Review Responses:
Bornkiller9: That's okay, it's understandable that you sympathise with Leiah, but I am glad I managed to get both sides across. It's not that either is the bad guy, just that they have their own baggage and both have to deal with it. I'm over the moon that you like the Sarah/Leiah ship (which I don't have a name for) and I look forward to showing you more of them in the past, and later, in the present.
And now, the finale of the Remember trilogy. Gotta say, I had a lot of fun writing all of this, even if it did get a little out of hand. I just felt I needed to show a lot of that period to justify and explain things, so hopefully you've enjoyed it and I got what I needed to across. In any case, it's back to the present next week and the story will move on.
It'll probably be a while before I write another long collection of chapters, as – despite feeling great when I upload them – they take a lot of time to write and edit. This trilogy in particular, I've been working on for months, with a fair bit requiring rewrites or being left on the editing floor, as is the way it goes. But I will try and get some more writing done so I can maybe upload multiple chapters in a week instead. That seems more doable and I would like to pick up the pace a bit as well.
Anyway, enough of me, go and enjoy the story. Oh, and May the 4th be with you!
Chapter 28: Remember III
Sarah… Sarah…
The voice sang through the darkness.
She was back home, in Mystic Falls. In the woods, during the dead of the night, and running from the voice. But no matter how hard or fast she ran, the voice continued to get closer and closer. Nevertheless, Sarah couldn't stop herself, her heart ponding faster than the thudding of her feet. She was being propelled forward by fear, not daring to look back in case she confirmed what she feared.
Sarah… I see you… You can't hide from me…
A cruel light giggle followed. Still Sarah didn't look back. Running for her life as the grip on the front of her dress tightened, holding it up as not to get in her way. More than once the back caught something on the forest floor, but Sarah tore away leave shreds of the tail behind.
She wouldn't go through it again, she couldn't. This time she'd get away. She could see it, the light at the edge of the forest, the light of her home. All she had to do was get out of the woods, across the lawn and through the door into the safety of her home. Her father and brothers would be waiting, and they would do whatever it took to protect her like they always had. Just a little further, past the last tree–
Got you!
Sarah went down with a scream. She clawed at the ground, frantically trying to get a hold of something. Her curled fingers either hit hard ground or moved through weak soil. There was nothing for her to grab, to pull. She continued to swipe, to try and find something that she could hold on to, as she felt herself being dragged back into the forest.
She screamed for her family, saw the door to her home begin to open…and then the house vanished behind a tree. The light went with it, like someone had blown it out. She was once again in the dark forest, screaming out into the night with no one to hear her.
The thing that had grabbed her by the leg let go, but only long enough to grab Sarah by the shoulder instead. She felt them pull and in turn fought with everything she had. She didn't want to turn around, she didn't want to see the impossible, she wanted this part of her life to stay buried and forgotten.
You're never going to get away from me, Sarah.
She was right. How could she have been so stupid to think that things would ever change? This monster would forever be apart of her, had been since the day she became a vampire. Her blood ran through her veins, they were one and nothing she ever did would change that. She was her maker, and Sarah had been nothing but clay before she came. Even so, she didn't want to look upon her creator, not ever again.
The hand on her shoulder pulled with more force than Sarah could fight against. She was whirled around and now, suddenly, found herself on a familiar bed. She was in the room she'd woken up in many days ago, when her humanity had first come back. Only now she wasn't alone.
Across from her, was the woman responsible for turning her into a vampire.
"Hello, Sarah."
Sarah shot up in her bed. She was covered in sweat, her body boiling and her breathing frantic. Her eyes shot from one patch of darkness to the other, but there was no one there now. Sarah knew better than to let her guard down though, sliding up the bed and pulling her legs in. She searched the bed but it appeared to only be her. The window was closed, from the inside. She thought she saw a shadow or something move outside but it never reappeared.
It wasn't home…but it was safe. Katherine wasn't here. "She's dead," Sarah said aloud, just as Lexi and Ronnie used to. "She can't hurt me. She can't touch me. Never again."
For a long while she sat on the bed. Breathing deeply and letting the cool air outside the bed calm her. Outside the window, she could see the sun had just risen, meaning she hadn't gotten a lot of sleep.
She wasn't entirely sure if the Originals – despite having daylight rings – preferred the night by nature or if it was just because of prohibition. She doubted they needed the sleep anyway, much like herself, more that it was just something to ground them, to make them feel human.
Sarah had certainly never noticed, or for that matter seen Klaus sleep. Since moving into Klaus and Rebekah's spare room, Sarah hadn't had any indication that Klaus even used his bedroom, though she'd never dare go inside it. In fact, it was mostly Rebekah she saw inside these walls. Klaus occasionally popped up, but only really used the opportunity to tease her about freeloading. The only door she'd ever seen him use was the front one to come and go. He ate his meals elsewhere, drank his booze elsewhere and entertained his ladies elsewhere. His home was nothing but a name for the apartment he hardly ever used.
In any case, it made it easier to leave her room when she eventually did, knowing that Klaus wouldn't be lying in wait to tease her. Right now, Sarah knew what she was, much to her shame. She was fragile. Any teasing at all might push her over the edge and the last thing she wanted was to give him that satisfaction. She knew Klaus wasn't all bad, but he wasn't that friendly with her either, especially not when Rebekah and Leiah were absent. Which was why Sarah knew, he only put up with her for their sake. He might not hate her to any extent, but he certainly wasn't as fond of her as he was her brother. If Rebekah and Leiah weren't as fond of Sarah as Klaus was of Stefan, then the Original likely would have gotten rid of her the first chance he got. Anything to make sure Stefan remained with him as his new brother in arms. Although, how long that friendship would last, time would tell. From what Sarah had gathered, Klaus' relationships, even with his family, could take nasty – and down right fatal – turns at any moment in time. She just hoped that if they did all separate at some point, it would be on good terms, for her and her brother's sake.
Making her way into the kitchen, Sarah removed the jar of vervain from the cupboard. She still hated taking the stuff, but she'd gotten into a routine of taking after she had a nightmare. It was that painful jolt that told her she was a wake and back in reality. One were the bitch was dead and could never come back.
She had to use a pair of tongs to remove the vervain from the jar, and then a pestle and mortar to grind it down into a powder. After that, she put it in a glass then filled it with water. A quick swirl with a tea spoon to mix it in, then she swallowed.
No matter how many times she took the stuff, she was never ready for that initial burst of pain, like her entire mouth had been set a light. Still, she refused to part her lips, and held it in until it went down her throat. She felt her cheeks puff out as she did, before the usual coughing fit ensued. She couldn't stop herself from doubling over as she did, and had to lean on the table for support. She shuffled her way around, kicking a chair until it was out enough for her to swing around into it. She ponded on her her chest, hoping to help the air flow problem, but it did little good.
In time, the uncomfortable feeling past, and she was given a chance to catch her breath.
"You look awful."
Sarah lifted her head to see Rebekah had joined her. Despite the fact she'd probably just been asleep, Rebekah looked as though she'd never gone to bed. Her smooth blonde hair ran down her back and shoulders without a tangled hair in sight, and despite her make-up having been removed, she looked no less pretty than usual. And dressed in an emerald robe made her eyes all the more clear, drawing away attention from any imperfections – had there been any noticeable. But then, Sarah's observational skills were a bit shot at the moment, having just taken her anti-compulsion medicine.
"Here, this ought to help wash it down," the Original added, placing a near finished bottle of booze on the table.
"Thank you," Sarah croaked, taking the bottle and sipping at it. It burned inside her still healing mouth, but it was nothing compared to the burn of vervain. And once it passed down her blistered throat, the mellow buzz took over. By her third sip, all she tasted was sweetness and a warm sensation that spread around her mouth.
Passing the bottle back to Rebekah, Sarah noticed the slender Original was still stood opposite her. Looking up, she saw Rebekah's features were lowered in an unappealing frown. "Hmm. You still look terrible."
"Maybe you should have the rest of that," Sarah suggested, pointing to the bottle. "I'm sure it'll make me look better."
Rebekah ignored her remark, studying her with those sharp blue eyes. But anyone could see Sarah wasn't in peak health. She was still sweating ever so slightly, there were bags under her eyes and she was almost ready to drop down on the table because of the weight of her own body.
"What's the matter, tell me?" instructed Rebekah, in a tone that reminded Sarah far too much of Lexi.
