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Chapter 011
An Evening Spent Entertaining
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Friday, June 04, 2010; around 11 p.m.
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When we reach my room, I put her bag on the other bag stand inside the closet and then head into the bathroom with my sleep pants in my hand, as Elena gets ready to change into her pajamas. I change quickly and then putter around the bathroom until it sounds like she's done changing. Finally, I ask through the door, "Can I come back out 'Lena?"
"Yeah, I'm dressed."
I smile as I walk into the room and see her eyes widen, as I'm not wearing a shirt. I give her a moment to enjoy the view and smile widely as I catch her licking lips. While she's looking at me I look her over and smile at her in her mismatched short shorts, tank top, and socks before repeating what I told her the night I compelled her, "Cute Pj's"
She laughs and picks up one of the pillows and hits me across the chest with it. I just laugh and steal the pillow from her before saying, "I don't know 'Lena, you seem kind of violent, you might be a bad influence on me. I mean I was just complementing your outfit, and you hit me."
She laughs as she climbs into the high bed and tells me, "Hah, if anyone in this relationship is a bad influence it's you. Between the fighting, killing, drinking, and day drinking at that, and all the sex you seem to have I think you're actually the one my mom would have warned me about."
I laugh, "You're probably right about that, even Jenna thought I was shifty, though admittedly she thought she caught us kissing while you were still with my brother."
She looks down and frowns so I ask, "I can't fix whatever put that frown on your face if you don't tell me what's bothering you."
She picks at the blanket in her hand as she lays there not looking at me before she asks, "Will you be mad if I tell you I don't want to do anything more than kiss until after I can officially break up with Stefan? I don't want to be like her."
I frown as obviously Katherine has fucked with more than just Stefan's and my heads. But the idea that I'd get mad because she doesn't want to do anything more than kiss until she can have closure in her relationship with Stefan is ridiculous. She's still not looking at me so I climb into the bed and under the covers before rolling to my side to face her and propping myself up on my arm I tip her chin up with my other hand so I can look into her eyes. When her eyes finally focus on mine, I tell her with a small smile on my face, "'Lena, I know I can be an asshole sometimes. However, I would never get mad at you for not wanting to do more than kiss, with or without the reason of needing to end things officially with my brother. I've never forced or pressured a woman to have sex with me and before you ask I've compelled them to act like we're dating and maybe a kiss here and there, but I've never compelled sex. I wouldn't do that to anyone but especially not to you. A woman's right to say no is sacred, even to me."
I pause then brush her cheek with my hand and tell her, "We'll go at your pace and if it takes six years before you want me to make love to you, then I'll patiently wait until you're ready because nothing is more important to me than your comfort." I pause and consider what I just said then add, "Well okay, your safety is more important but other than that nothing ranks higher in priority than your comfort. Hell if you told me you don't even want to kiss until after we get Stefan back and you can break up with him then although I'd miss your amazing kisses, I'd wait for you to be ready. I'll always wait for you 'Lena, always."
She smiles slightly though she's still not making eye contact so I tell her, "And that nonsense about being like Katherine needs to stop. You two couldn't possibly be more different. Your personalities and characters are polar opposites. For every flaw she has you have faultless perfection."
When her lips press together tightly and her eyes flit around the room not staying in one place for longer than a second or two I tell her, "I'm serious Elena, she wanted to have her cake and eat it too. You've never been like that, while you've been honestly conflicted, and for the record a good chunk of that is due to the compulsion I inadvertently placed on you, you never strung us along or tried to have both of us."
I cup her cheek and tell her, "You were always clear that it would only be one of us and until recently, you were crystal clear that it was Stefan. I told you I love you, and you tried as gently as possible to tell me that you didn't feel the same way. You made it clear that you did care for me but not like that."
