Disclaimer
I do not own Vampire Diaries. The O.C. is my only original character.
This story will follow the series to some extend, there will be a lot of changes and you will find a partial O.O.C. here.
It will be rated [M] for future chapters and yes it will be a Menage love story/Polygamous relationship, if you don't like please don't read.
I welcome constructive criticism and if you would like to help me with that, please write me a P.M.
Big thanks to my Betaa - AOHAD for correcting this chapter! ^w^
[!] Comments. Follows. Any kind of support is highly appreciated. No kidding, it does give the motivation to update faster!
Chapter 10
It was quiet after the moment Damon compelled John. Said man stopped moving and stood still like a statue, face blank, eyes empty, if I didn't know I would think he wasn't breathing either. Now that I remember it was the first time when I witnessed someone being under compulsion.
It was one damn scary thing.
It made me shiver at the possibility of this happening to me some day... somehow.
I sure as hell did not like it.
Still, I felt absolutely nothing towards the helpless uncle. Was it normal to be so apathetic about the people I really didn't care about? Imagining Caroline being in the chair instead of the Gilbert would make me go bat shit crazy, but him? Nah.
Stefan stood next to me, while we watched the scene unfold itself. Damon backed a bit when he was sure that the hunter wasn't acting and after a brief pause the questioning began.
"Why are you in Mystic Falls?" asked Stefan. The compelled victim didn't even bat an eyelash before answering with a voice so much devoid of emotions that it was like looking at a wall.
"I came to kill you."
"Why?" probed deeper the ex-Ripper.
"No one is safe around vampires, it's my duty to protect the town and my family."
"What do you know about us?" asked next Damon, eyes narrowed.
"I know a lot about you. I know about your life before you turned, how you became vampires. I know that you opened the tomb and killed all the bloodsuckers inside." the brothers stood rigid after hearing that. "I know that both of you can't stay away from my niece too." I sensed the whole atmosphere changing.
"How?" questioned Stefan, voice low and hard.
"Isobel told me most of it, but I have been watching you since you came in town." explained John.
A silence.
My guess was that the Salvatore didn't know which question to pose first.
"What do you know about Katherine?" Damon's tone cold as ice. He had stepped closer to the hunter and I knew he was barely holding himself back from snapping the man in half.
I watched it all, not sure when I should step in, feeling that the brothers had forgotten about my presence, being so deep in their own minds.
"She is the one who turned you. She is the ancestor of Isobel and Elena. I haven't spoken to her. Isobel told me that Katherine had a plan about Mystic Falls and that she had sent Isobel to you in order for you to turn her. I know she is dangerous and will kill me if I don't do what she says."
"Why wasn't she in the tomb?" continued the raven haired man.
"Katherine is hiding from someone. I don't know anything more." ooh! Here is something juicy!
"What is your connection to Isobel?" it was my turn to voice my question.
"I slept with her in the past." gritted through his teeth the man and I glared at him, knowing he was holding back the most important information, seeing a window to not say it.
Shame. He would have succeeded if it wasn't me in front of him.
"What else?" I narrowed my blue eyes, watching as he struggled, but the compulsion was stronger and he had no other choice but to answer.
"She is the mother of my child."
Here it is, ladies and gentlemen! Stefan sucked a breath in shock next to me, Damon snapped his head in disbelieve in my direction, the two vampires clearly not expecting this revelation.
"Elena is your daughter?" confirmed the green eyed brother.
"Yes."
"Explain." I ordered and John did, he told the three of us the story of how Elena found herself in the Gilbert's family, and that he and Isobel were too young to take care of her. The man then said he was here to protect her from the Salvatores. That girl was in danger.
"Where is Isobel?" asked Damon.
"Near. I don't know exactly, she never told me."
"What is her plan?" Stefan continued his brother's train of thoughts.
"She never said anything specific. Just that she has to follow Katherine's orders and do whatever she has to. In return, Elena would be safe."
That got all of our attention. I already knew what he was talking about. The curse. The sacrifice. But it looks like he wasn't aware of the details. Which meant that he didn't know anything more. In order for the Salvatore brothers and the rest of the 'gang' to find what was really going on and what danger was coming their way, I needed Isobel.
"Apart from your ex, is there someone else you are working with?" Stefan. Oh boy, neither brother was thrilled with what they were hearing. Slowly they were realizing that shit was about to hit the fan.
"I am alone. Isobel has turned few vampires to help her if she needed."
Ah. Totally forgot about that too.
Great.
Sneaky woman.
"What are we going to do?" finally I willed myself to ask. It had become quiet after the last words of the human, all of us lost in our own worlds.
"He is going to help us lure Isobel back in town. Mother dearest has some things to explain." smirked coldly the blue eyed vampire. He was glaring with such force at the Gilbert in the room, that it made me feel bad. I guess he didn't like all of the things we heard. But I understood very well where he was coming from.
Stefan nodded, agreeing with his brother's idea.
"Give the tape to Elena, she should know about that too." he said, his words making Damon grown in annoyance.
"Great, like the drama wasn't enough." I held back a smirk, by rolling my eyes.
"Damon, she must know that John is her father and that she is somehow in danger." kept on Stefan and I just stood there watching as the brothers bantered with one other. The younger pestering, while the older was statistically denying everything.
It was amusing, if I could say so.
"Miss big mouth will tell everyone!" Damon waved his hands exaggerating. Stefan was about to fight his statement, when he paused, mulling over what his sibling told us.
Then he totally saw that Damon was right. So he didn't object.
Snort.
Look at that.
"Either way, they will find out, sooner or later. At least they could be prepared for the unexpected visitor. Especially Alaric." I decided that it was about time to add my opinion on the matter.
"So what do you suggest?" asked Stefan, his and Damon's attention now entirely on me.
At first I shrugged my shoulders, pausing to think what was exactly the best course of action, then I saw my camera in the corner still recording. Silently I went to my Luca, turned it off and looked back at the Salvatores who were watching my every move. Curiosity evident in both of their expressions.
"We got the interrogation on tape. It would be so much easier just to show it to everyone…like...I will call everyone tonight, then gather them in the house in the pretext of a...a movie night!" I grinned, the idea striking me, a grin of satisfaction gracing my face.
I was genius!
"When everyone is seated, BOOM instead of a boring movie, they will watch this." I motioned towards my camera. "I will even make popcorn!"
Yeah, and I admit of letting out a small giggle, by just imagining the whole scene unfolding.
The brothers looked just like when they saw the body of unconscious John in my trunk.
They were flabbergasted.
"You...you want to serve the news to everyone..." started Damon. "In the form of a … movie night?"
"Yep!" I was grinning, and God knows that I never looked more like the Cheshire cat then right now.
"I...Adelle, why..." shook his head Stefan as he threaded his fingers through his hair, sighing in frustration, probably trying to grasp my brilliant idea.
Damon on the other hand, was looking at the ceiling, almost like he was questioning my sanity.
Yeah...and I am blind! Neither vampire could deny the amusement they were feeling because of my plan. It was so obvious, that while Stefan was holding back his chuckle, Damon was fighting back a smirk.
"What? You have better idea?" I taunted finally succeeding in getting the brothers to smile...or some kind of variation of a smile.
"Well...if you would like to know..." started the raven vampire, but I waved him off, which resulted in his brow lifting in question my dismissal.
"Spare me! If you don't want, don't come. It will be your loss." I shrugged, holding my grin, inside I was hoping they would participate.
"I'll bring the popcorn, then." said Stefan which made me almost choke on my own saliva, not expecting those words to come out of his mouth. The said vampire was sporting a visible amused expression and I winked at him, in approval.
"Make sure they are unflavored and unsalted!" I quipped, getting out a snort from the other brother who was had a mocking expression on.
"And risk destroying your vegan diet, never!" huh, he was trying to be funny, I stuck my tongue out, sucker!