"Nothing. It was just a nightmare."
"Another one?" asked Rebekah with concern, as she took the seat across from Sarah.
"Yes."
"How may does that make now?"
Sarah had to think for a moment, but she was tired and after trying to remember for more than three seconds she gave up. "I don't know, it's not important."
"How long has this being going on for?"
"Since my humanity was turned back on, I guess. But really, it's not–"
"Did you have nightmares before?"
"Yes, but–"
"But not as frequently?" guessed Rebekah.
"I…I guess."
Rebekah stared at her for a moment, before leaning forward. "What are they about?"
At that, Sarah pulled away. "I don't want to talk about it, Rebekah."
"Why not?"
"Because they're nightmares," Sarah said with an obvious look. "They're not exactly pleasant."
"No, but they're troubling you, and clearly making it hard for you to get a decent night's sleep." It was true. Sarah doubted she'd had a soundless night's sleep since turning her emotions back on. If it wasn't the nightmares that woke her, it had been Rebekah who complained about her sleeping in, but the latter didn't bother her nearly as much as the former. Especially since without the former, there would be no latter.
"Would you like me to compel them away?" offer Rebekah.
"Can you do that?" asked Sarah with a frown, to which Rebekah looked up in thought. Probably trying to recall such an incidence throughout her nine-hundred year life.
"I'm not entirely certain, but I see no harm in trying."
"Maybe another night. All ready took the vervain after all," pointed out Sarah with a wave towards the jar on the counter.
"Oh, yes," sighed Rebekah, before another idea came to her. "Well, I could always try going inside that head of yours?"
"But I told you–"
"The vervain only makes it easier to resist my attempts, but I can still do it if your willing to let me in."
"How would that help with the nightmares?" asked Sarah, who wasn't exactly ecstatic about having anyone roaming around inside her head. Poking and prodding into her deepest secrets, reveals thing she never knew about herself and leaving a mess of the place.
"Perhaps they won't be as scary with me by your side," suggested Rebekah with a friendly smile.
Sarah smiled back, appreciating the sentiment. "You're going to sit at my bed side all night?"
"God no, you're not a child," scoffed Rebekah.
"I'm sure a story would help–"
"Well, if that's the attitude you're going to take you can deal with this on your own," said Rebekah as she stood up, a pout on her lips. Another of Rebekah's defensive tendencies, flaring up as usual.
"I'm sorry," Sarah said before Rebekah could leave. "I'm just teasing. And…I'm not really fond of anyone running around inside my head."
"Don't you trust me?" asked Rebekah, her vulnerable side showing.
"Of course I do. You're one of my closest friends, you know that, Rebekah… It's just, there's a lot of demons inside my head. There's thing in here that I'm not sure I ever want to face."
Sitting back down, Rebekah replied gently, "You're not the only one with demons, Sarah. Remember, I'm almost nine times your age. And even I haven't faced all my problems yet. Some, I doubt I ever will." She paused momentarily, lost in memories as she looked away. It was a moment of weakness, but then she snapped back to it, turning back to Sarah with a soft smile. "And you don't have to face all your demons tonight. We'll just tackle the ones that are making it hard to sleep."
"Those are the worst ones," Sarah said quietly.
"And the ones keeping you from my sister," said Rebekah knowingly.
Sarah nodded.
"In that case we have even more reason to nip this in the bum," declared Rebekah as she rose up confidently. "Come on, back into your room."
A minute later and Sarah was back on her bed underneath the covers with Rebekah sat on the edge next to her. Despite her joke from earlier, she really did feel like a child being tucked in by her mother.
"Promise you won't tell Stefan about this?" asked Sarah.
Rebekah grinned at her. "I won't tell him any time soon. But don't ask me to keep something from my true love." Sarah fought the urge to roll her eyes. Despite how good friends they now were, Sarah couldn't deny how idiotic Rebekah sounded when going on about true love.
"Are you ready?" Rebekah asked.
"Yes," Sarah said closing her eyes.
Rebekah did the same. Sarah then held out her hand and Rebekah took it, establishing a physical connection. Shortly after, Sarah felt Rebekah's consciousness pushing against her mind. Her natural instinct was to push back to try and keep her out, but she knew she was supposed to be letting Rebekah in to help her. But despite that, she couldn't bring herself to lower her defences, to keep out the intruder.
"If your struggling, try and imagine a door, like you're inviting me inside," suggested Rebekah.
Sarah concentrated, envisioning the door in her mind. She reached for it, opening up to see Rebekah on the other side. This time, she felt Rebekah's mind enter her own without any problem.
Hmm. It's quite spacious in here.
"Watch it," Sarah muttered beneath her breath, in response to Rebekah's voice that was now inside her head.
Sorry. Now, I'm going to push you to sleep… That it… I'm still here with you… You're safe…
She was safe. She was in her home, back in Mystic Falls. It had been so long since she was last here, in her old room, just as she remembered it. She rose from her bed with a smile, looking around in wonder as if she was a little girl again. How she missed her home, her family.
"It's just you and me for now." Sarah turned towards the voice, finding Rebekah sat at her dresser. She was staring at her through the mirror, while also running a brush through her hair. "I hope you don't mind, I thought this would make it easier."
"How did you know to bring me here?" asked Sarah in astonishment, before she bent down next to the old doll house her father had had built for her when she was five. It had been years since she'd seen it, even when she was human. Sadly, she'd grown out of the doll house all to quickly in her own opinion, by the age of ten. Forced to grow up after the death of her mother and her father became stricter. He'd been the one to remove the doll house without asking her first, not that she would have dared complained by that stage.
"I didn't. This was all you," said Rebekah. She looked over her shoulder before frowning. The blonde Original rose, walking over to stand over Sarah who was still marvelling at the doll house. "I can't imagine you playing with dolls."
"What about Stefan?" asked Sarah, holding one of the old wooden figures in her hand and looking it over.
"Stefan?" scoffed Rebekah in disbelief.
"Who do you think played with me?" asked Sarah with a grin over her shoulder. "It wasn't like I had a sister after all. Although, Stefan was a good substitute."
"You were better off then," said Rebekah, as Sarah put the doll back. "In my experience sisters are either worse than mothers or more irritating than brothers." Sarah was pretty certain the latter remark was for Leiah. After all, she'd see how easily the sisters could get on each others nerves. But they were still sisters.
"I'll take your word for it," Sarah said, standing up. "So now what?"
"Now, we prepare you. You're not properly asleep yet and I'm able to keep all the bad stuff at bay, but once I let go it'll be up to your subconscious to handle whatever's causing these nightmares."
"And how do we prepare my subconscious?"
Rebekah reached behind her back. "Well, against some things, this can always come in handy," she said, pulling her hand back out to reveal a wooden stake. Though where she could have been storing it Sarah had no idea. Like her, Rebekah was dressed in a period appropriate dress, and having seen the back of her dress, there was no where the Original could have hidden the sharp piece of wood.
"It's a dream, Sarah. Try not to over think it."
Sarah cocked an eyebrow at the Original's condescension, but accepted the stake all the same. "And how is this going to help me?" she asked as she looked the stake over in her hands.
"Call it an educated guess, about what it is you're afraid off." Rebekah didn't say anything more, and Sarah appreciated that. She didn't want to talk or think about that bitch anymore than she already did.
"Okay. So a stake. Is that it?"
"I'm sorry, do you not know how to use it?" asked Rebekah rhetorically.
"Of course I do. I just thought there'd be…more to this preparation."
"Well, feel free to get a hammer and nails and board up the doors and windows, but like I said, it is a dream so I don't know how much good it'll do," said Rebekah tiredly as she sat herself back down at the dresser.
"Says the woman who gave a me a stake," replied Sarah, holding up said stake.
"I could explain it to you, but I think it'd rather defeat the point," Rebekah said, as she began brushing her hair once more.
"Seriously though, you came into my head, just to give me a stake?"
As Sarah approached, Rebekah stopped brusher her hair. She turned on the stool, crossing her legs and lay her folded hands on her lap, brush still in hand. She stared up at Sarah, her tired and bored expression coming through now. "You already have everything you need. You're just apparently too dimwitted to know it."
"I still don't understand."
"You don't need to," stressed Rebekah, to which Sarah stared uncertainly back at her. She was beginning to annoy the Original now, she could tell, but she just couldn't understand what she was getting at. "Do you trust me?"
