Chapter 10 – Reunion

It didn't take long for Steph to find Madame Theorina's shop after looking up the address on her phone. She walked in and marveled at the numerous crucifixes everywhere. Some looked very, very old. Soon, the little woman appeared from the back of the shop. Her eyes grew wide when she saw Stephanie.

"Oh, it you! I told you boyfriend that if you don't like ring I fix for you."

Steph quickly studied Rina's face before responding, admiring her Asian features. She looked to be in her late forties or early fifties and Steph immediately felt comfortable with her. "Oh, no, Rina! I came to thank you. It is absolutely beautiful!"

Rina grinned. "I glad you like. I hope the other one stay away from you."

"You mean, Elijah Mikaelson?"

"That his name? He brought you here long time ago."

"Yes, that was him. He made me forget that."

She shook her head. "He no good for you."

"Well, it turns out that he was trying to protect me from his brother."

"I know name Mikaelson. Very dangerous. Original family." Rina spotted Esther's necklace around Steph's neck and she gasped and pointed. "You have Mother Witch necklace!"

Her hand immediately went to her neck. "It's to keep me safe from being compelled by her children."

"You involve with Original Family too much. They never leave you alone."

"What do you mean?" Steph's confusion at Rina's words began to spark fear in her heart.

"You have things belong to them, they will come take back someday, you see," Rina said sternly, wagging a finger at her.

"I appreciate your concern, Rina. I'll be careful."

"You tell boyfriend he need take care of you and stop with bad attitude!"

Steph laughed as she thanked Rina and left. It didn't take her long to figure Damon out. Now, should I be worried that I have Esther's necklace and Klaus's blood?

Damon sat alone under the pale moonlight at the cemetery next to Elena's grave in Mystic Falls. He brought a bottle of bourbon to keep him company. It was almost empty. "I really needed to talk to you, Elena, and I promised I'd visit you every year on the day you died, so here I am. I never thought I would be saying this to you, but you were right. Yes, you heard me: you were right! You always told me that I should let others see my good side, so I did. I took your advice and now I've found myself in love again. Here's the kicker: she was in love with Klaus first! Can you believe that? Big Bad Hybrid had her before me. When I think about them being together, I just feel like I'm gonna hurl. But, I won't. I don't want to ruin your nice flowers. The truth is, Elena, I'm scared that I'm going to lose her. If Elijah makes her remember everything, she might run back to Klaus. Then what? If he takes her back, I lose. If he doesn't, then I get to spend however many months trying to heal her broken heart? No, thank you. I had to remove myself from the situation, so I left her a note." As if seeing her disapproving look, he replied, "I know, I know. It was a chicken shit thing to do." He took another swig, then gently brushed off some dirt that had gathered in the engraving of her name. "I miss you." Turning to prop himself up on her tombstone, he studied the stars and watched his breath in the cool night air as the alcohol worked its magic, slowly eliminating the confusion and fear that he wished never existed. He took a final long swig off his bottle, stared up at the full moon and thought of Elena, Steph, and even Katherine, who has been blissfully absent for the past few years. It wasn't long before Stefan came by and helped take his older brother home, where he passed out and didn't have to think at all.

After an evening of a microwave dinner for one and a few glasses of Pinot Noir, Steph was ready for bed. An unsettling feeling came over her as she tried to text Damon one more time. No response. She forced herself not to worry. His brother would surely notify her if something bad happened. The note Damon had left still bothered her and she wondered if he was hiding something from her. The wine helped her drift off to sleep. A rush of wind blew past her cheek and she couldn't tell if she was dreaming or not. Her eyes would not open. Suddenly, visions of herself standing in front of the church on her wedding day came into view, then random moments of laughter, tears, and starry-eyed happiness. The long forgotten feelings that were deep in her heart became real once again as she relived the romance that she shared with the Original Hybrid. Every moment with him flooded her mind as she recalled the feel of his strong hands on her body, his powerful kisses on her lips, and his masterful lovemaking that made her weak all over. The first time he took her to bed nearly made her unconscious as he ravaged her body with his. It was as if she were watching a movie and she was the star. As she looked to see her surroundings, it became obvious to her that the source of all these emotions was standing right next to her. Klaus.

