"So he's been planning it, all of it, since high school."
Shocked would be an understatement. I can't even describe my reaction to Elijah's story. But at least it puts everything into perspective. I know what I'm dealing with now. And it is much bigger than all of us, like I thought. Well, Klaus isn't getting my help or my influence. I didn't even know I had any of that in me. But that's because I'm not naturally inclined to engage in illegal activities like the Mikaelson family.
"I need a drink," I announce.
There's a gnarly looking mini fridge in the corner that I wouldn't trust if I was paid to eat its contents, but beer is beer, and I'm in desperate need of one. Elijah twists the cap off and hands it to me. The cool feeling running down my throat does nothing to soothe me. Nothing can soothe me besides resolution. I need to resolve this- and I will. I'm sure of it now.
"I'm going to call Klaus."
"Look at you taking charge. But let's not be foolish, Stefan," Katherine chides.
That's funny that she thinks she has any say in what I do. I've got her information, now she's useless. This all comes down to my next move. And i'm going to do my best to make it a surprising one. Catching Klaus off-guard is my best bet. So, I dial his number and wait for him to answer.
"Stefan! What a surprise!"
"I want to meet."
There's silence on the other line as Klaus calculates his next move.
"That would be lovely, now wouldn't it?"
"We're in Versailles. You'll find the place if you know me as well as you claim to. Before the morning or we leave."
With those last demands, I end the call. This confidence has come over me out of nowhere. Elijah confirming that all of this is truly happening because of me just shot adrenaline through my veins. I'll take care of all of this myself. And I'll protect the people I care about. I know I can do this.
"Katherine, get Damon."
Without a word, she obeys. Within minutes, Damon, Elena, and Katherine return to the room.
"Get her out of here. Klaus will be here soon," I instruct him.
But Damon looks at his feet.
"Jeremy and I are going alone. Damon's going to stay with you."
This has got to be a joke. As if I didn't have enough on my plate, now I'll have to keep watch over Damon. How am I supposed to be confident and collected when the source of all my frustrations is going to be in the same room?
"No. Absolutely not," I respond.
"You're really going to deny my help? This is a rare opportunity, Stefan. Don't take it lightly."
"You've got an angle."
"No angle, brother. You need me. There's no debating. Elijah, would you be so kind and arrange for Elena and Jeremy to be sent home? As discreetly as possible, please," Damon requests.
"I'll see what I can do. Katerina? Will you accompany us?"
Kat rolls her eyes.
"No, sorry. Like I said, I owe these two a favor and I intend to pay up as soon as possible."
Elijah nods, as if he understood her twisted logic. So, Elijah, Elena, and Jeremy leave the room and head back to their normal lives. And I'm here in a room with my estranged brother and the woman who tried to kill him. Is this normal? Maybe for my family it is.
"Katherine, what are you doing?"
"Do you really think I'd miss out on a Mikaelson/Salvatore Showdown? I wanna see what you two are made of."
"I thought you were here to 'help'?" I ask.
"That too. But it's not the worst situation to be stuck in is all I'm saying."
So here we are so many years later. It's still the three of us in some kind of trouble. All of us have different intentions, but this time we're working together (I think).
We all sit on the bed and wait for Klaus's arrival. None of us are scared, though. We'r just tired. We're tired of running from everything. Katherine and Damon have been on the run from their pasts and have finally had to face them. Now it's my turn. It's all almost over and they get that. I pretend that they're both here to support me as I face my demons, just like they did. I pretend we're in this together because that would feel a lot better than former lovers and former brothers owing each other favors.
But I'm still confident and sure of myself. Klaus has nothing on me. All I've got to do is shoot him down and maybe he'll move on. But from Elijah's story, I sense that Klaus has a hard time letting go of the past. He's like a walking ghost of his family's failures. And that ghost sneaks up to our door without a sound. He walks in before any of us even notice a car outside the inn.
"Well, you're all surprisingly calm,aren't? you" He steps through the doorway.
"We're just done, Klaus. Here I am. Isn't this what you wanted?"
"Stefan! All I've ever wanted was your friendship. I truly am sorry that Elena got involved in my business. I didn't plan on it."
"Why do I have a hard time believing that?"
"Because your'e a smart man. The kind of man I could use in my trade."
It's almost laughable that he thinks I'll agree to help him in his debauchery. There's no chance in hell. I don't take his threats seriously because he's just an obsessed man with too much money and not enough love. That's his problem. He wants to live for something. And his family's legacy is his purpose.
"Sorry, I'm not up for hire."
"Well, Stefan, I wanted to enter into this partnership under good terms."
"There are no terms. You're going to leave me and my friends alone. You can carry on. We won't mess with your 'trade.'"
"I don't want silence. I want Salvatore."
"What?"
"Your name. Your face. With you by my side in Chicago, I'd be unstoppable. Don't you remember the fantastic visit we had? And that was barely a week! We'd own the city in a matter of days, Stefan. Don't you want that kind of Power?"
He's ridiculous. I don't need power because my life has….well, it had, meaning.
