altered world. What happens when she meets the vampires of Mystic Falls and New Orleans?
Part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6 part 7 part 8 part 9 part 10
A/N: This is set after the first Avengers movie, before the Winter Soldier. An actress experiences betrayal from someone she loves. This is the story of her finding a new start.
Part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6 part 7 part 8 part 9 part 10 part 11 part 12 part 13 part 14 part 15 part 16 part 17
I will start as a nurse practitioner in the Women's Health field at the beginning of May. I am so excited!!! I haven't done the whole working 5 days a week thing in a really long time. But I am looking forward to no more weekends, no more holidays and no call! I can't wait.
My tag list has been updated. I apologize to those who didn't get a tag in the last Natural update. That was completely my fault. But I went through and everyone should be on there now. If I miss someone the next time please just poke me and I will fix it immediately.
I am not sure what story I will work on next but I am taking the evening to go over one of my older stories to see about getting some other ideas. Always open for suggestions. Trying to keep my momentum going.
The rest of your shift went by slowly. You wanted to get home to call Stefan and find out how he and Klaus knew each other. Though you were unsure if that was going to be a smart move or not. He had already expressed his concern about you, encountering the dangers of New Orleans. He never named Klaus specifically and you wondered if he even knew the vampire was here. It was late when you returned home, at least by Mystic Falls standards. It was still before midnight in New Orleans which mean there were many hours left to cause trouble in the streets. The phone only rang once before you heard Stefan’s voice.
“I was expecting you to call in the morning, so this is a pleasant surprise.” The cheerful greeting brought a smile to your lips.
“I got off work a little earlier tonight. My boss said I am not allowed to work myself to death anymore since the house is paid up.” You sighed as you kicked off your shoes and settled into one of the chairs in the living room.
“You got it taken care of? That’s amazing. How did you work that out?” Oh yeah, you had forgotten to tell him about that. You bit your lip hard enough that you could taste blood. This was not the way you wanted the conversation to start but here you were.
“Umm well…” The pause was longer than you intended but you could not figure out how to say it.
“You alright? You sound off. [Y/N], what’s going on?” It was easy to hear the concern in his voice. It would not be difficult to lie to him. You had been doing it ever since you got to New Orleans with your sister. It just felt so wrong. At least with Scarlett, you were trying to protect her as much as you could from the magical world. Stefan was different. He was part of that world, and he had no way of leaving it.
“I’m fine. Great actually. I just don’t know how to say this, so I am just going to say it. Klaus Michaelson paid for everything regarding my house, and I won’t have to worry about anything for the next five years.” There was silence from the other end of the phone until you could hear him sigh loudly.
“I knew he would not be able to stay away from someone like you, [Y/N]. Your power rolls off you. He could probably smell it. Klaus is dangerous. Like really dangerous.” He said a few more things that you tuned out as you were growing frustrated.
“I know you think I am naïve and sheltered. But I am a rather powerful witch that comes from two lines of very powerful witches. I know how dangerous he can be. I have heard the stories from my elders.” There was another sigh before he tried speaking once more.
“[Y/N].. I know…”
“No you don’t know Stefan. Both Klaus and Elijah have vowed that I am under their protection. Neither will harm me. Not sure about the sister but both have said they would protect me from her.” Stefan at least laughed though there was little humor to it.
“Rebecca is her own demon and does as she pleases. You are either on her good side or you aren’t.” That sounded plausible about one of the Michaelsons.
“Which side are you on?” He laughed again, this time it was real.
“I am on the bad side right now. There was a time when I was on the good. But I have been on the bad side longer.”
“Why does that not surprise me? I feel like there is a whole lot to you that I don’t know.” The conversation went on for another twenty minutes about things other than Klaus and his siblings. Finally, you got to the point that you could not keep your eyes open. Just before you hung up Stefan asked if he needed to come down to New Orleans to make sure you were safe. “I am safe. Safe as I ever was and will be. Thank you though. I will call you for help if I ever need it, Stefan. I promise.”