The whole bickering between me and the Salvatore was interrupted by the clearing of a throat, which came from the still tied and compelled John Gilbert. Even if he couldn't move or talk, if not told otherwise, the man was wearing the most unbelieving expression I have ever seen. I didn't know what exactly provoked it.
The realization he was at our mercy.
The knowledge we found out everything he was hiding.
Or being witness to this strange conversation.
Questions, questions.
The amusing part was that, the vampires were supposed to be more...opposed to my idea, but then again they had gotten to know me well by know and should be used to it.
I was just weird like that.
And let's be honest, when will I ever get the same possibility? Can you imagine all of their reactions?
It will be hilarious.
My inner devil was cackling with satisfaction. And I stopped myself from rubbing my hands at how my weirdness slowly corrupted Damon and Stefan as well.
Heh.
"So...what's this all about?" asked Alaric stepping in the Gilbert's house, we could both hear the voices from the living room and the hunter wasn't the first one to ask this question. Before I could open my mouth to answer Damon peeked from the kitchen, smirk on place, looking devious as always.
The vampire stepped out, showing his choice of clothes for the night, all black as usual with the exception of a …
I can't believe I'm saying this…
With the exception of the violet apron around his waist. Yes, the older Salvatore had stolen the cloth from our kitchen the moment he came in. And to tell you the truth, I was left speechless just like my history teacher was at the moment. Because seriously, could you imagine Damon Salvatore adorning an … an apron?
Like… do you comprehend how surreal it is to witness it? And let me tell you, the vampire was not ashamed to wear the female color and wore it with such satisfaction that he basked in the glory of shocked expressions he got when every guest showed up one after the other.
Stefan was for a fact the only one to … not be as flabbergasted as the rest of us, when he saw his brother, shaking his...his behind while, making popcorn on the stove. Yes, the said raven man, decided to take up the role of the 'cook' for tonight's 'show', which consisted of...of well, making popcorn.
That's it, really.
Sadly, he didn't see it that way, as he insisted that we just didn't understand how important his job was. When he found Jenna's apron, it was like seeing a kid on Christmas morning. At first I thought he was joking, but then he did put it on, and even twirled once, showing off his new accessory. Jenna and Elena were present for the said occurrence, and the poor women were left short of any kind of response. Then the vampire pulled out his phone and turned on the music.
Happily reenacting a housewife … or something.
I had to of course ask him, what was so special about the whole procedure in making the said junk food, but the blue eyed man had the decency to 'shush' me. He then said something of the sort that mere ignorance like mine could never understand the art of making popcorn.
He even looked scandalized when Jeremy showed up with some bags of chips.
Till now I rest assured that Damon was shitting with all of us, when he flashed in front the youngest Gilbert, took the junk and threw it all in the bin, like the mere presence of it offended him.
Then Bonnie came in, ready to start questioning the suspicious gathering, but stopped when she saw the vampire. He was in midst of explaining Jenna how to properly heat up the pan where he would prepare the food, and Bon couldn't contain her splutter for lack of words. She even looked at me with a look of accusation, thinking that it was some of my schemes, but then she quickly caught how Damon just enjoyed being the center of everyone's conversation.
And let's be real, he did it only because of the effect, of the shock and….attention.
It all became clear when Stefan entered and reacted like this was nothing special. Damon would have huffed...even pouted, but then I think he had enough emasculating himself for one day, even for his standards and even in the name of playing with everyone's sanity.
Because Damon Salvatore plus apron equals chaos.
That's the way things are, he knew it and he loved it.
To tell you the truth, as Stefan later told us, he was expecting something like that, but what he was prepared for was seeing his brother in the same exact position...just half naked.
Damon of course heard that and said something of the sort …
"I look sexy, I try not to, but it just keeps happening."
And...something about endangering his purity...yeah you heard correctly...if he let us see him without clothes.
It was enough to say, that Elena was very embarrassed, Jenna was reevaluating her view on the vampire's psychological status and Jeremy a had hard time keeping his snorts at bay.
So when Alaric was the last to show up, everyone else was already in the living room. They were waiting for the movie night I had somehow either persuaded them to participate in or had threatened them to come for.
The video tape was ready to be played and all the hell would break loose, too.
And while Stefan was keeping the questions to a minimum, making sure no one would … well, suspect anything before it was slapped right at their face, Damon was still in the kitchen, already done with the popcorn. He was waiting for his soon-to-be-bff to show up, so he could get one last shocked reaction before the heavy stuff would take place.
The hunter, though, surprised both of us, as he passed by us unaffected, muttering something under his nose, that suspiciously sounded like he was grateful he had a drink...or two, before indulging on my very bizarre request for tonight.
"Whatever." waved Damon off, as we watched the teacher disappear from our sight. "The hungry looks your aunt and sister threw at me, were more than enough." smirked the vampire from next to me, looking down to see my exasperated expression.
"I wouldn't exactly call it hungry looks, Damon." I rolled my eyes, not really holding back my grin, because the man was right.
Then yet again, he was too sinful for his own good, the apron just made the wild minds of everyone...a tad bit more...wild. And he knew it.
"Please, I bet now you know what you will get me for Christmas." he said referring towards the violet cloth still around his toned mid-section.
"Honey," playing along I continued, loving how at ease the vampire was to joke with me. "There is no need to seek everyone's approval, I know how special you are!" I winked and the man in question couldn't stop the chuckle that escaped his lips, which was momentarily followed by the roll of his blue eyes.
"So...so I'm not a trophy wife?" he mockingly gasped, and God it was hard to contain my laugh! If only I had my camera with me! Before I could fire back something, there was a clearing of a throat and looking away from the vampire I saw Jeremy standing at the entrance of the living room, staring suspiciously at us.
I turned my attention back on the Salvatore, just now realizing how close we were standing next to each other. If I was surprised by the revelation, Damon seemed to be very aware of our proximity, not minding it at all.
"Can we get this over with?" said the Gilbert boy, sending me a look of, 'I know you are up to something, so just spill it out.'
Look how good I have gotten at reading the brat!
I should win a best big sis award or something…
Smirking, Damon spared me one last look, before taking off the apron, tossing it on top of Jer's head while he passed the human on his way to the living area. One gurgle of annoyance from the kid later, and he followed the vampire as well.
I took a deep breath, knowing that most of the fun was done and over with and the real chaos was about to begin.
Maybe that's why Damon made all of this theater earlier, he tried to one up the surprise I was about to serve on everyone.
What a drama queen.
Hah.
When I went to the rest of the group, Bonnie, Jer, Elena and Jenna were perched on the sofa opposite of the big screen. Alaric was sitting on the small couch on their left side, sending me a suspicious look. Everyone was, if I had to tell the truth.
They were realizing that what they were doing here had nothing to do with an actual movie night. Even if the table in front of them was littered with three big and I mean big bowls of popcorn, thanks to Damon.
Stefan was leaning on the wall on the right side of the group, next to the small old cabinet full with the family's tea set. I went next to him, sending him a small smile which he returned, and I could not stop the question forming in my head.
Why was he playing along with my idea?
Yeah, Damon had a knack for drama and what not, so this was something he would have suggested himself if it wasn't me. But Stefan? He wasn't as amused as his brother, but then again he wasn't brooding either.
Did the two of them had such an influence on each other by now, that Damon wasn't a ticking time bomb anymore, and Stefan wasn't the same worry wart slash old man in the body of a teenager?
If so, then I am freaking glad!
But going back to what was going on, I jumped on the wooden furniture, my feet dangling in the air, mere inches away from the vampire. Damon then wordlessly turned on the video tape I made and swooshed to my other side, leaning on the wall like his brother, our shoulders almost touching.
Then the black screen on the TV changed to the scene of the three of us, standing around the tied up John Gilbert.
