I woke up the next day with a severe burning in my throat, and I knew at that point what thirst could be. But the thirst I had could not be solved so easily. I had to wait it out, as Damon said. The same Damon who did not seem to be home. It was late into the afternoon and everyone was still at school. I was just left with a simple note and my cell phone, "Be back soon. Call if you need anything. STAY IN THE HOUSE OR YOU WILL REGRET IT!" Simple enough instructions.
I sighed and went to the basement where we kept a small stash of spare blood for emergencies like these. I downed three bags but no luck. It was time to try something stronger. Ric, being the number one father of the year, had to have something stashed away. I scanned the basement but there was nothing. Kitchen. Nothing. Hmmm... I pondered briefly whether searching through Ric's things was worth it but the burning in my throat won out, and off to his room I went.
I had a couple of hours to complete my mission, and if all went well I'd be back in bed with a soothed throat and no worries in no time. I searched his drawers, under his bed, and finally his closet. After moving aside a few boxes, some which held numerous hunter weapons, I found my target. An amber colored liquid with a dark label. I sighed. Whiskey. Great. One of my least favorite alcohols, and one that burned immensely going down. This was going to hurt. A lot.
I hauled the bottle back to the spare room, knowing fully well that I'd be caught whether I hid it or not. My goal was simple, drink until the burning goes away. So I cranked up the stereo and took a swig. I started coughing immediately as the burn intensified and momentarily doubted this idea. Maybe if I put it back, no one would notice. But the burn wouldn't go away so I took another swig, and another. Until I began chugging the bottle instead. I downed the whole bottle in under an hour. A feat that would have killed normal human girls, but made me look great at their parties. I yawned heavily and laid the empty bottle beside me, curling up with it. The room was spinning slowly and soon I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep once more.
Elena and Jeremy were the first to get home. Elena ran into the room angrily and shut off the stereo a few minutes later, "How is anyone supposed to study with you blaring this music. Are you sleeping?" She turned to see Adeline lying still on the bed. She rolled her eyes and turned to leave but a reflective shine caught her eye and made her turn back, "What is... no way."
Jeremy went into the room next, "Elena we were told to let her rest, what are you? She's dead, they are going to kill her. What do we do?"
"Call Damon," Elena ordered.
"But he's going to kill her," Jeremy tried.
"He would kill us if we didn't tell him. Now call him. I will call Ric," She said.
"What is it?" Damon's disgruntled voice spoke, "I'm in the middle of a family reunion."
"She what?" Damon growled, "Let her sleep for now. Tell Elena and Alaric. I'm on my way." Damon pinched the bridge of his nose and Stefan could tell he was frustrated.
"What's going on?" Stefan asked.
"You don't care remember?" Damon snapped, "Was it not you who said that you don't want to play house anymore?"
"Damon I told you I was wrong, and I apologized. I really am sorry. I've been worried sick all day. You guys being back, us being a family again, I've wanted this for a while now. I was just upset and scared, and it came out. I didn't mean any of it I swear," Stefan pleaded.
"Fine, whatever," Damon answered, "I'm sure Ric will be very happy to hear that we are going home anyways."
"So what's going on with Addie now?" Stefan asked.
Damon shook his head, and waved his hand around nonchalantly as he spoke, "Oh you know, stealing, drinking a whole bottle of whiskey, oh and there's the whole bit about bloodsharing with original vampires that caused all of this."
"She did what?" Stefan yelled.
"Oh yeah that's right you did miss the best part, oh and before that she killed some loser, and almost drained another of his blood as well. But luckily Elijah made it to her on time to save him right?" Damon explained sarcastically.
"This all happened in a day?" Stefan asked, "Has she lost her mind?"
"Well actually most of that happened right after our argument, you know when she thought she'd lost a brother, again," Damon answered.
"You're defending her right now?" Stefan asked.
"Oh no little brother not at all. Trust me I already got her good for those events, the only new part to me is the theft and drunkard act, which she probably only did to self-medicate because of the withdrawal symptoms, so for now I'm going to let her sleep," Damon explained.
"That's your tough guy act, seriously? Let her sleep?" Stefan asked.
Damon smirked, "Brother, here's the thing. If this family thing is going to work out then I am going to need your full cooperation and trust. You see, I've been doing this much longer than you, and I know how our little drunken angel's mind works and how to deal with it. So for now, to bypass a lot of unnecessary drama and pain, I am going to wait this out. Then when she fully recovers I'm going to make her wish she hadn't, got it?"
Stefan smirked, "I am very glad that I am not her right now."
"Hmmm," Damon answered thoughtfully, "I don't know, drinking a whole bottle of whiskey and then napping sounds pretty damn good to me."
Alaric sighed as he walked into the house and was met by Jeremy, "What do we do?"
"What did Damon tell you to do?" Alaric asked.
"Let her sleep, but what are you going to d..." He started.
Alaric shook his head, "Is your homework done Jeremy?"
"Really that's what you're concerned about right now?" Jeremy asked bewildered. Alaric gave him a sharp look and he recoiled.
"Do you need a reminder of what we went over yesterday?" Alaric asked.
"N-no Sir," Jeremy shook his head. He backed up towards the stairs, "I have lots of homework to do so..."
Alaric smirked, "Smart move." Damon and Stefan entered next.
"Well I'm relieved to see that you two worked things out," Alaric said, "You owe me a new bottle of whiskey."
Damon smiled at his friend, "Yeah yeah. Thanks for your hospitality but we'll be leaving now."
"Huh. Whiskey really? That's not Adeline's style," Stefan said.
"She was in a lot of pain, and it's probably all she could find, am I right?" Damon asked.
"Yeah I know Elena can't handle it, and Jeremy knows I'd skin him alive if he tried," Alaric spoke, "But of course I have my own secrets elsewhere."
Damon smirked, "That sounds about right."
"You must have done well," Stefan said, "Good thing too, no doubt our sister would have dried up everything you have."
"Go get her," Damon instructed, "I'll drive." Stefan obeyed and ran up to the room. Seeing her lying there filled him with compassion. She looked so sweet, innocent, and vulnerable, despite the empty bottle of liquor beside her. He smirked and took a deep breath before gently picking her up, careful not to wake her. She stirred but remained asleep in his arms.
Alaric smirked and rubbed his forehead as he watched them come down, "Good luck."
The light from the sun shone in Adeline's face and her eye's fluttered open, "St-Stefan."
"Shhh... It's alright we're going home. I've got you," Stefan climbed into the car still holding her on his lap, "Go back to sleep."
"I'm sorry," She whispered.
"Me too, we'll talk later though," He replied. She nodded and smiled as her eyes shut once more.