The next day went rather quickly which was surprising, considering you were growing more excited to spend time with Klaus. It was an odd feeling at first but the thought of getting to talk to him more and learn about the hybrid, the excitement, the butterflies took over. You had hoped that he would have stopped by the bar while you were working, even to say a quick hello but he did not. You did see Hayley for a brief moment as you swept off the front walk. Her belly was starting to show, and she glowed like those women did when they began to feel better. She made you agree to come have dinner with everyone. She promised that Rebecca would even behave herself. It was hard to resist her, so it took little effort for you to agree. While the thought of having dinner with the Michaelson family caused your nerves to go into overdrive, it would give you time to get to know them. The rumors and legends of them were many but you felt that there was so much more to them. Different sides that not everyone could see.
Scarlett called you late that evening when you got home from work. It had been a few days since you had spoken, and you could tell she missed you by the tone in her voice. “I know I need to call more I’m sorry.”
“I take it life has gotten a little bit better since you got there. You sound… well you sound happy, calm. You sound like yourself.” That did give you a smile because you were slowly building your life in New Orleans. It was not much but it was something to you.
“I don’t know if I will ever be who I used to be Scar. But I am finding a new bit of self. I am going to get the greenhouse finished and I think restart my business again.” You could feel that she was not completely thrilled to hear that, but you knew her, and she would not begrudge you a life, especially if you were happy.
“So, you are making New Orleans home?”
“I guess I am. I thought eventually I would move back to Salem and keep this as the summer house like Mom and Dad. Maybe I still will. But right now… I feel like this is where I am supposed to be.” The groan that followed from the other end of the line caused a frown to appear on your face.
“I had a feeling that would happen. Hell, I even asked the cards if you would be coming home. All three times they said no.”
“You asked the cards? Scarlett, you said you wanted a magic free life, are you changing your mind?” You really wished you could have this conversation in person. While you typically knew what she was feeling it was so much easier to read her when you were in the same room or even house.
“Yeah, well it seems that I am never going to get away from magic. The ancestors have been sending me dreams and… I know you haven’t told me everything of what is happening down there. I know you can protect yourself, just please be safe. Know that you can tell me things that are going on. I may freak out a little, but I am always here for you.” At least she admitted to the freaking out part. That was always the part that typically worried you most. Now the worry was that she knew things that would make her worry too. There was far too much worry going around.
“I know. I know you are here for me. Just let me figure things out and at some point, we will talk about all of it.”
“Hopefully we can do it face to face, but I won’t ask that much of you. Not yet. Try to call me more though. I miss you. Do you want me to start sending more of your things down? I know there have to be things you are missing and need.” The remainder of the conversation just had you listing things you wanted her to send and you promising to call her more often. Truly the whole interaction had made you feel lighter. There was less pressure on your chest from trying to protect your sister. Some day in the future you would tell her everything. She would always be on your side, even if she didn’t like it.
You had fallen asleep with a clearer mind and a lightened heart. It made for a better sleep than most nights. The dreams had been easy and made no sense, but you woke up clear minded. As a typical day off after late nights at work it was after ten in the morning by the time you climbed out of bed to get ready for the day. You started making coffee when you realized that you had no idea what you would be doing with Klaus that day or what time he wanted to get together. It was not like you could just call or text him considering you did not even have his phone number. As you sat wondering about whether you should text Marcel for the information your phone rang with a number you did not recognize.
“Hello?”
“I’m glad to find you are up already. I was afraid I would wake you. I was unsure of when you would wake after working last evening.” The deep accented voice sent a thrill down your spine. You did not think he was around watching you but it did feel like he was at least reading your mind.
“Do you have some mind reading abilities that comes with what you are that I don’t know about?” Klaus laughed which only made the butterflies in your stomach awaken.
“No, it just seems I have good timing. Were you thinking of me? I think I rather like the idea of that.” The teasing made you blush though you could not believe how he did it just with a phone conversation.