Sarah continued to stare at the impatient blonde sat at her dresser, before finally answering, "Yes."
"Then everything will be fine," Rebekah said, before turning back towards the mirror. She resumed brushing her hair, while Sarah stared down at the stake in her hand.
Then came a scratching noise from the door. Sarah's head swung sharply towards it, but Rebekah remained still as she continued to work on her hair. The scratching came again, like a wild animal had gotten inside and was using its claws on her door.
"Are you going to get that?" asked Rebekah, without looking from the mirror.
Sarah didn't say anything, but she did tighten her grip on the stake in her hand. Then, cautiously, she crossed the room to her bedroom door. Suddenly the room was a lot darker than it was a few seconds ago. Before it had felt like her old bedroom had been brought into the present, with lights that kept the room as bright as day. Now she saw the shadows wave to the flicker of the candles. The dark wall which held her door was looming before her, stretching out around her. She could feel her heart picking up, but she continued on, taking ahold of the door nob. One breath, two, she opened the door…
The hallway was empty. Nothing but dying candles, the doors to other rooms and the stair case leading down. No animals, no people, no nightmare.
"There's nothing…" As Sarah turned, she saw Rebekah had disappeared. A brief scan of the room told her the Original wasn't hiding, she'd just disappeared. Along with her brush too, there was no sign of it around her dresser.
"I thought she'd never leave."
Sarah froze, as she always dead when hearing that voice. The voice that haunted her dreams…which she then remembered she was in right now.
Rebekah?
Sarah could feel her heart racing in her chest, her whole body trembling as the floorboards behind creeped with each slow step. She kept calling out to Rebekah mentally, but there was no reply. Arms skilful slid beneath her own then, hands joining together across her belly, as a chin took rest on her shoulder.
"Hmmm, isn't this nice?"
"Please…" Sarah whimpered.
"What's wrong?"
The hands around her swiftly moved to her hips, spinning her around to face the voice. Sarah closed her eyes tightly, trying to wake up before things could go any further. But the dream didn't end. She was trapped, like she always was. She couldn't escape her own mind. Her heart was on the verge of bursting from her chest once again. She tried to pull away, but the hands held on, tightening on her hips possessively.
"Please, just let me go," begged Sarah, trying to push away from what was holding her.
"But I love you. And I know you love me too."
Sarah eyes opened at the familiar words, gasping in horror when she saw who was holding her…Leiah.
"Say you love me," came Katherine's voice in time to Leiah's lips. "Say it and we can have everything we want."
"No!" screamed Sarah as she shoved Leiah away into the shadows. She heard the Original hit the wall, but in the blink of an eye she was gone. She had been able to see her figure in the shadow of the room, but now it had vanished. Sarah began frantically looking around the room. Leiah had to be there somewhere, waiting to strike, waiting to pounce and do to her what Katherine had.
"See, she's no different to me," said Katherine. "Given half the chance she'll do to you what I did."
Sarah didn't want to believe it. She wanted to believe that Leiah was better, that a relationship with her was possible, that she'd finally get over this fear and let the past go. But the past wouldn't let go of her, Katherine wouldn't let go. Even in the afterlife, she was still toying with her, always with her, inside her head.
"No," Sarah said, closing her eyes again and placing her hands on her head. "You…You're wrong. Leiah's different."
"Is she really though?"
Sarah swung around, finding Leiah before her once again. She hadn't meant to, but she did step back out of fright, and saw the flash of hurt across Leiah's face. "I'm…" Before she could finish, Leiah started to smile cruelly.
"You see," Katherine's voice from Leiah's lips. "Exactly the same. And pretty soon…"
Leiah started to step towards Sarah, and as she did she began to change. She grew in height, her straight blonde hair becoming brunette and wavy. Even her cloths changed to a dress from last century. Then her face, as if the tide had just washed away a footprint, transformed into Katherine's.
"You won't be able to tell the difference," she finished, with the same cruel smile.
"No… I…I can…" She was silenced as Katherine took the last step, putting her finger to Sarah's lips.
"You know I'm right, Sarah. It can't ever change. It'll always end the same. Women aren't meant to be together."
"But…" Sarah said quietly, realising how crushing it was to her those words. She might have thought them, many times. But after meeting Leiah…it almost seemed like an excuse. That she was being excluded from something she knew she should be allowed to partake in.
"Now, I know you're not going to listen to her."
Sarah turned, eyes widening as she found Lexi stood beside her. "I mean, come on. She's The Bitch."
"Stay out of this," hissed Katherine.
"No, you stay out of it," came Leiah's voice as she stepped out from behind Lexi. The real Leiah, not some strange Katherine hybrid. "Stop playing with her head. What she and I have, it's nothing like what you did to her."
"It's exactly the same!" snapped Katherine.
"No it's not," replied Lexi. "You gave Sarah no freewill, no choice. Leiah's given her nothing but choices."
Katherine turned to Sarah. "After everything we've been through together, who are you going to listen to? The woman who made you, or the substitutes?" asked Katherine with a wave to Lexi and Leiah.
"Well," came the drawl of a voice Sarah never expected to hear again. "Not to brag or anything, but we've kinda known her since she was born." Sarah turned, tears falling from her eyes, as she smiled at her blue eyed brother.
"Damon," Sarah whispered.
He smirked at her. "What, you think being dead was going to keep from being your big brother?"
"It's time for you to go, Katherine," added Stefan, stepping out from behind Damon. "You're from a chapter in our lives that was closed long ago. We're done with you."
"Maybe you are, but Sarah's not, hence why I'm here," said Katherine smugly, before turning back to Sarah. "Face it, I'm a part of you, whether you like it or not."
"But that doesn't mean she has to listen to you," cut in Lexi.
"Well, I don't plan on shutting up any time soon," Katherine sneered at Lexi.
"So we'll shut you up then," said Stefan.
"Sarah's the only one with any real power here. If she wanted me gone, I'd be gone, but I'm still here. Call it what you want, but I see it for what it is. She deserved what I did to her and I'm never going to let her forget. Because she's a weak, spineless–"
"Oh, do shut up," groaned Rebekah, who'd appeared behind Katherine. "Bloody hell, no wonder you're going mad, Sarah. I would too if I had to listen to this voice all day."
"Well, if it isn't the replacement's replacement," mocked Katherine as she stared down Rebekah with a smirk.
"I'm not replacing anyone, I'm an Original," declared Rebekah.
"And I suppose that makes you think you're a big deal?"
"Very much so," said Rebekah with a thin, yet extremely smug, smile. She then looked past Katherine and towards Sarah. "Not to be a brother, but could you kick her out now? I'm rather sick of looking at her average face."
"I'm not going anywhere," declared Katherine.
"Actually, you are," replied Rebekah.
"Sarah's the only one who can kick me out, and she's not been able to do it yet."
"That's because she was trying on her own. This time, she's got all of us with her."
"No she doesn't. She's completely alone in–" Katherine was unable to finish as Rebekah grabbed her by the throat and held her up.
Sarah's eyes widened in amazement, seeing Katherine like she'd never seen her before. She'd been brought down to Sarah's level. This whole time, she'd felt like Katherine was doing to her, what Rebekah was doing to Katherine. Like she was strangling her. But now, seeing Rebekah holding her and glaring spitefully at her, Sarah realised the vampire who made her had no real power in her mind.
"Look around, Katherine," said Stefan, before Rebekah threw the brunette to the ground. As she caught her breath, everyone of Sarah's friends and family gathered around her, looming over the woman who'd ruined her life. "Does she look alone?"
"You're all talk!" spat Katherine. "You can't get rid of–" A swift kick from Rebekah cut Katherine off.
"Nope, but we can sure as hell shut you up," said Damon with a grin, as he and Stefan pulled Katherine up to her feet. They then restrained her arms, holding her in place before Sarah.
"We'll always be here to help you," said Lexi from alongside Sarah. "But you have to be the one to finish this." She held out the stake, the one Rebekah had given her. Apparently she'd lost it at some point. She took it from Lexi, holding it firmly in one hand. One simple stab to the chest and Katherine would be gone.
But she wouldn't really. This wasn't real. In the real world Katherine was dead, but she'd never left Sarah's mind. She doubted she ever truly would.
"It's not about getting rid of her," came Leiah's voice from her other side. "It's about helping you move on. About quieting the doubts and letting yourself live. What happened was horrible, but it doesn't define you. You are so much more than what she did to you. I see that, and so does everyone else."
