Author's Note; Sorry for not updating in ages. Hope you enjoy this latest 's kind of a filler. I'll try to update more often now that TVD and TO is off air for six weeks (Boo!). ALso, apologies if it seems like the Klaroline aspect is taking over the Stexi central storyline. I'm working on fixing that. Enjoy!
Chapter four
It had been a hazy four weeks since Klaus and Stefan had ressurrected Kol and Lexi. They'd travelled around Europe drinking, rampaging and feasting on the tourists. Stefan of course had to make do with the blood bags. Even with Lexi returned to him, he didn't much fancy spending the next half century learning how not to be the ripper. Stefan was surprised to find that he wasn't as tempted by the sight of human blood as he once was. Sure he still felt the need to drain every last person the others drank from but he was finding it easier to refrain from doing so. He chalked it up to the calming affect of his original sober sponsor. Lexi had gladly resumed said role. Klaus and Kol whilst disapproving, agreed to stop feeding in front of Stefan. Lexi had hoped they would agree to hunt, feed and compell. However, she was optimisic not stupid; she knew that she wouldn't be able to convince two originals who were much stronger than the her and Stefan, to do something they did not wish to.
Nonetheles, Stefan knew their tenuous agreement would not last forever. Especially considering Kol's insatiable appetite (his excuse being that he was thirsty after being left on the other side to rot) which only intensified after he grew tired of his currrent times in the last week they had seen Kol disposing of the lifeless body of yet another of his less fortunate conquests. He didn't approve but he kept quiet for now. Three days after the latest incident, Kol decided to indulge in his new favourite past time; baiting Stefan. Stefan was finding it more difficult to rein in his temper; normally he would rely on his sharp wit. Kol would eventually realize he wouldn't get the rise he wanted out of Stefan. Not that he didn't try. Frequently.
"Come now, Stefan. I've seen your ripper ways. You were much more fun! You can't deny it" Kol began, lounging against the doorway, his eyes glinting mischeviously.
Lexi rolled her eyes at Kol; "Ugh. Just give it a rest. This endlessly tormenting Stef routine is getting old".
"Correction, Lexi, it was getting old yesterday" Klaus agreed, not even bothering to glance up from the stolen first edition that was no doubt priceless.
"Well if you spoil sports can't bear my company I'll just find some one who will" Kol pouted, dexterously pulling his phoen from his pocket whilst simultaneously swigging from his bottle of bourbon.
"Dearest sister, how long has it been? No, you're not going insane. Yes, that's right, I'm alive gain. You have our dear brother Klaus to thank for that. I'm surprised he didn't mention it".
They didn't need to be vampires to hear her shouting through the phone. Klaus narrowed his eyes at Kol. In a flash he reached for his nearly empty bottle of tequila throwing it with accuracy at the doorway. Kol ducked, smirking. He turned away continuing to smile as he listened to REebkah as she finally calmed down again.
Lexi glanced at Stefan rolling her eyes at his antics. At first they were entertaining but they had now bypassed endearing and gotten to the point of being quite tedious. Klaus had noticed the two of them distancing themselves from he and Kol over the last week or so. Klaus rose from his chair.
"Needless to say we'd best be off soon. Rebekah will hound us until we return and I have a feeling she won't warm to you Lexi".
"Would that have something to do with the fact she's still hung up on STef?".
"Possibly. I'm afraid the dear is quite insecure and seems to have a certain disdain for other blonde vampires".
Stefan nodded absentmindedly recalling Rebekah's catty attitude toward Caroline.
"So it's back to your kingdom?" enquired Lexi, as she began gathering her things. Even with her vampire strength she was going to find it difficult to cram three countries worth of clothes shopping into her frankly inadequate suitcase.
"You're both quite welcome to join us. Unless of course, you're eager to return to Msytic Falls?" Stefan took this in stride; determined to not let Klaus see his anxiety at the idea of returning to Mystic Falls.
He shrugged; "Probably not as eager as you are, Klaus. Caroline's been single for what, five weeks now? I half expectd you were going to jump the firts plane back home when you heard about her and Tyler" Stefan replied, smiling falsely as he sipped from his own tumbler.
"Oh Snap" Lexi replied, emerging temporarily from her suitcase.
"Careful Stefan".
"Come now, Klaus. You must be tempted..." .
"Yeah Klaus" chimed in Lexi.
"Let's just say I'm biding my time. Besides, it would not be nearly as awkward as the two of you seeing a deliriously happy Damon and Elena".
Stefan felt the tumbler break in his hand. Lexi flashed in front of him, staring into his eyes, gauging just how mad he was. As a precaution she grabbed his forearms, squeezing them slightly, trying to get him to focus on her, not Klaus. She had an ulterior motive; she needed to relay a message to him. A warning; he's older than the both of us. Don't rise to it, Stefan. This was all silent of course. Eventually, his brow unfurrowed infestiminally.
In true Klaus fashion, he ploughed on. "Correct me if I'm wrong Lexi, but isn't he responsible for your death? What was his motive for thst again?"
Stefan tuned him out. He found himself calming down. Lexi always had a soothing affect on him. Yet this felt different. He was more aware of her hands on his arms. Almost hyper aware. They had touched countless times over their friendship.
Why does it suddenly feel different?
Yet, as he thought back over the last month or so, he recalled finding excuses to touch her; a lingering hug, a grasp of her hand, brushing hair out of her face, wiping blood off the corner of her mouth... Suddenly an image of doign the same for Elena popped into his mind. He flinched slightly at the memory. Lexi raised an eyeborw at this but didn't say anything. He was returned to the present; Klaus was speaking again.
Klaus had narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the two of them; no doubt having witnessed their moment. Thankfully, he chose not to comment.
"All this hostility. We're all friends here. Stefan. lexi. My offer still stands. if you wish to join us in New Orleans, we will be leaving soon. I'm sure Rebekah will have to deal, as you say. If not, do remember to keep in touch. By the by Stefan, don't froget our deal about those marvellous paintings your brother is no doubt neglecting".
He nodded cordially at the two of them before turning to leave. No doubt to find a bus boy to compell to pack and carry their luggage downstairs.
"How about it, Stef? Shall we go back?" Lexi asked, backing off to resume her struggle with her suitcase. She had enjoyed touching him more than she cared to admit. She had feeling confused about Stefan since she had returned. Yet, she couldn't justify standing there holding him now that she was no longer advising him to be sensible. She thought she saw something like disappointment flicker across his face when she broke contact. Yet he had flinched when she touched him earlier...
"It took everything I had to not turn into the ripper when Elena chose Damon. I wanted to shut it off. I can't go back Lexi. Not... not just yet".
"Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you don't want to either?" She hedged.
Stefan sighed; Damn she knows me well.
"Do you think it would help?" .
"I can't answer that for you. I can only tell you that it's gonna suck. Big time. Especially that first time..." .
"You didn't answer my question."
"I think, if you can deal with seeing them together and not turn into the ripper than you can do anything". "But, just to be sure," she began, finally victorious in her suitcase battle and throwing his smaller bag at him, "we might need my blonde replacement there. Two sober sponsors are better than one".
Stefan laughed as he followed her out; "How many times do I have to say it? She's not your replacement".
AN; I have a plan for the next chapter. I'll try to get it finished soon. :) Thanks for reading. Reviews are welcome