“I… yes I was thinking of you. I realized I did not have your phone number and we had not made definite plans. I was debating calling Marcel for it.”
“Trust me, love. I had to control myself yesterday not to sit at the bar and monopolize all your time. Marcel would have been rather irritated about losing money.” He just admitted it so freely that it stunned you into silence, for a moment at least.
“I looked for you all day.” Now he was the one who went quiet. It was a good fifteen seconds before you made sure the call had not dropped. “Klaus?”
“I am here. I am finding it difficult not to run to your home this instant.” You may have heard a groan, but it was soft. The reaction your body had may have been more pronounce than before and something you did not want to admit in that moment. It was important that you tried to move on before either of you went mad.
“Would you like me to meet you in town? Do you have a plan for today?”
“I do have a plan. I want to know about you, [Y/N] as you said you wish to know of me. That is what we are going to do. If you wish to meet me here at the Abattoir I will not object. When would you be able to come?” It took everything in you not to say as fast as your Jeep would take you.
“I can be there a little after noon, I think. I just need to shower and get dressed. Oh, yes. Should I dress in any particular way? I am not sure what we are doing.”
“Something comfortable like you do any other time you come to town. We won’t be around people so what you wear won’t mean much.” He seemed to be calmer now. Though you were curious as to what his plan was.
“What are we going to do?”
“I thought a picnic would be best. There is a lovely spot outside of town, by the water. It is away from the prying eyes and ears so we can talk properly.” A picnic with Klaus Michaelson, your heart took off.
“I will be there as soon as I can. Since I have your number now, I will text you when I am on my way.”
“I look forward to it, love.”
Not long after you were pulling up to the Michaelson compound. The last time you had been there had been the night months ago where you were almost attacked by Rebecca and Klaus had made his feelings known. It seemed like a lifetime ago now. So much happening in so little time. Those two were talking when you walked into the courtyard of the Abattoir. You did not have the chance to say a word before Rebecca was in front of you with a smirk and her arms crossed over her chest. “My, you are prettier close up and in the light of day. I can see why Niklaus is so taken with you. He does like a pretty face.”
“Rebecca…” She laughed turning back to her brother who walked towards the two of you.
“Brother, I am not going to hurt her. It would make Hayley upset, and I don’t want that.” Klaus rolled his eyes and stood beside you, ensuring Rebecca did not try anything. “Plus [Y/N] is going to be joining us for dinner soon. Hayley invited her. That should be an eventful night. A lovely family dinner.” The smile on her face never wavered, but there was no mistaking that she was attempting to intimidate you. You were unsure who’s benefit that was for, if she was trying to protect her brother or if she still wished to drink your blood.
“I’m sure quite eventful with a house full of vampires and a werewolf that allow a natural witch to dine with them.” You regretted the words as soon as they left your lips, but you were tired of people thinking you were weak. Both of their gazes were on you and Rebecca’s smile fell.
“You are a natural witch? I haven’t heard of the birth of one… in at least fifty years.” Klaus seemed in awe, his eyes searching yours. There were so many questions behind those endless greens now. Rebecca looked far more surprised than he did. The aura of intimidation gone but something else now replacing it.
“If you hurt any of my family, I will end you, painfully.” The declaration made its point, before Klaus’s gaze grew cold. He did not give you the time to respond to his sister, he grabbed your hand, pulling you towards the entrance.
“I find myself with many more questions that I had before, [Y/N].”
The next part of “Natural.” I have had more requests for that than any of my other open stories right now. Hoping for it to be done early next week. Missed you all!
It had been a long and draining day. After the run through the city and the subsequent admission of your past to the team it felt like you had been awake for days. The call of your bed was more than you could take. Slipping beneath the covers you felt like you were ready for the calm that sleep would bring. You fell asleep easily as your body was exhausted, needing the rest desperately. Though your mind continued to worry and recall those memories that caused so much pain.