Sarah turned to the Original when she felt her soft hand on her shoulder, and seeing the genuine smile on her face made the room brighten suddenly. Leiah wasn't Katherine, she never would be. She might have done something similar a long time ago, but she felt remorseful about it and was better now. Katherine had never shown anything akin to remorse and was dead.
"I–" Sarah began before Leiah put her finger to Sarah's lips.
"Save it for the real thing," she said with a wink.
Then Sarah turned her attention back to Katherine. The hag held by her brothers. The whole scene seemed to have change in the time she spent looking at Leiah. No longer were they in her gloomy room with Katherine confident and standing happily while her brothers nervously held her. Now they were outside the house in the sun. They were stood on the front long, and Katherine was a mess. She was dressed in old torn cloths, her hair was tangled and wiry and she looked awful. Her brothers on the other hand, had never looked better, in suits of armour and proud smiles.
She didn't even need to kill Katherine. This was already the best dream she'd had in a long time.
"Thank you," Sarah whispered in her sleep, as she curled up beneath the sheets, and smiled. Her head resting comfortably against the pillow, while Rebekah stood by the doorway watching her sleep.
The Original smiled.
A little prodding was all it had taken, not that Sarah had realised what she was doing. Rebekah had kept her distracted by letting her show her what she thought was safe, while riling up some of Sarah's memories of what she knew to be happier times. That was all she needed in her dreams, a confidence boost. And while Rebekah didn't know what was going on inside Sarah's head at the moment, she could see from Sarah's expression it was something good.
"You're welcome," Rebekah whispered, before slipping from the room.
It was surprisingly quiet in Gloria's that night. Or perhaps it was because they were in the small hours of the morning, and Sarah just hadn't realised it yet. One glance around the bar would have confirmed this. She'd have seen the sleeping drunks, the ones still drinking themselves into an early grave, and the one poor fool trying to get out the door and missing it completely as he hit the wall.
About a dozen people were in the speakeasy now, and of that dozen only a handful were conscious. Among those, were the one bartender still working, and Sarah and her friends. The band had played their final song and left long ago, so the only source of music was the radio at the bar that had been turned up, making the occasional static all the more easier to notice. But despite what would appear to be a depressing scene, Sarah was happy. The slow song coming from the radio was one she liked, and her dance partner was one she knew well, making the performance an easy and relaxing one.
"I've missed this," Sarah said, sounding half asleep as she rested her head against her partner's shoulder.
"What?"
Sarah lifted her head, looking into her partner's matching green eyes. They moved just like they had when they were human. When they'd been living in Mystic Falls and had been learning how to dance as children. He lead, and she followed.
They were the only ones on the dance floor now. Around the speakeasy, those passed out had collapsed into booths near the back, and the two souls still drinking were slouched over the bar. They had the floor to themselves but they stayed close to the centre as they moved to the beat of the music.
"Dancing with my big brother," Sarah answered, to which Stefan chuckled. "Is that so funny?"
"No," Stefan replied, grin in place. If Sarah didn't know better, she'd have said his humanity was showing. But all she had to do was look into his eyes to know that wasn't the case. And while part of her wanted her whole brother to be here with her, she knew what would happen if his humanity came back. He knew what she'd done to Damon. And while she'd been compelled to accept it, it still hurt to think about, and Stefan hadn't been compelled to be okay with it. As it stood, he naturally didn't mind. But all that would change once his emotions came back, and Sarah feared that day.
However, for now, everything was fine. And fine was good enough for Sarah.
"I think my date is getting jealous," Stefan said, his gaze looking over Sarah's shoulder and towards the bar where Rebekah was propped up on a stool, watching them like a hawk. While they were friends, and Stefan was her brother, Rebekah hadn't been overly happy when Sarah asked for a dance with him. She was extremely territorial – much like her brother Klaus. However, Rebekah had allowed her one dance, since they were good friends after all. But from the impatient look on her pouty face, Sarah didn't think they'd get the whole dance.
But what they had right now was enough. One slow dance with her brother, that had taken her back to a simpler time. Although, this moment in time was pretty simple too. Minus the one glaring complication. But Sarah was able to briefly put that from her mind while dancing with Stefan. Letting him lead while she rested her head against her brother's shoulder. Believing that he'd always be there for her, and that she was safe in his embrace. It was a blissful moment, that had now reached its end.
"Better invite her to cut in," Sarah advised her brother. "She's trying really hard not to ruin the moment, but she also wants to be with you."
"You sure?"
"Yeah," said Sarah with a satisfied smile. "This was enough. Thank you, Stefan."
He smiled back, and for a moment, it felt like his humanity was back.
Then he looked over to the bar and nodded. Rebekah didn't waste any time in getting off the stool and on to the dance floor. Though she made it look extremely casual, almost as if she hadn't been watching them the whole time. "May I?" asked Rebekah, as she came up behind Sarah.
"Of course," Sarah said with a smile to her friend. She stepped back from Stefan, who then offered Rebekah his hand, before pulling her in towards him. "Thanks for letting me borrow him."
"Any time," said Rebekah before turning her entire focus on to Stefan. Sarah then made herself scarce from the dance floor and crossed over to the bar, leaving the love birds to gaze into each other's eyes as they began to waltz.
"Bourbon," Sarah instructed the bartender who nodded. While she waited, she eyed up the two drunks a few stools down. One was sprawled out on the counter, making Sarah rethink her earlier assessment about him being conscious. The other, still conscious, noticed her looking and raised his head. Only for it to immediately fall back down in cartoonish fashion as his empty bottle bounced off the wooden counter.
"Slim pickings tonight," Sarah murmured to herself as the bartender returned with her bourbon.
"Usually the case at this time of night, Ma'am," replied the bartender, obviously having caught what she said. "The only exception that comes to recent mind be the gentleman you were dancing with and the one up back there." Sarah knew exactly where the bartender was nodding to, so she didn't bother to look. Besides, she couldn't see herself with Klaus and knew his opinions of her weren't held in the highest esteem. She imagined they'd probably have one good night in bed together and then he'd kill her, or worse, hold the night over her head for continual ridicule. Either way, she doubted it was worth it.
However, Klaus wasn't the only one sat in their usual booth. As Sarah turned, her bourbon in hand, she spotted Leiah sat across from her bastard of a brother. The two were leaning back in comfort, as they nursed their emptying glasses. Neither were talking, instead looking across the dance floor where Stefan and Rebekah were still going. Sarah was also watching the couple spiral in slow motion, but her eyes kept drifting back over to Leiah. The short blonde wasn't looking her way, but Sarah assumed she knew she was looking at her.
It reminded her of how she kept finding herself holding the Original's hand. Even now, they still always sat together at their booth, and without thinking, Sarah would suddenly find her hand intertwined with Leiah's. So rarely now did she have the knee jerk reaction of pulling away. If the situation demanded it, like one of them needed to get up, or they needed the hand for pointing while the other held their drink, then they'd let go. But the fear and discomfort that had once been there had turned into nothing more than a memory, almost. And over the past few days, she'd found herself looking at Leiah for longer. Admiring her, imagining what might happen next, and hoping. She'd never hoped for anything to happen between her and a woman before. And while she knew Leiah would obliged if asked, Sarah still wasn't sure she was ready to go that far. But she could no longer deny their was an attraction. Everything about her was drawn to Leiah. Maybe it was just curiosity but it felt like it could be something more. And seeing Stefan and Rebekah steadily moving around and around in each others arms, Sarah knew there was another way to test her compatibility with Leiah. To go out of what had become her new comfort zone and to see if she rarely could have a same sex relationship.
Downing her bourbon for courage, Sarah slapped the base of the glass down on the counter and strode around the room to her usual booth. Leiah saw her coming before Klaus did. Her smirk implied she was about to tease her, or say something she thought Sarah would find amusing. But after a second the smirk vanished and was replaced by dim unwitting flame in her eye. Curiosity overtook her as she watched Sarah approach, because she sensed something was different suddenly. She could see it, right before her as Sarah stopped at their table.
