A/N: It's been a while you guys! Missed you!

Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or TO!

Heart Strings
Chapter 9: By Your Side

"I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens,"
-Woody Allen

Songs:

The Neighbourhood-Lurk [Gabby and Kol] [End]

Gabby whined at the sound of Elena's phone ringing, turning to hide her face in Caroline's neck. Elena, in her effort to reach the ringing phone fell of the bed with a thud, dragging blankets with her. The youngest Gilbert settled, expecting her sister to turn it off and return to her spot warming Gabby's back. Elena did the opposite; she answered the phone.

"Elena," Caroline complained, barely opening her eyes over Gabby's head. Elena gave them all an apologetic look and slid out into the hallway. Gabby whined at the cold that her sister's abandonment caused and slid closer to Caroline, pulling the blanket over her shoulder and dozing.

She found slipping in between sleep and consciousness was her favorite state. She was calm and relaxed, with no Kol to terrorize her but still getting enough "sleep".

It wasn't long after Elena hung up that she dragged her younger sister out of bed and back to their house, ready to pack for her weekend with Stefan. Gabby helped her sister pack and kissed her on the cheek before retreating to the shower. Even though she'd taken a half hour shower at Caroline's, the vision of blood all over her body still made her shaky, and the water that metaphorically washed it all away in her mind made her feel all the better.

She still refused to part from the necklace that connected her to Kol, scared to see what could possibly happen if she ever removed it, even for a shower.

She jumped when Jenna banged her fist against her bathroom door.

"Gabby! I know you're not planning on bailing on me like Elena and Jeremy did for this party!" Jenna shouted through the door. Gabby groaned audibly enough for her aunt to hear at the reminder of the luncheon at the Lockwood's.

"Oh, hush! I'll pick out the dress, you just finish your shower and do your hair! It's only for a few hours!" Jenna argued easily, already walking away. Gabby resigned herself to the fact that she would be attending the luncheon with Jenna and hurried to finish her shower, not wanting to waste anymore time.

She breezed through her after-shower routine and immediately began blow drying her long hair. She wasn't sure which dress Jenna would choose, so Gabby stuck to a neutral braided bun at the nape of her neck and brown toned smokey-eye with mauve-y lipstick. She stared at her lips for a moment, annoyed that her own face reminded her of Kol.

"You are quite the looker, darling," Kol complimented, twisting a strand of hair around his finger. Gabby minutely blushed, but was already growing accustomed to his charming persona he put on when he wasn't angry.

"I bet you say that to all the girls, huh?" she quipped, eyeing the outfit he'd been daggered in. If she had to guess, she would say his clothes had stepped right out of very late 1800s or early 1900s.

"I do," he agreed. "I like to surround myself with pretty women."

"And witches," she muttered, sneering at the thought of the witch who'd bestowed to her the necklace that caused her to see Kol in her dreams.

"Ah, yes," Kol hummed. "You seem to not be as fond as them as I."

"You could say that," Gabby gave him a tight sarcastic smile.

"I don't blame you," he said breezily, surprising her. "My family has felt the same way for centuries. I can only stomach to be around them as I, myself, used to be one."

"You? A witch?" she repeated. He smirked at her, asking, "you don't believe me?"

She shook her head faintly in surprise. "I just thought witches thought human lives were sacred, keep the earth pure, la-di-dah. Unlike a certain vampire I know," she grinned at him sarcastically.

"Vampires, whether you disagree or not, are at the top of the food chain. Witches, however disturbed by that fact, tend to know their place in the grand scheme of things. Most, anyway."

"Question," Gabby started, hoping to take advantage of his talkative mood. She waited for his nod of approval before she began. "Why do you spend so much time around witches? Enough time that they go around casting spells on innocent little teenagers?"

"Having only been in contact with witches for such a short time as you have, my darling Gabriella, I am certain your little human senses would be useless in picking up the aura witches carry with them," he said, ignoring her squeak of indignation. "It is quite a powerful feeling to receive, and as I was a warlock in my human life with an abundance of useless knowledge to me, I would travel with clans of witches-in order to feel their essence, their power-in exchange for my knowledge. Witches have known to favor me throughout the years because of it."

"They favor you alright," she muttered. He merely grinned.

"You are referring to Hazel, the witch that torments you so and is responsible for our," he dragged his finger down the column of her throat before resting his palm at the base of her neck, his fingers gently wrapping around it, "connection, yes?"

"That would be the one," she said, sounding strangled even though he had yet to apply pressure to his grip.

"I remember her," he sighed dramatically. "I'm afraid she was very emotionally attached to-well, me. Although I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised that she has to yet to expire," he bared his blunt teeth. "A testy thing, she was. I surely thought she wouldn't have made it so long."

"Well I wouldn't tell her that," Gabby muttered. "It seems she's only made it so long out of her dedication to you."

"What can I say," he smiled charmingly. "I'm an irresistible man."

"The only thing I find irresistible about you is the urge to punch you in the face," she told him pleasantly. He chuckled lowly as he began to dig his fingers into her neck.

"You shouldn't be so rude to the one who-quite literally-holds your life in their hands," he advised. Gabby remained unmoved, finding that although he had a tight grip, he had yet to restrict her vocal chords or airway.

