Chapter 6: Loss and Gain
Part 1
Tyler opened his eyes and gasped for air. The night was slowly giving in to the day and Tyler was still tied onto that chair.
"Good morning, sunshine" Klaus said, who was sitting in front of him in Indian style. He had a small flask in his left hand. "I hope you're hungry"
"Can't you just let me go already?" Tyler said, who was having trouble breathing. Blood came streaming from his eyes. What was wrong?
"I can't let you go" Klaus said. "Not before you had breakfast" He continued, waving the flask. He scribbled up and opened the flask.
Tyler pressed his lips together, but Klaus easily separated them and poured the blood that was in the flask into his mouth.
"Now you won't be so eager to run off, now will you?" Klaus said as he untied Tyler.
Part 2
The sun rose and shone through the curtains. Damon opened his eyes and looked at Elena's crown. He looked up and saw the planks still lying on the ground. He recalled the last night. At a certain moment Elena's bed had collapsed and Damon didn't have the heart to send her to another room and so he let her sleep with him.
"I think you're starting to recover" Elena had softly said. She had crawled up against him and fallen asleep.
Damon caressed her hair and she woke up. She looked up and gave him a soft kiss. "Hi" she smiled. "Good morning"
"Good morning to you too" Damon replied with a kiss back. He placed his hands on her waist and lifted her from the bed. Elena shrieked when Damon threw her in his arms and carried her out of the room. When they were at the stairs Elena said: "I have feet, you know. I can walk myself"
"Okay" Damon said and he let go of her. Elena screamed, but before she hit the stairs Damon caught her and put her on her feet.
"That was not funny, Damon" Elena said grumpy.
"Are you kidding me? That was hilarious!" a voice said from downstairs.
Damon frowned. "What are you still doing here?"
"You told me to stay, remember?" Derek said.
"No, I didn't" Damon said as he and Elena went downstairs.
"Yes, you did" Derek said accenting his words. "You said 'Stay here' and then you went away to see what that noise was"
Damon stared at him, a little muddled. "Okay, well, now you can go"
"I know you" Elena got in between.
"And I know you, gorgeous" Derek said with a smirk. He checked her out from head to toe. Damon noticed his stare and he placed himself between Derek and Elena.
Elena put her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Damon. He won't do anything"
"Wait" Derek said with a frown. "You two…?" he said looking from Damon to Elena and back. Elena stepped in front of Damon and shot Derek a provocative glance.
"Oh my God" Derek said and his lusting expression went straight to shock. He coughed and walked to Elena. He reached out his hand. "My name is Derek Janders. I'm a vampire. I'm also the idiot you met in that hamburger place"
Elena nodded, but didn't accept his hand. "Yeah, I remember. You tried to force yourself on me. Is that some kind of local hobby?" she said sarcastic and Damon looked down.
"I'm really sorry about that" Derek said sincere. "You were looking really hot. Now you do too, but since you're Damon's girlfriend I will keep my hands to myself"
"Why does it matter I'm Damon's girlfriend more than I was Stefan's?" Elena asked frowning.
"Because Damon is so much cooler" Derek said obviously. He almost added 'Duh' to it.
"And why are you here exactly?" Elena continued her interrogation.
"Damon hasn't filled you in?" Derek asked, looking at Damon.
"No, he hasn't" Elena said a little reproaching and turning to Damon.
"Hey, don't look at me" Damon said raising his hands. "You were fixing the bed in which you failed miserably"
"Oh, yeah, rub it in, why don't you" Elena said sarcastic.
"You totally did that on purpose" Damon said.
"Got any prove?" Elena said smug.
"Okayyy" Derek said trying to get the two lovebirds pay attention. "I'm here, because something is coming. Something really bad"
"Some chick wants to expose and kill all super naturals" Damon cut off Derek's cryptic talking. "You have nothing to worry about"
"Yes, I do!" Elena exclaimed. "I don't want you to get hurt or any of my friends who're not human"
"I meant for yourself" Damon clarified.
"Yes, I do" Elena repeated softly. "Damon, I'm the doppelganger. Isn't that supposed to be something supernatural?"
"She's right, Damon" Derek said more serious than ever.
