Sorry this is a day late, I wrote 6 pages & then decided to re-write it again... ANYWAY, now it's here - enjoy! PS. THANK YOU REVIEWERS! I love youuuuu!
...
The doppelganger jolts awake, frightened as she gasps for oxygen to fill her burning lungs. She cannot remember what she dreamt about, but whatever it was it must have been very frightening. With her heart racing inside her ribcage, she inhales deeply to attempt to calm herself. She feels very confused and disorientated – when did I get back to the Gilbert's house...? Evelyn cannot remember making it through the front door, or back in to town, for that matter. Her brow furrows as she gets out of bed, she stumbles slightly before regaining her balance and heads in to the bathroom for a morning shower.
The warm water cascades down on to her aching body, but it does not soothe her as it usually would. This only causes her confusion to deepen – is she sick? She cannot remember being ill for a while, so maybe that is the case. She shrugs it off and quickly finishes up in the shower, dries her hair in to its usual curls, applies her make-up and pulls on some red jeans, a white t-shirt, a red cardigan and some white flat shoes. Once she is ready the doppelganger makes her way downstairs, sulking because she left her schoolbag at Klaus' – something her teachers will not be too pleased about.
Klaus.
Her legs give way as the memories of last night pass through her; the emotions that come with it hit her with the force of a tsunami. He broke up with her before she could get to it, and having broken up with her he bit her... HER: The woman he is supposed to love. Evelyn had trusted him enough to believe he would never hurt her, and then he went and diminished it... That fraction of trust she had is now gone; he nearly drained her dry... Tears of rage and betrayal fill her vision, making it blurred. Growling to herself, she squeezes her eyes shut and fights off the offending droplets – she refuses to cry, she is stronger than that. Klaus may have broken up with her and bit her but she can brood about that later... She feels too weird to focus on her problems with Klaus, right now.
"Morning," Jeremy greets Evelyn with a smile before opening up one of the top cupboards. "Want some coffee?"
"Please," Evie nods, trudging up to the refrigerator and opening it up. It is not until her stomach growls at her that she realizes just how hungry she is – the brunette grabs some leftover nachos from last night and digs in immediately. Jeremy finishes pouring the coffee in to two mugs and turns around, chuckling at the view of Evelyn practically shovelling the leftovers in to her eagerly chomping mouth.
"Calm down, Evie, you don't want to be sick," He places the mug down on the island and Evelyn's eyes fall on to it – the nachos are not helping, and the view of the warm liquid suddenly has her really thirsty. She grabs the mug and begins to drink, wincing as the coffee burns her mouth and throat. When she pulls the mug away from her lips it is empty, and Jeremy is staring at her with wide, uneasy eyes.
"Evelyn, are you ok?" He asks.
"I don't know, I've felt weird since I woke up this morning... I'm so hungry and I feel all confused, and my body aches." She looks up at her cousin with tear-filled eyes and Jeremy immediately walks over to place a comforting hand on her back.
"Hey, you're going to be fine, don't worry. Why don't you take the day off and see if you feel better later on?" Evelyn shakes her head vigorously at Jeremy's question – being left alone for six hours with nothing but her tear-inducing thoughts? No thank you.
"No way, I've got too much to think about." She forces a smile as she looks up at him, "I'll be fine; don't worry about it."
Jeremy is still uncertain but he decides to drop it – after he quickly finishes his own coffee they head to the door. As soon as her cousin opens it Evelyn yelps, squeezing her eyes shut as she places her hands over the closed lids. Jeremy is at her side immediately, telling her that he is going to make her stay at home – Evie heads back in to the kitchen, fishes through a drawer and pulls out a pair of sunglasses.
"I'll be fine," She replies determinedly. "I am definitely sick but I want to go to school – I'll go see a doctor later."
Even more uncertain, Jeremy agrees but demands that she travels to school with him, today – to appease him she allows him to take her... She doubts that driving is a good idea just as much as he does. What's wrong with me? She repeatedly asks herself as they travel towards Mystic Falls High School. The ride seems to be much shorter than she had hoped: soon enough Jeremy is pulling in to a parking space and shutting the car's engine down.
"Are you sure you're going to be ok?" Jeremy asks doubtfully, looking over at Evelyn who is massaging her throbbing temples. Her head hurts.
"Yes," She snaps before climbing out of the car, slamming it shut behind her and then wincing as she sharp slamming noise sounds more like a screech to her sensitive ears. As soon as she gets out of the car the scent of iron hits her; she frowns, looking around for the source of the metallic smell – aside from the cars there doesn't seem to be anything, but it is definitely there. Shaking her head, she rushes in to school and instantly searches for Elena – she finds her almost instantly; she is stood in front of Caroline's locker, straightening out a cardboard banner.
"Evie!" Elena smiles as she sees her twin sister walking towards her. She admires the sunglasses she is sporting with raised eyebrows, "I never thought you were the type to wear shades inside."
"Yeah, I decided to be a little unique today," She fakes a smile to hide the pain she is in and then admires Caroline's pretty pink-and-purple decorated locker. The 'Happy Birthday Caroline' banner has her smile falling from her lips. "Oh damnit, I forgot all about Caroline's birthday!"
"Its fine, I'll just tag you on to the end of my card," Elena giggles whilst admiring her artwork. "How does it look?"
"Perfect – but is Car even here, I haven't seen her," Evie murmurs, frowning. It's not like Caroline to miss a celebration – especially one for herself.
"She'll be here-" Elena is cut off by the first school bell of the day. With a sigh she grabs her schoolbag from the floor and pulls it over her shoulder, "Anyway – enough about Caroline's birthday. Let's get to homeroom and you can tell me everything about what happened with Klaus last night."
Great, Evie thinks to herself as Elena grabs her wrist and pulls her through the sea of students. The scent of iron becomes stronger as they travel through the crowd, and oddly enough it is starting to become... Tempting?
...
Klaus takes a sip from his rosé wine as he stares down at his desiccated little sister. She is dauntingly still – not a flicker of her eyelids or a rising and then falling of her chest that signals breathing can be seen. She is sleeping, but she is not at peace. Her face is twisted ever-so-slightly in to a grimace of pain from having a dagger set deep in to her heart. The guilt is the most painful part of doing this – he hates it; despises it. His anger makes him impulsive; it is only until after the deed is done that he realizes the effects of his decisions. That is why he bit Evelyn.
He inhales sharply at the sharp sting of guilt and sadness at the memory. Her terrified and disgusted facial expression plagued his dreams – but what is done is done... Evelyn hurt him by betraying him, telling his sister that he killed their mother and then not telling him that she was daggered in the Salvatore's cellar really pissed him off – and then she was going to break up with him. Klaus does not get broken up with: he beat her to it. Unfortunately it was not as simple as that, because he still loves her just as much... He never imagined that waking up without her by his side could make him feel even more alone than he already had, but it did. He has felt beyond remorseful ever since he watched her run out the door, last night... But what would apologizing do? She will never forgive him...