I frown as I look at her lips pressed tightly together as she still avoids eye contact so I tell her, "Katherine was in the same position multiple times and she told Stefan and me both that we were the one she truly wanted. She told me I'd be with her forever and that she didn't want Stefan forever. Obviously that was a lie as she gave us both her blood and then abandoned us both despite knowing I was looking for ways to free her from the tomb."
I stroke her cheek and tip her chin up again so I can look deep into her eyes as I tell her, "You are her opposite in every way that matters. You're not even identical in appearance." When her lips compress together more tightly and she looks away from me once more, I tell her, "Oh I know at first glance you look identical. Not to bring up a possibly sore subject but I've seen her completely naked, and I've seen enough of your body to know you have at least two birthmarks she doesn't have and I've counted three scars she also doesn't have. Plus, she has two scars and a birth mark you don't have so you're not even identical in looks okay? The two of you couldn't possibly be more different if you tried."
Surprisingly she still won't look me in the eye so I ask, "If you saw someone hurt what would you do?"
Her eyes widen as they shoot to mine at the unexpected question but she answers quickly, "I'd offer to help them."
I smile, "While Katherine would be more likely to either laugh or use their hurt or suffering to her advantage. We already covered that if you were presented with two men in love with you that you would choose one and only one while she would play both against each other and try to have both. You are kind to a fault while she is cruel to a fault. You have, much to my dismay, tried to sacrifice yourself for your loved ones repeatedly where as she can't even answer a simple question to offer helpful information without trying to work an angle."
I caress her cheek as I tell her, "She doesn't understand the meanings of the words love, loyalty, honor, and sacrifice. That's why Tianna spelled us, because Lilith and the others didn't understand those concepts. But you, I truly believe, you came out of the womb not only understanding those things, but your parents did such a fantastic job of raising you that any selfishness you might have had as a small child completely disappeared before you reached your teens."
I lean down and kiss her softly before pulling back and telling her, "You are the most giving, selfless, caring, compassionate, and loving individual I've ever had the honor or privilege of knowing. Meanwhile Katherine is the biggest and cruelest bitch I've ever had the displeasure to encounter. I mean it 'Lena, you couldn't possibly be any more different and if I have to have this discussion with you every day for years I will until you know my words to be true."
I kiss her lightly again then continue, "The things I loved about Katherine were lies and falsehoods in her but you have all those qualities I originally thought she had, and they're true and pure in you. I wouldn't subject myself to ever loving two Katherine's in my lifetime, one was painful enough."
That last sentence seems to do the trick as she smiles and her eyes finally meet mine before she leans up and kisses me, "I'm sorry I'm so needy…"
I shake my head, "You're not needy, Elena. You look at everything she represents and is, and it sickens you, and that's part of your appeal. You would never stoop so low as to do one of the many cruel things she's done never mind all of them, but seeing the resemblance between the two of you and then falling for both Stefan and then me well it's understandable that you'd worry about being like her since everything about her behavior is abhorrent to you. And you do have looks and Stefan's and my love in common."
I cup her cheek and finish my argument, "But trust me, Stefan and I both learned our lesson about her. We wouldn't love you if you were anything like her beyond your similar looks, which once I knew I had been played honestly was more of a turn off before I started noticing the physical differences between the two of you and the different ways you carry yourselves. Now I can honestly say that out of the two of you it's you who is more beautiful inside and out."
Oops, now she's crying. I quickly wipe at her eyes with the pad of my thumb and tell her, 'Shit 'Lena, I didn't mean to make you cry."
She smiles, "They're happy tears."
I look into her eyes until I can see that she's not lying and her face is relaxed and upturned, so I kiss her sweetly moving slowly to roll on top of her. When her lips part in a sigh I slip my tongue inside her mouth and enjoy the slide of tongue on tongue as we kiss for long minutes. Her hands running up and down on my bare back sends shivers down my spine, and we continue to kiss until there's a knock on the door.
I pull away and brush her hair back from her face, "I love you, 'Lena, only you."
She smiles brightly and tells me, 'I love you too Damon, it'll always be you."