"You have nothing to worry about" Damon said soft, looking at Elena. "I won't let anyone lay a finger on you"
Part 3
Caroline looked around in Bonnie's room. "It's all so…white" she said turning to Bonnie, who was sitting on the bed. "I can't believe you signed up for this. And without telling me"
"I'm telling you now" Bonnie said, while she opened her suitcase. "Thanks for bringing my stuff. I wouldn't know who else to bother" she added softly.
"It's no bother" Caroline said, though she avoided to look at her. She walked to the window. "Wow! You have to see this view, it's amazing" she said, looking at the garden.
"Yeah, I've seen it" Bonnie said a little absent-minded. "Hey, Caroline? I'm sorry…for what I did"
Caroline reluctantly turned around and managed to force a little smile. "Don't worry about it. It's not like I was tortured or you played with my mind and I wasn't cursed. Damon and Elena are the real victims here"
"Maybe, but…" Bonnie stopped to take a breath. "I manipulated you. I…used our friendship for my own sake. I begged you to help me get Damon back and so I dragged you into this whole mess. I hurt so many innocent people for my vendetta against Damon. But you still want to help me. I don't deserve your friendship"
Caroline had turned away and wiped her tears, hoping Bonnie wouldn't see them. "I should go. I'm late for school"
Still avoiding Bonnie's look Caroline walked out of the room and bumped into a man. "Sorry" she mumbled.
"It's okay" the man said.
Bonnie got up from the bed and walked to the doorway. "What are you doing here? Get back to your own room" she said a little reproaching.
"Sorry" the man mumbled. "I thought this was it"
Caroline looked around for help and fortunately she saw a nurse heading their way.
"I am so sorry" she said apologizing and she linked her arm with the man's arm. "Come on, Keith, let's get you to your room"
Part 4
"Who's Ronnie, if I may ask?" Klaus asked. Tyler frowned, wondering how Klaus knew about her. But the moment Klaus conjured Tyler's phone everything was clear.
"She's sent you quite some messages" he said acting admired. "What happened to the blonde one?"
Tyler didn't answer that, but he did answer Klaus first question. "She's just some girl who got here a few weeks ago. Here is Mystic Falls…We're still in Mystic Falls, right?"
"Sure we are" Klaus smirked. "Something else I should know? Something important, maybe?"
"She knows a little too much" Tyler said and after a sharp look from Klaus he clarified: "She's on a let's kill all super naturals mission"
"How well do you know this Ronnie?" Klaus asked serious.
"Not very good" Tyler admitted. "But she's got a thing for me"
Klaus smirk returned. "Well, how convenient" he said hoarse. "Maybe you can use that thing she has for you to get to know her a little better, see who else is involved in this whole…mission"
"I could do that" Tyler said without thinking twice.
"And of course you would tell me every little detail you come to know" Klaus said.
"Of course" Tyler said.
Part 5
"What are you doing?" Derek asked curious at Damon who was sitting between the wooden planks in his bedroom.
"I'm trying to fix the bed" Damon said obvious.
"Can I help?" Derek asked excited. Without awaiting an answer he kneeled and picked up a nail and hammer. While he hammered he tried to make a subtle conversation. "So, you and your girlfriend, how long have you been together?"
"Two months and a half" Damon said. "Why?"
Derek shrugged. "Nothing. Just curious" he said. "And have you…you know?"
Damon looked at Derek, frowning. "No, and I wouldn't tell you, either"
Derek raised his hands, almost hitting Damon with the hammer. "Okay, no offense" he said. "So, you're still early on. You're still at the stage where you need a lot of privacy, so you can build your relationship"
Damon shook his head confused. "What are you getting at?"
Derek looked around. "You have a nice room, here" he said admiring. "And you have other bedrooms that are not used and now that your girlfriend is sleeping in your room another room is destined to be forgotten. Quite a shame if you ask me" he said looking meaningful at Damon.
"No" Damon said, scribbling up. "No way. I told you you weren't staying over. Thanks a lot for the information, now go"
"I'm not talking about staying over. I'm talking about moving in here" Derek said excited. "But not forever" he quickly added when Damon looked at him as if he could get a heart attack any minute. "Just until after we got rid of Veronica and her army, 'cause you can go out on a limb that she's not doing this all by herself.
And if we have to do this whole training thing it would be a lot easier and convenient if we lived under the same roof. Of course I will not be around when you and your girlfriend need some privacy and I won't be any bother. I'll even do chores if you want me to"
Damon looked away, to avoid Derek's hopeful expression. "Don't you have a family?" he said frowning, trying not to sound too annoyed.
