T h e D e p a r t e d

Elena's radio alarm clock suddenly went off in the morning, playing Pink's song. The doppelgänger pushed herself up somewhat and enjoying the music she smiled and moving closer turned up the music and got out of bed. Stepping in front of the mirror she pulled her hair up into a ponytail and danced a bit in front of the mirror before she began to collect her clothes.

She grabbed her pom poms and threw them onto the window seat where her cheerleader uniform was also laid out.

After changing into her uniform, Elena walked downstairs and into the kitchen where Aunt Jenna was making coffee.

"Hey."

"Jeremy locked himself in the bathroom again. Does he think we don't know what he's doing in there?" asked Elena puzzled, but Jenna just smirk and responded.

"He's fourteen. They don't think."

Elena just raised an eyebrow before she grabbed the coffee pot, but Jenna snatched it back immediately.

"Hey! You'll get me in trouble."

Right on cue walked in Miranda to the kitchen with a smile on her face, right int hat moment both Elena and Jenna pretended like nothing happened and smiled back at her.

"Good morning."

"Morning, mom."

Malik suddenly opened his eyes as the door opened to the Gilbert House, Tyler and Matt held the door open while Caroline walked in behind them with her arm wrapped around Elena, helping her into the house.

After Elena fainted and her nose bled Jeremy took her to the hospital and rang Malik. The warlock remained with Jeremy to make sure he wasn't alone while they kept Elena on watch in the hospital.

"Couch" ordered Caroline immediately.

"I'm fine, I want something to eat."

"We're on it, as soon as we make sure no one is lurking in the closets" spoke Tyler and him and Matt walked upstairs which made the warlock raise an eyebrow and looking around questioned.

"I'm visible, right?"

"You were asleep, so it's best to check"

"I doubt they want to hide in her room while Jeremy is passed out sleeping."

"All right, couch!" demanded Caroline looking at Elena.

"I told you I'm fine" whined Elena but regardless got onto the sofa, Caroline grabbed a blanket and followed the doppelgänger.

"Doctor says rest, you rest" explained Caroline and covered her best friend with the blanket. "Now, what can I get you? Do you want some tea, maybe some vodka? Both will help you sleep."

Elena just stared at Caroline for a moment which made the blonde sigh and sitting on the sofa mumbled.

"I know, I'm being smothering."

"No, it's nice."

Caroline gave her friend a warm and thankful smile only for it to turn slightly mischievous and leaning closer to Elena addressed her once more.

"I'm thinking... maybe tea with vodka."

They both laughed while Malik just watched them quietly with a nostalgic smile on his face, then Caroline got up. Elena remained on the couch and looked at a picture on the end table of her and her parents and one of her with her cheerleader uniform on. As she was looking at it her eyes slowly closed and she fell asleep there.

Caroline came around with the tea but seeing Elena asleep she just shook her head with a smile and took the tea back. Once Tyler and Matt came down Malik spoke gently but with a big yawn.

"Don't worry, I'll stay here to make sure she is safe."

"I'll stay too" added Matt and walked to the kitchen and took the tea from Caroline.

"It's fine we can..." started Caroline but both her and Tyler's phone went off.

Seeing as it was their mums wanting to talk to them in person both of them left while Malik remained there with Matt.

"You can rest a bit too if you want, you seem very tired" commented Matt looking at Malik.

"Not sure what's happening, I just feel..."

"It's fine, you can just relax."

Malik leaned back and closed his eyes, Matt watched with a confused look seeing how the moment Elena fell asleep, so did Malik, almost immediately sleep took over him and once again he began dreaming.

"Caroline Forbes told me that my ponytail lacked 'zhuzh'" explained Elena, walking next to Matt in her cheerleading uniform.

"I don't even know what that means" laughed Matt looking at the girl.

"It means Caroline is driving Elena crazy" commented Bonnie then changed the subject. "So, as I psychically predicted, flare jeans are making a comeback."

"That doesn't make you psychic, Bonnie. It means that you watch too much Top Model" teased Elena with a smile.

"Say what you want, but I've got a bad feeling about the bonfire tonight."

"It doesn't matter because I can't go" responded Elena, making Matt turn around and look at her. "I know, but Jenna's in town and my parents want to do family night."

"You have to go. See if you can sneak out" tried Matt and seeing Elena smile he kissed her then said his goodbye. "Gotta see Coach Tanner. Love you."

Elena remained silent and watched as Matt left them, Bonnie just stood there next to her observing everything but she was unable to remain silent.

"You didn't say it back."

"What?"