I smile back then peck her lips before I roll off her and say louder, "Come in."
Bonnie and Jeremy both stick their heads in the doorway as Bonnie says, "If you guys need more time or you want us to do this without you…"
I smile as I get out of bed and head for the walk-in closet telling them, "Thank you, but that's not necessary."
As I return a moment later with a t-shirt in my hand I motion them to come in, so Jer shuts the door, and they walk to the bed. I walk around the bed, pick Elena up, put her on the far side of my huge bed, then walk back to the other side, and after pulling on my shirt, I climb in and lie next to her before looking at Bonnie and Jer and patting the other side of me saying, "Climb in."
Bonnie hands the goblet she's carrying to Jer before she climbs up onto the higher than normal bed then she takes the cup back, and he climbs in after her.
Bonnie turns to look at me then Jer and says, "Uh this is weird." We all laugh at that then she gets down to business, "Okay, so each of you drink a third of the potion and then lay down and close your eyes. Try to keep your mind focused on finding Elijah."
We both nod, drink, and then after handing the cup back lay down beneath the covers. She quickly drinks the rest, hands the cup to Jer who places it on the bedside table, then she whispers a short incantation, and grabs mine and Jer's hands as we lay down, and the next thing I know I'm in a world full of fog. I can't see the floor or the ceiling or more than maybe 10 feet in front of me. I start when I feel a hand in mine and smile as I turn and look at Bonnie to my left and Jeremy standing on her left side.
Jer looks around tilting his head to the side and then lifts a brow as he asks, "So Bon, where are we and where's Elijah?"
She giggles at the look on his face and tells him, "We're in the Aether but it should have taken us right to him so I'm not sure where he is."
I turn suddenly and place them both behind me as I enter a defensive stance when we hear a very crisp, and very female British accent ask, "Who are you?"
My jaw drops when I lay eyes on her in her ivory flapper dress, as I wasn't expecting to encounter any of the other Originals tonight, though I suppose I should have considered the possibility. She's still one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. I saw her in Chicago and also in Jer's sketchbook so I know who she is, and say, "I'm Damon and this is Bonnie and Jeremy and you're Rebekah."
Her eyes pop open wide and her mouth falls open before she asks, "How do you know my name?"
I try to smile a reassuring smile as I force myself to relax my posture, "We met in Chicago back in the '20's though you probably don't remember me from Gloria's. Anyway, I'm Stefan's brother and an old friend of Elijah's. We're actually here looking for him so we can tell him that we're planning to rescue all of you tomorrow morning."
Her eyes widen further and she whispers, "You're going to rescue all of us?"
I shrug, as do Bonnie and Jeremy, "Well yeah, if you promise not to try to harm our family or anyone we care about then why wouldn't we rescue you. Daggering you was wrong and just one of the many reasons I'm looking forward to killing Klaus."
She gasps and I remember a second too late that she was very close to Klaus. I rush to explain, "Sorry I know he's your brother but he killed several people we care about including the woman I love who is Bonnie's best friend and Jer's sister and their aunt and he's tried to kill Bonnie twice plus now he's trying to turn Stefan evil again. Then add in that Elijah spared his life to save all of you and Klaus returned the kindness by daggering him, well that was just the last straw. And according to Elijah's memories that Bonnie has and has told me about, Klaus didn't even have good reasons to dagger any of his siblings. He just did it when you ceased to be useful to him or as revenge for perceived slights, which sucks."
She's nodding with her head slightly tilted to the side so I finish, "Look, I realize he's your brother so I won't ask you to help kill him, but I will ask you not to get in our way when the time comes because frankly we won't hesitate to kill you too if it means ending Klaus's reign of terror."
I turn again when I hear, "They speak the truth Sister and they keep their word." I smile as Elijah seems to materialize out of thin air then I frown a little when I notice the two men standing behind him. He's clearly unfazed though so he continues, "Mr. Salvatore, Miss Bennett, Mr. Gilbert, to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?"