"You can't kill me," she said confidently. He smirked darkly.

"Oh, my dear. Not yet."

Gabby absolutely despised luncheons these days. She had always been happy to accompany her parents to them-she and her mom would quietly judge the snobby attendees while her dad would make funny expressions from across the room. She never minded that most teenagers didn't join their parents, as she found her own the most entertaining.

However, her Aunt Jenna, did in fact have actual friends that were in attendance. And although she was assured that she was more than welcome to converse with the adults Jenna kept in touch with (who are apparently as "hip" and "cool" as Jenna herself) she found herself drifting from person to person. Many rehashed their apologies of her parents early demise, others asked her about school, or her siblings well fare.

"You are not enjoying yourself," Gabby jumped as Elijah's dry voice interrupted her thoughts.

She turned and faced him with a frown. "Do all vampires sneak around like you do?"

He quirked an amused eyebrow at her. "I dare say I am considerably more skilled at it," he said with a sniff, causing her to giggle. He gave her a gentle smile and took her hand, giving it a small kiss. "You look absolutely stunning, Gabriella."

She blushed furiously at the compliment as he dropped her hand, stuttering out her thanks. He cooled his features into a polite, pleasant look as he surveyed the room.

"How is your little witch-y friend?" he asked. She immediately rolled her eyes with a dramatic sigh.

"I wouldn't know, considering the only time she visits me is to harass me. Did you know this damn necklace connected me to your brother who-no offense-is a complete psycho, Elijah," she muttered the last part. He froze at her words.

"Connects you how, Gabriella?" he searched her face with a worried expression.

"Uh, he shows up in my dreams? But I'm not like, dreaming about him, he says I somehow entered his little 'limbo'," she scoffed. "Your brother's a dick, by the way."

"Indeed he is," Elijah sighed. "This is not good, Gabriella," he told her gravely. Confusion marred her features. "Well, obviously, he's an absolute terror but the only damage he's made is my to mental well being and sanity. Other than, I'm perfectly fine. Right?" she nearly demanded. Elijah grimaced and began to reply when Carol Lockwood approached them.

"Elijah! I see you've met one of Mystic Falls High's most promising students!" Carol beamed at Gabriella, who quickly smiled back, erasing the tension the had built up between them.

"You're too kind, Mrs. Lockwood," she said humbly.

"Oh, I don't think so, honey," Carol said good-naturedly, and turned to tell Elijah, "her aunt Jenna was just telling me all about her school accomplishments, she really is such a bright young lady."

"I have to agree with you," Elijah smiled politely. "She offered to help me sort through the research the lovely Jenna supplied. Gabriella is indeed quite the intellectual."

Gabby blushed furiously at the compliments both adults paid her-which were entirely untrue, as she knew her Aunt Jenna was absolutely stretching the truth, because Gabby hated school and although she had straight A's, refused to participate in anything outside of her classes-but slowly paled as she spotted Damon approaching, a slightly threatening look on his face as he stared Elijah down.

Carol was making inquiries about Elijah's book when she noticed Damon as well. "Damon," she stuck out a hand and kissed him on the cheek in greeting. "Elijah, I want you to meet Damon Salvatore. His family is one of the Founding Families-just like Gabriella's," she finished with a smile at the young teen. The girl tried to smile back, although she was sure it looked like a grimace. Peeking at both vampire's faces, neither looked pleased.

"Such a pleasure to meet you," Damon said dryly, his fake politeness entirely obvious.

"Oh, the pleasure's mine," Elijah accepted his offered hand with much more subtle animosity, shaking it firmly.

Carol walked away with some excuse that she was the host and had a responsibility to the other guests, and Gabby was left with the two extremely passive aggressive vampires.

"I'd love to have a..." Damon side eyed Gabby, "chat with you, Elijah."

"Oh, whatever for?" Elijah returned coolly, staring levelly at the much younger vampire. "I believe I covered everything with the lovely Elena."

"Elena's a fool," Damon said easily, ignoring Gabby's sneer. "Go away, baby Gilbert, the grown ups are talking."

"Nonsense," Elijah stopped her from moving, "Gabriella is-how would you say-'in the loop', now-feel free to stay, my dear."

Damon grit his teeth as Gabby settled uncomfortably, annoyed at Elijah exercising his power over him. "If you would accompany me, Elijah..." Damon gestured for Elijah to walk first.

Elijah gave a long-suffering sigh, but pressed a hand to Gabby's back and guided her forward, into a hall that led to a series of several rooms. Peering into further down, she found an office and slipped inside, leaving the door open for the two vampires.

"What can I do for you, Damon?" Elijah asked as he guided Gabby into a corner of the room.

"I was hoping we could have a word," was all Damon said.

"Where is Elena?" Elijah asked, watching Gabby out of the corner of his eye.

"Safe, with Stefan," Damon shrugged, "bit of a werewolf problem."

"Oh yeah, I heard about that," Elijah said easily.

"I'm sure you did, since it was your witch that saved the day," Damon responded satirically.

"You are welcome," Elijah returned.

