Again, thank you for all your feedback and I do listen to your opinions but it's just impossible to please everyone, I'm sorry.
Chapter 53
Understanding
Elijah was sitting on the couch stroking Hope's hair. He had finally managed to get her away from Grace for a moment. She needed a break. It killed him to see her like this. This had to work. Esther and Abby were sitting at the table talking quietly about the spell. Finn was on his chair, as usually. He seemed careless but Elijah noticed him glancing Abby when he thought that no one was looking. There was warmth in his eyes. Elijah was happy for him. Finn seemed to sincerely care about Abby. Elijah looked at his watch. Klaus should be here in any minute with that girl. Apparently Kol wasn't with them. According to Klaus, he wasn't doing well at all. Elijah could understand him completely. He had no idea what he would do if he would lose Hope. Suddenly a voice of one of the maids caught his attention.
"You can't go in there…"
In the next second Bonnie marched in the room. Elena and Damon followed her. Bonnie was staring at Abby who had stood up.
"Tell me it isn't true", Bonnie said.
"Bonnie…"
"Tell me you're not dating him!"
She pointed at Finn who had also stood up. Abby looked distressed.
"Sweetie, I…"
"No, mom, just save it. You know how I feel about vampires and that one is Klaus' brother! What the hell is wrong with you?"
There was an uncomfortable silence. Bonnie was staring at her mother who looked more and more distressed.
"We should go", Damon murmured to Elena.
"I'm not leaving Bonnie", she replied.
Damon rolled his eyes. Then he noticed Hope.
"Really, Elijah? I always thought that you're a classy guy but hey, if trashy is your type…"
Elijah stood up.
"Excuse me?" he said icily.
"Damon…" Elena said warningly.
"You will apologize to my lady right now."
Damon looked amused.
"Lady?"
"It's fine", Hope said tiredly before Elijah could say anything. "He can think what ever he wants, I don't care."
Elena stepped in front of Damon.
"I apologize for him", she said tensely. "Not a word", she hissed when Damon was about to speak.
Hope looked at her.
"Once again I'm sorry about what happened, if that's not enough…" Hope said and shrugged.
"You'll have to choose", Bonnie said still staring at her mother. "Him or me. You can't have both."
Abby looked desperate.
"Bonnie, please…"
"Fine", Bonnie said coldly and turned.
"No, wait. I have promised to help Esther with a spell…"
Bonnie stopped and turned back to her mother.
"Yes, I heard about that. You are going to bring someone back from the dead. That's a great idea, I'm sure there won't be any consequences."
"Miss Bennett", Esther started calmly. "I understand that you are upset…"
"I really doubt that. You are putting this whole town in danger and for what? I do feel sorry for Grace but she knew the risks when she chose to be with your son. And now you are going to break the balance of nature just that he would get his toy back?"
Esther was just about to speak when she looked at the door and gasped.
"My son…"
Kol was standing at the door staring at Bonnie. His face was blank but there was a very dangerous look in his eyes. Elijah took a quick look of Finn who gave him a nod. They both knew what was coming.
"What did you just say?" Kol asked slowly.
Elijah and Finn acted immediately. They vampire speeded themselves next to Kol and grabbed him before he managed to attack. Elena and Bonnie looked shocked.
"Get your hands off me!" Kol growled. "I'll kill you all!"
Elijah had never seen Kol like this. He wasn't sure if he could hold him still, even with Finn.
"Get out", Esther said angrily.
Damon lifted Elena in his arms and zoomed out.
"I'm sorry", Abby said and took Bonnie's hand. They ran out together.
Kol was growling furiously like some kind of wild animal.
"Get your hands off me!"
"You have to calm down first", Elijah replied. It took all his and Finn's strength to hold Kol still.
Suddenly Hope stood up and approached them.
"No, no, stay back", Elijah said. "He's not himself, he can hurt you…"
Hope stopped in front of Kol and looked into his eyes. There was no expression on her face.
"Kol, would you like to come with me to Grace's room? I don't think that she should be alone."
There was a moment of silence. Kol stopped struggling and stared at Hope. There seemed to be some kind of strange silent understanding between them. Elijah couldn't believe his eyes.
"Yes, I would like to come", Kol said calmly.
Hope held out her hand. Elijah hesitated before he let Kol go. Finn followed his example. Kol took Hope's hand and she led him out. It took a long while before Elijah managed to speak.
"Can you do this without Abby?" he asked.
Esther looked tired.
"I don't have a choice. I have to do this for my son."
Elijah nodded and touched Finn's shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
"Sure", Finn replied. "What Abby and I have is complicated. Hopefully it doesn't have to be over. But if she has to choose between me and her daughter…I couldn't ask that from her."
Elijah didn't know what to say. Before he could think of anything, Klaus walked in carrying a blonde girl. She was wearing a flannel nightie and a jacket.
"Home sweet home", Klaus said.
The girl was looking around cautiously. Esther was staring at her.
"Niklaus, put her down."
Klaus looked at his mother.
"She doesn't have shoes so I was just trying to be a gentleman", he said grinning.
"Put her down", Esther repeated tensely.
Klaus rolled his eyes and placed her on the floor.
"Leave us, please, all of you", Esther said. She and the girl were both staring at each other.
"What…" Klaus started.
"Now."
"Come on", Elijah said calmly and led Klaus to the door. Finn followed them. As soon as the door closed, Esther cast a silence spell. She looked at the girl and smiled.
"Please forgive my son. Apparently he is…what is the word people use these days…a moron."
The girl looked stunned.
"You…know?"
Esther nodded.
"Yes. And it gives me great joy to see that your noble people still exist in this day and age."
The girl blinked her eyes.
"Thank you."
She looked at the door.
"So…Can I leave?"
"Not yet, I'm afraid. I must ask for your help first."
The girl looked at her cautiously.
"Your son talked about some spell. What kind of spell?"
"The girl who you were with when she died, I will bring her back."
The girl's eyes widened.
"You can do that?"
Esther nodded.
"Yes."
The girl was quiet for a while.
"What do you need me to do?"
...
Hope and Kol were standing next to Grace's bed. Neither of them had said a word but the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
"So, are we BFF's now?" Kol asked emotionlessly.
"Shut up", Hope murmured. "Well, at least Grace will be proud of us."
Kol looked at her.
"I don't have to be nice to you for now on, do I?"
"No. And I'm definitely not going to nice to you."
Kol almost smiled.
"Good. Back to normal then."
"Yeah. But maybe we can pretend that we don't hate each other, at least in front of Grace."
"That's fine by me. And for the record, I don't hate you."
"Thanks", Hope replied.
Kol looked at him expectantly.
"This is the part where you should say the same to me."
Hope smiled.
"We'll see."
That was a very strange moment. They both turned to the door when Elijah walked in.
"Mother is ready", he said. "It's time."