He has hurt everyone he loves. He has destroyed their lives, and deep down he knows that, as much as he tries to make up for it, he never will. Killing their mother, their father, daggering his siblings, almost killing Evelyn... Why does he keep everyone at arm's length? Why did he let Evie in just to push her away again? He already knows the answer, but he wants to keep these questions rhetorical, for now. He may be in a brooding mood but he will not fall too deep in to the pit of despair. He will not wallow in his own grief. He reaches his free hand up to the coffin lid and closes it, forcing his neutralized sister in to darkness. Placing his hand above the lid, he inhales slowly.
"Sweet dreams, Rebekah." He almost whispers, grief evident in his whole demeanour. Mindy steps forward from where she had been leaning against the wall and looks up at Klaus expectantly – he turns to her. "Show her to her room, would you, love?"
"Sure," Mindy sighs before walking around the casket, pushing it out of the room to leave the hybrid alone with his wine. After swallowing the last drop, Klaus goes to head in to the other room to refill his glass – and then he catches the familiar scent of Stefan. He forces a bitter smile on his face and keeps his eyes on the ground.
"I'm surprised you're still in town," He murmurs. "I gave you your freedom, you could've gone anywhere." The hybrid turns from where he was unfocusedly gazing at the ground and walks in to the room, seeing that Stefan is stood with his arms folded; leaning against part of a wall with small square windows placed within it – Klaus becomes tempted to wipe that cocky, superior smirk off of the child's face.
"I live here, Klaus." Stefan replies chirpily.
Klaus takes a step down in to the room and scans it for his glass of wine as he speaks; "Well, if we're playing this game, uh, I was here first."
"You know, I don't like your hybrid friends. They're everywhere. Kind of like fleas..." He makes eye contact with the Original, who has found his bottle of wine. "I want them gone."
"Yeah well, uh, I kind of like having them around." Klaus replies, only his eyes give away the true anger he feels towards Stefan's blatant lack of respect. The vampire is still smirking; he looks as though he wants to laugh. Despite the calm front the hybrid is putting on Stefan knows how weak he is, right now. The vampire hmms in response and Klaus begins to walk a little bit closer to him. "You know I'm hurt? I had hoped that I'd free you and we'd pick up where we left off." He pours more wine in to his glass whilst speaking, "but here you are – guzzling vervain like the rest of them, I'm sure." He raises his glass to Stefan sarcastically, "So much for friendship."
"Friends don't strip friends of their free will," Stefan explains, keeping his eyes on Klaus'. The hybrid looks down at the floor; guilt briefly crosses his features before he grins.
"Ok, granted, yeah that was a little extreme – I get a little moody; just ask my siblings," He turns towards the door where Mindy and Rebekah's body had excited. "Speaking of whom... Isn't it time you handed them over?" Klaus makes eye contact with Stefan once more, keeping his face void of emotions. He is serious, now. No more games. Stefan sees this, but he does not really care.
"Klaus," he speaks his name patronizingly. "Get your hybrids out of Mystic Falls or I will remove them myself." Stefan's smile only edges the Original on – he wants to tear this disrespectful brat's heart out.
But he can't. He mustn't.
"You see, if you continue to threaten me then I'm going to be forced to retaliate. Kill people; and it will get messy, again." He warns, smirking ever-so-slightly. Stefan just shrugs.
"Do whatever you want, I don't really care," He gasps, "Or do you know what? Maybe I do... Yeah. Maybe I care so much that I drop Elijah in the Arctic."
"Well, maybe I'd be willing to lose one brother if it meant killing yours." Klaus smirks confidently.
"Try me, let's find out." Stefan's face is so full of an evil sort of humour that Klaus has to laugh slightly in disbelief – he knows that this is the ripper but surely he still cares for his brother...
"Or maybe Elena – I no longer have to worry about her death now that Evelyn is gone. I can always use her blood when necessary." Klaus feels slightly successful, until he notices that Stefan continues to look at him with that amused expression, as if this game is nothing but fun to him.
"Or maybe I'll kill Elena and then turn Evelyn in to a vampire... She does have your blood in her system still, right?" Klaus feels his anger becoming rage at this – luckily Mindy walks in at that moment, stopping him from decapitating Stefan as he so badly wants too.
"Is everything ok?" She asks her master, walking over to stand beside him.
"Everything is fine, Mindy. Stefan was just leaving after failing to make his point," Klaus grins at Stefan sarcastically. Seeing that Klaus is still not taking him seriously, Stefan strikes. He slices Mindy's head off with one of the razor-sharp tools that have been used to work on the house. Klaus stares down at Mindy; his eyes are glassed over with a slight sense of shock and disbelief. Stefan's expression is daunting – he looks so content now that her body and head have been separated.
"Well, one down." Klaus looks up slowly, the rage directed towards Stefan is completely visible – he cannot even bring himself to put on a poker face, after witnessing that. "You may want to send the rest of them away before it gets messy... Again." With that, Stefan throws the tool on to the wooden make-shift table and leaves Klaus to plan out what he can do next.
First task: keep Evelyn human.
...
"SURPRISE!"
Caroline jumps slightly before turning around to see that Bonnie, Matt, Elena and Evelyn are all stood in her hallway. Bonnie is wearing a cone-shaped birthday hat and holding a banner that reads 'Happy Birthday Caroline', Matt is stood behind the girls with a party hat like Bonnie's atop his golden hair and some yellow and pink balloons in his hands, Elena is wearing a purple feathered tiara and Evelyn is stood to the side, forcing laughter to hide the pain she has being going through all day.
"What're you guys doing here?" Caroline asks, still a little shocked.
"Well, you blew off school and missed our work of birthday art, so..." Elena removes the feathered tiara and places it on Caroline's head.
"Change in to some warmer clothes, we're going to the Falls," Bonnie orders with a smile. "Smores, camp fire-"
"Cake!" Elena smiles excitedly.
"Like we were little," Bonnie adds.
"Except with Tequila!" Matt adds in a sing-song voice, making Caroline giggle.
"Aw, thanks guys, really... Um, I'm just not really feeling my birthday this year."
"I'm sorry, what? We've already claimed your birthday as everyone's favourite day of the year!" Bonnie yells.
"Yeah, and now it's just a reminder that technically I'm dead." Caroline snaps; the false smile she had put on falls from her lips. "Look, I didn't even like seventeen – the only point of seventeen was to get to eighteen: it's a filler year... I'm stuck in a filler year-"
"You're not stuck, Caroline." Evelyn speaks up for the first time, walking over to comfort her.
"Yeah, I am." She sighs, resting her head on Evie's shoulder. "But it's okay... You know, it's all good, I will be fine... But I just need some time to wallow in it."
"Ok, well I think I have another idea." Elena smirks, "how about we go grab a few things and head to a secret location?"