"Which adds to my confusion of exactly why you're here," Damon leaned against the desk.

"I want you to stay focused on keeping Elena safe," Elijah said politely, although it sounded like an order, "and leave the rest to me." Certain enough had been said, Elijah turned to guide Gabby out of the room. Damon sped over before he could reach her, and stood in his way.

"Not good enough," Damon said cockily. Gabby watched as all the amusement and faux-politeness left his face, leaving his expression lifeless and threatening. Before she could blink, Elijah had Damon pressed against the far wall with his hand around his neck. Damon tried to return the move by pressing his own hand against Elijah's neck, which proved to be futile as Elijah peeled it off as if it were a child's hand.

"You young vampires, so arrogant," Elijah said patronizingly, "how dare you come in here and challenge me?"

"You can't kill me, man," Damon replied, sounding slightly winded with the vein in his forehead popping underneath the skin, "it's not part of the deal."

"Silence," Elijah hushed, and faster than her eye could see, he snatched a pencil off the desk and shoved it into Damon's neck. Gabby jumped with a squeak at Damon's shout as he braced himself against the desk.

With a muffled scream, Damon ripped the wooden pencil out of his neck, trying to use his hand to block the blood flowing out of the wound.

"I'm an Original," Elijah simply stated as he pulled out his hankerchief, offering it to the younger vampire, "show a little respect."

Damon glared at him out of the corner of his, grudgingly accepting the hankerchief to press against his neck.

"The moment you cease to be of use to me, you're dead. So," he said warningly, "you should do what I say." He finished his sentence leisurely with a condescending smile, but said with a serious tone, "Keep Elena safe."

He turned to leave with the final word, guiding a somewhat shaken but silent Gabby out of the room.

"I do apologize for that display of violence," he murmured as he guided her to the bathroom, hiding his bloody hands.

"Uh-yeah-no," Gabby stuttered. "Totally get it."

"I do wish to continue our earlier conversation," he disappeared into the men's bathroom to wash his hands, and Gabby waited outside with a blush, too shy to enter the room herself.

"The part where my mental stability is at stake?" she spoke normally, knowing he would be able to hear her through the door. He reappeared, drying off his hands.

"That same one," he pressed his hand to the small of her back, leading her through the party and outside to the patio, where it was much less crowded and she would potentially be out of sight of Damon, should he go looking for her.

"What's the problem?" she sighed. "Am I gonna sprout wings or something? What's going to happen to me?"

"I believe it has more to do with the power my brother will have over you," Elijah frowned. "As an Original, he is already one of the most powerful creatures in the world and could compel anyone he would wish to, but I am uncertain if he could control even you beyond his coffin."

"Do you know where he is?" she asked. Elijah's frown deepened.

"Why do you think I want to kill my brother, Gabriella?"

"Klaus? I don't know, I haven't really thought about it."

"He buried Kol-as well as the rest of our family-at sea," he told her grimly. She gasped, gingerly placing a hand on his arm.

"Eliah, I am so sorry-" She tried to imagine one of her siblings doing the same, and found she was unable. What kind of monster would do that to his own family?

"You do not understand, Gabriella," he interrupted firmly, ignoring her sympathy. "Even if this necklace leaves you, the damage done to you will be unpredictable. And I assume the witch plans to hold you to it until she can find my brother-which she never will."

"What are you saying?" Gabriella tried to process the influx of information.

Elijah stared at her grimly. "My brother will be with you for the rest of your natural life."

Her breath caught, unable to comprehend the fact that she would never escape Kol. She entertained him in her dreams, annoyed but willing to do so until Hazel found him and broke whatever kind of spell is on her-or, rather, the necklace.

"I'm never going to be rid of him, am I?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"No."

A/N: Was that a shitty way to end it? idk. I just wanted to get this out to you guys as soon as possible because mah muse has struck again! I missed you all, and hope to keep cranking out the chapters for you guys as it is summer-which means, no school !

Reviews:

RHatch89: Thank you! Hope you enjoyed!

Rainy-Round: Not gonna lie, I forgot about this story too, lol. I hope you enjoyed!

NatalieLynn: Thank you so much! But poor Gabby, she's really just not gonna get a break from now on. Hope you enjoyed!

WickedlyMinx: Thank you! Hope you enjoyed!

Guest #1: Here it is!

Brookie Twiling: (first of all, your profile picture is aDORABLE) I'm glad you find him spot on, I kind of hate writing him as a dick to Gabby but I think it'll really help Gabby build a backbone, if you get what I mean. I think his attitude now will definitely help her in the future, although Gabby's getting a lil cocky when it comes to what she says, lol. And Elijah waited a little longer than I would assume he should've, he needs to get his ass in gear ! And thank you so much! Fortunately/unfortunately, Hazel will be our connection to New Orleans for the time being *wink wink* Hope you enjoyed!

Guest #2: Thank you so much! Hope you enjoyed!

CrystalVixen93: Thank you, hope you enjoyed!

Guest #3: That makes two of us, I totally forgot about this story too for a while! My muse has definitely struck again, and I hope to put my focus on this story and get chapters out a lot faster, because I really have so many plans for this story. Hope you enjoyed!