I smile a little and tell him, "I remember everything Balthazaar."
His eyes widen and he takes a quick step closer as he asks with a smile on his face and in his voice, "Drago? Can it be true?"
"It's me, Brother, and I truly remember everything," I say as I nod, walk to him, and then engulf him in a hug.
He smiles and as he hugs me back he says, "Oh thank the Goddess. It killed me to pretend I didn't care for you or yours."
I smile as I pull back enough to look him in the eyes and tell him, "I'm sure since I told Bonnie and Jer earlier that if you didn't remember I wasn't sure I'd be able to pretend to hate you."
He laughs and tells Bonnie and Jeremy, "He was always a horrible liar, even when we were young."
I laugh and counter, "And you were always far too good at it, so we balanced each other out."
He smiles slightly, which widens when I tell him "We're planning to come free you tomorrow morning. We were going to ask you if you thought your brothers and sister will agree not to hurt any of us or try to help Klaus and if you agree we'll free them too."
I turn and look at the two other brothers and tell them, "I told Rebekah that we know Klaus is your brother, so we won't ask that you help us end him, but we will ask that you not try to stop us or help him. And I was serious when I said we will kill you if you try to help him because he's actively trying to destroy people we care about."
Balthazaar frowns, "Elena, did she…"
Bonnie answers, "Her biological father and I found a spell, he gave his life to save hers, so yes she died but no she's not dead and she's not undead either."
The three of us smile widely when he lets out whoosh of air, "Thank the Goddess for small miracles. I wasn't sure how to keep her alive once you gave her your blood."
I smile and tell him, "We know and we appreciate the obvious relief you feel at the news that she's still with us. And for the record, she'll forgive you just as Jer, Bonnie, and I have, though you will likely need to apologize."
He nods and smiles a slightly crooked smile, "That's one of my first orders of business once I'm free." He turns to face his brothers, "Brothers, Sister, I vouch for Drago, Miss Bennett, and Mr. Gilbert, they keep their word, and like me the only reason they seem even remotely willing to break their word is in defense of their family. If they say you will be freed and safe from them if you vow not to harm them and theirs or help Niklaus then I believe them."
Their lips are pressed together tightly and their eyebrows are raised so I add, "We know he's your brother. I get that you're in a tough spot basically having to choose between Elijah and Klaus. Having brothers of my own, I don't envy any of you for having to make this decision. But consider this, Elijah is a man of his word. No one I've ever heard speak of him has any recollection of the last time he broke his word, yet he did just that to try to save all of you. He did the one thing he swore he would never do out of love for his family."
I pause to let that sink in then tell them, "Conversely Klaus has killed all of you and locked you away in coffins for what I would call mere differences of opinion and in at least one instance simply because he felt like it and didn't want to hear what you had to say." I direct that last part to Rebekah as the whole time we've been here the Originals' lives have been floating through my head. I think they've been seeing ours too.
"Then Klaus daggered Elijah after Elijah broke his word and saved his life. With all due respect to each of you and your family, I think with a brother like that who needs enemies?"
Balthazaar laughs loudly at that, "Oh Drago you don't know just how true that statement is."
Bonnie smiles and tells him, "Yeah actually we all do, the side effect of meeting you here is that we all now know everything the others know. I know all of your memories, and I'm willing to bet you all know all of ours, and while Drago and Jer didn't know that would happen when they agreed to join me, I did know. I know if anything will help you decide not to betray us it will be the knowledge that we are trustworthy as seen through each of our eyes."
The one I know is called Kol speaks up, "Honestly just Elijah's word would be enough. If he trusts you, I trust you."
I smile at him and tell him, "Thank you. We don't take that admission lightly as we know how rare your trust of an outsider is."
He nods then says, "I'm tired of always having to watch my back for fear that my own brother is going to dagger me. I can't promise that I'll help kill him but I certainly won't help him survive or try to help him in some other fashion. And if you and yours swear that you won't attack me if I don't attack you and Elijah vouches for you then I'll agree to peacefully coexist."
