"Never Let Me Go"

Chapter 4

"Are you alright?" Klaus asked while holding Bella's hand.

Bella swallowed, feeling her fangs trying to break through.

"It's just really hard," Bella replied while trying to focus on something other than the thirst.

"What's wrong?" Damon asked.

"She's not used to being in a confined space with us for very long," Elijah said tensely. "She's still gaining control."

"Who does she normally feed from?" Damon asked.

"Witches or Klaus," Kol said as he signaled the stewardess for another drink, "Want something to drink Bella?"

"The entire bar," Bella mumbled.

Klaus started to rub circles on Bella's palm as an attempt to calm her down.

"Klaus," Bella said; her throat was burning.

"Come on," Klaus said while pulling Bella towards the back room.

"Joining the mile high club?" Damon called as they entered the room.

"Immature much," Rebekah asked while flipping through a magazine.

"Well I do like to stay young," Damon replied.

"There is a difference between being young and being childish." Rebekah countered.

"So what's it like having someone feed from you?" Damon asked.

"We wouldn't know,"Kol answered, "Bella has never fed from any of us but Klaus."

"Really," Damon said intrigued, "It's some sex thing between them isn't it."

"Damon what happens between my brother and Isabella is between them and I would appreciate it if you could at least pretend to have manners for a little while," Elijah said.

"She's grown on you," Damon said amused.

"Something you have obviously failed to do with anyone," Rebekah mumbled before she put down her magazine, "We have grown to accept her; is that so hard to believe?"

"She should just watch her back that you don't stake her." Damon replied. "I mean that is what you all do."

.*.*.*.*.*.

"Klaus I can't do this," Bella said as soon as the door shut, "How can I be around everyone when I can't even control myself now?"

"Isabella," Klaus said softly, "You will be alright; you're stronger than you know."

"But I'm so thirsty," Bella growled, "I can hear the blood pumping through their veins; I can't stop looking at their necks. What happens when we get to Mystic Falls, the supernatural capital of the world?"

Klaus chuckled as he pulled Bella to him, "You're being overdramatic."

"Am I?" Bella grumbled.

Klaus took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeve, "I will be with you every step of the way." He held out his wrist, "Drink."

Bella bit down on his wrist and immediately relief washed over her as the burning in her throat started to diminish. Bella raised her head and licked her lips.

"Thank you," Bella said while looking away.

She still felt ashamed of what she craved. She still felt like she didn't belong in any world.

"Hey," Klaus said while forcing her to look at him, "Don't. Don't be ashamed."

"I just really don't fit in anywhere," Bella said, starting to get upset.

"You belong where you want to belong," Klaus replied, "And I for one hope you want to belong with me."

Bella gave him a small smile, "Of course I do." Bella said.

"Then the rest doesn't matter." Klaus said, "What you are Isabella does not define who you are; you taught me that."

Klaus leaned forward to capture Bella's lips. Bella's entire body became alive as Klaus' hands started to pull her closer so that her body was flushed against his.

"Klaus, the others," Bella said before pulling away slightly.

"Let them hear…I don't care," Klaus said before pressing his lips to Bella's again, sucking her bottom lip into his mouth.

Bella was distracted as Klaus' lips moved to her neck, then her collarbone, and then he switched to the other side. In a quick movement Klaus pulled Bella up off the bed and removed her shirt, leaving her in a red and black lace bra.

"Do the panties match I wonder?" Klaus whispered in Bella's ear before he gently nibbled at it.

Bella rolled so that she was on top of Klaus; her primal side started to take over and she tore Klaus' shirt, causing the buttons to pop off. Klaus couldn't help but smirk as Bella looked down at him; her hair was in perfect waves today as it fell around her face, cascading down her back, and he couldn't help but admit that this is what people meant by sex kitten. He pulled her back down to him, enjoying the feeling of her smooth skin.

Klaus swiftly unhooked her bra, tossing it away from them before rolling over so he's back on top. Bella's hand moved from Klaus' hair to his belt as she began to unhook it. She fumbled with the buttons on his jeans due to turbulence which caused them both to bounce around.

"Klaus," Elijah said after knocking on the door, "The pilot says we should fasten our seatbelts."

"To hell with the pilot," Klaus growled before resuming his assault on Bella's neck. "We're vampires, we'll be alright."

"Klaus," Elijah warned.

"Klaus," Bella said before forcing him to look at her, "Later."

Klaus' eyes blazed with passion and his mouth turned into angry frown.

"You're so cute when you're angry," Bella said with a smile.

"Only you can get me this worked up and then just walk away alive." Klaus said while sitting up and handing Bella her bra.

"Just means I have to make it up to you later." Bella replied while getting dressed.

Klaus put on a t-shirt before he grabbed Bella by the waist just before she reached the door.

"I'm going to hold you to that." Klaus said seriously.

