Chapter 9 – Revelations Part III

Steph woke up and found Damon gone. A note was on his pillow.

Dear Stephanie,

I hope you don't regret last night. I don't. The truth is, I think I'm falling in love with you, too. That scares the shit out of me. It's been ten years since Elena, but I expected to be with her forever. I didn't tell you why I'm going back home. I have some obligations to take care of that I left behind. Once that's done, I'll be back in town because you've rocked my world and I want to be with you. Don't ever take that necklace off. I can't stand the thought of those damn Originals taking advantage of you again. The witch that made your ring works under the name Madame Theorina, but she goes by Rina. Go to her if anything weird happens and you need a witch's help. She likes you and wants you to be safe. Thanks for trusting me – not many people do. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm a selfish bastard and I shouldn't be trusted. There's only a few people in this world that I give a damn about what they think and you're at the top of the list. You really are an amazing woman. I'll be in touch. I meant what I said – if you need me, call me and I'll be on the next plane.

Love, Damon

She held the note in her hand for a long time, reading it over and over. Replaying the previous night in her mind made her realize that she did not regret anything. He was incredible and made her feel more wanted than she had ever felt in her life. He says he wants to be with me, but why did he take off and leave me a note? Steph couldn't help but feel abandoned again, even though he made it clear how he felt about her. Confused, she folded up the note and placed it in the nightstand drawer, grabbing the vial of blood before closing it. She had a feeling that the blood was not Elijah's. She would soon find out whose blood it was.

After showering and changing, Steph made herself a quick breakfast and put a pot of coffee on. It wasn't long after she had finished eating that Elijah knocked at her door. When she opened it, little flickers of memory came back to her as she examined him. He was very distinguished and dressed to the nines, looking very handsome, in an aristocratic sort of way. Even though she knew that he left her quite suddenly after she was turned, it was blatantly obvious that her feelings of abandonment were not because of him. "Come in, Elijah."

He walked across the threshold and complimented her on the apartment. Then, as she stood in front of him, he saw the necklace and his face turned slightly pale. "How did you get my mother's necklace?"

"Damon gave it to me."

"Oh. He's afraid I'll compel you again."

"Yes, the thought crossed our minds."

"I am sorry about everything, Stephanie. How much did Damon tell you?"

"Not very much. I want to hear it from you. Everything."

"Let's sit down." He headed for the sofa.

"Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, please."

She poured them both a cup and she sat down next to him, handing over his cup to him. "You weren't the one that turned me, were you?"

Elijah took a deep breath. "No, it was my brother, Niklaus. You knew him simply as Klaus."

The images of Damon's stories about Klaus, the Original Hybrid, rolled around in her head. "Why would he turn me?"

"You asked him to."

"What? Why would I do that?"

"You were in love with him and you wanted to be with him."

Steph's eyes grew wide. So that's why Damon didn't want to be here. "How is that possible? Damon told me all about Klaus and the horrible things he did to Elena and..."

Elijah rolled his eyes. "I'm sure he did. In all fairness, I hope that Damon confessed his own evil deeds to you?"

Steph looked down. "He told me a lot."

"Yes, my brother has done some horrible things, but I can assure you that his caring for you was genuine. However, I think you should know that his affections were also elsewhere and that is why he could never fully reciprocate your feelings for him."

"Is he with her now?"

"Yes, he is back with Caroline, last I heard."

"Caroline? Damon told me about her. In fact, Damon said I reminded him of her in some ways." She took another sip of coffee, feeling a tinge of jealousy that she couldn't explain. "Well, then I guess I'm happy for him. I can't remember him at all." She pulled out the vial of blood and held it up to Elijah. "Is this Klaus's blood?"

"Yes, it is. He wanted you to have that not only as a keepsake of his feelings for you, but also to save your life in case you were ever attacked by a werewolf. His blood is the only thing on this earth that can cure a vampire of a werewolf bite."

"But you compelled me to forget everything. How would I have known that?"

"Not exactly. I compelled you to forget your feelings for Klaus and all memory of your relationship with him. I thought it would be best for you so that you could move on with your life. It was also to help keep you safe. I compelled you to remember what the vial was for only if you were bitten by a werewolf. Thankfully, you never have been."

"So, why did you both leave me so soon after I was turned?"

Elijah began by explaining the history of Mikael, the Original Vampire Hunter, Klaus's relationship with him, and how Mikael had hunted his children through the centuries, especially Klaus, who was not his biological son. He then explained how they were forced to leave her behind once they received word that he was coming back from the dead. He also gave her a brief overview of his mother, Esther, the Original Witch. "Do you understand everything I've told you?"

Steph sat still for a moment, absorbing all the new information she had just been given. "You've told me everything, then?"

"Yes. However, I have not revealed any details of your relationship with Klaus, which is really between the two of you. You are welcome to call him if you wish to know more?" He held out his phone to her, which she gently declined by shaking her head. He continued. "To be fair to you, I am willing to compel you to remember, if you wish. However, knowing that Klaus is with another may cause you pain."

She shook her head. "No, I don't want to remember what I felt for him. It would just complicate things – for everybody." Pausing for a moment, she asked, "Can you show me a picture of him?"

He pressed a few buttons, then handed it to her. Steph was intrigued. She did feel something when she looked at his photo. The way he stood, the intensity in his eyes, and the strength in his features told her that he was no one to be trifled with. She was fascinated and somewhat frightened at the same time, marveling at how someone so dangerous could be that attractive. She thought of Damon and of his gorgeous features. Both were strikingly handsome, but in different ways. "He's very attractive." She handed the phone back to him.

"Many women over the centuries have found him to be so. However, you are one of the few that he treated with such care and devotion during your time together. You should feel honored by that." He sipped his coffee. "My brother told me soon after he began seeing you that he felt that he had finally met a woman that was not judgmental of him or his past. However, I do not know how much he told you at that time, but he respected you and said that he always would."

"Does he even wonder about me anymore? I mean, surely he's forgotten about me if he's involved with her now." Why can't I even say her name anymore?

"Your portrait hangs in his private art gallery. He sees it every day. I can assure you, Stephanie, that in my brother's very long life, there are only a handful of women that exist in that room."

She swallowed in surprise, almost feeling as if she was missing him. It was crazy to have loved someone and not remember doing so, she thought to herself.

He paused, watching my reaction carefully. "You said that remembering your love for Klaus would complicate things. I assume you are referring to Damon Salvatore?"

"Yes. He's the first vampire I've met since you left. Damon's become important to me. I care for him very much."

"Despite Damon's arrogance and reckless attitude, I can attest his devotion to the woman he loves. His priority was always to protect Elena. Now, I have seen that he is bound and determined to protect you. Again, I apologize for having to leave you. Even though we only spent a week together, I have always had your best interest at heart. I have kept tabs on you from a distance. I am very impressed at how well you have gotten along." The proud smile Elijah gave her warmed her heart.

Steph smiled in response. "Thank you, Elijah, for your help during that time. I'm glad I finally have the chance to say that to you. I understand why you had to leave and I don't bear any ill will towards you or your brother, despite the horror stories I've heard about him. I can't imagine having a vindictive father chasing me all that time."

Elijah leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "That is a perfect example of what my brother meant. If you need anything, please contact me. I'll always help you in any way I can."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." They both stood up and she walked him out of her apartment. As she returned, the conversation kept replaying in her mind. I was in love with Klaus? I just can't imagine. It doesn't matter now – I have Damon. She looked down at her beautiful ring and decided she wanted to meet the maker of this fine piece of jewelry.