Jer speaks up then, "Awesome, thank you."
Kol just nods and then the other brother whose name is Finn says, "I'm so tired, Elijah if I asked you to would you end me?"
Elijah sighs heavily as do the other two Originals and with a small nod he says, "If that is what you wish, but, Brother, I told you about my first family. I am certain you would have a place with them if you wanted it."
I nod and take over, "Can we call you Finn?"
He nods and Jer breaks in before I can continue, "Well, Finn, our family is very tight nit quite like what I imagine your family to be honestly, minus the evil brother killing us when we least expect it. I know whether you live or die is your choice and I, we, will respect whatever you decide but I would suggest trying to live with us."
Jer smiles and tells him, "You might find what you've been missing all along. I can see how tired you are of being a monster, but I can also see that your switch broke in the on position, and you obviously feel guilt over the bad things you did while the switch was off. If I might be so bold, if you kill yourself to escape the guilt then the people you killed died for nothing."
He turns and looks at me briefly. I nod to show him I know what he's going to say and I approve so he says, "Damon here says he tried to learn from the deaths he caused and be a better man almost in their honor in the hopes of giving their deaths meaning. Because ultimately they didn't die for nothing if you learn the valuable lesson their deaths are obviously trying to teach you."
He stops a minute then proves that being youngest does not at all equate to being stupid or unqualified as he says, "Guilt ultimately serves a greater purpose. If it's felt strongly enough it spurs us into changing our behavior and if we're lucky who we truly are. If you want redemption and peace, I don't think you'll get it by having Elijah kill you. I think learning to live with the guilt and maybe helping us protect our town and loved ones are more likely to give you the peace you so obviously want and in my opinion deserve."
Finn's eyes widen as Jer says that last part and he asks, "You, you think I deserve peace, after everything I've done?"
Jer smiles a warm smile at the older man, "I think everyone who wants one deserves a second chance at being a good and decent person. Look at it this way, Elijah helped save the asshole who killed my sister and my aunt, tried to kill my girlfriend twice and would have let Damon, whom I consider my older brother, die if Stefan, my other older brother, hadn't sold himself into slavery for the cure to Damon's Werewolf bite. Despite that fact, I was very active in trying to find Elijah and planning your rescues."
He looks at me again and smiles slightly before he says, "Plus, when Damon's switch was off he killed my first girlfriend, and then when his switch was first back on he actually killed me trying to turn the switch back off, and I forgave him for both." All of the Originals' eyes pop open wide at that admission but he just smiles and tells them, "If I can forgive the man who actually snapped my neck and killed me and truly believe he deserves another chance don't you think it's pretty easy to see that everyone who's truly sorry and wants one deserves a second chance. No promises on third chances but I think everyone should at least get a second chance."
He pauses again before seeming to remember something and saying, "And just so you know I think Klaus' second chance was when Elijah saved his life and he threw that away by betraying Elijah. Damon considers Elijah family and honestly so does my sister so as far as I'm concerned he's family too, which gives us one more reason to hate the asshole."
He smiles then and looks Finn in the eyes, "Anyway, yes, you deserve to give yourself another chance to be a good man since it's obvious you don't like the bad things you did. Just as it's obvious Klaus doesn't want a second chance to be a decent man since he used up his last chance when he betrayed our brother."
As he finishes speaking I smile. That right there is why Bonnie's gut wanted Jer here with us. None of the other members of our family would have said everything he just said so elegantly or with such conviction. I can see that they're all moved by his words and we all just kind of stand there for a minute absorbing the very deep words he shared with all of us.
Balthazaar seems to shake himself free of his thoughts first. "Finn, as I stated I truly believe that they are trustworthy, and Drago's time as Damon aside, they are among the most decent individuals I've ever had the honor or privilege of encountering so if young Mr. Gilbert thinks you deserve a second chance then I implore you to at least try. If after a time you still wish to leave this life I will end you whenever you wish, you have my word."