"You know what. You can't string him along, Elena. If you're not into it anymore, just tell him" spoke Bonnie and gave her an all knowing look.

Malik slowly opened his eyes and saw Matt and Elena talking, he just remained laying down, he didn't want to disturb them.

"Where is everyone?"

"Tyler and Caroline got a call from their moms so they had to go. What were you dreaming about?"

"Sophomore year"

Hearing that Malik was surprised seeing his dream was exactly that... was he having the same dreams as Elena? If yes what did it all mean?

"I'm sorry that I strung you along. I should have figured out what I wanted and just been honest about it. I'm now making the same mistakes with Stefan and Damon. It's not right what I'm doing to them either, I have to let one of them go."

"Which one?" asked Matt but suddenly the door opened and Stefan walked in quickly across the room towards Elena.

Elena got up from the couch and walked towards him to embrace each other. Malik slowly sat up and cracking his neck put away his blanket and moving from the sofa got up to stretch a little.  The lingering whispers around him drew his attention away from the happenings in the room, however once the hugging session was over, Stefan greeted the other two males in the house as well and went to the kitchen to make something for Elena while she was pushed back onto the sofa.

Malik moved to the kitchen as well, drinking his tea silently hoping that it would help him stay awake.

"I feel completely fine" commented Elena in an attempt to gain freedom from her designated sofa.

"You're on house arrest. You're supposed to be coddled."

"Wouldn't it be smarter if we just got you out of town?" blurted out Matt and in return he received three faces turning to him, but Elena was quick to dismiss the idea.

"And do what? Go on the run for the rest of my life? No thank you. And I'm done with the couch" Elena got up from the sofa and dropping the blanket down stormed out of the room, which just made the three of them shake their heads.

"So, you're just gonna let her call the shots?" questioned Matt clearly not agreeing with the situation.

"Letting her make her own decisions" stated Stefan and continued to prepare the food. "Nothing wrong with free will. Trust me, you don't realize that till you lose it."

"Like we had a lot of choice with you lot pushing us around" remarked Malik and getting up began to leave the kitchen as well but just as he did Elena's voice rang through the room alerting them all.

"Guys"

Malik stopped in his tracks seeing Elijah at the front door and soon enough Stefan and Matt looked towards the front doorway.

"Elijah" breathed out Malik but for some reason he felt calm looking at the vampire.

"Hello again."

Elijah simply walked in and smiled at Elena, gesturing to the kitchen asked everyone to join him.

"How about we discuss this matter like civilised people? Please take a seat. Do call Damon, I assume he is currently taking my brother far away from here."

Elena looked at Stefan who just nodded and taking out his phone called Damon. Malik sat there quietly and watched the original vampire who glanced at him a few times but there was something mischievous that he did not fully understand.

"All we need is to take that stake away from him. Once he's been disarmed, the weapon's in my possession, my family will scatter to the ends of the Earth and Alaric will follow us."

"And you'll just run?" questioned Stefan and took a seat next to Elena.

"We've done it before. Klaus and Rebekah spent the better part of a thousand years evading my father. What's another half century while Elena is able to live out the rest of her natural life?"

"We've finally stopped him, Elijah. After everything that he's done to us, I can't just let you bring him back."

"I give you my word, Elena. I will not revive Klaus within yours nor even within your children's lifetimes. Perhaps that will finally teach him some manners."

"Why should she trust you? All you've done is screw her over" butted in Matt clearly upset with the vampire.

"And for that, I am deeply ashamed. But know this, she could have been dead the instant I walked through that door tonight, so Elena, I leave it to you to make the decision whether to trust me or not."

Before anyone could have said a word Damon's voice came through the phone protesting strongly against the idea.

" Not! Hello? Did that concussion give you brain damage?! His lunatic siblings will kill you the first chance they get!"

"Rebekah and Kol will honour the terms. If you return Klaus' body to us, Elena will come to no harm."

"I'm not exactly happy to say this Damon but with all your protesting you're forgetting something..." commented Malik quietly.

"And what is that?"

"Elijah could kill Elena in a heartbeat and none of us would be quick enough to stop him..."

"Then do a mojo spell now to protect her, I thought you're smarter than that..."

"I'll fry your brain the next time I see you. Even if I could stop him now what would you do with three originals coming for her? I thought you're smarter than that" stated Malik in a dangerous tone and simply getting up from the chair walked away from the table.

"Do we have a deal?" asked Elijah looking at Elena.

"Elena, it's up to you" gave in Stefan, but that just earned groans from Damon once more.

"Oh, come on!"

"Why do you want Klaus' body?" asked Elena curious.