Your dreams were filled with the screams again. The screams that had haunted you since the day it happened. The building was unstable, the whole team knew it before they began the rescue efforts of those who were trying to get out. Ladders from the trucks were moved between different windows trying to pull people to safety. The air already smelled of smoke and it felt like you all were breathing in grit and dust from the clouds created by the falling structures. Several crews going inside the building to do whatever they could before the collapse. You had been with the first crew to go in, breaking through multiple doors to get to everyone that you could. Running out with victims to safety before you would run back in. There were still the alien beings that were flying through the city. Their guttural calls were like nails on a chalk board as they attacked. All of you glancing nervously to the sky, praying they would stay far enough away from your location. It was then the building was hit once more. This time it shook the framework, and the building began to crumble. The realization that the crews needed to get out hit you quickly as you began to scream out towards the men and women with you. Your voice was drowned out by the sounds of the bending metal and the falling debris. The crash of the glass against the ground below was deafening. Then it was silent, so eerily silent until the screams began.
Where was Jason? That was your only thought. His name was on your lips as you began to pull yourself from the rubble as you had not quite got inside again. You had been one of the lucky ones. Or so you were told, too many times to count in the days that followed. In the moment though you could hear their cries for help, the screams of pain. One of your crew tried to pull you back from the building, but you refused. You had to do everything to get to him. He needed you, you needed him. There were a few that followed your lead and began to help, pulling pieces from the piles. Your throat burned from the polluted air, but you screamed trying to direct others and let those buried know you were coming. In reality, it had been hours of searching with hands that bled from the abuse, and you never finding him. He was found days later during the salvage process. This dream was different. It was mere moments before you found him, his broken and bloodied body. His voice in your head was asking again, why you couldn’t have gotten to him sooner. Why were you not strong enough to save him?
Your body was shaken as you were pulled from the nightmare. The light in your room on, as there was someone standing over you, calling your name. “[Y/N]… wake up. It’s a dream. Breathe… It’s okay, it’s just a dream.” The voice was calm and soft as you began to push the remnants of sleep from your mind. You were back in your bed in the tower and Steve was standing over you.
“Oh fuck…” Scooting quickly to sit up, you wiped your face. Your cheeks were wet from the tears. Bucky appeared at your open door; Nat a moment later. He gave you a sympathetic nod before glancing over to Steve.
“Everything alright?” Steve looked at you before turning back Bucky.
“Yeah, everything is fine here. Want them to go, [Y/N]?” Nodding quickly, you wanted their attention off you as quickly as possible. Nat and Bucky left without another word but looked like they wanted to say something. Probably something sympathetic. You did not want their pity. That was the last thing you wanted or needed. Steve watched you for a moment, taking in your pale appearance before he spoke. “I probably know what your answer will be, but I am going to ask anyway because you need to know that someone here cares about you. Do you want to talk about it?”
You had probably rubbed your face and wiped away the tears ten times in the span of thirty seconds since you woke. Looking up to Steve as he sat on the edge of your bed it all came crashing down as the dam finally broke. Every thought, every fear, every nightmare that had occurred since that day felt like it was red hot and burning a hole so big in your chest that there was no possible way it would ever be filled. Your mouth hung open for a moment trying to process before it started to come out. There was no control within you to hold it back. “I can’t stop hearing the screams. They are always there. I can hear his above them all. He… is screaming my name. Over and over until they are gone. I couldn’t get there fast enough. Why couldn’t I do it? That was my damn job, and I couldn’t get there fast enough. I couldn’t save him. I couldn’t…”
The ragged breathing had turned into hyperventilation. You could not stop it. There were no tears now just the sound of you trying to catch your breath. Your body shook, as your hands clenched to your nightshirt. Steve knew there would be no words that would talk you down in that moment. Instead of speaking he did the only thing he could think of. His arms pulled you close to him in a hug that if you would never be able to pull away from. He used his strength in a way that let you know he would hold you like that until you told him to stop. He held you as though he was trying to keep any more pieces from falling. Which in a way was true. More pieces would probably fall if you did not allow someone to help.