Derek shut his eyes. "My parents are dead" he said dry. "Vampire"
"Oh" Damon said sheepish.
"I have nowhere else to go" Derek said sad.
Damon let out a deep sigh. "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" he groaned.
"Probably" Derek smirked.
"You're taking the room that's farthest from mine" Damon said with a tone that didn't endure any objection.
Part 6
Tyler parked his car on the parking lot of Mystic Grill. He saw Caroline leaning against the wall outside drinking some Bourbon. He hoped she wouldn't look up. But as he made his way to the entrance she looked up.
"Tyler?" she said surprised.
Just keep walking, Tyler thought.
"I know you can hear me, Tyler" Caroline said uncomprehending. "Why are you avoiding me?"
Tyler stopped and walked towards Caroline. "Caroline, hi" he forced himself to say. He scratch his hair, feeling uncomfortable. "Don't you…don't you have school to go to?"
"Lunch break" Caroline explained. "So, are you going to tell me where you've been?"
"Sure" Tyler smirked. "As soon as I believe I should tell you every little detail about my life, I will"
"Tyler, I was worried about you. Don't you get that?" Caroline said upset. "Who knows what could've happened to you?"
Tyler raised his hand. "Wait, I get myself a day off and you start ringing the alarm bells? Honey, please, I know you're dramatic, but try keeping it to the limit"
Caroline grabbed his collar and forced him against the wall. "I'm not being dramatic. I'm pissed. Your red slut friend threatened me. She thought I knew where you were. So I think I deserve to know where the hell you've been" she hissed.
Tyler smiled in her face. "She did, huh? I should give the girl an award. She's got guts" Caroline let go of him and stared at him upset.
"She's in there?" Tyler asked, walking backwards to and pointing at the Grill, that smile still on his face.
Part 7
Caroline took her books she needed for the next few classes and closed her locker. Elena leaned against the lockers and looked at her. She saw the red underneath Caroline's eyes. "Hey, have you been crying?"
Caroline shook her head. "No" she said with a small voice. She swallowed and forced a smile. She sighed and looked at her friend. "No" she repeated a little steadier. "I saw Tyler at the Grill today"
"Oh" Elena blinked. "And how was he? Did he tell you what happened?"
Caroline shook her head again. "Not exactly. He…said it's none of my business what he does or where he goes" she said trying to sound casual. Then she burst into tears. "I'm sorry, it's just…He was so mean. It wasn't like him. I know he can be a jerk, but he's never like that with me. And after the summer I thought we'd grown closer" she sobbed.
Elena threw her arm around Caroline's shoulder and pulled her closer. "Hey, hey, hey, you have nothing to be sorry about. Tyler does" she tried to comfort her friend.
"What did Tyler do?" Matt asked, attracted by Caroline's sadness. Elena shot him a 'not now, Matt' glance and Matt nodded in understanding.
"Let's get to our class" Elena suggested and she pulled Caroline along, Matt following them.
Part 8
Rebekah was sitting on the couch in Stefan's loft, while Stefan himself was trying to reach Katherine.
"Come sit with me, Stefan" Rebekah demanded. Stefan lifted his hand to shut her up. Rebekah frowned, insulted. She whistled and when Stefan turned around annoyed she poured her glass of blood on the couch. Stefan turned around again and stopped his attempts to get a hold of Katherine.
"Why am I even trying?" he mumbled.
"She's not worth it" Rebekah scoffed.
Stefan turned to the kitchen and searched through the cupboards. He then came back with a bucket with water, a sponge and a bottle of Mr. Clean.
"Better roll up those sleeves" Rebekah said. "Or maybe take off your shirt right away" But Stefan threw the sponge in her face and gave her an unmistakable glance. "Are you kidding me?"
"I kid you not" Stefan said serious. Rebekah pouted and sunk on her knees. She opened the bottle and put some of it on the sponge. Then she started scrubbing.
Stefan sunk down on Rebeka's seat. "You're doing a great job" he said smirking. Rebekah shot him an angry glance and continued scrubbing. She dubbed the sponge in the water and squeezed it above Stefan's head. While Stefan spit out the foam Rebekah got up and pressed her lips on his.
She searched her way in with her tongue and massaged his with hers. Stefan lay his hand on her waist and kissed her back. As Rebekah opened the buttons of her blouse the door went open.