Finn's been crying for most of the conversation regarding second chances, and he doesn't seem to be able to speak right away, so he just nods then after a minute or two he whispers, "I will try… if you think… I may be redeemed."
Jer smiles with his shoulders back, his chin raised, and a glint in his eyes as he says, "I truly believe you can be redeemed if you want it, but see that's the trick about redemption you have to actually want it in order to get an opportunity at obtaining it."
Jer turns and smiles at Rebekah and I can tell it's the same smile he gives Elena, "Can I call you 'Bekah?"
She smiles and nods so he continues, "Then you all can call us Damon, Jeremy, and Bonnie, or you can call me Jer, most of my family does. Anyway, 'Bekah you're the last to decide what you want to do. There's a place for you in our family if you want it."
She frowns, "I do want it, but Nik always wheedles me into doing what he wants. I'm not sure I can be trusted not to help him if he pushes the right button." She stops then asks, "Did I say that right?"
Jer, Bonnie, and I nod, as does Balthazaar, so she continues as she turns to her brothers, "Would you all be terribly upset with me if I asked to remain daggered until Nik is dead? That way I won't be tempted to help him by whatever ploy he decides to use."
Now my eyes pop open wide as it never occurred to me that she would suggest such a thing. I blink rapidly for a second and then openly stare at her. The fact she knows herself well enough to know that weakness of hers and that she's strong and confident enough to voice the weakness and offer to remain dead until her brother can be removed from the equation makes me just sort of stand there sucking in air.
I'm clearly not the only one who is shocked as Bonnie tells her, "Would it work if we just kept you at the boarding house and kept you away from Klaus, because I have to say the idea of leaving any of you daggered longer than absolutely necessary is truly abhorrent to me." She pauses and looks at each of us then says, "Seriously it makes my stomach churn at the injustice of it all so if you think just keeping you away from him—"
Rebekah shakes her head and tells us, "No I think it needs to be the dagger. Don't get me wrong I hate it and I want to help my brothers who are loyal to me. However, I have this soft spot for Nik that he exploits at every opportunity. I honestly miss him and how we were once, so I'm afraid I'd go looking for him, and then well I'd end up betraying the very people who are offering to save me in more ways than one. So all things considered I'd really rather wait to come back until I'm not a risk to all of you."
Jer reaches out and takes her hand as he tells her, "Thank you 'Bekah for being honest and thank you on behalf of all of our family for being willing to endure this a while longer while we put a stop to Klaus' bullshit."
He turns to Balthazaar, "Elijah do you know how to drive and have a license?"
He sort of jerks back at the question but says, "Yes, it has been a few years, but yes I know how to drive, and my license is still valid despite my rarely using it."
Jer smiles and says, "Okay so if we undagger you, Finn, and Kol tomorrow and then rent a moving truck we could transport Rebekah's coffin to the boarding house, which has been warded to protect against all those who mean our family harm. She'd be safe there, so you guys wouldn't have to worry about her, and none of us would have to worry about Klaus discovering the rest of you are free and deciding to take it out on her."
He shrugs with a sheepish grin as he says, "I have my learner's permit, but I don't know if I can use it outside Virginia, but I bet the others would be willing to take turns with you driving the truck. Then when we deal with Klaus you all can immediately undagger her, and we can get on with our lives and truly be a family."
I smile as they all have slack mouths and wide eyes due to his quick thinking and his concern for their sister's safety, but that's Jer for you he's a quick thinker, and he's always looking out for others. Balthazaar finally nods and tells us, "Rebekah if this is your decision I trust the others and I will be able to transport you to safety and I trust that Bonnie's wards will continue to keep you safe until you can be revived."
She smiles and wipes away a tear, "Then that is my wish."
