A/N: The long wait is over! I can't apologize enough. I promise it wasn't in my power to update sooner- I had a nasty bout of pneumonia that I got hospitalized for and then my roommate broke my computer. I WILL update more frequently now, I swear.
Also, As one of my reviewers pointed out to me, only Teresa would have been able to invite Klaus in Caroline's house, so I fixed it and had Klaus convince Caroline to come outside. Sorry for the confusion!
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sheila had been quiet for a good fifteen minutes now, stirring her tea with her eyes closed and her lips pursed. Stefan sat awkwardly in the chair, wondering what on earth she could possibly be doing, but too polite and nervous to interrupt her. Finally she opened her eyes and paused only a few seconds before saying, "Your Damon has a good heart, but I'm not sure he can handle being a vampire."
"He will. I'll make sure of it," Stefan reassured her.
A wicked sort of chuckle escaped her as she said, "I don't think you understand, but alright. I'll help you. God knows we're going to need all the help we can get to keep this town safe."
Stefan felt relief flow through him and he nodded. "You might want to tell Bonnie."
"I imagine so," Sheila agreed with a sigh as she stood and went through the many old looking books on her shelves. "Soon enough everyone will be involved. Do you have a ring?"
He nodded, pulling one of the old family rings out from his pocket. It was meant to be donated to the Founder's council, but Guisseppi had been too fond of passing them down to give the rings up for some dusty exhibit. Caroline had only briefly explained how she had gotten her ring and Stefan was fairly nervous as he handed the heirloom over to Sheila.
She examined it for a moment before setting it down on the table in front of them. She closed her eyes for a moment as she held one of the old books in front of her, and after only a few seconds said, "It's done."
Stefan couldn't help but feel dubious, and it seemed that Sheila caught on as she smiled and said, "Magic isn't always a big production, Mr. Salvatore. It will work, I promise. However if Damon becomes a problem— and I will be watching— be rest assured that I will take that spell off faster than those vampires can blink."
He nodded only once, replying, "He won't."
"Well, with you and Elena around I imagine he has more chance than most," she admitted, "heaven forbid anything happen to either of you."
And to that, Stefan didn't have a response.
Caroline felt a splitting headache almost immediately as everything flashed before her eyes—meeting Nick in Chicago, falling for him, dating him, waiting for him to propose, and then the final memory she had... him snapping her neck. "It was you. You turned me."
Her voice was quiet and broken as she said it, as if she didn't believe it despite everything. She had loved him, trusted him, and he had condemned her to a terrible life.
"Of course I did, love. I fancied you and I will admit I was a tad bored," Nick said with a smile, still within breath's reach, "you can't possibly blame me for wanting to spend forever with you."
"You didn't care that much," she spat.
Nick sighed. "No, perhaps not. But you were different then. Shallow, manipulative, insecure. You ought to thank me. Becoming a vampire has made you so much more brilliant."
"Go to hell," she snapped angrily, sneering at him as she said it. She pushed him away with all the strength she had, causing him to crash into the porch fence. All he did was laugh.
"That's alright, go ahead and hate me, Caroline. You won't be able to do it forever; ask my siblings."
She glared at him, the knowledge that he could kill her so easily being the only thing holding her back. "Watch me."
He merely smiled. "I plan to. In the meantime, perhaps you'd like to visit my sister? She's been dying to meet you again. Figuratively, of course."
"Your sister hated me," Caroline snapped, "and ninety-two years couldn't change that."
"Nonsense. Rebekah's more mature now," Nick replied, waving his hand, "and I wasn't really asking. Come on, for old time's sake?"
Caroline looked up, seeing the same threatening glint in his eyes that she had refused to pay attention to back in the twenties, and felt her stomach plummet. She cursed her eighteen year old self for ever having fallen for such an utterly messed up man and sighed as she said, "Let me get my phone charger."