"Elena-" Caroline whines, but Elena holds up her hand.
"No arguments, trust me you'll like this. Matt, Bonnie, let's head back to mine – Evelyn will keep you company," She looks at her sister's slightly pained expression and frowns. "Take care of her, would you? She's not feeling too good."
"Fine," Caroline sighs, turning to Evie as the others all leave her house, chuckling and giggling as Elena whispers to them her 'big idea'. Once the door has closed Evelyn falls to the ground, pulling her knees to her chest. Caroline had just walked over to her bag, but when she hears the doppelganger falling to the ground she spins on her heels and gasps. "Evie, are you ok?"
"No, Car." She whimpers, tugging the shades from her face and throwing them across the room. "I feel so weird... I feel weak, my body hurts, my eyes are so fucking sensitive and I'm so hungry and all I can smell is iron and it smells good – I want it!" The pain is becoming unbearable and she is so confused – she had eaten three plates of food at lunch and none of it had done anything for the deeply unsatisfied and newly awakened hunger within. Caroline kneels down besides the doppelganger, taking her tear-streaked face in her hands and staring in to her eyes... They look very unfocused; she is starving, scared, confused...
"Oh my god," Caroline jumps away from Evie in shock, clasping her hands over her mouth as she realizes what is wrong with her.
"W-What?" Evelyn asks in a small, terrified voice. Caroline just stares at her, shaking her head in disbelief as tears trickle down her own cheeks. "WHAT, CAROLINE!"
"Evelyn..." She inhales deeply, trying to calm herself so she can speak properly. "Have you got... Well, have you drank any vampire blood, lately?"
"What?" Evie frowns in annoyance, "No... Well, wait... Last night. Klaus fed me blood... Why?"
"You're... Evelyn, I think you're in transition."
...
"What do you want me to do with her head?" Daniel asks, interrupting Klaus from his planning.
"Just get rid of it – burn it, I honestly don't care, Daniel." He replies, giving him a warning look. The hybrid shrugs before walking away. Tyler chooses that moment to enter: he looks down at the suspiciously blood-covered makeshift bag that Daniel is carrying around and then up to Klaus.
"You called?" Tyler asks, letting Klaus know he is here. "I'm here," He says after a moment of being ignored. Klaus looks up as Tyler gestures to the blood on the ground. "What happened?"
"'What happened' is Stefan had two paths in front of him and he chose the one that made me angry; I need you to help me do something about that," the Original explains.
"Can't you just leave me out of it?" Tyler asks tiredly.
"What would be the point in that?" Klaus mumbles.
"Seriously, man, can't you just get one of your other hybrids to do your bidding? I've lost my friends, my girlfriend-!"
"Right, your girlfriend... Um, about her: I need you to bite her."
"What?" Tyler's voice rises in pitch slightly as he looks at Klaus as if he has gone crazy.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"A hybrid bite will kill a vampire!" Tyler reminds him angrily.
"Yeah, I know exactly what it will do. Stefan pushed me too far so I'm pushing back," He grins.
"I'm not biting Caroline!" Tyler yells, glaring daggers at the Original. Klaus looks at the ground, smiling at his response.
"Tyler, I've been supernaturally blessed with the good fortune of the sire bond to you, so one could consider this me putting your undying loyalty to the test."
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Tyler growls, standing up to his sire angrily, "I'm not hurting Caroline!"
A slow, cruel smile appears on Klaus' lips. He stares in to his hybrid's eyes, an idea forming. "Alright, alright." He turns away and looks down to the ground, feigning disappointment. "I'm disappointed but, you know, it's your choice – free will and all that. I'll find another way to strike at Stefan... You can go, now."
A strange feeling starts formulating within Tyler; the hybrid's expression becomes confused as the guilty feeling nags at him. Pushing it aside, he leaves the room... Klaus smirks.
He'll do it, he tells himself confidently.
...
"What do you mean I'm in transition!" Evelyn shrieks, panic consuming her as she begins to quiver – the doppelganger pulls her knees to her chest as tightly as she can whilst staring up at Caroline with watery, fearful eyes. "I never died!"
"Did Klaus kill you?" Caroline asks desperately, "Come on, Evie – think back. What's the last thing you remember before you woke up?"
Evelyn cannot think straight, she is about to have a mental breakdown – she doesn't want to be a vampire; this can't be happening to her! "I-I don't know! Klaus bit me but he f-fed me his blood, I left his house a-and..." She frowns as tears slide down her cheeks before realization crosses her features. "Someone grabbed me – I was about to walk in to my house and someone grabbed me... I don't remember anything after that!"
"Evie, someone snapped your neck," Caroline explains – sending a disgusted shiver down the doppelgangers spine.
"WHO DID THIS TO ME?" She shrieks, "NO! I CAN'T BE A VAMPIRE! I DON'T WANT THIS!"
"I know, I know!" Caroline falls to Evelyn's side as the doppelganger snaps – she breaks down completely. Caroline finds herself crying for Evie as she holds her shaking, sobbing and shrieking body to hers, doing everything that she can to calm her down. After ten minutes or so the weakness that has being building throughout the day has Evelyn's sobs diminishing in to slight jumps of her chest, the tears stop falling as she keeps her eyes closed tightly, clinging on to her friend desperately as she thinks about all of this... Klaus' blood did this... Klaus' bite caused this... But who turned her? Who killed her? What are they going to gain from this? Was it Klaus?
"I'm dying, aren't I?" Evie whispers to her friend, she can feel Caroline nod.
"Yes," She replies.
"I knew it... I can feel it. My energy has been draining all day – that's why I feel so ill."
"You don't have to die – we still have time. I can go get you a blood bag; I have a stash in the freezer... It's not all bad; being a vampire." Evie pulls away from Caroline and sighs shakily, looking up at her through her tear-covered eyelashes.
"What's good about being a vampire?" She murmurs; her expression makes it clear that she thinks of it as a curse rather than a gift.
"Well, everything is clearer – your vision is much more defined; your sense of taste, your sense of hearing... I swear I can hear things from miles around," Caroline smiles, "Your emotions are heightened, too. You feel so powerful, and when you're in love it feels like... Like you're floating – like nothing can hurt you."
"And then there's the blood thirst," Evie's voice falters as she says it. "The thirst I've been feeling all day – that iron scent... It's the smell of blood, isn't it?" Caroline nods her expression go sombre as Evelyn frowns. "Is the thirst bad?"
"I won't lie... Yes. It's always there, Evelyn. Every time I am around a human all I want to do is bite them and drain them dry, and Damon said that never changes, but I guess it's worth it... At least I think it is. Sure, pain is intensified and I guess I'm going to have to watch the people I love die, eventually." Caroline's eyes become slightly watery as she speaks, "I do wish I'd never been turned, but I guess it happened for a reason – it's made me appreciate everyone around me, and to let them know that I appreciate them. Becoming a vampire has been a nightmare, but I've come out of those transitioning days a better person."