A gasp...from more than one person and the questions ready to be voiced were interrupted as Damon's compulsion echoed in the stilled living room. Then my eyes caught on the bowl in Stefan's hand, as he pushed it towards me and his brother. I took some of the popcorn in hand and started on munching on it, just like Damon who sent a wink at his younger brother's direction.
We all observed the reaction of the people in the room, the video too.
And fuck … it felt way too damn surreal, because never in my wildest dreams would have I ever thought that this was actually happening.
That I was eating junk food with the Salvatores while the worlds of five humans in front of us changed drastically with the secrets that were revealed in the video.
I was expecting for at least one of them to start shouting, asking questions, or...anything really, but all of the characters from the TV show that was now my reality, sat quiet as they listened to what John had to say.
And hey, maybe it was all thanks to me, my mad skills and the effects I added, making the short film so much better.
Which of course didn't go unnoticed by the brothers, who both sent me looks which were a mixture of amusement and disbelieve.
But then again, what else did they expect?
When the video was over, the end script I added, completely ignored for the chaos I was waiting for hit the three of us like a tsunami.
Stefan, being Stefan, rushed in with his peacekeeping abilities, by explaining and answering all the numerous questions. Damon stood next to me, both of us silently agreeing to let the younger vampire take in the heat, till the 'angry crowd' was under control.
I know. We were total bastards for doing so, but hey! I did most of the job, editing the video, filming it, organizing the meeting.
It was a tiring task!
Heh.
And let's be real I was annoyed that no one noticed how much work I put in photoshoping the interrogation tape.
I even put my name under everything in the end credits...like- director – Adelle Gilbert, producer – Adelle Gilbert, manager – Adelle Gilbert, coordinator...you get it, right?
"I love what you did with the lighting." quipped the raven haired man, amusement dancing in his blue orbs. I smirked shrugging in false modesty which brought the grins to both of our faces.
See! The killing vampire gets me!
Cutting the story short, as everyone released the initial uproar, Damon and I stepped in, helping Stefan to explain what was going on, to answer everything they wanted to know. It took us two hours, in the end of which Bonnie, Jeremy and Jenna were satisfied, while Elena and Alaric were just beginning their demands.
"I want to speak with him." stated determined the doppelganger and I could honestly admit that I understood where she was coming from.
"You can do that tonight, if you'd like?" proposed Stefan, his eyes gentle failing to hide the pity he felt for the girl in front of him. The last time when Elena found out about it, the vampire was next to her, letting her cry on his shoulder, he was fully supporting her, taking care of her, protecting her.
Now?
As hard as it was to believe it, Stefan did neither of it. He stood there, proposing nothing more than the possibility of taking her to see her biological father. There were not reassuring kisses, no loving words, nothing.
The vampire was reacting to her pain the same way he would react if it was Bonnie or Caroline in her place.
Like the girl was nothing more than a …distant friend to him. Nothing more.
The satisfaction I felt? Yes it was there, no matter how hard I tried to squish it down, it still bubbled inside of me. It was because I was seeing that the younger Salvatore wasn't feeling the pull, the attraction, the warmth towards Elena like he had when he and the rest of the people around me were nothing but characters in a show about vampires.
No. Now the only emotion I saw, was truly pity and worry, that he more or less felt because Stefan was a good person and didn't want to see people get hurt.
It was shocking.
It was surreal.
Did it make me a bad person for liking it? Yes. Most definitely yes.
But then I saw Elena, being supported and consoled after the shock, by her best friend, by Jenna and Jeremy, by her family. She wasn't alone, she knew that too. And so when the doppelganger looked at me, eyes lost, not knowing how to react to what she heard, I went and hugged her, letting her know I was there as well.
Did I do it for my own selfish need to lessen the guilt I felt? Yes.
But I knew that my actions weren't so simple. And no matter how much I was going to deny it if ever asked, I did admit to myself- I wanted to help the girl, just because...Elena had become part of my life here. And no matter what I planned on doing, she was still my sister in this reality. Just like I had another one in my old world.
I was ready to accept that.
"What are you planning on doing with John?" asked a very good question Jenna, who even if she never liked the guy, still didn't want him dead.
"We use him to lure Isobel here." shrugged Damon like it was simple as that. Elena was watching him suspiciously, not trusting him at all.
"After that it will be better if he left town." continued Stefan, his voice a lot more compassionate then the indifference his brother displayed.
"You will compel him?" throbbed Jeremy, sparing me a look to see how I reacted to it.
"He is dangerous and wants us dead, it's either that, or I kill him." waved off the raven haired Salvatore which got him a glare from the witch, who was holding Elena.
"I need to talk with him." fired back the doppelganger.
No one opposed her.
Alaric on the other hand was having completely different debate in his mind. The hunter was tense, realizing that the prospect of seeing his 'dead' lying wife was turning in a reality.
"What are you planning on doing with Isobel?" he finally asked, his eyes strangely looking directly and only at me. I saw the battle of his emotions taking place just under the surface of his brown eyes.
"Find what is her connection to Katherine, what danger she was speaking for Elena..." I trailed of.
"I want in." stated my teacher determination clear as a day.
"Sorry to burst your bubble, teach, but we don't need you." scoffed Damon, getting himself in a glare contest with the hunter.
Stefan and I shared a look, knowing that both men were stubborn as they could get, so we stepped in.
I was making sure that Ric was willing to work with us and not behind our backs, while Stefan was talking Damon in agreeing not to snap Elena's step-dad neck at the first possibility he got.
In the end, the two reluctantly agreed to...
Work together?
Not kill each other?
Still not sure.
Later we will make the call, but before that Elena had to speak with John.
This is how things went after that.
Elena came to the boarding house. While I was up with Damon and Stefan, who was shockingly drinking a glass of human blood, the doppelganger was down in the basement, filling the blanks and getting the answers she needed about her biological parents. When she came up, maybe an hour later or so, I could have sworn that the girl looked lighter. Like some kind of burden was lifted of her shoulders.
"How did it go?" I asked, after seeing that neither of the two men in the room were putting their necks out to find out what family drama had gone down in their own house.
"He explained everything." answered Elena, as she started to pull on her jacket, her posture betraying how tired she was. "Now I know why they did it and I am no longer angry. Even if John would never be my father, I still will appreciate it that he leaves town alive." her brown eyes snapped in Damon's direction, who winked in amusement.
It was strange to see that, Damon, just like Stefan, was not displaying the same emotions he had for the Gilbert girl, like in the show. If it was Damon from the series he would have found a way to flirt with her today at least dozens of times.
But no, he did nothing like that.
To further things up, while his brother at least felt empathy for Elena, Damon looked like he could care less about her problems.
The vampire, didn't throw secret glances full with longing at the said human, he didn't search for reasons to show up at her room or to touch her, he didn't go out of his way to speak with her.
The only different thing in his behavior was the brief looks he gave her, that lasted a second or two longer then, for example with Jenna.
And I had the feeling that it was because of the cunning and almost terrifying similarity Elena shared with Katherine. Because she reminded him of the one that once made his eternal life have a purpose and later tarnish anything good he felt, almost destroying him.
Oh...the plans I had for Katherine Pierce…
Surprisingly after that- she left. Even if Elena was finally realizing that she had a lot bigger part in what was going on. Even if she knew that she was in danger, the doppelganger didn't feel the need to stay longer, to try and make it her business. All she asked was that if we succeeded in getting Isobel, she would like to have a word with her.
A complete one eighty from the show. She just like the Salvatores had changed drastically. Or maybe it was because of the connection they had in the series, wasn't there... was never developed in this reality.
Elena just like Jenna, wanted to be informed but in the same time to stay at the side lines.
Which brought a big difference and I came to the realization that the main character, the Elena Gilbert, was no more the center. That the problems and ...very well everything didn't revolve around her anymore.
Elena wasn't the …. wasn't the girl.
Letting out a sigh I turned my back to the front door. In the distance I could hear the engine of a car getting farther and farther away.