Stefan walked into the house that night, exhausted after the events of the entire evening. He found Damon in the parlor, drinking bourbon as he moodily watched the lit fireplace. Typical, Stefan thought. It seemed as though Elena had already left and so Stefan walked over and slumped onto the arm chair. "I thought you said I was the brooder of the family?"
Damon didn't even glance over to him as he said, "I said you did enough brooding for the entire family and our ancestors. Not that you were the only one."
"Must be inherited," Stefan said lightly, then sighing as Damon only barely acknowledged him, "you can brood less though. I managed to get you a daylight ring."
He did look over at that, and Stefan pulled out the ring. Damon scoffed as he saw it, saying, "Really? The family crest?"
"I'm sorry, did you want a princess cut diamond?" Stefan replied and Damon rolled his eyes as he took the ring out of Stefan's hand.
"So to whom do I owe this honor?" he asked. "Assuming it actually works, of course."
Stefan sighed with irritation as he answered, "Sheila Bennett, Bonnie's grandma. Elena and I figured she might be able to help, so I went over there and she did."
Damon eyed him critically, saying, "Uh huh. Well I definitely appreciate the brotherly love, but I don't want it."
"Seriously, Damon, it's just a crest. It's not like Dad's even here to talk about the Salvatore legac—,"
"I don't want it," he interrupted, "because I killed someone. I don't understand how you and Elena are so easily glossing over that."
"Oh, I don't know, maybe because you're the only family I haven't lost?" Stefan snapped back, "it wasn't like you sat up in your room premeditating the whole thing, Damon. It's screwed up as hell and it's scary, but I'd still rather deal with it than have to visit another fucking grave."
Damon sighed, but didn't try to argue that. They sat for awhile, the fire crackling being the only sound interrupting their silence. Stefan noticed that Damon's glass of bourbon was empty and thought about offering him another one. As he was about to offer, Damon interrupted him. "I can't protect her, Stefan. Not like this."
"Super strength and speed sounds like a more fair advantage than being weak and human."
He glared over at Stefan, growling out, "You don't get it. I hear her blood pumping through her veins, I hear her heartbeat, and it's like she's water and I'm completely dehydrated."
Stefan frowned, replying, "You love each other. You can make it work."
"How am I supposed to make it work when I'm not sure if I'll end up killing her?" Damon yelled dropping his glass on the table with enough force that it shattered, immediately so angry that Stefan sat back in his chair. The ring fell to the floor and rolled over to the fireplace as he continued, "please, tell me."
"Remember mom," he replied softly, looking down at his hands, "I've seen pictures, they have the same smile. I think that was part of the reason I used to have a crush on her."
Damon's face blanched at that, and Stefan knew it was the last thing he had expected to hear. It seemed to have the sort of absolute effect on him that had been wanted. He looked away, towards the dark windows that let little light in, and Stefan looked away out of respect also. There was a tense and nervous pause before Damon responded, "I think the worst thing about this- worse than the killing and the danger- the worst thing is that I could have been with her. I could have seen her again— assuming heaven or whatever exists."
Stefan's throat constricted and he sort of nodded before quickly looking away. Guilt had been consistently churning in his stomach for the past four almost five days now. It had been completely aggravated by what had happened at the fair, and now as he heard his brother speak about their dead mother in such a revealing manner, he didn't think he could possibly take it. It may have been Damon's choice in the very end, but Stefan knew that he was just as much to blame. Damon had said it himself, said that he wouldn't have stayed for anyone else, and Stefan had condemned him to this— a tainted, miserable life only to end in a damned death.
It was morning when Caroline woke up in an extravagant bed that wasn't her own and a very unfamiliar and ornately decorated room. Immediately trying to recall the events of the past night did only some good- she remembered arriving to Nick's sort of mansion that resided on the Mystic Falls city limits after yet another frustrating car ride, remembered Nick showing her around the place and telling her the family history of his that she had never been told. After that it got fuzzy, the last thing she remembered was Rebekah walking into the room.