"Have you ever killed anyone?" Evelyn asks, barely whispering the words. Caroline's eyes meet her own, now. The blonde nods.
"Yes, I did... I didn't have anyone to help me – I knew what I was because I'd been craving blood all day but no one had tried helping me. I killed someone, but then Stefan took me in and he taught me that there are better ways to live – that we don't have to feed from people. If you chose to turn then I can help you," Caroline stands up and holds out her hand; Evelyn stares at it, still uncertain. "I won't let you kill anyone, if that's what you're worried about – I promise. You won't be alone with this."
"But Elena," Evelyn begins to sob again, "Elena will hate me and Klaus... I don't want to be sired to Klaus! He will make me hurt someone to get to Stefan, Car! I can't!"
"You don't know that," Caroline shakes her head as she pleads Evelyn with her eyes. "I won't bring out a blood bag unless you're one-hundred-percent sure that you want to turn, but I will be selfish enough to talk you in to it because although you think Elena will hate you she won't! Evie, you're her sister and she has already lost so many people to death... We all have, and losing you will make everything worse... And although it seems like Klaus could be a problem, I'm sure he loves you too much to ever make you do something that will make you hate him."
Evie smirks, "Klaus fed on me against my will, last night. If that doesn't make where I stand with him perfectly clear then I don't know what will."
"What a dick!"She shakes her head after a moment and focuses on the problem at hand, "Isn't it just hybrids that are sired to him? I haven't heard of any human-turned-vampires that have been kissing his ass the way those wolf-turned-vamps do." She scoffs, thinking about Tyler.
"I don't know, but is that a risk we're willing to take?" She asks.
"Evelyn, it's not my decision – is it a risk you are willing to take?"
She sighs, her eyes glaze over as she thinks back to the day she arrived in Mystic Falls – never in her wildest dreams would she have ever imagined that it would all turn in to this. She was once a human who had an unwavering adoration for her father, who had friends and was immensely popular... And then her Dad died, and she died, too. The popular, spunky Evelyn Gilbert became bitter and sarcastic, she pushed all of her friends away to the point where none of them will even care that technically she has gone 'missing'... She wonders if they have even asked anyone where she is, now.
Alone and confused, she came here – to a small town that she only presumed her Dad may have visited before his death. She found an address that lead her to the house where she soon discovered that her twin sister and her cousin lived; Elena and Jeremy Gilbert. Elena had been adopted by their uncle and aunt, and they had been separated since birth. Funnily enough, the day she met Elena was the same day that she met Klaus... It was the day that she felt like the missing puzzle pieces of her life had been fit together, completing the picture. Of course, she did not realize this until weeks later.
It was also the day that she discovered the very existence of the supernatural – wolves first, and then vampires, and a couple of days later, witches. She had thought Alaric and Elena were crazy as they spoke about driving up to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee to find a pack or werewolves... But Elena told her that these creatures existed, and she just knew to believe it... And she did. She met a vampire called Damon who she immediately disliked, a hybrid called Klaus who kidnapped her and saved her life all in the same day and a vampire called Stefan who her sister was risking her life for - just to find him.
Then came love. Klaus was cruel – a true creature of the night, but when it came to her something within him changed... He cared for her, protected her, and before they knew it they were whisked in to an incredibly complicated yet powerful romance that they had no real control over. They fought, they kissed - he discovered Elena's existence and shut off Stefan's emotions... And then he ran, terrified at the news that Mikael, his father, had been awakened by Damon and Evelyn's other doppelganger, Katherine. She spent those days missing him, arguing with her sister, getting the long-needed closure with her father's ghost and then discovering that she was in love.
And then Klaus returned – tricked in to coming back by Stefan, Damon, Elena and Rebekah. Mikael handed the white-oak dagger over to Damon and they devised a seemingly perfect plan to destroy Klaus. Mikael stabbed her; Damon stabbed Klaus, Stefan saved Klaus and Damon's lives and Klaus saved hers... And now here they are, in love but untrustworthy – the pair of them. She betrayed him and he betrayed her... But he still saved her, last night; little did he know that him feeding her his blood has caused this. His attack caused her transformation.
"I'd say I regret ever stepping foot in Mystic Falls," Evelyn speaks up, taking Caroline's hand and allowing the vampire to help her to her feet. "But I don't regret it – I don't regret a single thing that I have done whilst I've been here... I don't want to turn... But I have to."
"You don't," Caroline shakes her head. "You could die; if you died then you could find your Dad and spend your eternity with him, it's your decision – I'd like you to turn but it's up to you."
"It's tempting," Evelyn admits. "But I can't – I'm not ready to go, yet..." She grins, "I still have a whole lot more arguing to do with my sister and Klaus, I have to confront the person I think did this to me... I have to finish school and do something with my life; this is a second chance of life after death, to me. I'm not going to be afraid of being a vampire anymore – right now I just want to embrace it and get on with it... There's nothing I can do to go back to being human, so this is better than nothing."
Caroline nods, and within five seconds she has disappeared and re-appeared with a Mystic Falls hospital blood bag in hand. Evelyn finds herself being fixated with it immediately as the vampire tears off the tube attached to the bag; the iron scent fills the room they are in instantly, along with a sweet scent that Evie cannot place a name on... But whatever it is, it is intoxicatingly delicious... She hands the bag over to Evelyn who presses the plastic object in slightly with her finger and thumb, watching the red liquid within slosh around... It seems to lose the negative, disgusting stigma that it had before and gain a new one as it makes its way out of the hole at the top, running down the bag and on to her hand. She strikes - quickly closing her lips around the hole and drinks, squeezing the bag with all of her strength to get more of it.
She remembers Rebekah telling her how euphoric she felt when she first tasted human blood... Evelyn feels the exact same way. It glides down her throat and settles deep within her stomach, but it has a new effect that food never did – it seems to pass from her stomach around her body... Slowly filling her veins with warmth. Life. Something that has been taken away from her when her neck had been snapped, last night. The bag is drained within seconds... She wails as sharp, pointed objects suddenly push their way through her gums; the cry becomes an animalistic sound that a human could never make, after a moment. She feels better; amazingly so. Her once weak and pathetic limbs are vitalised with a new-found energy, her eye sight can make out every bit of dust and every little flaw in the room... She can smell more iron than before, much more, and hear the sound of deer running and birds chirping deep within the forest – miles away.
"Wow," Evie gasps - she looks over at Caroline nervously, who just smiles reassuringly before speaking up.
"Now, let's teach you how to control the bloodlust!"
...
The 'charity event for the restoration of Wickery Bridge' is in full swing; the Founders Hall is packed with most of the respectable couples and other adults living in Mystic Falls. The large, white building is lit up with false lighting and the bushes just outside of it are decorated with dozens of fairy lights, illuminating the pale white structure within the dark of the night. Evelyn sighs; her black heeled pumps click against the concrete slabs as she walks through the door.