"You drink human blood?" I asked the ex-Ripper, who still sat on the couch near the fireplace, glass of the red liquid still in hand. The shocking thing was that the vampire was sipping from the said beverage, like it was whiskey and not the reason he had gone off the rails numerous times throughout the century.
Stefan looked up, from where his green eyes had been staring, watching the flames dance, and slowly nodded.
"I am getting a grip of it." he said, his orbs now solely on me.
Hearing the good news I didn't stop the grin from appearing on my face. It was amazing to see the control Stefan was displaying so early in comparison to the show. My reaction made him smile in return, body relaxing a bit, like he was awaiting to see how I will react to it.
"I'm happy for you, Stef." I said walking towards him and then sitting next to the vampire. I was fully facing him, and my eyes quickly swept over his beautiful serene features, before I lifted my hand and placed it almost tentatively on his cheek.
The vampire was surprised from my ministration for a second, but then he leaned in to the touch, eyes closing, taking a deep breath, placing a small kiss inside my palm.
"How are you feeling?" I asked, needing to know how Stefan was dealing with the changes in his diet. From my right side I saw Damon, who was standing near the alcohol table, watching the exchange, drink in hand. His face was devoid of any emotions, but not in the bad way. The older brother was just...observing.
"I feel stronger." answered the vampire who had taken my hand, and had placed it on his lap, threading my fingers with his. I liked the touch. I liked how secure it felt to be held like that. "My compulsion works, my speed is better, all of my senses are high and sharp. Just like...just like when I am..." he paused.
"The Ripper." I finished for him in which he nodded. Once again his green orbs were watching if I would react negatively to the mere mention of his darkest moments in his life. But I never would judge him, and Stefan knew that.
"Yes."
"Do you feel like..." how should I voice that?
"Ripping someone's throat out?" the younger vampire proposed in which I confirmed. Before he answered, Stefan paused, thinking over it and I was hoping that he would be honest with me. "Sometimes, yes. But it's not consuming, it can't push me over the edge. The want is there, Adelle, but I can control it, most of the times."
"When he can't I come to the rescue!" stepped in the raven haired Salvatore, smirk on place, but eyes showing how true his statement was.
"Have you both…tried working on your resistance to vervain?" I decided that after knowing what a progress both of them had made, it was time to reach the next step, which was protection against compulsion.
But how should I do that, when they were not aware of the existence of vampires who could compel them?
Damon came closer, eyebrows scrunched in confusion, sitting on the sofa opposite of the one where we were.
"It hurts like a bitch, sweet Adelle, so I tend to stay as far as possible." stated the older brother, sharing a look with Stefan who nodded, confirming he was thinking much or less the same thing.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but with time, the more you get injured, the less it hurts and the faster you heal, right?" I asked, staring from one vampire to the other.
"You get used to it, yes." agreed Stefan, confusion still visible.
"Isn't it the same with...vervain?"
"Adelle..." Damon tried to interrupt me, but I didn't let him.
"Please hear me out." no one said anything, and I took it as a confirmation. "I know what vervain does to your body, it weakens you, it knocks you out and it hurts a lot. But if you took small doses of it each day, overlooking the pain, and not drinking enough to do real damage, wouldn't your body in time get used to it? I am sure that you would never become immune to the herb, but if you trained your body, the pain would not be so great with time, no? You will be able to fight it and not…"
"Faint because someone injected us." finished my words Damon and I nodded, hoping that they saw what I meant. Both were contemplating over what I said.
"We would be the first ones to do it..." started Stefan and I held back the comment that Katherine was more or less over two centuries is advance from them.
"If anything, you have a point." said next the older brother, staring at me, questions swirling in his mind but never voicing them.
Sometimes I wish I could read their thoughts. To see, to hear, what were they thinking.
"I don't see a reason as to why not do it." agreed the ex-Ripper. I smiled at him, feeling a tad bit more relaxed, because if those two really took my advice seriously, a lot of shit could be prevented from happening.
Damon then disappeared from the room and before I could ask where he went to, the vampire came back with a vial of a clear liquid in hand. His blue eyes were staring at mine when he slowly lifted the lid from the top and brought the glass container to his lips, taking a small gulp.
His eyes then shut and pain took over all over his features, Damon started to cough violently, swearing under his breath. It took him a minute before he could stand on his feet without holding on to his brother's shoulder.
"This sucks." the older Salvatore hissed, voice scratchy, no doubt still healing from the burn of the herb.
The vampire then gave the vial to Stefan, who looked very unsure, knowing how much it would hurt. Taking a deep breath he took a swing of the poison too.
"Just a little, Stefan, or it will knock you off." warned Damon as it was his turn to hold his brother who was doubling over the pain and the burning of his insides.
I winced at how bad it must feel, but stayed quiet till the younger brother healed. The other Salvatore patted him, reassuringly on his back.
The bromance I was witnessing almost made me squeal.
"Not looking forward to this." stated Stefan when he was able to speak. I nodded, showing my sympathy.
"Thank you for agreeing with me." I said, looking at each of the two.
"Well, you have a point, so why not?" waved me off Damon, like it was nothing, but I still felt, almost giddy, that the brothers valued my opinion.
Next morning we contacted Isobel. Stefan compelled John to call her and when the vampire picked up he told her that Elena was dead.
"What do you mean dead?" came her dangerously low voice from the other side of the phone.
Stefan, Damon and I stayed next to the hunter, while he talked with the vampire. Alaric wasn't far away from us too, observing the whole thing and I didn't miss the small flinch when he heard her voice for the first time since he considered her killed.
"This morning I found her in the woods, someone had drank from her." elaborated the Gilbert, following what we had specifically told him.
"Who was it?" if her tone could kill, all of us would be dead by now. And here at that moment I knew that Isobel had turned her emotions on, even if not completely. Maybe knowing that the only thing she cared for was no longer alive, must have made her break.
"I don't know. I don't know what to do, Isobel..." trailed of the uncle and I rolled my eyes by how real he was acting.
"I will be in Mystic Falls tomorrow morning, don't do anything or tell anyone, if Katherine finds out, we are both dead." were her next commands.
"I will hide the body in the old Lockwood crypt." told her John. "I will be there."
"I will see you then." she ended the call after that, leaving the feel of coldness and vengeance in her waking.
Bingo! We had her.
"So what now? We are going to wait?" asked Alaric, as he was still dazed. John stood like a statue, not being able to do anything but that.
"Elena doesn't want anything to do with him." I motioned towards the second hunter. "He did what we needed him for."
"So what do I compel him to do?" asked next Stefan.
"Easy, forget all about us, all about his life here and the existence of vampires." glared Damon. He was wishing he could just snap John's neck.
"Tell him to leave and never come back, to go in another country, start a new life. Fill in the blanks however you want." I continued.
"And if Katherine contacts him?" asked the younger vampire.
"Not to pick up, to change his number, and if she still finds him, to tell us." waved off the blue eyed man.
And that's what happened. After a last confirmation from Elena, Jenna and Jeremy, Stefan compelled him to forget everything. He made up some story about the hunter which will help him integrate in Spain, but never return here or contact us. He would remember a phone number, Damon's, if he encountered Katherine.
But that was all.
And just like that John Gilbert, took all of his things and left our lives for good.
Or at least I hoped so.
After that Ric, left with a wordless goodbye. His mood was definitely not the brightest, but then again I couldn't blame the guy.
I was skipping school today, so that left me with the entire day at my disposal. I had a hard time deciding what I should do, but then an idea popped in my head.
Turning towards the brothers I voiced my plea.
"So...do you by chance have a...wall around the house, that...ahh, I can use?" I asked.
"A wall?" repeated Stefan, who looked very confused by my question.
"Yeah, you know, one that has nothing on it, and you would not mind me doing whatever I wanted on it?" Damon snorted.
"I'm afraid to ask what it is all about. But then, I will take the risk." he stared at me. "Should I worry?" I laughed.