"He's my brother. We remain together."

"We have a deal."

Elijah just nodded with a smile and got up from the chair but in that moment Malik also stood there with his jacket on and looked at Stefan.

"Have Damon send us the location, if we are doing this exchange it's best if me and Bonnie block any locator spell on him before Alaric hunts them down."

Stefan just nodded and gave the message to Damon while the warlock quickly exited the house, not wanting to get into a conversation with Elijah but it seemed the vampire had other plans.

"Malik, can I offer you a ride home?"

"Perhaps another time, Elijah" responded the boy. "I have to save your brother and my friends... don't really have time for chit chat."

"We don't have to talk."

Malik just looked at him for a moment before he nodded and following the vampire got into the car and looking out the window refused to look at him. Elijah did not spoke to him either, he waited until they stopped, just when Bonnie came out of their house.

"Thank you, for everything" spoke Elijah. "If everything goes according to plan we may never see each other again. So I want you to know I'm sorry, and I hope with us gone you'll get to live the life you want."

Turning to Elijah Malik just looked him in the eye for a bit before he just nodded and getting out of the car got to Bonnie, who seemed frantic and showing her phone immediately spoke to Malik.

"What's going on?"

"I'll catch you up on the drive, we have to be quick. Do you have the address?"

"Yes"

"Let's go."

Malik managed to explain almost everything to Bonnie who just let out a sigh and it seemed she was getting fed up with being told where to run and everyone just went after their head, thinking the two of them would fix everything. As they arrived there Damon looked at the siblings and seeing Malik took a step back, which amused the warlock to no end.

Following Damon to the storage house they've gotten into he elevator. As they exited the elevator Damon couldn't contain his thoughts anymore.

"You know, I'm not half way out of Virginia and Elena makes decisions to sell us out to Originals?"

"It was her call" defended Bonnie.

"You know what else is her call? Everything bad ever."

"There was nothing we could do" argued Malik. "Perhaps next time don't leave her at her house where everyone can find her and it won't be her call."

"Dully noted."

"Where's the body?" interrupted Bonnie. "Alaric is one witch away from finding it, we need to place a blocking spell on him."

"Hidden. I was gonna use Unit 666 but figured that would be a little obvious. So... "paused Damon and they stopped in front of a unit. "1020. Mini fridge, a couple bird cages, a box of old Playboys and one fried Original."

Opening the door the two Bennetts saw the coffin, walking in there Bonnie opened the casket, revealing Klaus lying in there, his body chained and desiccated. Suddenly, Klaus opened his eyes and looks at them, slightly startling them.

"Oh, creepy" commented Damon while Malik stayed behind them.

"I need a minute" stated Bonnie calmly.

"Just block the locator spell and get on with it, Bonnie."

"Elena and Jeremy lost Jenna and Alaric because of him. Tyler's a hybrid, our mother's a vampire. Could you give me a minute to just appreciate the sight of him like this?"

Damon just gave an appreciative look and giving up walked out of there, closing the door behind him. Malik watched quietly as Bonnie leaned over the casket, looking down at Klaus.

"You should burn in hell. But if you die, so do our friends. So does our mother. What am I supposed to do about that?"

"Blocking the locator spell won't be enough with Alaric controlling the council. I'm afraid we will have to resort to something a little more drastic."

"Yes, but it will require us to do what we said not to do again."

"Then it's settled" nodded Malik.

"We need to prepare to jump his soul in the event of his death" explained Bonnie. "We need to find someone who is willing to let Klaus enter their body momentarily then Klaus can leave and find one on his own."

"Blink once if you agree" said Malik and they both looked at Klaus who kept looking between the siblings before he blinked slowly.

"Let's get ready then."

Malik got closer to Bonnie and placing his hand on Klaus' he closed his eyes and holding onto his sister they began chanting. The dark magic released in the unit was powerful but well contained, the dark veins didn't climb up fully to their heads, it stopped before their shoulders, opening their eyes they let go of each other and Bonnie began walking out.

"I'll see you in your new body" commented Malik and closed the casket, Klaus kept his eyes on the boy until it was completely closed.

They told Damon the spell was done and left the unit while he made arrangements to meet with Rebekah to pick up Klaus.

On their way back Bonnie was quiet, and for some reason Malik felt tired again, his eyes were closing slowly and soon enough he was engulfed in a dream.

At first he was confused, looking around he was on the outskirts of Mystic Falls but soon enough he saw Elena walk away from the bonfire party while she was on the phone talking to Jenna.

"Hey, it's me."

"Your dad is making me play Pictionary. I suck at Pictionary" came the voice of Jenna, soon followed by Elena's dad's.