Bella and Klaus opened the door to find Damon standing there with Elijah.

"Oh just when it was getting good." Damon pouted.

"Ass," Bella said before walking over to the bar and pouring herself a drink.

"You know if you needed someone to drink all you had to do was ask me," Damon said in his suave way, "I'd be more than willing to donate."

"I'm sure you would Damon, but unlike you I actually have standards." Bella replied, downing her drink before pouring another one.

"Well with who you're dating it's hard to believe you have standards," Damon replied while pouring himself a drink as well.

Bella smiled, "At least I have a relationship, I mean do you even know what those are or did Katherine screw you up that much."

The glass in Damon's hand shattered and immediately Bella was pinned against the wall. Quickly the Mikelson's pulled Damon off of Bella and held him down. Klaus moved towards Damon murderously, but Bella stopped him.

"Don't," Bella said, "It's my fault; I shouldn't have said what I did."

"Bella," Klaus growled.

"No," Bella said sternly, "I took a shot below the belt and he didn't deserve it."

Kol, Elijah, and Rebekah released Damon and Bella stuck out her hand.

"I'm sorry," Bella said sincerely, "I just…" She couldn't find the words.

Damon took her hand and stood up straightening his jacket, "Well in all fairness I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. You're still new; it takes a while to think before you speak now."

Klaus got in Damon's face, "You ever attack her like that again and I will stake you."

"Klaus," Bella said while placing her hand on his shoulder.

"No," Klaus said while still glaring at Damon.

"Bella, why don't you go lay down," Rebekah suggested.

"It might actually help your cravings," Elijah added.

"You and my brother haven't done much sleeping anyways," Kol said with a smirk.

"Klaus," Bella said.

"Don't worry," Klaus replied as he turned to look at Bella and kiss her forehead, "I'll be a good host."

Bella gave everyone one last look before she disappeared into the room. The group returned to their seats and when Klaus was sure Bella was asleep he spoke.

"I mean it Salvatore, if you ever do that again I don't care what she says I will end you." Klaus growled.

"She's a big girl, she can handle herself." Damon countered.

"Yes I know that but I've lost her once and I don't have any intention of doing it again. I will end whoever tries to hurt her." Klaus replied.

"We will end whoever tries to hurt her," Rebekah corrected before sipping her wine.

"So you think you're her family?" Damon asked while chuckling.

"In a way she has made us a family again," Elijah spoke up. "She has a way of making people see the light."

"It's annoying at times but she's grown on us." Kol said.

"She has a family," Damon replied, "The one in Mystic Falls. The one you all tried to kill or has she forgotten that?"

"No she hasn't," Klaus answered, "We have been doing what we can to keep the Volturi from coming to Mystic Falls and destroying you all. Believe me it was tempting to let them, seeing as how they caused her death but I know Isabella and she would not want them harmed. She fears going to Mystic Falls and it's not because she can't forgive them. I know she will because she doesn't have the heart to hate but it's because she fears she'd hurt them."

"She won't hurt them," Damon replied.

"She attacked some of the wolves," Rebekah said. "She couldn't control her thirst at the time and although it's gotten better it can still take over at times like you saw earlier. Bella has to consume more blood than we do in order to keep the venom at bay. Her cravings are magnified by ten compared to ours."

"Is there any way to neutralize the venom?" Damon asked.

"Jake's sister has been experimenting but no such luck yet," Kol replied. "Now with the Cullen's trying to kills us all; there is another problem."

"What?" Damon asked.

"If Edward were to take Bella and deprive her of blood long enough, she would turn into a Cold One and she does not want that." Klaus said seriously his eyes cold, "That's the reason I do not want her near Mystic Falls and it's also the reason I want it made clear to everyone that she is never to be alone. I trust her abilities I do, but I am not going to chance it especially with them. Do you understand Damon that she is never to be alone?"

"I get you," Damon replied, "She won't be. I promise."

"Not very good at keeping promises are we Damon?" Rebekah said.

"I think this one he will keep," Klaus said, "You fancy her."

"She's intriguing," Damon admitted, "She tells me the truth; no bullshit, I respect that."

"As long as your relationship is platonic I don't care if she's around you." Klaus replied.

"What if it becomes more? What if she falls for me?" Damon asked while smirking.

Rebekah and Kol started laughing but Elijah and Klaus were silent.

Klaus took a deep breath and said, "I will never force her to give up what she loves. If one day she were to stop loving me, I would let her go."

"And go on a rampage," Damon said.

"No," Klaus replied, "If I did that I know I would lose her forever."

.*.*.*.*.*.

They were quiet for the rest of the trip, each off in their own little world. As they were close to landing, Klaus got up and went into the bedroom to wake up Bella.

"Isabella," he whispered lightly while trailing his fingers over her bare arm, "We're about to land."