Sarah felt her courage waver as she stopped, the halt in motion enough to rattle her. But she shook it off, she wanted to face this head on and see were it would go – and there were certain things that would help her realise whether this was a possibility or not. She was about to do one now, because it was all well holding hands under the table, and while it did warm her heart, she knew Leiah wanted more. True, those in their booth all knew what they were doing, but Leiah was a very expressive and open book kind of person. She didn't want to hide in the shadows and Sarah didn't want to keep her there either. She understood Leiah was doing it for her, being patient, but if this was going to become something, it had to benefit them both, not just her.
Her voice briefly caught in her throat. Then came out shakily. She could sense Klaus grinning from outside of her peripheral. She did her best to ignore him and the mocking chuckle growing in his throat. It was made easy by Leiah, who was giving Sarah her full attention. Staring up at her with those hopeful big blue eyes, that suddenly seemed so much brighter and more magnetic than before.
Sarah was holding out her hand, but she still couldn't get the words out. She was heating up, her cheeks burning. She was making a fool of herself and was tempted to run when Leiah's hand gently slid its way into hers. The feeling shook her, and after blinking, Sarah saw Leiah was smiling tenderly up at her.
"It's okay," Leiah said quietly. Voice so smooth and angel like that Sarah felt her knees shake. "You don't have–"
"But I want to…" Sarah said even more quietly back, feeling hotter and hotter with each passing second. She still couldn't say the words. Why was it suddenly so hard! She'd been fine a few seconds ago, full of confidence and determination but the moment she stopped at the table it'd all drained away. She felt dehydrated. She needed a drink. But if she left now it'd look so bad. And how would it make Leiah feel? She had to keep going. She had too–
"Dear, God, woman," drawled Klaus with another cruel chuckle. "This is just so terribly pathetic."
Sarah shut her eyes to hide her embarrassment. But as they closed, they saw Leiah turn on her brother, angrily staring daggers at him. Flaming daggers of pure oak that would do nothing to shut him up. It was one of the perks of being a true immortal. You got to say and do whatever you wanted.
"Leave her alone," growled Leiah warningly.
"Oh, come on, you can't still be infatuated with her. Look at her! She's so terrified she can't even ask you for…well, whatever she wants – who cares?"
"I care," snapped Leiah.
"I just don't see why you're wasting time on a charity case, that's all."
"She's trying!"
"Is she, I hardly noticed."
"What do you know about it anyway?"
"I know a dead end when I see one. This mess won't give you what you want," said Klaus with a dismissive wave to Sarah as if she wasn't even there. She might as well not have been. Leiah wasn't even focused on her anymore, which was exactly what Klaus wanted. She was wrapped up in the argument with him, to absorbed to notice how boiling hot Sarah was, that the space between their joint hands was filling with sweat. Sarah could picture everyone looking at them now. Stefan, Rebekah, the bartender, and even the barely conscious drunk.
She'd thought tonight might have been the night because of how quiet it was. There were hardly any eyes on them and it would have been perfect to test the waters. But even with hardly anyone around, even when they were, on a rare occasion, alone, Sarah still couldn't bring herself to say it. She was still scared, terrified even. She was wrong. She thought she'd been getting better, moving towards a point were she could realistically give Leiah something more. But she couldn't. Sarah was trying to do the impossible. She'd never get over what had been done her.
That's right. You're all mine.
The voice had Sarah's eyes snap open. The green in them burning in a sudden burst of anger.
No, she wasn't Katherine's. Not anymore. Rebekah had helped show her that. She would no longer be defined by that one horrible event, it would not restrict her and her long life. Katherine had been holding her back for so long. She hadn't realised to what extent, but because of Leiah, she now saw it. So many missed opportunities, so many chances of something else, something that could have brought her happiness. She'd been fine with Stefan earlier, content even, but why shouldn't she want more than to be content? She should want the happiness Rebekah found with him, with what she'd once dreamt about as a girl. The only thing that had come close to making those long ago dreams a reality had been Ronnie. But maybe…just maybe, Leiah could do it for her.
"Leiah," Sarah said, ending the continual squabbling the two Originals had been having.
Once again, Sarah had Leiah's full attention. Those big beautiful blue eyes were back on her, and this time she wasn't going to let them go because of some egotistical brother that couldn't stand the conversation not to be focused on him. She wanted Leiah. She knew she did. And she knew Leiah wanted her too. This relationship deserved a chance. She just had to say it.
"Please…"
She still couldn't get out the rest. But then, she didn't needed to. That one word had been enough, to her surprise, as Leiah stood up. Their joint hands no longer felt hot and sticky, but rather cool, soft and welcoming.
"I would love to dance," Leiah said, her angelic voice back as she looked up into Sarah smile. "That was what you ere going to ask, right?" Leiah asked, teasing as she fringed awkwardness. But Sarah made sure to dispel her doubts as she quickly nodded.
Without another word being said, Sarah turned, and lead Leiah down towards the small dance floor. Stefan and Rebekah had already made room for them. The couple smiling over as they joined them. Again, they said nothing, but it was clear they too were happy about their progress. After glancing their way once, they seemed to stop looking, as Sarah then turned back around to Leiah, and took her other hand in hers.
Then, a thought occurred to her. One she hadn't considered until just that moment. "Who's going to lead?" she whispered nervously.
Leiah smiled reassuringly. "I can if you want. But only this once."
And so, they began to dance, with Leiah leading slowly. It was clear leading was not her forte or her preference. But Sarah had to give her credit since she was doing better than she ever could have.
"I guess that means I'll have to learn to lead," Sarah chuckled.
"I'm sure Stefan can teach you."
"I'd prefer it if you did," said Sarah, looking down at Leiah who had been more preoccupied on her foot work until that moment. Then she looked up, and got lost briefly in Sarah's eyes, just as she got lost in Leiah's. However, after their legs collided with each other, Leiah went back to watching their feet as they both awkwardly laughed off the moment.
"I'm not the best teacher I'm afraid."
"I think you're doing okay so far."
"With the dancing?"
Again Leiah looked back up, and Sarah was glad she did. It gave her a chance to look Leiah in the eye and properly thank her for what she was doing for her. For all her patience and support through this metamorphic stage in her life. And it didn't even need to be said, she knew Leiah understood with one simple look, as if somehow reading her thoughts. Which was good, because she didn't much care for another embarrassingly hot moment such as earlier, when she was simply trying to ask Leiah for a dance. She was going to need to work on that. But for tonight, she'd at least taken one positive step. She was dancing with Leiah, in front of people. She didn't care what they thought, because even if them being together made them unhappy, she was happy. And happiness trumped bitterness. She wasn't sure if it was quite love yet. But happiness was great for now. Happiness was something she liked very much.
She then dipped her head down, so her forehead was resting against Leiah's. And from there they continued to dance, slowly and carefully to the music, while Stefan and Rebekah danced circles around them. And with Klaus up in the back, drinking alone for the time being, but nonetheless there. Yes. This was a happy moment.
They were in complete darkness. Their rears pressed against the hard surface beneath. Discomfort was climbing its way up their backs, which were pressed against an equally as flat surface as their bottoms. Every now and then, a new branch of pain grew out, causing one of them to twitch or squirm. Sarah also longed to stretch her leg out, to release the increasing tightness that had become worse than any tempting itch in need of scratching. Even her face was aching, particularly around the edges of her lips.
That was of course, because she hadn't stopped smiling in a long time. Because, in spite of every uncomfortable muscle, she was happy. She squeezed the hand in hers, reminding her partner she was still there. She felt a squeeze back. She was still there too. Both listening with their heightened senses, trying to gauge whether it was safe to do anything more.
Steady breaths. Two slow heart beats, only slightly out of sync. One breather sounded mildly heavier than the other, perhaps because of some pressure on their chest. Something rubbing against the pillow, moving. A leg stretching out – reminding Sarah of the urge to do the same – blankets shifting. Breath catching for a moment, before then resuming.
"I think they're asleep."
It was the quietest Sarah had ever spoken in her life. It was almost as if she were using a dog whistle, an unnoticeable sound which was still very much there.
"It's about time. I thought they'd never stop," Leiah replied, equally as quiet. It was a strain to hear, but if they spoke any louder or clearer, then they'd risk waking up the couple next door.
"Is this the first time something like this has happened to you?"
"You mean hiding in a secret room, or having to listen to my sister and her, 'True love,' doing it?"
"Yes." Even though she couldn't see it, Sarah fully imagined Leiah smirking at her right then.
After a moment, Leiah answered, "No, it's not my first time."
"What happened when she caught you?"