"It depends." I said looking at the both. "You've seen my room, no? You know I have it all covered with photos?" Stefan nodded, realization taking over. "Well, I have no more space and I am not such big fan of albums. So...I was wondering if you could...you know...give me one, where I can plaster my most recent prints?" yep, Ad, pull out the cute face!
"You want...want to..." Stefan inclined his head, like a lost puppy, staring at me so gently, like he thought I had lost it.
I grinned. Well, look at the effect I had on the guy!
"It's like plastering those stars on your ceiling that are shining in the dark..." Damon interrupted me.
"Fine, fine!" he stepped closer. "Stefan, stop trying to understand the logic of this weirdo here." he waved at me and I gasped mockingly.
"Hey!" so okay, I didn't hold back the smile, because, hey, the vampire was absolutely right!
"In the library, there is one wall, between the farthest two rafts with Stefan's history books. You can do...whatever you want with it."
"Thank you!" I jumped excitedly. Skipping over the older brother and hugging him with all the strength I had. Which was nothing, but it caught him by surprise so Damon lost a bit of his stance, stepping back so we would not fall.
A second later his strong arms were around me, as I still chanted like a kid in his ear 'Thank you, thank you!'
My goofiness, made him chuckle, but none the less he did not let go of me, till I was the one to step away. Then I ran to Stefan too, and did the same thing with him. It was his house too. The younger Salvatore was better prepared so he had no problem lifting me in the air as I jumped him.
When I was done, I was grinning like a maniac. Those two just had no idea what they brought on themselves.
"Where are you running to?" asked Stefan, as I was almost at the door. Quickly I turned and waved.
"To bring my supplies and get started." I said like it was the most obvious thing, and let's be real, I had nothing better to do then that today.
Twenty minutes later I came back to the boarding house, walking in, like it was my own home. At one hand I was holding the bag with all the photos I wanted to pin, and in the other I had Beluga's leash.
Yeah, I brought the puppy.
The vampires in the house obviously heard the barking, so before I could made a move to enter the library, Damon appeared in front of me. I just knew he was about to open his mouth and say something about the Samoyed, but Beluga outnumbered him, as he pulled so hard, that I lost my hold on him.
The dog ran with all of his might to the raven haired man that stood there surprised by the love the puppy showed him. Beluga started to screech, whine, bark, till Damon lifted him in the air and I have to admit of never seeing the dog so happy in his life.
"You have a fan I see." chuckled Stefan, coming from upstairs, witnessing the exchange.
The most hilarious part was that Damon, the scary murderous vampire, had no idea what to do about it. It was obvious that the man had never had a pet, so patting the fluffy animal in his hold was the most extraordinary thing for him to do.
So yeah, I took a picture of it.
He glared at me, and was about to say something but then the vampire stopped. His eyes getting big, mouth hanging open.
Why?
Beluga licked his face.
Cue, my uncontrollable laugh.
"Stop...stop, Stefan! Help...I...I...c-can't breathe!" I almost pleaded as I was holding on the younger brother for support, because it was impossible to stand on my feet. The blond man next to me, had the same problem, but he had more control over himself.
Both of us ignored the glare Damon send our way.
He huffed in annoyance, not liking being in the center of ridicule, so the vampire let go of the dog, placing him back on the ground.
He was once again ready to say something, or threaten us to stop making fun of him, but Beluga whined once more. This time with such pitiful expression that it could melt the worst person in the world. Damon was affected by it, like anyone, but he straightened his shoulders, locked his jaw and folded his arms. He was fighting a losing battle here.
Then the mini stare down began, as the blue eyed man looked down at the dog with determination not to let him win, while the sad puppy was doing his best to look adorable.
A huff later.
A roll of eyes.
Stefan and I - holding back our sounds.
Another huff.
And the winner was decided. Who?
Beluga, obviously.
Damon groaned quietly, not looking our way, annoyed with himself, with us and with the dog. Then he bent down, took the Samoyed back in his hands and strode in the opposite direction, away from me and Stefan, who had another round of uncontrollable screeching laughter.
Yep.
Damon Salvatore was a sucker for my dog.
After calming down by Stefan telling me that Damon was cursing us on several languages at the moment from upstairs, I made my way to the library.
The younger brother went to find a ladder, while I made myself comfortable and spread all the photos I wanted to put on the wall.
And yes, most of them were …
"Is that me?" asked from behind me the green eyed vampire, holding the said ladder, looking over my shoulder at the ground that was littered with photographs. "And Damon...and..."
There was a swoosh of air, and the other vampire in question stood there, looking as curious as his brother.
"Yeah..." I scratched my head, nervously. Most of the pictures were of the two men, some of my other friends and places I had been, but there were some a lot bigger than the others, and most if not all were portraits I had secretly taken of the Salvatores behind me.
"Wow..." whispered Stefan, eyes big with amazement and wonder, roaming all over the pieces of paper around me. I blushed a little at how speechless both of them were.
"It's not so hard to catch my sexiness on tape...but..." started sarcastically the older man, gloating for a second at the realization that he and his brother were the subject of a lot of my recent art. I was expecting for him to make fun of me, or really to say something that will make me regret bringing those here, but he did nothing like that.
Maybe it was because of the scenes I had captured in those pictures.
There was no doubt how handsome those brothers were, but I didn't want to get that on paper. No. I was more interested in the rare times where they would both drop the act and show raw emotions. It was fascinating to me.
Real smiles.
Real sadness.
Real happiness.
Real amusement.
Real Damon. Real Stefan.
I bet it was interesting to see yourself displaying human emotions, when you have lived for so long and have forgotten how that felt, how that looked.
Well, now they had the possibility to do so.
Maybe that's why they stepped back a bit, each taking a silent seat on the couch near me, watching as I slowly started to work on pining the photos on the wall. They were observing every picture I put.
Some of their eyes.
Some of their lips.
Shadows. Reflections. Actions.
I had a lot.
Just after I had printed them all, did I realize just how many in reality they were.
Strangely I didn't feel ashamed, or regretful. On the opposite, I felt happy, proud, for being able to see and to make it eternal.
Those pictures showed how I saw the brothers. How they presented themselves in my eyes and the longer they looked at them, the more they realized it themselves.
I just hoped that none of them would see the deeper meaning all those papers held for me.
When I was done I turned around and was met with two sets of intense dark full with emotions eyes.
They made my skin burn, they made me shudder and take a deep breath just so I could try to normalize my beating heart.
Maybe.
Maybe they did know meaning behind those pictures.
"So where are you going?" I asked, laying on my bed, holding the phone in one hand while starting the laptop with the other.
After the whole fiasco at the boarding house, once I was done, I fled from the place as soon as possible. Neither brother stopped me and I was thankful, because I felt that the longer I stayed there, the more I was suffocating.
I had an early dinner with the Gilbert's after returning from my check up on the history teacher. Seeing that he had not killed himself with too much alcohol, I visited the grocery store, from where I picked sleeping pills.
Now I was talking with Bonnie, who was talking about her date tonight with the boy from the vegan cafe. She was getting ready as we spoke, sharing their progress. You know...girl stuff.
The more the witch was sharing the more I was realizing that things were getting serious with this guy. And I for some reason felt a bit protective over the girl on the other side of the call.
While doing a bit of a research on google, I was simultaneously chatting with Care, who agreed to follow Bonnie on this date.
Yep, you heard right. I wanted to see for myself that this boy was treating my friend properly and Caroline Forbes was the perfect companion to do the job.
"So, this new restaurant, have you been there?" I asked the witch.
"No, but Jake said that the food was great and we didn't need reservations." I hmm-ed in response as I texted the blond cheer leader.
'No reservations needed. They will be there at around eight. - Ad.'
"Addie? Did you hear me?" brought me back to the conversation Bonnie, as I had paid too much attention on the conspiracy I was making with Care.