She pulled herself out of the silk covers and stepped onto the wooden floor beneath the bed, searching the room for her phone and shoes. When she couldn't find them she cursed under her breath, looking into the large ornamented vanity table mirror for a second to catch her reflection. Her mascara was smudged and her curls were undone and messy, only irritating her further. She was about to walk out the door when it opened and she jumped back with a huff. Rebekah stood on the other side, an eyebrow condescendingly raised as she looked over Caroline before she said, "Good. You're awake."
"What happened last night-," Caroline demanded viciously, earning a wicked smile in return.
"I snapped your neck," the girl answered blithely, "and I don't know when Niklaus is going to be back so I would prefer if you shut up and follow me. I only bought us a small amount of time."
"Follow you?" she snapped back. "Are you serious? You hate me-,"
Rebekah somehow managed to look bored, irritated, and threatening all at the same time making Caroline briefly think that somewhere Katherine had to be incredibly jealous. "Hated. You were common and stupid and only wanted my brother for his money. Not that I like you much better now, mind you, but unfortunately time has given us a mutual goal."
Caroline couldn't help but wonder what on earth that could possibly be despite wanting to walk out of the house as soon as possible now that Nick was gone. Unfortunately for Rebekah the last won out and she quickly went to leave, reminding herself that she could easily buy a replacement phone and shoes. Within moments the Original blonde was blocking her path looking quite fierce as she hissed, "I don't think you understand how much you need my help, so let me enlighten you. My brother let you remember that you knew him and that he turned you but do not be so naïve as to think he let you remember everything. If you think you have enough reason to hate him now, you are mistaken."
"Why should I trust you?" Caroline questioned, the hairs on her body rising as if her body already knew Rebekah was telling the truth. "You're close to him, why would you tell me something he doesn't want me to know?"
"Niklaus has given me and my brother Elijah more than enough reason to betray him, just as he does every living soul. He no longer values the family that loves him and instead grows only more power hungry by the day. Elijah and I must stop him," she confided, "for whatever reason he has a penchant for you. I imagine, after overhearing your conversation last night, that your rejection will only increase his interest. He tends to obsess over the things he wants and that puts you an makes you an asset."
"I'm not going to let him kill the doppelganger but I'm not about to kill him either. I actually value life."
Rebekah raised her eyebrows, lightly asking, "Really? Even after he turned you? My, perhaps you have changed. Not a problem, we don't intend to kill him anyway."
"You're not going to tell me what he did that was so horrible?" Caroline goaded the other girl, even though it was herself that was afraid.
"Fine. Just remember that Niklaus isn't the only one who can compel you," she drawled, stepping closer and making her quickly move back. She moved past Caroline though, walking into the room and straight over to the closet. With quite a dramatic flair she slid the doors open and then turned around, but after that Caroline wasn't looking at her. She was staring into the closet, a numb gaze fixed on the intricate wedding dress hung up and fully facing her looking so beautiful despite the large blood stains.
Her voice barely came out as a whisper as she asked, "What happened?"
"My brother compelled you to remember only everything that he had made you forget. I think part of him planned it that way, even though at the time it seemed that he was just making me clean up his own mess," Rebekah sighed, a sort of heavy tone to her voice, "he's always been irrational ever since we were young, and he was no different with you. You amused him more than others had, for whatever reason, and so he played along with your wishes. He actually did propose after taking you on a trip to New York, and when you got back you started planning the wedding.
"You got your dress even—," she glanced at the closet, "I hated you so much for it even though I knew all the lies he was telling. Your mother and father came to visit, hopelessly pretending like they were a proper couple so that the scandal you left at home wasn't obvious. Your parents were instantly suspicious of Nick, and after only a week's visit they hated him. The last day you put on your wedding dress to show them and they insisted that you leave him. There was a huge fight and they disowned you, Nick and I arrived to see you sobbing with them still yelling at you. You were so hurt and distraught in a way that surprised him after so long, I think. He killed them on the spot—,"
Caroline's felt the anger that she had been trying to hold under the surface come up with a force as she interrupted, "You're lying. My parents died here of old age, I watched them."
