Author's Note: There might be a bit of a delay on the next part, and when it does get posted, the format is very different. I wrote the full 'Cherry Bomb' chapters, but found there was something missing. Then I was listening to music, and another song came on, and I realized that I need to add something else... Anyways, there'll be some extra writing involved, so please hang tight. It'll probably be an extra couple of days. I might try to get out the 'accident' between Elena and Caroline and post it in the Deleted Scenes if there's time.
The lyrics are from the song Yes by Coldplay.
The story title is from the song by Linkin Park.
Rated M for language, sexual content, sensitive matter, and dark themes.
So up they picked me by the big toe, I was held from the rooftop then they let go.
The next morning, Caroline was puttering around the kitchen, having moved back into the boarding house to hide from her mother. She was on the phone with Bonnie, who had reluctantly agreed to go back to school.
"I miss you too. I promise, as soon as everything cools down here I'll come visit." She waited, listening to her girlfriend. "Well, when you say things like –" A noise from behind her made her swirl around. "Holy crap! Elena! Uh… Bonnie, I'll call you back!"
The phone clicked shut, and Caroline took in the sight in front of her. Elena's hair seemed darker, and so did her eyes. Her skin was paler and glowing, and there was an aura of power emanating from her. She stood in the doorway of the kitchen, smiling at her friend.
"I'm feeling a lot better this morning Caroline. Thanks for asking." Elena finished that with a wink as she went to the fridge and took out a blood pack, pouring it into a glass and sitting at the island with it.
Caroline watched all this with her mouth agape. Then she shook her head. "I'm sorry! It's just… You're all better!"
At this point, Stefan walked in, not looking at anyone, and went straight for the fridge. When he took a seat a few feet over from Elena, Caroline looked from one to the other expectantly.
"Sooooo? Are we just going to ignore the fact that you two clearly had sex last night?"
Elena sighed. "That would be greatly appreciated Caroline."
Stefan snorted into his glass.
"So," Elena continued, "I want to test something out before Francis gets here. The sooner we can get going to find Damon, the better. And I might need to get some shopping done if I'm right." She held out her hand toward Stefan, who looked at her inquisitively. "Come on, I won't bite." Elena grinned mischievously.
Stefan took her hand and gasped. Elena let go immediately, and turned to look at Caroline. "Your turn?"
"Uh, nuh-uh. I remember what happened -"
"Caroline! It's just a test!"
At that, the blonde reached out and grabbed Elena's hand, and immediately felt a wave of desire course through her. She reached forward and clutched the counter, breaking contact. Her body cooled down, and she met Elena's eyes.
"What the fuck was that?"
"That means that you and I need to go shopping for a much more conservative wardrobe."
Dizzily screaming 'Let the windows down' as I crawl to the ground.
Most of the day was spent with Elena testing out her newfound strength. Jeremy arrived a little after noon with the hidden ring that Bonnie had spelled for his sister, and she was finally able to go outside for the first time in what seemed like forever. As the sun was setting, she was sitting on the lawn, barefoot, wearing a white summer dress. The November air was cold, but she didn't feel it.
It was at this point that Francis arrived. He strolled up the driveway, seemingly from thin air, and sat down next to Elena. They were both just staring straight ahead in silence.
"So you've accepted it then?"
"Apparently." Elena looked at her companion. "So what do you know about Damon?"
Francis looked her up and down. "I'll tell you when we're with the others, but for now, you need to be aware that you still aren't ready. One encounter, one opportunity to absorb another's energy is not sufficient to maintain your existence, or to access the powers that you will need to accomplish this daring rescue that you are no doubt planning."
Elena smirked at the last comment, but quickly reverted to looking concerned. "I know that it isn't enough. I've got an arrangement in place, but I'd rather not think about it. It hurts too much to think of what it'll do to Damon."
She started to get up to go when Francis reached over and tugged her back down, pulling his hand back quickly. Elena looked at him curiously and he shrugged.
"I knew Katherine for a very long time. I'm aware of the effects." When Elena had sat back down, he continued. "Before we go inside, I need to be assured that this is exactly what you want to do. If this is the path that you choose to take, you will be exposed to some of the worst creatures and actions imaginable, and may be forced to do things that you never thought you would be able to stomach. It will change you. And if you aren't sure, know that Mr. Salvatore will not be killed outright, or necessarily tortured. As I've already mentioned, he is probably enjoying himself."
Elena let that sink in, and then met Francis' eyes. "Nicolai said that this was his punishment, that he would be in pain for the rest of his existence. Is that true?" Francis nodded. "Then we're going to get him."
If you'd only if you'd only say yes…
Whether you will's anybody's guess.
Everyone was assembled in the parlour; Elena and Francis, Stefan and Caroline, Jeremy and Alaric. Francis was finally revealing what he knew of Damon's whereabouts, but only after impressing upon everyone that Elena was still weak, and needed continued sustenance. (He said the last part while staring directly at Stefan, causing Caroline to giggle, Alaric to redden, and Jeremy to make a face at Elena.)
Damon was being kept as a fighter in what was essentially the underworld version of cockfighting. Enslaved vampires were kept prisoner in any of the facilities, and forced to fight to the death on a nightly basis. The plan seemed simple enough: Get in, get Damon, and get out.
Unfortunately, there were many of these battlegrounds all over the world, and it was literally impossible to know who was where and when. Nicolai had a habit of moving his fighters from one arena to the next with no notice, and didn't have any pattern.
Add to that the layers of security: Witches and vampires who killed at the slightest sign of suspicious activity, as well as the physical reinforcements to the buildings themselves to avoid disruption. And the fact that all of this was cloaked and one could only find the places at the invitation of someone in charge, like Nicolai.
Silence followed Francis' description of what they would face, and Elena looked around at her friends, not needing to ask the question that needed to be answered. Slowly, everyone met her eyes and nodded.
God only God knows she won't let me rest,
But I'm just so tired of this loneliness.
After hours of picking Francis' brain and discussing idea after idea, Elena was still talking. Francis had gone back to his hotel, ("You're staying in a hotel?" "Well, I wasn't invited to stay here. And with good reason.") Caroline had left to run some errands (stock up on blood), and Jeremy drove Alaric home, and then returned to the boarding house and went to bed. Stefan was the only one left who was humouring Elena by allowing her to vocalise every thought that rolled through her brain until even he was exasperated. Abruptly, he got up off the couch and headed upstairs. Elena followed him.
"I mean, I really don't think that Bonnie should come. She's human and could get really hurt. And they've got an army of witches. But who else do we – Oh!" she paused when she realized that she was at the door to Stefan's room. "Are you going to bed?"
"It's a lot to process Elena. I think you should… Just let everything sink in for everyone until the morning. We'll get started then, okay?"
Elena nodded, but still didn't leave the doorway. When Stefan turned away and moved toward the bed, she stepped forward and shut the door.
"Stefan, I –" She was cut off when he rushed across the room, backed her into the door, and kissed her hard on the lips.
I've become so tired of this loneliness!
"Stefan, hang on," Elena pushed him back lightly; "Do you understand exactly what this is? You heard Francis today, once or twice won't be enough. This will have to be consistent until we get Damon back. Can you do that?" Stefan quirked an eyebrow at her in a look that reminded her so much of Damon she almost cried. "I meant emotionally… It could get complicated. I need to make sure that you're okay. Otherwise, well, I'll try to find someone else."
Stefan's response was to take another step back and run his hands through his hair. "Elena, he's my brother. And we're actually in a good place now. Anything I need to do to get him out, I will. Even if it's something as unpleasant as kissing you."
Elena smiled and they moved toward each tentatively, finally making contact and letting the heat take over.