" You do. You're terrible."

"Bite me, Grayson."

" Listen, do you think someone could come pick me up?"

"Having second thoughts about ditching family night?"

" Here" came the voice of Miranda, taking over the phone from Jenna. "Elena, everything okay?"

"Matt and I got into a fight. He was talking about college and marriage and all the stuff that he always talks about and I just, I couldn't."

"He doesn't really care about that yet, honey, he's just trying to figure out how you feel about him right now."

" I don't know how I feel."

"Yes you do. You're just afraid to say it."

"I don't want to lose him."

"You're not gonna lose him, honey. You're setting him free."

Malik suddenly woke up as the car stopped, looking around he noticed they were somewhere in the woods. Looking at Bonnie his twin just smiled gently and spoke gently.

"Let's go, I found someone we could use."

Getting out of the car they walked down to the Lockwood cellar, Malik had a slight suspicion who Bonnie was thinking about. As they got down they went further in away from the door and Tyler stood there pacing worriedly until he noticed the twins approach him.

"Bonnie, Malik... I'm so glad you're here. You said you figured out a way for us to live?"

"Yes" spoke Bonnie. "For that we need to pull Klaus' spirit out of his body and place it into someone else's until he can find himself another one. That way even if Alaric kills his body, his connection to the sire line will remain intact, allowing all of you to survive."

"You want to use me?"

"As a hybrid, turned directly by him would allow us to turn your body into a suitable host even from the distance."

"Do it, as long as we can all survive... if he dies we all die with him anyway. Just make sure he leaves my body as soon as possible"

The witches nodded and smiled, Tyler lowered himself, allowing the two of them to stand on his sides and place their hands over his head. They began chanting, and once the twins completed it they opened their eyes and looking at each other a small smile appeared on their faces.

Tyler opened his eyes not feeling any different, so all that remained was to wait. Malik was nervous, he was hoping the sire line would survive this impact, and that they did it in time. Bonnie and Tyler were talking about other things until they heard noises from outside, someone running and crying.

"It's Caroline... don't move" instructed the hybrid and walked away from them.

"Tyler!" called out the blonde then stopped in the middle of the cellar.

"Caroline?" called out the hybrid as he entered the cellar.

"Tyler! Oh my God."

Tyler rushed towards Caroline and they embraced each other tightly before they separated but remained close to each other.

"Hey. Sorry, I was just with Bonnie and Malik" explained Tyler but noticed how upset Caroline was. "What happened?"

"Klaus died. He's dead."

"You're going to be fine, Caroline."

"No, it's not me that I'm worried about."

"There's no point. I'm a lost cause, but you're strong and you have a beautiful future ahead of you. And when you make it through this, just tell my mother I left town like I was supposed to, okay?"

Without a moment of hesitation, they kissed passionately and they held each other for a long time.

Tyler felt the spell activate, he began to notice a weird sensation, he knew he had to sell his "death" and get Caroline out other before he was taken over by Klaus... he fell to the floor, coughing and clutching his heart. He stopped for a moment and stood up, looking at Caroline.

"Do you feel anything?"

"No, I feel fine."

"I need you to get out of here. I don't want you to watch me die."

"No, I'm not leaving" argued Caroline, but Tyler fell to the ground in pain again, the blonde immediately kneeled down next to him. "I'm staying."

"You run. Or I'll make you run."

"I'm not leaving" protested Caroline not wanting to leave Tyler.

He only had one option. Tyler looked at her and then began to transform into a wolf, seeing that Caroline got up immediately and stepped away from her boyfriend.

"GO!" shouted Tyler one last time his eyes golden and the veins appeared, Caroline cried but rushed out of the cellar.

Hearing all that commotion outside Malik silently sat on a rock and waited. It pained him that they couldn't tell Caroline but it was for the best to ensure no one knew about Klaus being alive. Not yet. They had to find a way to get Alaric away from them first.

As the silence sat around them suddenly they felt a wave rush through their bodies which only meant one thing. Bonnie slowly got up with a serious look on her face and began walking towards the cellar, Malik walked after her and arriving there at first they couldn't see Tyler.

"I know you're here" spoke Bonnie and as they turned their gaze towards the shadows Tyler walked out, but his whole demeanour was different.

"I must say you really did that spell brilliantly. I didn't think you had it in you."

"We did it to save our friends and our mother, Klaus. Not you" spoke Bonnie and stepped closer.

"The spirits won't be happy with you" warned Klaus and looked towards Malik who just raised his head slightly and responded with a determined voice.