Rebekah shook her head, "He was too angry to deal with you. He left after yelling at me and so I fixed everything. I made you forget, made you believe they were alive and well, I even found a couple to play the role for you. As much as I hated you I couldn't stand your crying over your mother's body."
"I don't believe you," she argued, her voice tight as she said it and her whole body vibrated with anger and renewed grief, "He wouldn't— not even him—,"
The girl gave a hallow laugh as she stood, "He killed our own mother, I see no reason for him to have any aversion to killing yours."
Tears had already flooded her eyes and she felt so abruptly torn apart that she could no longer master herself or her emotions. She moved toward Rebekah in seconds, planning to do any possible harm she could, but the Original was vastly faster than her and grabbed Caroline's arms before she could touch the girls neck. She held them there, looking down at Caroline as if she were the most pitiable creature to ever walk the earth. There was something else in her expression though and that was what almost undid her completely. Beneath the condescending pity, Caroline could sense Rebekah's empathy lurking. She almost broke free, almost said something, almost broke into uncontrollable sobs- but then Rebekah let her go with a violent speed, her face showing shock as she turned around. Caroline followed her quick gaze to see Nick— no, Klaus— standing just outside of the doorway.
Stefan had not expected it to be a quiet morning and he was both right and wrong. Elena had come over early, sneaking in and making breakfast like she always did after their father had died. The bigger the breakfast, the bigger the fight she and Damon had the night before, Stefan had observed. However when Damon made breakfast, all it meant was that he had gotten laid. By the time Damon had woken up and come downstairs everything was made and both Stefan and Elena were sitting down and sipping coffee. Damon strolled into the kitchen with only his boxers and ruffled hair and idly looked at the spread of pancakes, cereal, bacon, omelets, and hashbrowns with a sigh. "You've outdone yourself, Elena."
"Caroline said eating regular food can help curb the cravings," Elena responded a little defensively, looking as though she was still upset about whatever had gone on between them last night when Stefan had left, "come on, I even cooked the bacon with bourbon."
Damon glanced over to Stefan who sportingly said, "She didn't even burn it."
He smiled insincerely and looked at the covered kitchen window, daylight trying it's best to come through the opaque curtains. Elena frowned as she watched him, looking upset that he didn't automatically join them like usual. "Damon, come on."
Stefan saw him glance at the plate they had laid out for him, catching sight of the spelled ring that Stefan had picked up last night and put by his glass this morning. He was about to encourage Damon, try and echo some of what he had said last night before his phone rang. He glanced at the screen before picking up the call.
"Hello, is this Stefan Salvatore?"
He had answered the unknown number with dread, and now the formal and polite tone only made him confused. "Yes, who is this?"
"This is Meredith Fell, I'm a doctor here at Mystic Falls Hospital. I'm calling because you're listed as an emergency contact for Matt Donovan. He was involved in a horrible car accident this morning and I'm afraid he isn't doing so well. We tried to call his mother but we were unable to reach her—,"
"I'll be right there," Stefan replied shortly, bolting up amidst the concerned look of Elena. It seemed Damon had heard what was said, he was standing also and grabbing his keys. As Stefan hung up, Damon quickly said, "Come on, I'll drive."
"You can't go outside, the sun—,"
Damon sighed, taking the ring off the table and slipped it on. "Happy? Let's go. I don't want Mystic Falls best linebacker dying before we win state."
PS: Reviews keep characters alive ;) Let me know what you think about Klaus' betrayal and anything else. I do listen to everything, so if you want to see something I will definitely consider putting it in! Love you guys for reading and favoriting! Thanks. xo