"Shouting, ranting. Usual Rebekah theatrics. But you'll see for yourself soon enough."
"You think we'll get caught?"
"You don't?"
"We've held out this long."
"Which, by the way, is very impressive. And useful information for future activities, should the occasion arise."
Sarah fought with herself not to giggle, instead letting out two sharp breaths through her nose.
After that they stayed silent for a moment. Listening to the breathing of Rebekah and Stefan, making sure they were still asleep, and that Sarah's snort hadn't caught their attention.
They were still in the clear for now.
"Don't do that," Sarah scolded, though was still smiling.
"Sorry. So, how do you imagine us getting out of this?"
"Don't suppose you have any Original powers that could help?"
"Like what?"
"Well…what about the bat stuff? Can you turn into a bat?"
"No."
"Can you fly?"
"Also no. Other than the unkillable thing, and being able to compel vampires, I don't have any supernatural tricks up my sleeve that you don't have. Want to here my suggestion now?" offered Leiah.
"Sure."
"Let's just make a run for it."
"They'd hear us."
"But they wouldn't know it was us."
"Who else would it be, your brother? Besides, we'd wake them for sure if we did that and then they'd chase us."
"I know."
Another snort of air from Sarah, follow this time by a slap against skin.
"I told you to stop it!" Sarah hissed a little more loudly than she intended.
"Come on, it'd be fun."
"I doubt your sister would agree."
"Fine. We'll sit here all night then."
"I'm okay with that," Sarah said, her face ache persisting as she squeezed softly on Leiah's hand once more. "Despite the cramp, I'm kind of liking it in here, with you."
"Is that some subtle comment on my appearance?" joked Leiah.
"No. You're very cute."
"And you're very hot," Leiah stated, something like a possessive growl coming up from with in her.
It was all playfulness though, Sarah knew that. Over the past couple of weeks, Leiah had started acting more like the Leiah she remembered from her time with her humanity off. She was flirting with her, and Sarah – while perhaps a little shy – was flirting back. And while on occasion Leiah might say something passionate or implicit towards her sexual desires, she never acted on. Sarah was still very much setting the pace for the relationship and felt comfortable with Leiah beside her. Even now, in a dark room were anything could happen.
She trusted Leiah now. They'd takes steps in their developing relationship and that hadn't caused Leiah to start sprinting. She was still very much walking side by side with Sarah in everything. She only continued with the sexual innuendos because Sarah laughed, and on a rare occasion, returned them. The flirting continued because Sarah, again, liked it and smiled. They held hands, they danced and they weren't shy in public anymore. There will still a few things in need of checking off before they could go to the next stage though. Such as kissing.
Admittedly Sarah was nervous about that one. While she delighted in Leiah's touch, she wasn't sure she'd feel the same about her lips on her own. But again, Leiah never pushed. Whenever she'd leaned in towards her, Sarah had never once thought it was to steal a kiss. Although, there had been moments when she herself thought about taking the opportunity to kiss her. But like with the first time she asked Leiah to dance, she kept stopping and starting, getting tongue tied or dodging at the last second. It was awkward, and Leiah was being incredibly patient with her, never showing any sign of annoyance or hurt. Sarah honestly didn't know how she did it.
But unlike with the first dance, Leiah couldn't ask if it was what she wanted. You can't just ask someone if they want to have their first kiss, it was an instant mood killer and would make the process almost machine like and clunky, rather than organic and sooth. And Leiah wouldn't be the one to do it, as she'd made clear. It wasn't that she was standing off, she just wanted to be careful and not make any assumptions. Meaning it was all on Sarah to decide when their first kiss would be, if ever.
"Okay. If you've got your heart set on us spending the rest of the night in your brother's secret booze room, what do you suggest we do to pass the time. Because I warn you, I'm not an easy girl to amuse."
Mustering up her courage, Sarah replied, "I can think of a few things you'd like."
"Oh, I bet you can," laughed Leiah. "But you're going to be hard pressed to romance me in complete and utter darkness."
"Are you telling me, you don't find the backdrop of a cramped dirty room, where my brother writes the names of everyone he kills, romantic?"
"When you put it like that, the darkness might actually be to your advantage."
There was then a silence, before Sarah asked suddenly, "Do you have something sharp on you?"
"Other than my teeth, no."
Sarah hummed in thought. She then lay right her hand down on the floor. It was solid. She bounced her hand up and down, searching until her palm landed on something uneven. A split in between two planks of wood. She then put her finger on the divide, following it allow to a corner. Going diagonal from that point, Sarah traced small circles until she felt something smoother than the wood. She ran her finger over it, building a mental picture in her head, of the small circular head of a nail. She then dug her fingers into the wood, splitting it until she could grip the head and pull the nail out.
"What are you doing?"
"Shush!" Sarah hissed, as she brushed the small fragments of splintered wood from her fingers. Once done, she checked the point of the nail to see how sharp it was. It was sharp enough.
"Move over," Sarah said.
"I'm up against the corner."
"Then go around the room and give me some space."
Leiah huffed, but complied as she shuffled her bottom along. While she was doing that – which was nowhere close to as quietly as she could have done it – Sarah turned on her ass and finally stretched out her leg. Relief flooded through her leg, as if someone had just poured the most smoothing water ever over it. She savoured the feeling for a moment, before pushing herself along the wall and into the corner where Leiah had been – much to the protest of her still recovering leg.
However, while her legs now had the space to stretch out, her shoulders, plus herself, were now cramped into the rather small space between Leiah's shoulder and the wall.
"Move forward," Sarah hissed.
"Are you kidding me! How am I supposed to do that?" Leiah hissed back.
"Just put your legs up on top of mine," Sarah snapped back.
Another irritated huff followed as Leiah did just that, thumping her legs down on top of Sarah's as she pushed herself forward. Sarah clenched her jaw to stop herself from groaning, and shot Leiah a glare through the darkness. She couldn't be sure it landed exactly where Leiah was, but given the small confines of the room, she was pretty sure it was aimed in the right direction.
Settled now, Sarah was able to move her shoulders freely. But she also had Leiah half sitting on her lap. Luckily she'd folded her left arm before Leiah had gotten into this position, so she could still work as she awkwardly handed the nail to her left hand. It wouldn't be the smoothest job ever, or the prettiest but it'd work. Or at least that was what Sarah was hopping as she began scratching against the corner of the wall with the nail, using her non-dominant hand.
"Is that you?" asked Leiah.
Sarah answered, "Yeah. Just give me a minute."
"What are you doing?"
"It's a surprise."
"Well, how long is it going to take?"
"Not long. Just, tell me a story or something to pass the time."
"Me? Why don't you tell me a story?"
"Come on, just tell me something, anything. I like hearing your voice."
"All right, well…what'd you want to hear about?"
"Anything."
The free choice was overwhelming, and for a moment, all that could be heard in the dark little room was the awkward scratching of a nail against wood – slowly and jaggedly chipping away as Sarah crafted her art. When Still Leiah didn't say anything, Sarah suggested, "Tell me about your camera."
"Not an exciting story really. It was just a gift from my brother."
"Klaus?"
"No, my little brother, Tommy."
"Was this before Klaus killed him?"
Leiah found something amusing in this statement. "Klaus didn't kill him. Not that he didn't try, it just didn't stick. Anyway, it was just something stupid he thought I'd like. Turns out he was right though. I kinda got addicted to using it, playing around with it. I even tinkered with it a little. Overtime I got better at using it. I learnt about film, the different lens I could use, aperture and exposure and how to keep it working. It's a great invention. I just wish they'd come up with it sooner.
"Maybe then I'd be less scared about forgetting their faces – the people I've lost over the years. It'd be nice to have a photograph of them. Just…to remind myself of what they look like, to be certain. I tried doing art for the same reason, but I could never get it to match how they really looked in front of me. The camera just captures a person's likeness perfectly.
"I know artists are good at capturing the soul and all, but I remember people's personalities and what they were like just fine. It's what they looked like on the outside that sometimes alludes me. I can almost picture them, but they are hazy, or blurry, or there are pieces missing and it's not quite a complete picture. And when those times come, I wish I had something that captured their physical appearance like paintings never could. I've seen plenty of sketches and painted portraits across my lifetime, but it's not the same. Photography…it's just on another level. When I look at a painting I feel something. But when I look at a photograph I see a memory. I'm looking through a window into the past. But the windows only go so far back unfortunately. They don't go back to when I was human.
