hey there! Yes, you are enot mistaken, I am back! :)

I am sorry it took so long, I had a MASSIVE writer's block and with all the school stuff going on...well you know what I am talking about.

This is shorter than most of the chapters (~2300 words). I got the advise to shorten them to have a regular update and I will try to follow it - thanks to the Guest reviewer who helped me there. :)

I was asked whether the lacking updates were because of the number of reviews, OF COURSE NOT! It was really just a writers block :)

I want to thank all the people who reviewed so kindly:

3 Guests, gab5799buzz,

especially my continued supporters:

serina1944, lapislazuli101, whatwhat123 and wileby

and Guest13579 who wrote the cutest review I have ever recieved!

THANK YOU!

Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 9

An hour later, Elena found herself in a plush armchair next to Kol's king-size bed. His body laid there lifeless and even though she knew she had no reason to, she was worried. More, she felt guilty. He didn't deserve to get caught up in her drama and miss the first family reunion celebration in over a thousand years.
He had done everything to make this evening special, even bought this beautiful dress which currently crumpled in the chair, the corsage making it hard for her to breathe. It wasn't made to sit in after all...but she couldn't bring herself to care right now. The developments of the last days occupied every part of her mind.

She hadn't even noticed the figure leaning in the door frame for several minutes, silently watching her before it disappeared again. Of course Esther had checked up on her son, realizing that any plan she might have had with the doppelganger vanished into thin air the second she saw her with Kol. There was no way she would ever agree to the witch's plan.

Time went by but none of the siblings questioned her decision to stay. Elijah had stopped by to bring her some water, knowing she wasn't in for any food but apart from that they left her alone. Kol would be with them in no time so why would they worry but Elena still wasn't accustomed to that.
Moreover, she had seen her vampire friends with broken necks, they usually healed more quickly and they were no Originals.

After what seemed like hours to her, there was a soft knock on the door and she heard someone coming in. Turning her head she saw it was Klaus.
"Still out I see...?" he commenced, stepping closer. Then he placed a pile on the bed and continued, "Rebekah had me give this to you."

Taking a closer look, Elena recognized a few neatly folded clothes. "Thanks."

Klaus made no attempt to leave, instead he watched his younger brother.

"Why do you think he is still out?" she asked after a while, focusing on Kol.

"I suppose despite being back for a few days now, he still hasn't regained all of his strength..." he answered honestly.
"Speaking of strength...you really should eat something if you plan on staying the night."

Elena averted her gaze from the lifeless body and looked up to Klaus in a questioning manner.

"Come on, I can literally sense your empty stomach. Kol will be out for a few hours at least. It's up to you but I'll be in the kitchen..." he trailed. With a last glance on his brother, he turned around and left the room.

Even though she certainly had lost her appetite for the rest of the night she felt the slight pain in her stomach. Her last meal had been pizza last night, no wonder she had felt the Tequila immediately.
Picking up the pile of clothes she went to where she remembered to be the bathroom to change. Technically it was not necessary, she was 'alone' in the room after all but she felt safer in a place where not everyone would just step in.

With great difficulty she unzipped her dress only then realizing she had nowhere to place it. Until she discovered a few hooks behind the door, deciding that they would have to do for now.
Rebekah had chosen a pair of tight, white sweatpants, a pink training top that had integrated bra-cups ('how thoughtful') and a black cardigan.
It felt awkward to wear Rebekah's clothes but the strangest thing was the pair of warm white socks she had stuffed in the pile. Although thinking about it was a very good idea, considering she only brought nylons and high heels.
Checking her appearance in one of the large mirrors, Elena decided she looked good enough to face any inhabitant of the mansion, hoping however all guests would have been gone by now.

Returning to the bedroom she saw Kol still laying there unmoved. She stepped closer, only now noticing the slightly disturbed expression on his face that somehow contradicted to the ever present smirk that still faintly played on his lips.
Before she could help herself, she bent down and stroked over his tousled hair. He really looked innocent right now.
Closing her eyes for a moment, she prevented herself from going down that line of thought and stepped back and without another look, she left the room.

Downstairs she found the hall to be empty. No one was in sight, not even the servants to clean up. The bar and the decoration were still set up and there were glasses and bottles of champagne standing around.
For a second she wondered about where to find Klaus but then she heard the rattling of dishes close by and on turning into that direction she noticed an opened door.

The kitchen was giant for a place that matter-of-factly didn't need one.
It was all modern with chromed gimmick and marble floor and table. It looked like it was straight from a luxurious A-celebrity designer catalogue. Which it probably was.
Klaus stood behind the stove, cooking something.
'Wait a sec', she blinked, taking in the scene in front of her.

"Something wrong love?" he asked mockingly.

"You're missing the apron" she said boldly, wondering about when she had gotten that brave. Fortunately, Klaus only chuckled.

"Sautéed noodles fine by you?" he made the question sound like a statement but she let it slip. After all, this was Klaus cooking for her. 'Find the mistake in that phrase...'
So she just nodded. She liked noodles.

He motioned for her to sit on one of the bar stools which she gladly did, she couldn't hold up for long anymore.
Elena sat down, keeping her eyes straight on Klaus; she still didn't like having him in her back.
Looking at him she realized that she felt nothing.

Simply nothing.

She remembered all too well the unbelievable hatred she used to feel as he seemed to be the source of all evil in her life but now it was just...nothing.

Before she could put any more thought in it, Klaus walked around the counter and set a plate in front of her.
"Thanks" she said trying to hide her suspicious look.
Of course he knew what she suspected and demonstratively put his own plate with the rest of the noodles on the far side of the table.