Bella's eyes slowly opened and she rolled over onto her back, stretching. Klaus smirked.

"You know it's a very dangerous thing when you do that." He said before leaning down to nuzzle her neck.

"I like a little bit of danger," Bella replied with a yawn.

Klaus pulled her out of bed, allowing her to put on her sweater jacket before they sat down and buckled in.

"Have a nice rest Sleeping Beauty?" Damon asked.

"Yes you know you should try getting rest at some point Damon, your age is starting to show in your looks." Bella retorted before she looked out the window.

"I've missed your wit." Damon replied while smiling, "It's been no fun without our little banter game."

Before Bella could respond the plane landed, bouncing them around as it started to slow down. They grabbed their bags, exited the jet and headed for the limo.

"Where are we going?" Bella asked.

"Alaric texted me. Carol is having some party tonight and I suppose that's as good of a place as any to have your epic return announced." Damon replied smirking.

"Damon I died," Bella said confused, "The entire town knows I died."

"Actually they don't," Damon said and all five people looked at him shocked, "What? We didn't want to explain everything so we just said you left again. Trust me with the new council, consider it a good thing."

"New council?" Bella asked.

"Yeah remember Alaric spilled the beans about all of us, well now we are on everyone's number one hit list." Damon explained.

"And you couldn't tell us about this before because…" Elijah trailed.

"I knew you wouldn't let her come back," Damon replied while smirking. "Now Bella do you have any tight fitting dresses that have a plunging neck line?"

Bella punched Damon in the nose hard and they all heard it crack, "You are an idiot." She said, getting angry

"Ouch," Damon said before setting his nose back in place, "Don't mess with the merchandise besides none of the council is going to do anything with us especially if you're there; just act human. Are you allergic to vervain?"

"We don't know," Klaus said tensely. "This is too dangerous, we aren't going."

"Yes we are," Bella replied, "I can do this."

Klaus begrudgingly agreed.

.*.*.*.*.*.

"They won't stop staring," Caroline said while looking at the council. "They're planning something."

"Where the hell is Damon when you need him?" Jeremy added.

"Nothing is going to happen to any of you," Liz said while squeezing her daughter's hand.

"Ask and ye shall receive," Damon said, coming from behind them and grabbing a glass of champagne, "What have I missed? Oh there's the council," Damon waved towards the council and raised his glass.

"Where have you been?" Stefan asked.

"Bringing in reinforcements." Damon said before shrugging and looking at Elena, "You actually got out of bed, I'm impressed."

"Who did you call?" Elena asked, "The pack."

"Please," Damon said before sipping his champagne, "They aren't of any help. I got something better." Damon said as he pointed towards the entry way

Everyone turned to look at the entry way as Rebekah, Kol, and Elijah appeared.

"They actually came," Stefan said, "You sure it's not for revenge."

"We deserve it," Elena said.

Klaus entered next, just standing in the entry way and looking at the council before he smiled and looked back and held out his hand.

"Are you kidding me," Bonnie seethed, "He brought someone."

"He really didn't care about Bella did he?" Caroline said with anger and shock.

"But she died for him," Elena said confused.

"Obviously her life meant about as much to him as a piece of trash," Bonnie snarled.

Klaus' eyes snapped to the group; anger filling them.

Caroline and Bonnie glared at him while Elena focused on where he had been looking, she then let go of her champagne glass as it crashed to the floor.

"Oh my God," She said in barely a whisper.

Slowly a hand snaked out from around the corner and gently took hold of Klaus' as the woman stepped into view. It was Bella dressed in a black sleeveless dress, black pumps, a string of pearls around her neck and her hair was down in waves. Elena's eyes were focused solely on the ring on her right hand…a lapis lazuli ring.

"No," Elena said while backing away a little and clutching to Stefan.

"Seems like your plan to kill our brother had more dire consequences." Rebekah said while grabbing a glass of champagne. "Now she knows why I warned Caroline there to be careful about you stabbing your friends in the back."

"Rebekah," Elijah warned.

"Is she?" Bonnie asked in complete disbelief.

"Yes," Elijah replied, "She is."

"When? Where has she been?" Caroline asked.

"That's her story not ours, we're merely here to save your asses." Rebekah answered.

"Not exactly high on our list of things to do, but she has a way of convincing people," Kol added.

.*.*.*.*.*.

Bella stood next to Klaus as all eyes were on her.

"Klaus," Bell said while trying to calm him down, "Don't."

Bella turned her head to where the council was and gave the shocked group a curt nod as she and Klaus made their way across the room to join the others.

"Bella," Elena said quietly, her eyes filling with tears.

"Elena," Bella replied coolly while clutching to Klaus' arm for dear life.