"No, I don't want any of that."
"What's there for you in Briarview?"
It's like he's reading my mind. There really isn't a thing there for me anymore, but that doesn't mean I should uproot my life and join his force of stoners to corrupt a beautiful city.
"Exactly, Stefan. Nothing. You never wanted to stay there. You desired the city. Well, the city can be yours."
His offer is somewhat tempting because of its mystery and thrill. My life in Briarview is anything but exciting. And now I'm all alone. Even though I'm not with Elena, I still want to make her proud. I want to make myself proud. This isn't the direction my life is headed in. There's no way.
"I said NO."
Now, I'm angry. This isn't a game. Klaus is like a kid with his parent's wallet in a toy store. He was given too much too soon. He can't simply screw with people's lives.
"Stefan, you're making me angry. Don't make me force you into this. I wouldn't want our friendship to be forced."
"Well, you won't get it willingly."
Klaus steps closer to me until we're face to face. He's fuming with rage, staring intently into my eyes. It's as if those eyes are made of fire. He's determined to get what he wants, but I will not and cannot give it to him.
"Well, that's a shame that you won't comply. Your darling Elena is so fragile…"
What kind of man harms an innocent woman? Klaus is pure, flaming evil. How could I not have seen this side of him earlier? I knew there was something behind that devilish smile. It's exactly that- devilish.
"You wouldn't touch her, Klaus."
"Oh I would, and I will. She's useless to me, now. If you want her to continue her horribly droll life in Briarview then you truly should reconsider my offer."
I laugh. He cannot touch her. I'll be there every second of every day. I
"That's rich, but really. I'll be there every second to make sure you don't lay a finger on her. You cannot get to her. Ever. This is between the two of us, Klaus. Elena has nothing to do with it."
Now, Klaus begins a low pitched laugh. He smiles and looks back at me.
"Really? I can't touch her? I'm always five steps ahead, Stefan."
Klaus grins once more and pulls his phone from his pocket. He dials a number and begins demanding updates.
"Yes? You've secured the girl and the brother? Alright, please send receipt of capture. Thank you again, Elijah. You'll be rewarded in due time."
Before I could put two and two together, Klaus shows us the screen of his phone. A video plays and shows Elena and Jeremy with their hands tied in the back of the limousine that was supposed to be taking them to the airport.
"As you can see, Elijah and my other men are willing to do whatever I say when it comes to the hostages. What a shame. You thought he was your accomplice, didn't you? Well, it looks like what I had to offer him was a bit more satisfying."
Klaus continues.
"Always. Five. Steps. Ahead. Do you know how simple it was to find you here? Enlisting Katerina was the most difficult. Then we knew Damon would easily follow her and lead us straight to you. But in turn, you called me here. How odd, Stefan."
He's not going to hurt Elena. He cannot hurt Elena. This is all my fault. I had no idea he was ever this serious, but now I know. His threats can't be taken lightly. As much as I don't want to give in to his demands, I have no choice. I have to protect the people I've selfishly put in harms way.
I concede.
"What do you want?"
And there's that devilish grin again.
"Come with me to Chicago. Schmooze, booze, dine with me. Help me expand my business."
Klaus makes it sound like a carnival, doesn't he? It's never that simple. The whole business is illegal. Either I'll end up dead or in prison for twenty years. So, either way, this looks bad for me. But it's better for my situation to be dire than Elena's or Jeremy's. Suddenly, Damon steps forward.
"Stefan, don't. You don't have to do this."
"Damon, let the big boys talk. This doesn't concern you," Klaus chides.
Now, Damon's almost as angry as I am. But he doesn't let it show to Klaus. I can tell from his mannerisms that he's about to dish out another Damon-style beating, but then he surprises me.
"How about I go with you? I'm a lot more fun than this sap. He does a lot of brooding and crying."
"That's a lovely offer, but no. You don't have half the personality or people skills that you brother has. It's Stefan. It's fate. This partnership has been destined."
"Oh cut the historical bullshit!" Damon shouts.
"Stefan, please make your decision. My men are impatient and Elena's fate rests in your hands. You have twenty seconds."
These twenty seconds pass by faster than any amount of time ever has. I can't possibly think this through in twenty seconds. I know what I have to do, but I'm still trying to sort through other options in my head. There aren't any. Damon's still trying to reason with Klaus, but Klaus continues watching the clock on his phone. He's counting the seconds. I can't take this anxiety anymore. I'll help him. And then I'll come home. I'll come home and everyone will be safe and away from this disaster.
"Fine, let's go."
These words spark the journey of my new life. Though I am terrified and defeated, part of me is intrigued to test my limits and to go where I've never gone before.
Wow. My sincerest apologies, readers. I began college this year and have had 0 time to write. However, thankfully, I have several chapters written from the summer. I apologize for the crazy long hiatus. As many of you know, the time before going off to university is really, really hectic. I hope some of you are still remotely interested in the story...Thanks again for your continued support and I apologize for any errors in this chapter (didn't have much time to edit, just wanted to post something).
xoxo