Iron...
She closes her eyes, inhaling and exhaling as slowly and steadily as possible. The vampire within is mocking her, telling her to bite in to someone's throat and drain them dry: you know you want too - but she refuses. She will not give in to her cravings: She will never kill the innocent. She focus' on her newly-learnt self control, doing exactly what Caroline told her – "think of your Dad, think of how disappointed he would be in you if you ever killed a human."
She pictures him in her mind; how his face would twist in to an angry scowl whenever he got angry with her. That look that made her insides knot with guilt would be much, much worse... The bloodlust fades. It is not gone completely – the scent still makes her mouth dry and her stomach churn hungrily, but she trusts her humanity enough to know that she will not kill anyone. With a smile, she continues – entering the Founders Hall and looking around. She has changed in to clothes a lot more suitable for her newly found nature – black leggings, pumps, a black-and-red corset and a leather jacket. Her hair is curled and her lips are painted red, making her look sexier than even Katherine ever could. She walks with a swagger that she has never had, smirking at the men who gawp at her as she listens in for a familiar voice.
She hears the struggling of a man almost instantly and quickly follows the sound – travelling up the spiral staircase and throwing the white double doors open. She gasps, watching as Stefan holds a sharp knife to the head of Daniel. Snarling animalistically, she seizes him by the throat and pins him against the wall; Daniel falls unconscious immediately, so she keeps her attention on the vampire in front of her. Stefan snarls back, irritated.
"Katherine, what're you doing-?"
"Try again," Evelyn sing-songs, smirking as realization crosses Stefan's features.
"Evelyn."
"Yup," She pops the 'P' and sighs, looking down at Daniel. "Poor guy – it must suck, being attacked like that." She glowers at him, "You're mean. You were mean to attack him and mean to snap my neck like a twig."
Stefan stares at her for a moment in confusion before inhaling deeply; "How'd you know it was me?"
"Who else would turn Klaus' ex-girlfriend in to a vampire?" She scoffs, grinding her teeth together as she tries to control the raging anger within. She could quite easily kill Stefan for what he has done to her, but killing him will not make her human again. "So, where's your bestie?"
"Klaus?" Stefan laughs sarcastically, "Downstairs kissing Carol Lockwood's ass, for all I know."
"Awesome," She smiles, "Let's go."
"No way, I have hybrids to kill – but have fun."
"No, Stefan," She grabs the knife from his hand and holds it behind her back. "You can't go around killing Klaus' hybrids, it'll piss him off and then he'll kill everyone we care about!"
"You mean 'everyone you care about'," He chuckles, "I told Klaus to get his hybrids out of town and he didn't listen, so now I'm saying it louder!"
"No, you're being stupid! You do realize that he's just going to use Elena's blood and make a whole bunch more of these things – does my sister really have to be a human blood bag for the rest of her life!" Evie growls angrily, glaring at Stefan. He has become a monster – in that moment she silently promises herself that her vampirism will never destroy her humanity.
"Look, protecting Elena is Damon's problem, now. Oh, and yours too!" Stefan smirks sarcastically, "See, I'm not compelled by Klaus to take care of her, anymore."
"Oh lay off the whole 'no humanity' crap; you can't have flipped the switch because if you had then Damon and Klaus would be dead right now!" Evie snaps, wishing that she could slap that smug smirk off his face. "Look, just stop killing his fucking hybrids and hand his family over – the council are obviously on his side so stop doing this! To beat the villain you've got to be smart, and no one can beat Klaus in that department."
"No, to beat the villain, Evie, you've got to be the better villain."
"Something that instantly means that Klaus is smarter and better than you are!" Evie yells, raking a hand through her curled locks. "Look, Stef – I no longer give a shit about whether you live or die – you've taken my humanity and I will never forgive you for it, but you have to think about the people we love!"
"Whatever," Stefan scoffs, leaving the unconscious newly-turned vampire to her own devices. He has a better plan in the works, and it seems that she is just going to prevent him from killing any of the hybrids here... Sighing in annoyance, Evelyn turns to look down at the unconscious hybrid – she didn't really come here to deal with the whole hybrid vs. vampire issue but she feels as if there is no other option, especially now that Stefan has decided to attack them at Founders parties. She quickly places his body in to a store cupboard and then heads back downstairs. People converse all around them, glasses of champagne and wine clink together whilst people fake smiles and small-talk about Wickery Bridge. Evelyn rolls her eyes at their insincerity, spotting a familiar figure in her peripheral vision. She looks over at the place she spotted it immediately.
"Damon," Evie hollers, smiling as he turns from his conversation with Liz. He narrows his eyes immediately; a flicker of anger enters his cerulean blue eyes as his mouth presses in to a tight line.
"Katherine," He sighs unhappily.
"Well..." Evie bites her lower lip sheepishly, "Not exactly."
"Evelyn!" Damon's eyes widen, his whole body becomes tense as he stares at her in disbelief – Liz frowns suspiciously as he leans in to breathe in her scent. "You're... You're a vampire?" He hisses, disbelieving what he is seeing.
"No..." Liz's own eyes become wide, now, as she feels a deep sorrow twist her stomach for this poor girl, "Evelyn, is this true?"
"Yes," She sighs, her own sadness threatens to take over. She explains everything to the pair of them – from going to break up with Klaus all the way to confronting Stefan upstairs about it. Damon and Liz listen intently; both are shocked and disgusted by Stefan's actions. Once Evelyn finishes catching them up to speed the Sherriff pulls out her cell phone.
"Right, Damon – I'm sorry but Stefan needs taking down," She hisses, anger burns within her blue eyes. As much as Evelyn would love to see that she shakes her head, her luscious chocolate curls bounce as she does.
"No, not now, Sherriff – I think he's left, anyway. Look, Damon, I've had to hide an unconscious hybrid upstairs because Stefan has decided that killing them at Founders parties is a good idea!"
"Oh, fantastic," Damon snarls, "Just what we needed!"
"What're we going to do about it?" She asks desperately, looking around the room to see if there are any more werepires lurking around... She cannot see any, at the moment, but there must be some, somewhere.
"First things first – I'm calling Elena. I don't trust Stefan when it comes to anyone and I have a feeling that she'll be on his list of how to call Klaus bluff." Evelyn nods in agreement as Damon pulls out his Blackberry and hits two on speed dial.
"Hello Damon!" Stefan answers chirpily, making Evelyn's heart sink in dread as Damon frowns.
"Where's Elena?" Damon snaps.
"She's a little busy right now," He replies. The two panicking vampires can make out the sound of a speeding car and Elena's unsteady breathing – they meet each other's eyes with worried glances.
"Why the hell do you have Elena's phone?" The older Salvatore brother asks, keeping his voice as calm as possible.
"I'm making my next move. Let me ask you something – what's Klaus going to do if he can't make any more hybrids?"