She was afraid if she let her grip loosen in the slightest then she would attack the nearest supernatural person. The plane ride was much easier than this; she smelled so many different blood types at once and it was like putting a buffet in front of a starving man. Not to mention just seeing them made her remember the pain they put her through. Anger was building up inside her and it was quickly turning to rage. Bella stayed tense trying to reel in her emotions, but then the memory of how she thought Klaus to could leave her hit and sadness quickly turned into despair.

"Yes the prodigal daughter of Mystic Falls makes her triumphant return," Damon said, breaking the silence. "Glass of champagne to celebrate?"

"Probably not the best idea; here comes the reverend," Alaric said.

"Bella," the reverend said and Bella turned around, "Where have you been?"

"Why do you care?" Bella countered, "Last time I checked you were on your way to my house to…well God only knows what you were going to do."

"You understand our position," the reverend replied tensing as he looked at the group, "The principles we hold…."

Bella quickly interrupted him, "Reverend those principles were put in place when this town was over ran by psycho vampires. Look in front of you; Tyler and Caroline you've known since they were babies. Are you really going to kill them? They never asked for this, you have no right to take away their lives. The Salvatores well they've pretty much been the ones keeping this town safe because they can do things your pathetic council can't. Bonnie well she's a bad ass witch."

"The creed states…" The reverend said, becoming angry.

"Screw the creed," Bella replied angrily, "It was written over 145 years ago by a bunch of selfish cowards who couldn't see past the obvious. Why in high school, as I recall, your wife was telling me you were an inconsiderate prick but she gave you a chance to prove her wrong and you did." Bella stepped closer to him, "They are good people reverend, you know that; don't let what they are define who they are."

"But they're…." He stuttered.

"They are Bonnie Bennett, the girl who you helped come to terms with her mother abandoning her. Caroline Forbes, who you helped realize that her father leaving wasn't her fault. Tyler Lockwood, who you prayed with his family after the car accident. These are people you know, who have done nothing but give up their normal lives to protect this town. Tell me are you really that blind that all you can see is the bad? I remember your sermons, 'If you look for the bad in others, you will always find it. A good man or woman will look past the person's faults and see all they have to offer'. Have you lost faith in your own beliefs Reverend?" Bella asked.

The reverend was silent for some time before he quietly walked back to his group.

Bella finally breathed and the moment she did she knew it was a mistake the aroma of everyone's blood flooded her senses and she felt her fangs attempting to descend.

"I have to get out of here," Bella said while letting go of Klaus' arm and heading for the nearest door.

"Bella," Elena said starting to follow, but Klaus grabbed her arm, "Let me go."

"I wouldn't go after her my dear," Klaus said gently while pushing Elena back.

"He's right Elena," Damon said before he looked at Klaus, "Go get her."

Klaus released Elena and headed the way Bella had gone.

"What the hell is going on?" Bonnie asked.

"That my dear witch is a long story, one which is not ours to tell, so you'll have to ask your friend," Kol said with a wink, "More champagne anyone?"

.*.*.*.*.*.

"Isabella," Klaus said while walking out to the terrace where Bella was standing near the railing, "Are you alright?"

"Just overwhelmed," Bella replied before she laughed, "I'm not even here five minutes and already I'm giving speeches."

Klaus wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the side of her neck, "Well I think you're quite good at them. You should teach a class."

"The council, the Volturi, Edward, all of it makes me feel like the world is closing in on me again. Like what happened meant nothing." Bella mused.

"It did mean something," Klaus said, "It made me realize that I did have something to lose and it wasn't my hybrids."

A smooth velvety voice invaded their conversation.

"Well, well, well Klaus you're back and with a new girl. I knew Bella never meant that much to you. She was too good for you." Edward said.

Klaus whipped around but Bella made no move.

"She looks like Bella from behind," Edward continued, "But she definitely doesn't smell like her."

"Get away," Klaus growled.

"I hope you can protect her better than you protected Bella." Edward replied.

"He did protect me," Bella finally said, speaking up and causing Edward to freeze, "Better than you ever did." Bella turned around and looked at him, "Hello Edward."

A/N: Hey everyone I hope you enjoyed the chapter. It's been a really hectic week and with Thanksgiving coming up I'm not sure when I'll be able to update so please be patient with me. Some good news my grandma is doing really well so thank you to everyone for all your well wishes and prayers my family and I have really appreciated them.

Thank you to my wonderful beta Dark~Supernatural~Angel. She is an amazing friend and I owe her so much, words cannot even begin to explain how much I appreciate her so thanks girl.

Shout out to all the lovelies over at Bambi's Beloveds the little facebook group I'm a part of. If haven't yet come on over and join it's a lot of fun and ran by the wonderful M. (our fearless leader )

Song that goes with this chapter The Scientist by Coldplay (really love that song and it's all about returning to where something starts and how hard it is. Kind of perfect for a homecoming don't you think?) If you want all the songs that go with each chapter let me know.

Review my dears they get you teasers and who doesn't love those?