"Yeah. I've heard about it, you should definitely take some photos to show us the food after that." I mumbled, clicking on another page in Wikipedia.
After that I searched for the location of a cigarette shop near this restaurant or a 24/7 pharmacy.
Yep, there was one the next street over.
A couple of ideas were already forming in my head. Some about Bonnie's date, other about a move I was planning on making in a few days.
A drastic, life changing move. That will turn the game I was playing one eighty.
If I had the guts to do it.
...
An hour later, Caroline and I watched from my car, as Bonnie and this Jack began their dinner.
"I don't see anything." quipped Jeremy from the back seat.
I let out a low gurgle of annoyance and sent him a glare.
"Then you should have stayed home." I said, but the brat waved me off unconcerned. Care laughed from her seat, amused by our antics.
"It was either take him with us, or he would have tattled us to Bon Bon" said the blond, knowing that I had no choice but to take the boy as he overheard us on the phone.
The nagging idiot wanted in on 'whatever shenanigan' we were planning and I knew it was mostly because he was suspicious that something else was going on. It wasn't because he was curious about the date the witch was having. Jeremy was sure till the last second that we were doing something else, but then the Gilbert was slapped in the face as I parked the car near the restaurant where we were now seeing the couple take a seat on a table next to the big window.
Cue the kid's bitchiness.
"Not my problem that you always think I am up to something evil, Jeremy." I winked mockingly at him and ignored the roll of eyes I got in return.
"So what? We are going to sit here, till they are done?" he asked annoyed.
"Hey, it will be fun!" grinned the cheer leader, feeling like a real time James Bond, bringing a questioning black sack with her. "I haven't done this before." she jumped on her seat, excited and all.
Jeremy murmured something under his breath, puffing out a breath and leaning closer to us.
"Yeah? And what do you see exactly from here...I can barely distinguish their bodies..." he trailed but stopped when Caroline pulled out binoculars. I grinned like a Cheshire cat, while Jer chocked on his own spit. "You ...you brought…?"
"Duh! What a lame stalker would watch his victims without it?" my friend rolled her blue eyes, not realizing how disturbing her words sounded to the poor boy behind us.
Not to me, though. I laughed in glee, taking the said device from her hands and pulling it to my eyes.
"Well, he looks smitten." I commented, seeing how affectionately the guy was looking at my witch friend.
Care shrieked. Jeremy hissed, pulling back, putting hands on his ears while glaring at both of us.
"Let me see! Let me see!" she started to shout greedily.
"Let her see, damn it!" growled Jeremy, thinking I was returning the binoculars way too slow to the blond.
And I was indeed doing that, on purpose, just to annoy the brat even more. I was used to the cheery attitude of the girl, but the emo behind me had no idea what he was getting himself into, when he got in the car.
Hah.
"OMG! You are so right! Look at them! Bon is just as smitten as him!" gushed Care, pushing the devise towards Jeremy, missing with just an inch from giving him a black eye.
The boy glared at her, but Caroline didn't give a shit as she was pulling some kind of clothes from the black sack.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Can we go now?" asked after a moment of looking, Jeremy, adorning an expression that was a mix of boredom, fear of the blond and annoyance.
Maybe next time he would just stay home and not butt in my business.
"What is all that?" I asked as I watched Caroline putting on a beige raincoat and a hat….and black sunglasses.
"What the..." chocked Jer leaning as far away from the suspiciously behaving Miss Mystic Falls. The kid sent me a look, telling me something along the lines of.
'Your friend is bat shit crazy, Ad.'
I shrugged.
Because...of course she is, if she wasn't we would not be friends. Duh.
"I'm going to take a closer look." stated the blond as she tied up her coat and pulled out her phone. Then before anyone could say anything she was out of the door.
"One day..." murmured the brat.
"Oh, come on, Jer, Care is smart, she wouldn't so something…." I trailed off, almost forgetting to breath, as the said girl, walked pass the big window, where Bonnie was with her date, phone in hand. It was obvious to everyone that she was filming them.
"Oh..." said the Gilbert seeing the same thing I was seeing.
"Thank God, they did not..." I started, letting out a sigh as Caroline stepped out of sight so no one could catch her from inside the restaurant.
But then she just had to pass once more. Her steps were wide and slow, her body was bouncing up and down. The soundtrack of the Pink Panther movie played in my head.
I wasn't shitting you.
"Fuck...she..."
Then she did it again.
"How the hell is Bonnie not noticing her!?" exclaimed Jeremy. "She is looking like a freaking inspector Gadget!" he waved in disbelieve.
I didn't know if I should laugh my ass off, or hit my head repeatedly on the steering wheel.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is Caroline Forbes for you!
Finally she got back in the car, jumping with glee.
"Oh! This was so exciting! Did you see me? Did you see how good I was?" she grinned, moving all around her seat.
"Yeah, and I still wonder how we were the only ones." bit Jeremy receiving a glare from the cheer leader in disguise.
"You are just jealous that you have no mad skills like I do!"
"Whatever, I need to go to the bathroom." he stated, huffing like a kid.
And as I was about to give him a piece of my mind, Care rummaged through the magical sack and pulled out...she pulled out…
An… empty bottle of bleach.
"Help yourself." she quipped.
I chocked.
Jer sucked in a breath.
Then I could no longer contain my hysterical laugh.
"Are...are you kidding with me?" the flabbergasted brat almost shouted, while I was still wheezing from the lack of breath.
Fuck, I might be having a seizure!
"Nope." shrugged nonchalant Caroline. "Do you think James Bond always had a luxurious bathroom as his disposal?" she asked seriously.
There was a brief silent pause, in which Jeremy looked at her very hard, then at me, eyes big ready to pop out.
"We are NOT in a James Bond movie, Caroline!"
This was priceless…!
"Don't be such a p..." started the blond but the kid was already getting out of the car. "Where are you going? Come back! You will compromise our mission!" she screeched. Going after him.
I followed, still grinning.
"To use a freaking bathroom, that's where I'm going!" he shouted over his shoulder, glaring daggers at both of us.
"Wait! No! Are you crazy?" she shouted seeing him getting close to the restaurant. "Can you believe the nerve of his?" she turned to me, hand waving in anger.
"Go after him and make sure that we stay unnoticed." I said quickly and Care nodded.
I had the distinctive feeling that the blond would take my advice too seriously...she would most definitely follow him to the man's bathroom.
No doubt.
The moment when they both entered the building I turned left, walking down the street where I saw the sign of the pharmacy. Entering I was greeted by bright light and the smiling faces of two clerks.
"Good evening, what can I do for you?" asked the brunet one.
"I would like to buy two syringes." I stated and was lead to the front desk.
"Will that be all?" asked the woman, after checking the two things and putting them in a plastic bag.
"No, actually. I called earlier today and ordered a bottle of liquid nicotine?" she nodded.
"You are lucky, we already got it. It's for electronic cigarettes right?" I smiled and confirmed her question.
"That will be all."
I was never planning on using the liquid for its original purpose.
Quickly exiting the store, I walked back to the car, where my 'brother' and best friend were arguing about something. I had hid the bag in my purse as I stepped in the vehicle.
"So what's going on?" but before either of them could answer me, my phone beeped, signaling I had a new massage.
'You have a lot of explaining to do. - Bonnie.'
"Shit."
"Abort the mission! Abort the mission! We were compromised!" screamed Care, backslapping the poor Jeremy, who was not fast enough to evade the frantic waving hands of the head cheer leader.
"Ouch!"
"Caroline..."
"No! We should get out as fast as possible!"
I did what she wanted, not willing to lose my ear drums if I was not able to calm her down. I let the brat try and explain to her that we were not followed and that there was no real mission at all.
Just an angry powerful witch.
Nothing special.
Snort.
My sweet brother would need ice, though!
Next morning I was in the kitchen, cooking muffins. I was talking with Bonnie Bennett who was throwing a threat after another, the last one being...