"What?" Elena's voice murmurs, confused.
"Stefan, leave her out of this!" Evelyn growls, snatching the phone from Damon's hand and pressing it to her ear. Stefan sighs; not wanting to argue with the woman that ruined his previous plan, he hangs up. Evelyn growls in annoyance as she glares at the cell phone's screen; "He hung up on me!"
"What's going on?" Liz snaps, not appreciating being the odd one out.
"Stefan's 'pissing contest' with Klaus is being taken to the next level – just keep everyone safe, Liz. Evie, let's go find Klaus."
Her stomach churns sickeningly – her body tenses up at the sound of his name. Despite being a vampire herself, now, she still feels fear shoot down her spine and her neck begin to ache at the memory of his canines and fangs biting down in to her flesh, breaking through her jugular and draining her blood without her consent... Having a vampire do that makes you feel like your soul is being torn from your body – the pain was excruciating. She had held in her cries of pain until she knew he really was going to kill her... Talking about him during her moment of life-or-death earlier had been fine, but now she knows she'll definitely see him again...
"You go," Evie shakes her head, glancing around the room, searching for any signs of her ex-boyfriend. "I can't."
"Evelyn-"
"No, just go – I want to go check on Matt, Car and Bonnie; Elena was with them before Stefan took her."
Evie is partly telling the truth, but Damon sees the real reason in her eyes – the pain, the fear, the sadness... She may be a vampire now, too, but she trusted Klaus and he went against that; by biting her he has betrayed her and scared her. With a nod, the older Salvatore disappears – going off in the direction of Klaus' voice. Evelyn can hear it too, so she quickly rushes out of the building at a human pace. Once outside, she texts Bonnie, asking her where they are.
...
"What now?" Klaus sighs, heading in to one of the lounges within the hall as Damon closes the door behind them. "You've just pulled me away from a fascinating conversation about landscaping the town square," The hybrid admires an oil painting hung above the fireplace whilst allowing his voice to feign interest in his other conversation – it had actually being extremely boring, but he has to play nice if he wants to win.
"Stefan just grabbed Elena," Damon informs Klaus, who just scoffs – turning to look at the Salvatore with a sly grin.
"Huh, he's getting desperate," the hybrid notes aloud, admiring a bouquet of flowers in front of him – his impassive attitude only makes Damon angrier.
"He's going to try and use her against you – do what he says!" Damon orders, but it sounds more like begging, "Get rid of your hybrids."
"Or what?" Klaus asks, curiosity setting in his features as he drops the flower he had been admiring and stands up. "Stefan would never dream of killing her, and even if he did there's always Evelyn."
Damon pauses upon hearing this, eyeing Klaus with a curiosity that the Original picks up on immediately. Klaus frowns; a slight uneasiness begins to build up inside of him as he straightens up completely. Does he really not know? Damon keeps still as he anticipates Klaus turning around and saying 'oh, yes, Evie is already a vampire!'... But he doesn't. He just seems to become angry at Damon's sudden confusing silence.
"What is it, Salvatore!" Klaus snaps, not appreciating the fact that he is being kept in the dark about something that seems to be very important. His glare makes it clear: he doesn't know.
"I thought you knew..." Damon shakes his head as if to shake himself out of his curious thoughts and clears his throat, "She's a vampire, now."
"Do not lie to me, especially when it comes to her!" He roars, the sudden explosion does not shock Damon in the slightest, but it does make him a little wary.
"It's true! She explained everything – Liz was there, too, go and ask her if you don't believe me!" The dark-haired vampire replies, holding his hands up in a surrendering gesture. Klaus sees that he is telling the truth... His anger diminishes; the hybrid lets out a shaky breath as his eyes fall to the ground. He already knows what probably took place – Stefan was listening in on their conversation; he will have heard Klaus feeding Evelyn his blood and then he will have followed her home. He probably killed her quickly and easily - snapping her neck would be the best way to do it. He did it to get to Klaus... And, undoubtedly, it has. This was the last thing he wanted – he already felt bad enough for attacking her; he feels worse knowing that it is his fault – because of his selfish actions she is now a vampire... Something she has never wanted to be.
If she didn't hate him before she definitely will now.
"Is she alright?" Klaus asks, looking up at the younger vampire hesitantly. Damon lets out a sigh and shrugs.
"She's strong to say that she only turned today – she was here and didn't attack one human," He sees Klaus' slightly hopeful expression and shakes his head, "But she left when I told her I was going to talk to you... She doesn't want to see you."
Klaus laughs without humour, the sound is bitter and his eyes are full of sadness. "I could have guessed that one."
"Anyway, Evie's a vampire – that leaves one doppelganger that you can use and she's about to be turned, too!"
"Stefan would never kill Elena," Klaus scoffs, pushing his sadness aside. "That kind of love never dies."
"He was going to behead someone in the middle of a council meeting – he's operating on crazy right now!" Damon yells, trying his very hardest to get through to the Original.
"Calm down," Klaus grins, "He's bluffing!"
"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't but if you don't want to believe him then believe me: I know my brother better than anyone and right now I don't have a clue how far he's willing to take this so if he says blink then I suggest you blink." The two men stare at one another, Damon is begging Klaus to listen to him here and the hybrid knows that he will only do this kind of thing when it comes to Elena... He does not want to lose her, and Klaus cannot afford to lose her... What to do, what to do...?
...
"Sherriff Forbes!" Matt yells as he rushes up to the Forbes front door and forces it open, holding it so that a panic-stricken Evelyn can carry Caroline in to the house.
"What happened?" Liz gasps, rushing over to them quickly and closing the front door.
"Tyler bit her!" A panicking Matt explains.
"Oh my god!" Liz gasps, rushing after the two teens and her daughter, murmuring words of comfort to her as Evelyn sets her down on her bed, tears threaten to fall from the newly turned deep brown eyes as she looks down at her friend. Caroline cries out in pain as Evelyn pulls her jacket away from her collar bone, exposing the bite. It is red and blistering – a sure sign that it is going to kill her. Evie quickly moves out of the way, allowing the worried Mother to sit beside the dying vampire.
"Honey, can you hear me?" Liz asks her whimpering daughter. Caroline opens her eyes to see her mother hovering over her and she finally begins to cry.
"I'm sorry Mommy," She sobs, tears stream down her cheeks as she does so. The scene is truly heartbreaking; Evelyn is ready to cry with them.
"She's being hallucinating or something, I- I don't know. No-no one is picking up their phone!" Matt stutters his words; he is shaking too much to really think his speech through – the poor human is too terrified for Caroline's life.
"It's alright, sweetheart," Liz comforts the blonde vampire before looking up at Evie, who is comforting Matt as best she can. She remembers the conversation that she had with them earlier about her and Klaus breaking up... Meaning that they have something going on between them.
"Klaus' blood can heal this," Liz speaks to Evelyn, "Could you get him to come and sort this out?"