"The people I grew up with in that village. I can still remember all their names and what they were like. But their faces are…uncertain, and they will be for the rest of my life.
"That's why I take photographs. To remind me exactly what people look like. I take photos of all the people important to me. Those are the most important ones that I will always keep safe. The rest, they're just fun. But while they might not be as important to me, they'll be important to someone else. 'Cause like I said, they show you the past. And maybe in another thousand years, someone will want to look through that window."
The awkward scratching noise had stopped. And Leiah had stopped talking.
For a moment, there was a silence that Leiah didn't fully understand. Then Sarah spoke up.
"You took a photograph of me the first night we met."
"Yeah, I did."
"And you only take photographs of the people important to you?"
"Yeah… Sometimes, you just know when someone important walks into your life."
"And for some, it takes them a little longer to realise it," Sarah added, as she took a hold of Leiah's hand. Leiah was expecting a tender squeeze, but instead Sarah then began to move her hand. She guided it through the darkness, slowing as they approached the wall. Sarah then put her fingers under Leiah's, lifting them up so that her hand was open. Then she leaned her hand on the back of Leiah's, until she felt it touch the wall. Leiah could feel the trenches Sarah had carved in, numerous ones beneath her hand, all with sharp, jagged and rough edges. Leiah pulled back her hand and began to trace what Sarah had drawn with her finger. Following the indent around until she got the complete shape. A heart.
Then, Sarah took her finger, and guided it over what was inside the heart. Following the first marking, Leiah envisioned the letter S.
"For Sarah."
Then Sarah moved her finger on to the next marking. Again, she guided Leiah's finger over it. Going down…and then across.
"For Leiah."
Sarah's heart was hammering inside her chest now. Every other time this had happened, it had been a cause for alarm, for panic and for running away as fast as she could. But not this time. This time it was a rush, an excitement. This was something she'd crafted herself in a random moment. It might be small, it might even seem meaningless to someone else, but not to her. Here, in this little dark room, everything was coming together for her. If she believed in fate, she'd have said she was destined to end up here, in this room, on this night. Leiah would have always found her way onto her lap, and she would have always engraved that heart with their initials. It all finally clicked into place in that one moment, and Sarah knew what was coming next. A few weeks ago, she'd have been terrified at the thought, but not anymore. She was comfortable with Leiah, she was happy with her. But more than that, she was at peace. At long last she was finally at peace with herself and free to open herself in a way that was once impossible.
"Sarah…"
"I love you, Leiah."
It came so easily, so effortlessly.
"I realise it now. That's what this means. I can't take a picture but this here..." Sarah pressed down on Leiah's hand, prompting the imagine of their love heart into their minds. "This is the moment I realised it. That's what this marks."
"I love you too," Leiah whispered, turning around on Sarah's lap to face.
It was then Sarah realised how close they were.
She could feel Leiah's hot breath colliding with her own, feel it passing by her lips. All she had to do was lean forward and their lips would touch. It'd confirm what she already knew. She wanted this, she needed it. Her breath quickened, as her hands began to move on their own. They ended up on Leiah's neck, beneath the sides of her jaw. The thud of Leiah's heart was passing through Sarah's skin now. She could feel her own heart beat almost in sync with Leiah's.
The Original wanted this too, had done for so long. And she'd been so patient, but she didn't want to wait anymore, and neither did Sarah. She leaned forward, taking the leap. And she never looked back.
It was perfect. Slow, delicious, cool, fresh, tender, and above all, heavenly. Similar and yet so, so vasty different to what she'd experienced before with anyone else. Even looking back to when her humanity had been off, this was so much better. Because now she could feel it. The rush, the energy, the passion that was dragging her out into a sea of wonder. She was adrift on a whole other plane. Just her and Leiah – who was equally as entranced by their locked lips as Sarah was.
Then, the first light of a brave new world passed. The frozen time resumed, and the kiss grew more intense. Sarah was pushing forward, her hands moving up into Leiah's loose hair. Leiah gave a shove back, knocking Sarah against the wall with a sharp thud. The items on the shelf above shook and wobbled, but the two vampires barley noticed as Leiah flew towards Sarah and they locked lips again. It was fierce and hot. They kept shifting and moving, continually banging against the walls of the tight space. The wobbling items on the shelf grew more threatening, but still the two vampires paid them no attention. Their love was more important than anything else in the whole world.
Or at least, it seemed that way until a bottle fell from the shelf and smashed onto the floorboards with an unmissable shriek of shattering glass.
Sarah and Leiah froze. Breath caught, lips parted – but open and longing to reunite. Their eyes were looking through the darkness to where the sound had reradiated from. Their senses had been overwhelmed by touch and then that one sound had caused them to slam on the breaks. Now they were playing catch up, trying to piece together what this meant, what was happening. Light flooded in suddenly. Not a lot, but enough to momentarily daze the two, as their eyes adjusted and they blinked away their confusion. But before they could make heads or tails of the situation, a sharp angry voice had their heads rolling.
"What the bloody hell do you two think you're playing at!"
Some might have thought a wide eyed corpse was a mood killer. And usually Sarah would too. But after spending so much time around the Originals, one simply got used to dead bodies being around.
This particular soul had had the unfortunate pleasure of being Sarah and Leiah's meal for the night. They had meant to leave him down below, but after sampling his brand of A positive, the couple had dragged him up to the roof with them and drained him dry. It hadn't been intentional, at least not completely. But these things happened, and being with Leiah and the others, Sarah had learnt there was little point fixating on it. He'd been a good meal. But she was ready for the desert now.
That being said, she'd enjoy the Original vampire suckling at her neck a little more if the meal's packaging wasn't staring at them. A subtle kick had the dead man rolling away from them, giving Sarah the peace of mind she needed to continue, as she lay Leiah down.
The Original vampire grinned up at her, yearning in those blue eyes. She wanted her, wanted her now. Sarah still wasn't there yet, but she could satisfy at least one of the Original's desires.
Closing her eyes, Sarah leaned down, pressing her lips to Leiah's. She was comfortable kissing in public now. But their passionate make outs where kept behind closed doors and in privet. Though, there had been a few times, while at Gloria's, when Sarah had felt the need arise and had pulled Leiah away for half an hour before returning. The usually juvenile taunts and teasing followed from Niklaus when they did, but Rebekah, being the best friend she was, would quickly distract him by making out with Stefan. Then Niklaus would complain about them all until either the women apologised or Stefan tore him away for some man on man time.
Now however, there was no closed door. But they were alone atop the roof, beneath the starry sky. Leiah had, in the recent days, often come over to Klaus and Rebekah's apartment – where Sarah was still staying – and taken her up to the roof to show her the night sky. She usually brought her camera too, and took far more photographs than necessary. But the little blonde loved it, and so, Sarah never said anything. Merely posed when told to and otherwise admired the stars and city lights. That was when they weren't embracing one another, whether it be with their hands or their lips.
"You're getting better at this," whisper Leiah, before nibbling at Sarah's ear.
"Are you saying I was bad at first?" question Sarah, with a laugh that followed.
"No. Not bad. More like nervous, tense."
"Am I tense now?" asked Sarah, as she began parading kissing up Leiah's neck.
"A little. What me to fix that?"
Sarah though she knew what was coming next. "Please."
Then Leiah suddenly pushed her up, putting enough distance behind them so that Sarah couldn't kiss her. "Let me give you a back rub then."
Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Is this another of your thinly vailed attempts to seduce me?"
"When have I ever tried to seduce you?" exclaimed Leiah.
"This morning," replied Sarah with a knowing grin.
"Like I told you earlier, I thought you knew – and I still maintain I told you last night."
"I think I would have remembered you telling me you'd commissioned a nude portrait. Or that you were having it done this morning."
"Maybe it slipped your mind," suggested Leiah, as she began to play with the strap of Sarah's dress.
"I doubt it. And who was the portrait for anyway?"
"You of course… Not that that was attempt to seduce you either."
"Of course not," said Sarah sarcastically. "And I'm sure your brother would just love a naked portrait of his little sister hanging in his home.
"You caught me, I lied. I actually had it made because I knew you'd hang it in his apartment, and it'd annoy him to no end," confessed Leiah.
"No. I think you had it made for me."
"What makes you so sure?"
"I know you, Leiah."
"You do don't you."