"I'm going to be sick" Katherine said disgusted by the view.
Part 9
Rebekah smiled viciously at Katherine, but Stefan pushed Rebekah off. "Katherine, where've you been?" he said casual.
"Not in your pants, that's for sure" Katherine said sarcastic.
"Restricted area, staff only" Rebekah said smug. Katherine rolled her eyes.
"Can I have a word with you?" she asked Rebekah. Rebekah leaned forward and kissed Stefan. She then followed Katherine outside.
"Now what?" she asked short.
"I'm done with this" Katherine said.
"With what exactly?" Rebekah said bored, playing with her nails.
"This whole doppelganger blood stealing thing" Katherine said. "Damon is my friend, I can't do this. I'm out"
Rebekah nodded and conjured her phone. As she dialed a number she looked provocative at Katherine. "Are you going to tell Nik or shall I?"
Fear appeared on Katherine's face and she swallowed.
"You know how he will react" Rebekah said amused.
Katherine looked aside. "Fine" she mumbled. Rebekah closed her phone.
"Good girl" she said. "I have something special for tonight's service. But that will be a surprise. Now I have to get back inside, my boyfriend is waiting for me"
Part 10
"Goodnight!" Derek said as he entered his new bedroom.
Damon and Elena were standing with their backs to each other, getting undressed. Elena slowly rotated her head and peaked over her shoulder. Damon had taken of his shirt and Elena swallowed. She'd never get used to that body.
She shook her head and looked eyes front again. As she took out her top Damon slowly looked over his shoulder. She had laid her hair over her shoulder and he noticed she was wearing a dark purple bra. Damon imagined how he walked to her.
He slowly went with his hand over her back and opened her bra. His fingers searched their way up front…
Damon shook his head and crawled into bed. Elena walked to him and gave him a long, passionate kiss goodbye. "Goodnight" she said breathless. Damon gave her a kiss back. "Goodnight, my love"
Elena walked to her bed and Damon put out the light.
The door went open and two figures appeared in the doorway. Damon wanted to turn on the light again, but someone grabbed his throat and stopped him.
"Damon?" Elena asked a little scared. She felt a sudden weight on the bed. "What's happening?"
The light turned on. Rebekah was holding Damon's throat, Katherine was sitting on Elena's bed. Rebekah looked Damon sharp in the eyes. "You cannot move. You cannot make a sound. You will watch everything Katherine does"
Katherine looked Elena sharp in the eyes. "You won't scream-"
"Hey!" Rebekah snapped and she rushed to Katherine. "No compulsion. I want to hear her scream"
"But…" Katherine protested.
"If you won't do it, I will" Rebekah said. Katherine knew Rebekah wouldn't spare Elena at all and so she did her part of the bargain. She leaned forward and bit Elena's neck. Elena screamed and struggled and tears appeared in her eyes. Katherine let go and stuck a small pipe in the wound. Elena felt something pulling on her neck and searched for Damon. He looked at her with big, shocked eyes, wishing he could do something.
Katherine removed the pipe and looked Elena sharp in the eye. "Damon did this you. He attacked you"
Rebekah returned to Damon and pierced her glance in his eyes. "You attacked Elena. You'll feel so guilty you'll stop drinking any blood, whether it be human or animal. When we're gone you can move again"
She jerked her stare, grabbed Katherine and they both raced out of the house.
Elena gasped and touched her neck. She looked at the blood on her fingers and looked shocked at Damon.
"Elena, I'm so sorry" Damon said trembling and shocked. He got off the bed and walked towards Elena.
"Stay away from me!" Elena cried. She got out of the bed and stumbled to the door. Damon raced to it and blocked her way.
"I really didn't mean to" he tried to explain. He wanted to bite his arm so he could give her his blood, but Elena stepped away.
"Don't even think about it" she said trembling and disgusted. Damon let down his arm. "Get out of my way" Elena said angry.
"We can work this out" Damon begged. Elena turned around and grabbed her clothes and shoes.
"Get out of my way now" Elena repeated furious. Damon grabbed her shoulders and pushed her against the wall. "What, you're going to try to rape me again?" she snapped. Damon let go of her immediately and she ran outside.
Five minutes later he heard the door slam. He ran to the window and watched Elena driving away.
In his new bedroom Derek was sitting on the bed, wide awake and seemingly frozen.