'Do that again, and I will spell you to grow a permanent mustache!'
It was sufficed to say that I promised to not meddle anymore in her dates. Then I retold her what happened and her mood was lifted drastically.
Let's see, the first batch is already in the oven.
The second I was still preparing, adding the flour and separating a small part in another bowl, where I put in the powder of six smashed sleeping pills.
I was a bad person.
I was a really… bad person.
Why?
I was cooking a muffin that will help me kill a person, a living, breathing person…hmm...should I add more sugar to it?
Oh! I will put a flower on top!
"Good morning!" greeted me Jenna, entering the kitchen. I smiled, secretly hiding the bottle of the pills.
"So Jenna? How are you feeling?" I asked, mixing the two mixtures of the desert.
"Oh...you know, I feel good, as good as someone could be, awaiting the biological mother of Elena to show up, who the same time is the ex-wife of the guy I'm seeing and one of the notches on John's belt...and Damon's...yeah..." the aunt trailed of, huffing a bit, shaking her head in disbelieve.
"Yeah, pretty crazy life we have here, no?" I joked getting in return a small chuckle from the woman sitting opposite of me.
"It smells divine!" stated Elena, walking in the room peering at the oven.
"Mind taking those out? They should be ready." I smiled at the doppelganger as I prepared the platter with the next ones to go in.
An hour later, they were all done. One specifically, missing from the bunch on the table.
The red one.
There was a knock on the door and Jeremy let Alaric in. All of us had breakfast together, talking about nothing and everything in between.
Isobel staying away from the discussions.
Till Damon called, that is.
"We got her."
"What?" I asked surprised. "What do you mean..." I trailed off, putting the phone on speaker.
"Sweetheart, what I mean is that Stefan and I have Isobel."
Elena gasped.
Alaric got still as a stone.
Jenna paled.
Jeremy and I shared a look of shock.
"But...how? What happened?" asked Alaric. I could just feel the vampire rolling his eyes at the dramatic questions, but thankfully Stefan took over.
"She sent a text to John's phone. We ambushed her in the Lockwood crypt and vervained her. Now she is in one of our cells." elaborated the vampire.
"Why didn't you tell me when she got in contact with you!?" I almost shouted.
Hey! I was prepared for the whole action, I wanted to be part of it and definitely did not appreciate being left out. That was Jeremy's role! Not mine.
Ugh…
"We are on our way." I gritted through my teeth, not very happy.
Elena, Alaric and I stood up and left the Gilbert's house after promising to keep Jenna and Jeremy up to date with what was going on. There was a little moment between the hunter and my outer dimensional aunt, too.
You know...the lovey dovey stuff.
'Be careful.'
'Call me as soon as you can.'
'Don't sleep with your ex-wife please.'
Okay...so the last one was not said, but I knew Jenna wanted to. I just did it in her place, which gained me a few set of rolling eyes and one blushing aunt.
She never denied it though!
In the car Alaric and Elena sat rigid, we were engulfed in uncomfortable silence, but I didn't care. Behind them, I barely contained my shaking leg, it was going up and down, up and down, creating this thudding noise in the vehicle. The moment I saw the lines of the boarding house, I was springing out of the still parking car. Ignoring the shouts from shocked Ric, I ran in the old building, my heart beating like it was seconds away from exploding in my chest.
My insides were turning with this sinking feeling. It was not going to disappear before I was reassured that the two men living here were okay.
I didn't know where this panic had come from and I had never anticipated for it to be so strong and consuming. But I didn't fight it. I cared about the brothers, more then I was willing to admit. The game I was playing, the game I was pulling them to be unknowing participants in was deadly. I could not control everything, the more I changed, the more I couldn't predict the outcome of it. So when they called saying that Isobel was with them, I would have fallen over with worry and shock.
In the TV show, those two were always okay, but the dangers here, in this time were different, they were created and forged by me, so if anything happened...it would be my fault. I would be the one to blame.
That's why the moment I saw Stefan, standing there in the parlor, clothes out of order, blood all over him, eyes staring right back at me, I did not stop myself from flinging my whole body on him. I was frantic, barely grasping enough air to say anything, but I willed myself to pull away just before he engulfed me right back in his arms. My hands were roaming his own, then his chest, my fingers grazed his beautiful face, lining every detail on it.
"Oh, my God, are you okay, are you hurt?" I asked, my tone rising with each second. Stefan stood there amazed by my actions, lips slightly parted.
"Addie, I...I'm okay. This is not my blood." the vampire stated, voice gentle like he was talking to a child. Normally I would have been annoyed, but in this moment all I needed was reassurance, confirmation that he was there and I wasn't imagining it. My arms were still holding his cheeks, and I stared right at his green orbs, looking - searching for a lie, but I didn't see any. I didn't see pain...only affection with a sprinkle of surprise. The vampire put his own hands over mine, squeezing them a little, making me let out a content ragged breath of air.
"Thank God..." I whispered and the small whimper escaped me before I could stop it. Stefan's head snapped up, hearing the sound and his eyes filled with so much emotion that I felt weak.
"I did tell you that everything was fine, Adelle." came a voice from behind me and I twirled so fast that a dizziness took over my mind for a second.
Composing myself as fast as I could, I saw Damon standing there, in the same state as his brother, but what made me almost cry was the hole in his shirt just below where his heart was. The strangled noise and the sting in my eyes were no more controllable, I ignored how the raven man had observed the closeness between me and Stefan, with a note of sadness and wistfulness, because I was already running in his arms.
"You...you...no...they almost got you, you idiot!" I blabbered, grabbing the torn material in one hand, while with the other I was feeling his skin, making sure, even if it was stupid and unnecessary that he was healed. The vampire was taken by surprise, not expecting my reaction and he stood there shocked, looking down at me as I acted like a total mess, losing my cool for the first time I had been in this dimension.
"Sweet..." he started but I shook my head, glaring up at him.
"Don't sweetheart me, Damon! What were you thinking? John said that she had vampires with her! Don't….you could..." I had lost the ability to talk, as my eyes roamed all over him, just like I did with Stefan. I was noting and telling myself that he was fine. But that was not enough, I had to feel it, so my hands were holding every place where I saw blood, where the shirt was torn. I was almost afraid to look in his eyes, expecting that he would be angry or annoyed by my spluttering mess, but then he lifted my chin and I had no choice but to lock gazes with him.
There, I saw nothing I had been expecting.
On the contrary, his blue orbs were gentle, light, full...full with adoration and I had to hold back the second whimper that threatened to escape me. I was too emotional, to panicked to have control over my body.
I had lost it the moment they had called.
But I was gaining it back, seeing the small genuine smile gracing the vampire's lips.
"It was nothing we could not have taken care of, Adelle." his voice low, almost a murmur and so gentle. His eyes were swiping over my face going back from my own blue ones, to my lips, over and over again.
I nodded briskly, willing my body to finally cooperate with me as I stepped out of his hold, ordering my limbs to do the same. Clearing my throat I glanced at Stefan who had come to stand just right behind me, effectively caging me between himself and his brother.
"What happened?" threw me out of my trance the teacher that I just now was realizing had seen the whole exchange. The doppelganger and him were looking at us strangely, it was a mixture of disbelieve and confusion.
The moment….whatever the three of us had been trapped in, was broken. Stefan stood tall, Damon masked any emotion apart from disinterest and I tried to slow down my fast beating heart.
"Mother dearest fell in our trap. We captured her in the Lockwood crypt." waved unconcerned the older Salvatore.
"What about the other vampires she was with?" I asked.
"We managed to kill four of them but one escaped." explained Stefan, who was observing my reaction. "From what he said, he isn't planning on coming back."
Great.
"Where is she?" stepped in Elena, glancing at me, before her attention was back on the brothers.
"Down in the basement in the cell. She is knocked out by the vervain and even when she wakes up she won't be able to get out." answered the younger vampire.