Sarah nodded. "Which is why I know when you offer me a back rub…"
"It's just a back rub," promised Leiah. "But that won't stop me teasing you while I do it."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," said Sarah as she pushed herself up so that Leiah could sit. Once she was, Sarah turned her back and let Leiah's small and precise fingers work their way over her back.
It wasn't as good as a professional, like the massages she and Rebekah had had last month. But knowing that it was Leiah's hand made it seem all the more sensational. Sarah didn't care that the Original didn't know what she was doing, just that she was touching her.
Shrugging the straps of her dress off, Sarah willingly let the material dip down, teasing Leiah with further prizes. But no matter what she'd tempted Leiah with before, the Original had never bitten. She'd always remained true to her word. Although, there were moments when she'd had to remind herself of that fact. Such as now, when she paused in her massage.
"Something the matter?" asked Sarah tauntingly.
"You, are incredibly cruel, Sarah Salvatore."
"Just paying you back for what I saw this morning. And for when you called me a bad kisser."
"In case it wasn't already obvious, I'm really sorry about that," said Leiah, her voice going low as she leaned over and kissed the back over Sarah's neck. Sarah closed her eyes, imaging how it must look as she let the tingles vibrate out her throat in the form of a groan.
"I thought I was supposed to be teasing you."
"You'll have to do better than that if you want to beat me," Leiah replied.
She pulled back and then suddenly her moving hands stopped. Sarah looked back over her shoulder and saw the curious frown on Leiah's face out of her peripheral. Then she felt the Original's finger trace over the back of her right shoulder blade. Sarah knew what she was looking at.
"It's a tattoo."
"I know what it is," said Leiah, staring at it as if mesmerised.
"Seen some before then?"
"A few. They usually come with some meaning behind them. What about yours?"
"I got it when my humanity was off, a few years back. I kind of…forgot it was there until I saw it in the mirror one morning."
"And since your humanity was off, I'm guess it doesn't really have a meaning for you," sighed Leiah disappointedly.
"Oh, it has a meaning, all right," said Sarah, as she envisioned the tattoo in her mind.
It wasn't anything that bold, thankfully her emotionless self hadn't been too reckless. If it had been anything bigger, Sarah doubted she'd ever be able to strip naked in front of anyone ever again. After all, having your body covered in permanent ink wasn't something many people approved off. Even if it was just two small vertical red lines placed side by side across her shoulder blade, it still made Sarah self-conscious.
"What is it?" asked Leiah, continuing the conversation.
"Depends on who you ask. Emotionless me would tell you it marks every time I've been liberated. Set free from the shackles of humanity."
"And the real you?"
"It's every time I've turned my humanity off. A reminder of what I do while I'm like that. A warning of how close I've come to ruining my life – killing my…"
Sarah fell silent, as the memory of Damon returned. It still stung. Rebekah hadn't compelled that away, and Sarah hadn't wanted her to either, even when she offered. Sarah wanted to remember, to feel bad for what she'd done. She'd been compelled to accept it, but that didn't mean she didn't hate herself for what she'd done. She had to remember, so that it never happened again, so that she didn't lose the one family member she had left, Stefan.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's not your fault," replied Sarah as she began pulling her dress back up, hiding away the mark of the past.
"So, you've turned it off twice then?" Leiah asked after a moment.
Sarah nodded. "When you met me, I'd had it off for ten years. That was when I got both those lines tattooed on. I just happened to come across an artists and he wanted to try the technic so I obliged. Because I liked it, I let him live.
"The first time was a few years after I turned. Damon had left and it was just me, Stefan and a friend of ours. It was when Stefan finally ran off that I broke down. I didn't know what it was then, only that I felt better having it off. It didn't hurt."
"Does it hurt now?" Leiah asked softly.
Sarah smiled over her shoulder, seeing a small little concerned face surrounded by smooth blonde hair. "Not when I'm with you."
She turned around fully, taking Leiah's face in her hands and kissed her. "I don't need to worry about the switch now. You keep the pain away."
"So I'm your distraction?"
"No. You're more than that."
"A very hot distraction then?" chuckled Leiah.
"You're my partner," said Sarah firmly.
Leiah was taken aback for a moment. Then she began to smile, caressing Sarah's cheek and looking into her eyes. This was love, Sarah knew it. She couldn't ignore how Leiah looked at her, with such care and devotion. Sarah just hoped that while she was looking back at her, Leiah saw the same thing. Her love reciprocated properly.
"I prefer girlfriend, personally," Leiah said with a teasing grin.
"Girlfriend it is then," agreed Sarah, as she leaned in for another kiss.
The two of them lay entangled in the bed sheets. Sarah with her arm beneath Leiah, wrapping its way around so that her hand was perfectly positioned to trace light circles around her firm hip. Leiah with her head resting in the nook between Sarah's neck and shoulder. Both content after the long night they'd shared together. The sun had long since risen, and through the curtains a stray beam shot through, exposing the floating dust in the air. Meanwhile, the curtain filtered out some, but not all of the light, casting a golden aura across the room.
It was the same room Leiah had brought her back to the night they first met. A lot had changed since then, but not this room. Even though, Leiah had given the apartment up and moved to another location, no one else had taken it. So, Sarah had seen no problem in bring Leiah back here, as they relived their first night together. Only this time she was completely there, her emotions on and she felt everything Leiah had wanted her to the first time. The foreplay had lasted a little longer than the first time, but the end result had been the same. An entire night of passionate love beneath the bed sheets, pausing only to catch their breath and admire each other in the moonlight. But with the rise of the sun, Sarah realised, Leiah looked beautiful no matter what the setting was.
In this setting though she looked almost angelic – which after last night, Sarah knew was very far from the truth. Her blonde hair matching the light in some parts, while grounded in others. An ideal mixture, with a halo like outline to it.
Leiah giggled, feeling the soft touch of Sarah's lips on her head.
"You want more?" asked Leiah, rolling so that she could see Sarah. Her blue eyes still sparkling, just as they had through all of last night.
"No," Sarah said with a smile, as she reached forward to touch Leiah's face. She was just so adorable in the light, so sweet and endearing. Running her thumb across her cheek bone, Sarah's smile grew as Leiah's matched it. "I just…I'm taking in the moment."
"Want me to take a photograph for you?" Leiah asked, head turning slightly towards the camera resting on the night stand – the same one she'd used at several intimate moments last night.
"No," Sarah shook her head, but her eyes remained with Leiah's, never parting from the serenity they filled her with. "I just want you. Here with me."
"I can make that happen," agreed Leiah, as she crawled her way up the bed on her elbows, just far enough so that it was easy for her to plant a kiss on Sarah's lips. It was a gentle and sweet, not nearly as arousing as last night's. It ended like a hit piano note, that faded away as Leiah's lips gracefully departed. "Whatever you want. It's yours. Just say the word."
"I don't want to force you to do anything."
"To late," Leiah said as she playfully tapped Sarah's nose. "You've compelled me, Sarah Salvatore."
"You should take vervain then."
"Never. I like being under your spell."
"Same," Sarah said, as she ran her finger along Leiah's collar bone.
"Might be time for another dose then."
Sarah shook her head. "I stopped taking it weeks ago. I don't need it anymore. I trust you, completely Leiah. I'm not afraid anymore, of Rebekah, you, the bitch from my past. None of it. You've helped me finally shut the door on all of it, you and Rebekah. Thank you."
Leiah was breathless for a moment. And like herself, Sarah imagined she was taking in this moment. Committing it to memory for all of time. She half expected her to reach for her camera, but instead, the Original opted to speak.
"And I promise you, I will never abuse the trust you've give me, Sarah. Never. No matter what happens, not matter what becomes of us. I will never take away your ability to choose."
"I know you won't," Sarah said, as she brushed Leiah's hair back, revealing those soft tender and open eyes that she loved so very much – which now glistened with tears unshed.
The look on Leiah's face would stay with her forever, the look of complete and total trust reciprocated. A look of love and honesty. Of emotions so strong Sarah could feel them radiating off of Leiah and infusing with her own. This was a love she'd never had before, with any man. She'd loved people before, like Ronnie, and it had been passionate. But this, this was nothing short of bliss, the tranquility she felt from Leiah's touch alone was overwhelming, blocking out the rest of the world and all the horrible things in it. This was what she'd always imagined love felt like, true love.
"I will always remember this, Leiah."
"So will I."