"Hello, Sweetheart."

Steph jolted awake and sat up immediately, turning the lamp on. Klaus sat next to her on the bed, smiling. Her head was swimming and her heart was pounding. It felt as if she could barely breathe. As she focused on getting her bearings, Klaus's eyes remained fixed on hers. He looked the same as in the dream, wearing a dark grey leather jacket, a tight-fitting Henley underneath, and an ancient necklace that she couldn't quite see in detail. The memory of him blended with the photo Elijah had shown her. He had not changed at all. He was very striking and Steph was captivated by him. The emotions from her dream merged with reality and before she could think, she went into his embrace. The tears began to run down her face as she enjoyed the feel of being in his arms once again. What am I doing?

He stroked her hair and whispered in her ear, "There, now. That's my girl." His palm gently rubbed her back in a soothing motion.

The familiar scent of him comforted her, but also stirred a longing deep inside her to be intimate with him once again. She loved feeling his hand on her hair, strong yet gentle. She remembered how he held her like this the first night they met. "Why didn't you come back for me before?"

He gently broke their embrace so he could look into her eyes. He placed his hands on her cheeks and lovingly kissed her. "One of the worst mistakes of my life. I have missed you, Love."

The conversation she had with Elijah replayed in her head and a flash of jealousy welled up inside her. "Elijah said you're with Caroline."

Klaus flinched at the mention of her name, dropping his hands to cover hers. "Not anymore. I'm done with her. She does not love me like you did and has proved to be nothing but an incorrigible child, completely unworthy of my affections."

She blinked back the last remaining tears as she regained control of her thoughts. She broke their embrace completely and backed away slightly. "Wait! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be able to compel me."

Klaus replied coolly, "You are correct. I cannot compel you as long as you wear that necklace. However, that does not stop me from manipulating your dreams. I could not make you remember me, so I gave you my memories instead."

Steph touched her chest and felt the ache in her heart as she thought about Damon. She felt the love for both so intensely that it hurt more than she could bear. The anger burst out of her and she punched his shoulder, barely phasing the ancient vampire. "Damn you, Klaus! Why did you make me remember? I didn't want to remember this!" She felt the urge to cry again, but quickly pulled herself together, focusing on the memory of him leaving her and how it made her feel. "You promised you'd come back for me and you were with someone else this whole time! How am I supposed to get over that? I was alone until I met Damon. He's been there for me when it should have been you! You left me in the hands of your brother for a mere one week and then I was alone! You were my whole world!"

Klaus blinked, obviously taken aback by her stinging words but still in control of his emotions. A slow smile spread over his face. "Ah, there's the inner fire that I have longed to see from you!" Seeing that she was still in anguish, his smile faded and she caught a glimmer of distress in his eyes when he reached over and stroked her cheek. "You have good reason to be angry with me, Love, but I will make it up to you."

"I don't need you to make anything up to me. I want you to leave. I'm calling Damon." She reached for her phone, but Klaus grabbed it from her before she could dial his number.

"You're so sure that he'll come running back to you? I heard that he's still not over Elena and spends many nights sitting by her grave, wallowing in self-pity and drinking himself into oblivion."

"He promised he'd come back if I needed him."

"Well, we'll have to see about that, won't we?" His voice carried a note of jealousy as he put her phone in his pocket.

The bedroom door opened, causing both of them to watch as Elijah walked in.

"I trusted you, Elijah! How could you let him do this to me?" Steph shouted.

Elijah looked regretful as he spoke. "I am truly sorry about this, Stephanie. I'm afraid we had no choice."

"What are you talking about?"