"The spirits don't get to tell us what to do anymore. We did it because we wanted to" chorused the siblings and looked him straight in the eye and began to leave when suddenly Malik felt a strong pull in his chest that stopped him walking.

"Malik?" asked Bonnie looking at the boy who looked around with fear in his eyes, but as he took another step his legs gave up and his head span around forcefully pulling him elsewhere no matter how hard he tried to remain in the present. Falling on his knees and hands he panted and while his vision began to get blurrier he began to hear voices.

"Dad?! " came the scared voice of Elena in his head.

"We're gonna be okay. I promise" Malik recognised Grayson's voice.

"Why do I see this? What's happening..." spoke Malik with a strained voice when he suddenly felt like puking but as he released it, all that came out was just clear water. Seeing the sheer amount Bonnie looked scared it was like Malik has swallowed an enormous amount of water. 

"MALIK" screamed Bonnie and dropping next to Malik held her brother's hand who looked up and his eyes began to flicker between gold and his normal colour.

"Elena..." mumbled Malik but the moment he said that he was no longer able to resist the pull and his vision changed.

From one moment to another he was in three places at once. Either in front of Bonnie or in the water looking at the doppelgänger in the car with Matt, but then it changed to her in the car with Grayson.

"What's going on with Elena?" came the distant voice of Bonnie, but Malik was unable to speak.

He finally realised what was happening. All those dreams and lingering feelings finally made sense to him. He could not tell Bonnie, but tears erupted from his eyes.

Elena was dying. 

All the dreams that she was having he saw them too. The spirits provided the connection since it was his magic Esther used to bind the doppelgänger and the vampire hunter.

And now he was forced to watch.

Matt's pickup truck has sunk to the bottom of the river. Elena woke up and looked over at Matt, his eyes were shut. Elena turned his face towards hers and started to shake him, desperately, but it didn't seem to help.

Suddenly it was Grayson, trying to open the car door and attempted to break the window open with his elbow, while Elena watched from the back seat but no avail.

"Malik, talk to me! Please tell me what is happening!" begged Bonnie and came close to his face but his muscles were not moving, no voice came out of him.

Klaus stood there shocked seeing the warlock's state. He knew about his visions and episodes but to see something this real and powerful he could not believe it. When Malik looked up Klaus could see the pain in his eyes and for a moment he thought about getting into his head but with the tears he decided against it. Walking closer lowered himself as well and holding his hand out spoke gently.

"Use me to ground yourself... I can help."

Malik tried to move and Klaus saw his hand shake but as he was unable to move the hybrid slowly reached for his hand and holding it firmly kept eye contact with the warlock. Bonnie was shocked seeing Klaus interact with her twin brother but noticing how Malik's tears eased and the shaking stopped she let out a relieved sigh.

Malik gently squeezed Klaus' hand and braced himself to the visions that flooded him again, but this time feeling the comfort of Klaus and Bonnie he could somewhat distance himself but still focus on Elena and Matt.

Elena continued to shake Matt vigorously, as she continued to yell his name without a sound. seeing it was futile, she then tried to open the door, but it wouldn't open either. They were trapped. She desperately tried to break the window with her elbow, but the moment she hit it everything changed and Grayson appeared there, still trying to break the window open.

Elena mouthed "Dad" to him, Grayson sensing it turned around and grabbed Elena's hand comfortingly. He shook his head, indicating to her that there was no way out. Instead of panicking, Elena simply nodded and mouthed "I love you" to him.

Malik's heart was breaking into pieces watching these scenes.

All Klaus and Bonnie saw was the boy sitting there, once again tears falling down on his cheeks uncontrollably while his eyes had the gold light flicker in them. No matter what Bonnie tried, nothing seemed to shake the boy this time.

Stefan ripped Matt's door off and swam over him towards Elena, but the girl simply shook her hand and pointed to Matt. Stefan at first shook his head and continued to try to get Elena out, but the doppelgänger persisted on him getting Matt out first.

Stefan and Elena stared at each other for a moment. Malik saw the struggle and conflict on Stefan's face, both of them knowing full well that he couldn't save Matt and come back quick enough to save Elena as well.

At the end he abided Elena's wishes.

While Stefan grabbed Matt and swam back to the surface, Malik collected all his strength to reach out, finally able to move and gently grabbing Elena's hands it seemed the brunette felt it. A small smile appeared on her face as she took her final breath, right before she shut her eyes, and became lifeless.

Malik was tearing up and the moment he was pulled back into his own body he broke out in sobs, his breathing heavy and strained while Bonnie and shook her head.

"It cannot be..."