Jer, Bonnie, and I nod and I ask, "So not to be a drag but I need to hear you all give your word that you won't betray us and try to harm us or any one we consider ours."
They all nod and the men bow and take turns saying, "I give you my word that I will not attack you or yours or betray you or your family by helping Niklaus or any other of your enemies. Furthermore, I vow to stand beside you and fight to protect you and yours."
Honestly, that last part causes my eyes to pop open wide again but Jer and Bonnie are just beaming wide smiles at everyone. I turn to Rebekah and she curtsies and repeats the same vow her brother's made.
I smile back at her and tell her, "To warn you, Rebekah, Klaus seems to have compelled Stefan to forget that you and he ever knew Stefan so currently he probably doesn't remember you. And I want to be honest, right now he thinks he's in love with Elena, but we all know that he's actually Caroline's mate, though she doesn't know that yet either. None of you can tell them, anyway the point is I don't want you to think that you're going to rekindle any sort of romance with him because even if you did the moment he remembers his life as Dante he will only love Asya."
She nods and says, "I know. That's not why I chose your family over Nik, though I am hoping to rekindle my friendship with him at least. He used to be quite apt at making me laugh. However, really I can tell from your thoughts, all of your thoughts, that all of you love each other, and I'm amazed that you're offering to include all of us. I think we'd all be fools to turn our backs on you and your family."
She smiles and adds, "None of you are perfect and you're all very aware of that, yet you seem to love each other flaws and all, especially if you killed Jeremy once, so I'm hopeful to be a part of your family. That's what I've always wanted to be honest. We had it for a while as Humans but once we became Vampires that love seemed to drain from us just as we drained our victims."
We all nod and Jer tells her, "Well if you're looking for love I know a few guys at the high school who might be good enough for you."
I turn and look at him and he shrugs and asks, "What, I know you were thinking it too. I know you. Besides I kind of want her to come to school with us, can you picture her and Care. 'Bekah I think you and Care are going to clash at first but only because you're each what the other admires most. I think that will, I don't know, intimidate you or at least make you resent the other for a while, but I'm just as sure that once you both come to realize that you can peacefully coexist and that you actually have a shit load in common then I think you'll be sisters just like Elena, Bonnie and Care are."
He smiles then tells her, "And don't worry, Elena and Bonnie here will love you pretty quickly once they realize they can trust you with their loved ones. That's what it comes down to with all of us, if you can be trusted with the safety and wellbeing of our loved ones then we'll love you too, simple as that."
Rebekah nods and then asks, "I can see your memories of this high school, how long can you stay? I want to know everything you can tell me. It'll help hold me over until I can join all of you."
Jer and I look at Bonnie and I can actually feel her ground herself for a moment. She turns and looks at both of us and we smile before she turns and tells Rebekah, "It's only about two in the morning, and we don't need to get up until seven, so we've got five hours to kill."
Then Rebekah proves just how trustworthy she is, "You won't be too tired after spending all night with us will you? I want to know everything but not at the expense of your safety tomorrow. I'm sure Nik has guards keeping watch over our coffins so you need to be sharp when you come to get us."
Balthazaar smiles obviously pleased and I smile at all of them as Bonnie tells them, "According to Tianna's notes this spell won't drain us. Technically we're in bed getting a restful night's sleep as it's only our consciousness that's here and while I'm pretty sure doing this every night for a decade would take its toll doing it tonight and maybe every night until we can free you probably won't hurt."
Rebekah sort of bounces on her toes at the prospect of us visiting her every night until she's undaggered. However, she again proves herself, "Okay, but if you start to notice it's having a negative effect on you I want you to just tell me that you can't come back for a while and I'll see you when you free me."
Jer and I smile and in unison all three of us tell her, "We promise not to put ourselves at risk," I finish the thought, "At least not just to visit with you. We can and will put ourselves at risk to protect you though."
She smiles a brilliant smile and says, "Thank you, I hope to prove I deserve that vow."