You were not sure how long he held you. It could have been hours as time felt like it inched by. Every breath you took felt as though it were minutes for each. All the bleak thoughts and worries and guilt finally began to recede to the dark places they usually hid in the far corners of your mind. Eventually, you fell asleep in his arms. By the time you woke up there was daylight coming through the windows. A soft snore made you sit up with a start. Steve was asleep, as he sat on the floor leaning back against the edge of your bed. Your bedroom door was still open. Your thoughts wandered back to what happened during the night and you realized he must have stayed to make sure you did not have any more nightmares. Which now that you thought about it, you did not have any more nightmares. There were no dreams at all, which had not happened in quite some time. Just like the hug he gave you. A real human touch like that had been probably years now. Sure, there were handshakes and the occasional brief arm around a teammate after a spar, but a real touch had been before you had found your powers. It had felt nice.
Leaning down you shook Steve’s shoulder lightly. “Hey Rogers. It’s morning.” It took him a moment, but he began to stir before looking back to you. Once he remembered where he was, he woke up much more clearly.
“Oh… sorry [Y/N]. I didn’t mean to… uh fall asleep. I was going to stay, make sure you were good and then leave. Sorry I kinda fell asleep on the job.” His cheeked flushed in his embarrassment. You gave him a half smile shaking your head.
“Don’t apologize. I should be the one saying I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart like that. You shouldn’t have to deal with the mess I can be.” There was a look of frustration that crossed his face.
“You aren’t a mess and I wish you would just understand… damn you are stubborn. I am here for you. We all are.” Slowly he began to stand before he stretched the stiffness from his body after sleeping in that odd position all night. “At some point perhaps, you will know that. We are family here, even you. You may not feel like that, but you are our family. We don’t let family drown, ever.”
He did not give you a chance to respond before he left your room. You felt horrible now. Steve had been there for you when you needed it and you were still trying to push him away. That was your typical mode of operation now. Not let anyone get close and push them away if they even tried. It did feel good to tell someone about your nightmares, about the thoughts that plagued you often. Hell, you had slept soundly after it all came out. Maybe it would not hurt to let them in… a little bit at least, right?
Later in the day you had found your tennis shoes at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Tower offices. You were not entirely sure you had left them there but one of the team could have put them there for you to find. As you bent to pick them up a voice from behind called out to you. “Hey [Y/N]! I have something I need you to melt for me. Or try to melt.”
Tony sounded like he was in a very good mood. His entire being showed it when you turned to face him. He looked like he had something up his sleeve. That could prove dangerous. “What do you want me to melt Tony? If it is something of Clint’s I refuse.”
He laughed that Tony Stark laughed before wrapping an arm around your neck and pulling you along with him to the lab. Typically, you would have peeled yourself from his grasp, but you allowed it for the moment, even though every cell in your body cried out to fight against it. Tony noticed, his smiled widened. The glass doors slid open as you entered the lab. There were parts of different devices strewn over several tables. What looked like more pieces of suits he was working on. He pulled you beyond all of that to a table that was covered in different pieces of metal of varied sizes and shapes. “I have been working on a few projects and I was curious. You can melt and freeze every type of metal we have come across in our adventures.”
‘Yeah adventures, that’s what they are.’ You thought to yourself as you rolled your eyes.
“Hey now, don’t roll those eyes just yet.” You noticed Thor standing by one of the back tables talking with Bruce. He has not been back to the tower in months. Tony and Bruce must have some interesting theories to bring him around. “We may have gotten a piece of Vibranium from… well the where isn’t important but we have never tried to melt or freeze it. Not with your powers at least.”
It had not been a thought in your mind previously whether you would be able to damage Vibranium as the only example of it was Cap’s shield.
“Thor also was kind enough to return from the big golden throne in the sky to help us with another theory.” Your eyes went wide.