"I could try," Evie nods, pushing her fear for him aside – this is Caroline's life that they are talking about. "I think Tyler might beat me too it but I'll go and see."
"Thank you," Liz sighs in relief – Evelyn just nods before disappearing at a speed that leaves Liz and Matt disorientated.
...
Klaus is leaning against the side of the Founders Hall when Evelyn arrives back at the party, his eyes are closed and his brow is furrowed. The hybrid just had to escape after his conversation with Damon – he couldn't pretend to be interested in mundane human conversations when he feels so, so guilty. He cannot believe that Stefan had the nerve to do this to her – use the woman he loves as a pawn in their sick, twisted game... A game he does not even want to participate in. This is the first time he has been forced in to something in a very long time, and he is not appreciating any of it – especially because he is losing. He has lost his family, his sister's trust, Evelyn... All he has now are his hybrids.
"Klaus."
His eyes fly open at the sound of her voice – he had been so caught up in his own thoughts that he did not even realize that she was standing in front of him. She keeps her distance, tensing up as he goes to take a step towards her; he stops himself as soon as he sees this, his heart sinks.
"Evelyn..." He opens his mouth as if to say something else, but he does not know what to say first. She holds her hand up, not giving him the chance.
"I don't want to hear it – I don't even want to be here right now, but-" She is cut off as Klaus' cell phone begins to ring, he quickly pulls it out, intent on ignoring it.
Stefan.
"It's Stefan," He quickly explains before answering, his whole demeanour becomes cocky as he smirks, hitting the green button. "Stefan – how nice to hear your voice!" Klaus' voice now drips with sarcasm.
"Tell your hybrids to get out of town, Klaus!" Stefan orders, making Evelyn move closer to the Original so she can hear the conversation clearer than she already can. The sound of a car engine can be heard, and Elena...
"Well that's not going to happen until I get my coffins back!" He replies, stating the obvious, in his opinion. Evelyn hears Stefan chuckle darkly and meets Klaus' eyes, glaring at him.
"Ok – well then I'm going to drive your only blood source off of Wickery Bridge! You've already made me turn Evelyn, let's not make Elena meet the same fate!" Evelyn hears Elena's shrieks of rage as she finally discovers what has happened to her sister; Evie's eyes fill with tears of both sadness and anger and Klaus feels the guilt return – he quickly pushes it away. He cannot show Stefan how badly this has affected him.
"I don't believe you, Stefan. You may have killed Evelyn but you won't kill Elena," He replies calmly. Suddenly a slight tearing sound can be heard, followed by muffled cries for help and a screeching of tires – Klaus' expression becomes a little more panicked whilst Evelyn's becomes complete rage. She grabs Klaus' phone and rushes off in to the forest with it, the hybrid quickly follows her.
"STEFAN WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" She shrieks piercingly, "IF YOU TURN ELENA THEN I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL RIP YOUR HEART OUT!" Klaus catches up to her, now, he angrily yanks the phone from her grasp whilst glaring at her in annoyance.
"What's going on?" He orders, his tone is still relaxed despite his anger.
"I just fed her my blood – no more hybrids or she's a vampire," Stefan threatens.
"You won't do it," Klaus replies – the panic is obviously beginning to set in. Evelyn feels a tiny glimmer of relief: He is beginning to realize that Stefan is not bluffing.
"Try me; because your coffins are next to go!" His tone sounds amused, which just makes Klaus and Evelyn that much angrier. Klaus closes his eyes and inhales deeply, trying to keep himself under control – Evelyn puts her fist through a tree, ignoring the splinters that dig in to her skin as she becomes unable to contain her anxiety, anger and fear.
"KLAUS DO WHAT HE SAYS!" Evelyn shrieks, holding his down-turned face in to her hands. He opens his eyes at this, watching the tears fall down her cheeks. "DON'T LET HIM TURN ELENA – PLEASE!" She releases his face and grabs his white shirt, burying her face in to his chest as she cries.
"Say goodbye to your family, guys," Stefan mocks, putting the hybrid under even more pressure: the speed of the car increases, a sudden screeching of tires indicates that. Elena's screeched begs of 'STEFAN SLOW DOWN!' make Evelyn cry harder, Klaus looks down at the woman he loves – she has become inconsolable. If Stefan is not bluffing then he is about to kill Evie's sister and Klaus will be to blame. He has already caused her transformation – he does not want her to hate him more than she already does, but he doesn't want to give in to Stefan!
"STEFAN, STEFAN STOP IT!" Elena's screams make it clear that they are not far off, making Klaus truly believe that he really is not bluffing. He grabs Evelyn by the waist and buries his face in to her hair for a moment, inhaling her lemon-ginger scent to remind himself what he will miss if he does not give in.
"Fine, you win – I'll send them away!" He sighs, but he is prevented from calming down when the car speeds up even further – Evelyn chokes on her sobs as she notices it, too.
"STEFAN," Elena shrieks; tears steam down her face as her panic sends her heart in to a frenzy and even more adrenaline through her bloodstream. "STEFAN STOP!"
"STOP THE CAR, STEFAN!" Klaus growls through his teeth, Evelyn pulls back to look him in the eyes – his chest is shaking slightly underneath her grasp, a scream can be heard from both the car tyres and Elena as the vehicle comes to a halt – relief washes through the hybrid as he hangs up, dropping his phone to the ground immediately. His breathing is laboured, but it is nothing compared to Evie's – she is crying, unintelligible noises of what he believes are supposed to be thank you's leave her lips as she wraps her arms around him. He holds her, stroking her hair as he soothes her.
"Everything will be ok, sweetheart. It's going to be ok. I agreed, I saved her, she's going to be fine."
"Th-th-thank y-you," She manages to stutter. Sure, she is still angry at him – but right now her fear and hatred have been forgotten – she is just happy that Elena is going to be ok.
...
"Get back in the car!" Stefan orders, following Elena as she storms away, sobbing as she does.
"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" She wails, wiping the blood from her lips.
"Elena, get in the car!" Stefan demands, ignoring her request. She turns on her heels, glaring at him with such a hateful expression that he feels his humanity threatening to return.
"HOW COULD YOU! MY PARENTS DIED GOING OVER THIS BRIDGE – I ALMOST DIED..." Tears fall down her cheeks as her expression becomes pained. Guilt threatens to consume the vampire as he watches the woman he loves break down in front of him – because of him. "You knew that... You're the one who saved me!" Despite his guilt he puts on a facade of impassiveness – but he cannot meet her eyes as he speaks.
"Look, he had to believe that I would do it, alright? Your fear sold it."
"Well what if he hadn't?" She sobs.
"He did," Stefan speaks reassuringly, which only makes her that much angrier.
"WELL WHAT IF HE HADN'T?" She yells, glaring at him with that same hateful expression once more.
