You're An Asshole
The desiccation spell was simple enough, in theory, executing the spell while trying to stay alive against an original vampire was another thing ultimately. The ritual required that the witch performing the spell must stop a human heart while making contact with the vampire whose heart she wanted to stop. By halting the vampire's heart, it will desiccate and remain that way until fed blood. Having the spell was only the start of the plan. Working out how to complete said plan would be tricky.
Alex had left Abby's home with Bonnie and Elena after giving Bonnie and Abby a few minutes alone. She had thought that it would be the best thing to do, but after Bonnie had stormed out of the house angrier than when they had arrived, Alex thought that her idea hadn't been quite as good.
The drive home was even more awkward than the original drive up, and when Alex pulled in the driveway of their home, she sighed with relief. Alex had dropped Bonnie off first, before making her way home, but she was worried about the girl. The young witch was going through enough learning how to become a witch, but having your mother who abandons you be thrown into the mix probably didn't make it any easier.
Elena had tried to help her friend, but it seemed like Bonnie needed some time to dwell. As they climbed from the car, Stefan appeared in front of them. Elena smiled and said, "Hey."
"Hi there," said Stefan. He walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. "How did it go?"
"We got the spell," she said.
"And?" he asked.
"The spell itself is pretty simple," said Alex, "but getting the spell done without dying is another thing."
Stefan frowned. "How so?"
They walked into the house, and Alex explained what needed to be done. Stefan seemed keen and ready to work out a plan. Alex listened as Elena and Stefan threw ideas around. This should be the point that Alex jumps in with her own, she had always enjoyed planning out her next move but her thoughts were drifting back to Elijah. She hadn't let him know that they had returned, and looking at her phone, she considered for a moment not telling him.
Alex wondered if it would be easier to leave him out of it. Pretend he wasn't an obstacle, or that her emotions were all fuzzy because of him. Who was she kidding? She couldn't get through a single conversation without her mind drifting off.
"Alex could always link herself to you." James' voice drifted into Alex's ear and brought her back to the conversation.
Alex felt embarrassed, she hadn't even noticed him walk in. "Who am I linking myself too, and why?"
James smiled. "Glad to know that you are listening," he teased.
"Sorry," she said. "Long drive."
"Stefan mentioned that to do the desiccation spell you would need to be touching Klaus," said James.
Alex nodded.
"If you link yourself to let's say Stefan, you could be in a completely different location to do the spell and he would need to be the one who touches Klaus. That way, Klaus wouldn't be able to kill you and stop you from doing the spell." James looked pleased with himself. And why wouldn't he be, Alex had always admired him for his smart thinking.
"That would work," said Alex.
"Great," said Elena. "Enough with the planning, I'm exhausted and in need of a bubble bath." She kissed Stefan on the cheek and skipped out of the room.
"I better get home and fill Damon in," said Stefan.
Alex was left in the kitchen with James. He smiled at her and reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair back behind her ear. His fingers gently touched her cheek and Alex couldn't help the frown. Nothing. Her body used to buzz with excitement from his gentle touches and his cheeky smile. But sitting here, him so close to her, she felt nothing of the sort.
Her heart ached at the thought that everything inside of her was betraying their relationship. A few weeks ago, James was the man she was in love with. They shared an apartment in Chicago, they had celebrated anniversaries and birthdays, they even had a stupid corny song that was all theirs. It had been completely James idea at the time, but now as she thought about it, it twisted her insides and made her want to cry.
James stepped around the bench so that he could pull her against his chest, he asked, "What is going on inside of that beautiful mind?"
Alex shook her head. "It's nothing." She couldn't tell him. She needed too, but couldn't.
"You are a terrible liar, you know. For someone who loves to bluff," he teased.
"You were always able to tell."
James leant his forehead against hers. "You can tell me."
Alex reached forward and cupped his cheeks. She closed her eyes and gently brought his lips to hers, kissing him the way she always had. Slow, gentle and loving. The kiss had once weakened her knees and made her crave more of him, but now, the craving wasn't there. She pulled back and felt a tear fall from her eye.
"What has changed?" James asked.
Alex shook her head. "I can't explain it."
"Did I do something?"
"No," she quickly said. Alex gripped his shirt and shook her head again. "It's me. My brain is completely fucked and I don't understand why. But everything I thought I knew, I just don't. My feelings are just…" How could she explain it? She didn't want to hurt him, but lying to him wasn't any better.
"You don't love me anymore?" he asked.
"I do love you," said Alex. She did. "But not like I used too."
James sighed and stroked her cheek. "You are a complicated woman, Alexandra Gilbert."
"I'm sorry." More tears fell from her eyes and a sob jumped from her chest.
"Hey, don't do that." James hushed her and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm not angry with you."
"Why not? I'm such an asshole."
James pulled back and smiled at her.
"And why are you smiling at me?"
James said, "From the moment I met you, I knew that I wouldn't be your one true love."
Alex frowned. "How could you—"
James stopped her and continued. "You are full of excitement and love, you crave unpredictability and adventure. I am the furthest thing from that, but I knew that when we met that you needed someone to help you. The fact that I got to spend any time with you at all has made me a better man. Every kiss, touch and moment is something I will never regret."
Alex smiled at him. She had never deserved James, and with every word, he said he proved it more. He had been her crutch for a long time, he had encouraged her, inspired held, and let her kick, scream and cry through the last five years. "Why do you have to be so…you."
James smirked.
"Can't you just call me an asshole and call it a day?" asked Alex.
James chuckled. "You're an asshole."
Alex sniffled but her smile widened. "Thank you."
"No problem."
James gave her one last kiss on the head before going to get his stuff. He walked out the door and made sure to tell her that she called him when she needed help. James was going to stay with Sarah at the hotel and keep an eye on things while continuing to try to help stop Klaus.
Alex watched him drive away and then pulled out her phone. After all of that, she wanted to speak to one person and one person only.