“You want me to melt his hammer? Are you nuts?” You attempted to twist out of Tony’s hold, but he held tight. Thor crossed his arms looking at you with a smirk.
“I do not believe you are able to melt Mjolnir. It was forged from Uru by the most skilled of the Dwarven blacksmith. Your powers would do nothing against it.” At his words you stopped fighting Tony and just looked at him.
“See, I won’t be able to melt it.” That back and forth went on for several minutes before Bruce finally stepped from behind the table to pull you towards the set up.
“Just take this and try to melt it then freeze it. Simple as that, then we can all get back to life.” Before you had a chance to respond you had a chunk of Vibranium in your hand. With a sigh you ignited your powers which began to heat the metal. You started off slow, unsure of what it would do before you increased the heat. Moments later you had reached the peak of what you could do and still the metal did not melt. Yes, it was hot, too hot for any of the others to touch it, but it did not melt.
“Hot damn, would you look at that. Now freeze it. Freeze it!” Glancing over at him he looked like an excited child. The freezing went the same as the heating. The metal grew cold and even ice formed but it did nothing to damage it. Not that you could see at least. Bruce took the metal and ran some scanner over it.
“Not a molecule out of place. This could mean a lot if we could get our hands on more of this stuff. Might have to put a request in to Fury, see what he could do.” Bruce smiled at you. “Thank you, [Y/N].”
Tony seemed happier than Bruce as he went to grab for the hammer that was tied to Thor’s belt. The moment he removed it from it’s tie it sunk quickly to the floor taking Tony with it. “Oh… yeah forgot about that part.”
You could not help the giggle that escaped your lip watching Tony attempt and fail at lifting the hammer. Thor’s laugh drown yours out though as he picked it up and held it for you to attempt. “Mjolnir is ready for you Lady Fire.”
The nickname made your cheeks flush as you stared at the weapon. Slowly you extended your hand and set it upon the cool metal. The Uru had a different feel than the Vibranium. While the Vibranium had been smoother and was the temperature of the room, the Uru was grittier and felt much cooler than the rest of the room. Perhaps it had something to do with how it conducted Thor’s lightening. The result was the same as with the Vibranium, you could neither melt nor freeze the metal to damage it. The two scientists were ecstatic while Thor seemed partially relieved.
“Oh, the things we can do with that.” Tony laughed out as he looked towards Bruce. The two of them proceeded to ignore anything else in the room while they talked of armor and weapons for the team. You shrugged to Thor and waved before walking towards the door.
“[Y/N]! We have to celebrate.” Tony called to you before you could get out of the lab.
“Celebrate? Celebrate what?”
“This amazing discovery of course. I am going to throw a party! One that you actually have to attend.” In the years you had been with the team you had managed to escape every single party that Tony had thrown. It was not an easy task, but you managed to do it. Several you had been on missions but the rest you had managed to hide before he could find you.
“Tony this is not a reason to celebrate. You just want a reason to drink and show off a new toy.” He looked like he was going to argue for a moment before he nodded.
“True, but you are going to attend, and you will wear something nice.”
“Or what?” Your arms crossed over your chest and your eyebrow lifted in challenge.
“Or everyone finds out about a particular tattoo in a particular place.” How the hell did he know about that?!?!?!
“Tony Stark, I will boil you from the inside out.” The smirk on his face needed to be punched, hard, but he had you.
“Just come to the party and no one will be the wiser. Except these two, but I think they are mostly reliable.” He pointed to Thor and Bruce.
“Fine I will come to the damn party.” With that you stomped out the door to find a punching bag that you could tape a pick of Tony’s face to.
I graduate with my Master’s in 40 days. I am still around and loving the fact that people are reading my stories and following me. I have so much I want to write and desperately want to continue the stories I have. Soon my dears. Very soon.
Yes I am good. Well as good as I can in this damn grad program. Trying not to lose my mind. But I miss all of you and writing for pleasure! Soon I’m praying.
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