Jer smiles and says what I'm thinking, "You already have."
Bonnie closes her eyes for a minute and then suddenly chairs appear and we all sit down and get to know each other better though mostly Bonnie and Jer answer all their questions about high school and Balthazaar and I fill them in on what they've missed in the decades, or in Finn's case nine centuries, since they were daggered.
Around ten of seven Bonnie and I both seem to notice the time and she frowns ever so slightly, "Okay it's almost time for us to go. We'll see you guys in a few hours. Rebekah if I'm not too tired tonight Jer and I will try to come keep you company okay. Since the spell I did to keep our secrets secret will prevent them from knowing they're Briseis and Asya we'll see if Elena, Care, and maybe Tyler and Ric want to try to come too."
Everyone nods and Jer and I shake hands with the men and Bonnie gives quick hugs to everyone. I smile when Jer hugs Rebekah and whispers into her ear, "Welcome to the family, Big Sis."
She kisses his cheek, and then with a smile on my face I open my eyes and turn to look at Bonnie lying beside me and Jer on her other side both looking at me with the same smile.
We lay there until just before the alarm goes off and then Bonnie and Jer go to their room and I take a shower before I kiss Elena good morning and then head out to find out if everyone else is awake.
When I reach the living room, I see that I'm the first one ready so I head to the kitchen and begin making waffles.
Half an hour later Bonnie and Jeremy join me in the kitchen. I look up at them from the bowl of batter I'm making and ask, "So, I think that went as well as it possibly could have, basically the best case scenario. Do you both agree they are trust worthy? I think they truly wish to become part of our family and will fight beside us and even give their lives for ours. What do you guys think?"
They both nod and Bonnie says, "Think about it Damon, Rebekah's been daggered for almost 90 years. I imagine she wants very little more than she wants to get out of that coffin and yet she admitted that she's weak when it comes to Klaus. She's willingly staying daggered until her weakness no longer endangers us and it was all her idea. And did you notice when I told her we'd try to come visit her every night the first thing out of her mouth was her asking if it would put too much strain on me. She agreed to wait alone if it means we won't be putting ourselves at risk just to keep her company."
Jer and I nod at her, so she nods back and says, "I truly trust all four of them, but we're going to have to work on healing Finn, well, all of them really, but especially Finn. Did you see his memories, he was very gentle as a Human and when his switch turned off he did things that his gentle Humanity has a very hard time coming to grips with? It broke my heart when he actually asked Elijah to kill him though I'm very glad we, or should I say, Jer, convinced him to try to earn redemption instead of taking the easy way out."
I interrupt to tell Jeremy, "Bonnie's gut was spot on. I was really proud of you Jer. You gave an excellent argument for giving Finn's victims' deaths a purpose by teaching him the value of life and that if he wants redemption it's his for the taking. Though, I was happy you were also clear to point out that only second chances are guaranteed, so it shouldn't be wasted since third chances are hard to come by, and I agree with your decision to point that out clearly."
Bonnie's nodding and I laugh and tell them both, "I'm actually really proud of both of you. It seems like we had a really productive night while the rest of our merry band slept." I hug Bonnie and give her a kiss on the cheek and then I surprise Jer by hugging him and whispering, "Good job, Brother, as you were the difference between Finn committing suicide and his agreeing to try being part of our family. You should be proud of yourself. I'm really proud of you and I know your parent's, Jenna, and John are proud of you too. I honestly don't think anyone else could have convinced him to give life another chance."
Jeremy blushes at the praise as Bonnie wipes a tear away before either of us sees it though I wink at her so she knows I smelt the salt of her tears in the air, but I'm content not to bring it up if she doesn't want to.
Shortly after the hugs and praise, everyone else joins us.
Jer and Bonnie spend most of breakfast recounting our evening spent entertaining the Originals. Before we know it, breakfast is eaten and cleaned up and we're collecting our weapons and a big cooler full of blood to go rescue some Originals.