"HE DID, ELENA! HE BACKED DOWN – HE HAS A WEAKNESS, IF I KNOW HIS WEAKNESS THEN I CAN DESTROY HIM!" Elena stares at him in disbelief, searching for any redeemable qualities after what he just said... She cannot believe this... Is he serious?
"And after everything that's all that mattered...? Destroying Klaus," she scoffs, sniffling as she turns and begins to walk away again.
"Destroying Klaus is all I have left," Stefan murmurs – watching her sadly.
"YOU HAD ME!" She yells, making him realize that nothing he says will comfort her, now. "At least you did before you tried to kill me and before you turned my sister in to a VAMPIRE!" He shakes his head, speaking to try and comfort himself – to relieve some of the guilt.
"I lost you the minute I left town with him," Stefan replies sadly; "At least you haven't let yourself admit that yet."
"Is that what you're doing? Trying to make me hate you?"
"I don't really care about what you think about me anymore, Elena." He replies, turning around and getting back in the car – stranding her is not the best of ideas but he cannot take the guilt he feels when he looks at her. Elena watches him as he slams the car door shut and starts the car, speeding off and leaving her behind... Her grief-stricken sobs are the only sounds that fill the darkness.
...
Three knocks at the door alert Evelyn to a visitor – she tells a shivering Elena that she will be a minute, hands her the mug of coffee and then heads through the foyer. The vampire unlocks the door and opens it up to see that Klaus is stood there; he breaks out of his gazing at the floor as he sees Evelyn... Their eyes meet and they stare at one another awkwardly, both trying to think of something to say. Evie decides to bring up an easier subject.
"Is Caroline okay?" She murmurs, staying within the safety of her home, Klaus notes. The hybrid nods.
"I gave Tyler a vial of my blood – he took it over to her house. She should heal up nicely," He replies, watching as she nods and then looks to the ground. He goes to reach up and cup her cheek in his hand, but Evelyn takes a step back, looking in to his eyes with genuine fear.
"No... Don't, Klaus... Don't touch me," She whispers.
"You let me earlier," He frowns. "You wanted me to."
"I wasn't thinking straight – I was worried about Elena..." She gulps and sighs shakily before bringing up the topic she has been trying to avoid; "You bit me last night."
"I know," He wants to hold her whilst he says this, but he understands that he cannot. "And Evelyn, please believe me when I tell you that I am so sorry."
"I don't know what to believe, anymore," She sniffs, tears fill her eyes as she shakes her head and laughs humourlessly. "Because of you I woke up this morning as a vampire... It's not right... This isn't fair!"
"I know that!" He hisses, "Do you really think that I was anticipating that? But I could not let you die, Evelyn!"
"You shouldn't have put me in the position of death in the first place!" She growls, glaring up at him as tears slip down her cheeks. "You may as well have killed me!"
Klaus stares at her, searching her face for any signs of forgiveness... When he sees none he chokes on his words, grinding his teeth together to fight the flood of emotions threatening to overtake him. He meets her eyes once more, putting all of his emotions in to them as he speaks.
"Please step out for a moment – just let me talk to you... Evelyn, I feel so terrible for what I have caused... Please."
She wants to slam the door on him and say no, but she can see whatever she saw back in the forest shining in his eyes... It's panic. He is panicking because he is so afraid of losing her for good. He should lose her for good... But how can he when she cannot imagine an eternity without him? Sniffling once more, she nods and steps out of the house – letting the door click shut behind her. She turns around, meeting his eyes straight away.
"Evelyn..." He hesitantly reaches for her hands, restraining himself from smiling as she allows him to take them, "If you want to... Well, you do not have to live, if you do not want too. I know you better than you think – I understand that your father would despise this."
"He would," She sobs, "He'll hate me – he will think that my existence no longer has any meaning just like the rest of the council members would, if they knew."
Klaus' eyes soften as he reaches up to wipe a tear from her eyes, "But do you believe that? If you honestly believe that your life no longer has meaning then you may as well drive a stake through your heart... I have thought about doing that to myself, once or twice, if I am being honest." Evelyn finds herself getting lost in his wise words and his watery blue eyes... He smiles ever-so-slightly, stroking his thumb across her cheek as he speaks, "But I will let you in on a little secret – there's a whole world out there waiting for you; great cities and art, and music... Genuine beauty." He traces her jaw, making her believe that he sees that in her, "And you can have all of it... I cannot guarantee that you will want to spend an eternity with a sadistic old man like myself," She laughs through her tears at that and he smiles, "But I can guarantee that your life has meaning... You have a soul, sweet Evelyn. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever met, and I really hope that you can forgive me for my truly disgusting mistakes... Because I love you so much." To hide his tears, he presses a kiss to her forehead. Evelyn's eyes flutter closed for a moment – she allows herself to enjoy the moment, to push her anger aside and take in his kind words. Once he pulls away she smiles slightly and wipes her tears away.
"Klaus... I love you, I know that... But I can't be with you; not now, not with everything that's going on." She smiles, reaching up to wipe a stray tear from his cheek, "But don't worry too much – we have an eternity, and I promise you that as angry as I am and as scared as I am, I cannot imagine living it without you."
The Original's smile is breathtaking, he laughs lightly in disbelief as he reaches in to his pocket, feeling around for the small, circular object that he no longer needs. Evelyn watches as his hand returns from his pocket – in his palm is the Original's family ring. He reaches down for her hand and then places the golden ring in to it.
"It's not a proposal," He chuckles. "This is the daylight ring I no longer need – and now it is yours."
"Seriously?" Evelyn asks, staring at the ring in shock. It is made of real gold; the band builds in thickness as it joins to the octagon that holds a small lapis lazuli stone in the centre.
"Of course – I am a hybrid, we do not need daylight amulets," He reminds her. She tries the ring on each finger and grimaces as she realizes that it fits none; Klaus chuckles.
"Wear it on a necklace, my love. It will still work."
"Ok. Thank you... For everything you've done today. Healing Caroline was sweet of you," She smiles, but the smile soon falls from her lips as he leans down to press a kiss to her lips – she backs off, shaking her head as he looks down at her in confusion. "Klaus, no... I can't. I can be your friend, but I need time – I still can't forgive you for what you've done, and I'm scared... I'm scared you'll bite me again."
He wants to shout at her, call her preposterous and remind her of his guilt and shame... But what use will that be? That will only make her hate him again – he has managed to regain a fraction of her friendship, but that does not mean that she trusts him... And he does not trust her, either. Not when it comes to the people she loves – her family come before he does, which makes her a liability. Klaus nods, taking a step away from her as he sighs.
"I understand," He whispers, "But just know this – I will never, ever hurt you again."
Evelyn just turns away as she opens the door, closing her eyes to fight off her guilt.
"Goodnight, Klaus."
...
I hope you liked this. Tell me your thoughts on Evie becoming a vampire – I am open to any criticism you may or may not have on the subject. :)