Carefully she took a fork-full - not entirely sure of what to think.
Contrary to her beliefs it tasted awesome. They were crispy and well-flavored and were exactly the right thing to eat right now. For the moment she decided to put the thought of Klaus and cooking in the back of her mind. It was just too strange...

"You know, it's funny actually..." he began after a few bites.

Elena looked up.

"...how you instinctively feel reassured when you see me eat the same dish when I could easily mix in the deadliest poison without harming myself..."

Immediately, she stopped chewing, looking at the Original in shock.

He smirked. "Don't worry love. It was simply an observation."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, you certainly have a talent to make your words sound like everything else but what you actually meant."

Klaus shrugged, not really caring and continued to eat.
Deciding that dwelling on the weirdness of Klaus eating normal food was too much for tonight, she returned her attention to the noodles. However, every bite reminded her of how delicious it was and she couldn't hold back the question,
"Where did you learn cooking like this?"

The vampire looked up meeting her eye. "I am a vampire, love." he said as if it explained everything.

"Who doesn't need to eat human food which brings us back to my question." Elena shot back.

"Fair point, love. Do you like it?"

"It's awesome. But you should stop with that love-thing, reserve it for Caroline."

Klaus chuckled. "I think she isn't very fond of it..."

Before she could stop herself, Elena exclaimed, "Of course she doesn't tell you, but I know that she secretly likes it!"
Quickly she covered her lips with her hand, wishing she hadn't said that out loud.

"Good to know..."

Elena glared at him. "Forget that I have said this!"

Klaus shrugged, giving her an innocent smile.

'Weird day', the brunette thought. Who would have guessed that the vampire had this kind of smile in his repertoire?

After they had finished their midnight snack, Elena stood up preparing to get back upstairs.
"Thank you for cooking for me" she said with a small smile. Despite everything that happened tonight, she still felt uncomfortable with such words around him.

"You're welcome" he said ever so friendly but the easiness she had experienced only moments earlier was gone.

Before she could retreat to Kol's room he called for her once more.

"I believe this is yours." he said, pointing towards the counter.

Taking a closer look she spotted her purse. 'Oh my God, my phone!' She cringed at the thought of missed calls and texts.
Quickly she unlocked it to check on them. Luckily, the only missed calls were from Damon, which she chose to ignore.
Caroline had texted her that Damon was back among 'the living' and pretty mad and asked for an update.
Elena typed an answer, before looking up to meet Klaus' eye.

"Damon's awake again." she informed him. "You might want to check up on Caroline, she said he was quite angry."
For the briefest of moments she saw worry in his eyes but it was quickly replaced by a poker face.

He nodded and Elena left the kitchen to return upstairs. It wasn't that she didn't worry about Caroline, she did and highly so, but there was only so much she could do against an angry Damon. Klaus was - and she hated to admit that - probably the best bet she had at the moment.

Klaus watched after his doppelganger for a moment. He didn't know what had ridden him into playing cook for her. Of course he needed a healthy blood bank but the little act she had pulled with his brother had made him see a glimpse of a side he hadn't noticed like that beforehand.
Of course he knew that she was all big-hearted and what not and cared way too deeply for people -the dead and the living- but until now he had never seen this side towards someone he was close to as well.
He enjoyed the way she cared about Kol even though it was kind of unnecessary.

He stopped himself before he could think any more of this business, it was too distracting. After all he had places to be.
Without another thought he left and sped towards the sheriff's house.

Back in Kol's room, Elena saw him, lifeless on the bed. Klaus was right, it probably would take some time for him to return.
For a while she just stood there watching him until her aching feet made her sit down. This time she chose his bed because in the long run the chair was just too uncomfortable.

Also now that all the adrenaline and anger were gone she felt her body tiring.
Cross-legged she sat on the other side of the bed just close enough to touch him but without invading his personal space.
Elena watched him intently, looking out for the slightest movement even though she knew there wasn't any to expect right now.
It also gave her the chance to examine him all over. She liked to take in his appearance without giving the impression to stare. He probably didn't care all too much.

After what seemed like hours she thought she had seen something. A twitch of his finger?
She scooted closer and watched out for any other move. But there was none.
Carefully she took his hand but his skin was as cold and lifeless as a stone.

Yawning she checked her phone. It was almost two a.m.
"Oh Kol why can't you just wake up..." She mused, her hand never leaving his.
Even though his hand was ice cold it felt somehow nice to hold it.

Sitting there she wondered about why exactly she was doing this.
What made her stay in a house full of Originals on her own? She even had dinner with Klaus!
Inwardly she knew the answer.
She felt guilty for what happened. She felt responsible for Damon's actions.

Why couldn't these thoughts leave her alone? Was it too much to ask?
Once again she remembered Klaus advice to sleep while Kol was out.
Feeling the tiredness in her bones she decided to follow it. Maybe the morning would come faster this way.
Stretching out beside Kol - of course in a decent distance she cuddled into the soft pillow.
Lying on her side she kept her eyes on Kol's profile, secretly admiring it before closing them and drifting off to sleep.

Her sleep was short and surprisingly dreamless. Despite everything she felt rested when she awoke, feeling warm rays of sun tickling her nose.
Opening her eyes she saw immediately that she wasn't at home but it took her several moments to recall the last night.
It came all crashing down on her and for a second she wished to return to her peaceful morning bliss.
Then she remembered whose bed she was laying in.

Kol!

She turned around but the bed beside her was empty.
Her heart skipped a beat at the realization that he had to be awake.
What would he think seeing her in his bed? The thought made her blush in embarrassment. That was so inappropriate!

"Morning love!"


So what do you think? :) R&R!