"Yep, you'll have to wait till morning to have the family reunion, I'm afraid." quipped sarcastically the raven haired man, getting in return two sets of glares from the hunter and the Gilbert girl.
I held back a snort. Stefan rolled his eyes.
"Where do you think you are going?" the blue eyes vampire asked annoyed as Elena was marching towards the door leading to the basement. Followed by Alaric.
"I want to see her." was the only thing she said, already descending down the stairs.
"So dramatic." scoffed Damon.
"You can't really blame her." added Stefan, going towards the alcohol table. He prepared two glasses of whiskey, wordlessly giving one to his brother, who nodded in return.
I let out a deep breath, sitting down on one of the couches, threading fingers through my hair. They still shook a little.
"You should have told me what you were about to do." I said after a brief pause, gaining their full attention even if I had the feeling that their eyes never left my being even for e split second.
"Didn't want to worry you, Addie." tried to explain Stefan but I snorted, waving him off.
"Yeah? And how did that work out in the end?" I asked referring to my almost break down minutes ago. The brothers shared a look, which I had no energy to decode.
"This was nothing, sweetheart, Stefan and I had gone through a lot worse." stated Damon, his words trying to be reassuring but having the opposite effect. I stood up abruptly, staring at both of them not holding the glare I was sending their way.
"Oh, I am certain of that, Damon. In those times, though, was there someone who would be worried about you two if something happened?" I asked, but did not let either answer me. "Did you have someone who would have been devastated and...and...broken, if you were to be hurt...or worse? Killed?" Damon's eyes narrowed, Stefan looked rigid. "I know that it may come as a surprise for you, but I do care about you both, I wish nothing bad would happened to you...and...today, on my way here, all I could imagine was you two … hurt, wounded...it made me sick!" I wasn't letting my voice waver, I wanted to stay strong till I was finished. "I lost my damn composure and fucking control, Damon, Stefan!.." taking a deep breath I shook my head, trying to clear it from all the grotesque images. "Fuck..."
"When I called, I said we were fine, Adelle." told me Damon, stepping a little closer.
"So you see my point?" I extended my hand referring to both of them "Even if I knew you were okay, I still lost it, I still had a hard time breathing, before I was certain you two were really unharmed..."
Stefan sped to me, standing inches away, gazing down but not daring to touch me.
"I'm sorry that we made you worry so much, Ad." the vampire said sincerely.
"I..." Nodding. "I know, I shouldn't have … gone so far." I admitted.
"Then why did you?" asked Damon who came to stand next to his brother, he too was looming with his impressive dominating form.
I could see it, they wanted answers, they needed it. But what could I tell them? What I was feeling exceeded the affections of friendship, but how could it be possible that those emotions were dedicated for not one of them, but for both? It wasn't normal, but the longer I stayed here the stronger it became.
This longing.
This desire to...to be just there with them, around them, for them.
"I...I can't imagine myself without both of you being there, okay?" I admitted, feeling a blush creeping on my cheeks which made me look away.
"Adelle..."
Don't know who said it, but I was thankful they were interrupted as Ric and Elena came back up. Both sporting grave expressions. Even if the vampire downstairs was unconscious, it must still have been very hard for them.
Seeing that as opportunity to change the subject, to escape whatever was going on, I stepped towards Elena and hugged her.
"Everything is going to be okay." I told her, trying to be reassuring, but for who exactly?
Me or her?
"Will you be there tomorrow, when I could speak with Isobel?" asked the doppelganger as we pulled away from each other. I smiled as much as I could, nodding.
"Of course."
"I have some questions." stated Ric, attention on the Salvatores.
"Yeah, yeah. Just get it over with." Damon rolled his eyes, sparing me a look, before taking a seat on the sofa, Stefan still standing.
I stepped away from the group, excusing myself to go to the toilet, as it was the best moment to sneak away from all of them. No one questioned me. I knew Stefan wanted, but thankfully he let me go, probably thinking I needed I moment alone.
Making sure no one saw me, I went downstairs. There I neared the cell, where now laid the unmoving vampire and after a brief pause of hesitation I opened the door. Quickly I pulled the syringe from the bag I was carrying and took one of her hands. The fear of the deadly vampire waking up, was making my body shake, but I pushed it all back, in the name of my plan.
I had watched a few videos...yeah, you heard right, videos of how to take blood from someone's vein. I was never good with needles so the uncomfortable prickles that ran over my skin were not a surprise to me. Taking few deep breaths I pushed the tip of the syringe and then pulled it's top. I was almost surprised when the blood started to flow in the container and when it was full I quickly, hid it back in my purse.
It was just in time and I was damn lucky, because when I was done I heard footsteps and Stefan's voice filled the small dirty space.
"What are you doing here, Addie?" the vampire asked, stepping in the cell, eyes not leaving the body next to me, making sure that Isobel would not wake up and attack us.
Thinking quickly for an excuse, I lifted the hand I was still holding.
"I thought it would be a good idea to take her day light ring." I said, pulling the jewelry from her finger.
"It's not safe for you to be here alone." the vampire said and I nodded, very much agreeing with him and then I followed him out of there.
Thankfully, not long after I left with Elena and Ric. The teacher dropped us in the Gilbert's house, where the doppelganger told the rest of the family what had happened and then called Bonnie to inform her as well.
Few hours later I found her laying in her bed, eyes staring at the ceiling. I knocked once, which gained her attention.
"Jenna will be staying at Alaric's place tonight." I told her. "Jeremy is at some kind of party with Lucy."
"So it's just us?" she asked.
"I ordered pizza." that made her laugh. "Yeah, I won't be eating it, but you definitely deserve something unhealthy." winking I pulled a bottle of whiskey from behind me, where I had it hidden.
"Are you proposing what I think you are right now?" the girl grinned, her mood lifting a bit.
"Get drunk? Yes. Brilliant right?" we were laughing after that and without much fight the doppelganger took the glass I had extended in her direction.
Two hours later, pizza box laying next to us, we were half drunk in the middle of another pointless conversation that led us to the next fit of giggles.
It was either that or talking about the meaning of life. Elena was funny when intoxicated.
"Hey! Do we still have some of those muffins you made?" jumped excitedly the older Gilbert. I grinned and sprang from the bed, running down stairs picking two of the deserts. When I was back in her room, Elena was already grabbing one of them, taking big bites from it.
"Oh! This red one is so delicious!" my outer dimensional sister stated, continuing on eating the only red muffin I had made today.
"Yeah?" I asked, taking a deep breath and forcing an amused expression on my face. I watched as Elena ate it fast, dancing around the room with no music on.
My facade of a drunk teenager slowly faded. I was no more playing along with her, seeing at how the girl's movement became more uncoordinated, her speech slowed down and soon enough she was sleeping on her bed. I waited a minute, just standing there, my heart was beating in my ears, pounding in my chest. The bag I had left next to her door was then opened and like in a trance I pulled out the syringe full with the red liquid.
The next moments were lost to me as I remember only nearing the unconscious body and injecting the blood in the system of the human girl.
Then I had in my hands the second syringe that was filled with a clear substance. Nicotine.
A deadly dose of liquid nicotine, that when mixed with a lot of alcohol and numerous sleeping pills … it was…
Yeah...
I didn't know I was crying until a tear fell on my hand. I was shaking as I was holding the pale wrist of the girl I came to care about. Of the girl that was my sister here.
The girl I was robbing from the chance of a normal human life.
Before my vision could blur out completely, lips trembling, I pushed the needle in her vein, a whimper escaping me as I injected the poison in her system.
God, I barely kept it together.
The syringe dropped, clinking on the floor as I could not tear my eyes from the peaceful face of the sleeping brunet.
She would not feel a thing.
There would be no pain.
One moment she would be breathing.
The next moment she would not.
A minute. It only took a minute.
Her heart was no more beating.
Pulse nonexistent.
I just killed Elena Gilbert.