Klaus answered quickly before Elijah could speak. "We've come to take you with us."

Steph reached up to her neck and held onto the necklace instinctually, as if her life depended on it. "Why?"

Elijah stepped closer, responding to her question. "You're wearing our mother's necklace. Every person who has ever worn it forms a bond with her. We need your help to channel our mother so that she can help us put an end to our father, for good this time. The spell that has kept him at bay is beginning to break. All vampires are at risk if we fail. Do you understand the severity of the situation we are all in?" Elijah looked from Steph to his brother with a peculiar glance that unnerved her.

Looking back at Klaus, the realization hit her. "So you manipulated my dreams because you knew I wouldn't trust you unless I was in love with you again?"

Klaus took her hand in his, gently squeezing as he spoke. "When Elijah told me that you've been seeing Damon Salvatore, I knew you would not go against his wishes without the right circumstances."

"This was the only way, Stephanie," Elijah interjected, "but you must trust me that we will do what we can to keep you safe."

"Safe from what?" Stephanie asked. The look on Klaus's face both intrigued and terrified her. Elijah and Klaus looked at each other, seeming to come to a silent decision.

Placing his other hand on hers, Klaus replied, "The portrait that I made of you shortly after we met – Mikael found it. He is coming for you."

Stephanie's eyes grew wide. "Why me?"

"My father has always enjoyed taking things from me and destroying them. It's his way of punishing me." His voice was full of spite.

"But, doesn't he know that we're not together anymore?"

"It does not matter to him. He knows I only draw what matters most in my life, past or present."

Forcing a brave front, she asked, "When will he be here?"

"We need to leave first thing in the morning," Elijah replied.

Steph looked down and covered her eyes as she tried to stifle her sobs. How dare they put me in this position? Powerless again – completely at their mercy. Damon, I wish you were here.

Klaus quietly moaned a sigh of displeasure. "You must stop crying, Love."

Steph looked up at him through slightly blurred vision. As her eyes focused on Klaus, she remembered Rina's warning. "I don't know if I can do this! How am I supposed to trust either one of you?"

Stepping closer to Klaus, Elijah quickly interjected, "Perhaps we should leave her here and just take the necklace. Find another way to channel Esther." Klaus looked at his brother as if he had lost his mind.

"Are you mad?" Klaus asked incredulously, "I will not allow any harm to fall upon her." He turned back to Stephanie, who watched him with great curiosity. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and gently pulled her towards him. "I told you I would make it up to you. I need you to trust me that I will keep you safe. Can you do that for me, Love?"

His eyes held Steph's attention for a long while. Somehow, she knew that he was telling the truth and quietly nodded in acceptance.

"Alright, then. Now, you need not involve Damon in this. The young Mr. Salvatore would be likely to get himself killed if he knew what you were about to do. He's no match for Mikael or Esther's powers. You want to keep him safe, don't you?" Klaus replied.

Feeling defeated and as if she had no choice, Steph agreed. "No, I don't want him to know about this."

Klaus smiled in triumph. "There, now. Good girl. Elijah and I will come for you in the morning. Pack your bags and be ready."

"Will you tell me where we're going, or at least tell me what kind of weather I should pack for?"

"Be prepared for lots of rain and slightly cool temperatures," Elijah announced.

"I need my phone back. I have to call work and let them know I will be gone."

"Here." He tossed her the phone which she caught with no effort. "I strongly recommend you do not go back on your word. The Salvatores need not be involved with this. Are we agreed?"

She simply nodded, ignoring the longing she felt to hear Damon's voice again. Apparently seeing her feelings written all over her face, he leaned over and planted a seductive kiss on her lips. She closed her eyes, ashamed of how good it felt.

"I had almost forgotten how sweet your lips are," he murmured softly. "Good night, Steph." They left quickly, leaving Stephanie alone with one thought. I may as well have been compelled. They're making me do something I don't want to do.