Chapter 8

The sun was tickling her face when Elena opened her eyes one morning. It had been a week since the ball and everything had been calm. Elena hadn't seen Klaus since the morning after the event. Over the past week, Elijah had kept her company. Everything was so easy with him. Breakfast had been in front of her room every morning, but the third day, Elena had went into the parlor to join him instead. He was never eating; he just sat there reading. With a cup of coffee. It seemed serene, even if she knew that he wasn't human.

When Elena made her way into the parlor that morning, it was empty. No Elijah sitting there reading a newspaper. She fixed herself a plate and was about to make her way back into her room, when she felt a presence. Elena turned around and froze in her spot.

Rebecca stared at her with the deadliest of eyes. Elena didn't dare move. Rebecca slowly moved towards her.

"What are you doing here?" Rebecca asked with the coldest voice. "I was brought here." "By whom?"

"Your brothers."

"That's unlikely. They despise you."

"You're the only one that despises me, Rebecca."

"I should rip out your spine."

"You can try."

Elena felt defiant; her baby made her so much stronger. Rebecca didn't wait one second. She shot towards Elena with the loudest of screams. Before she could grab Elena, Elena had reached out and thrown Rebecca halfway through the room.

It only took another second before Elena fainted and was caught by strong arms.

When Elena woke up, she was laying on a couch. Three pairs of eyes were on her.

"You know that if you want me to catch you, you only have to ask," Klaus spoke to her. She tried to smile, but she still felt weak.

"This one wasn't my fault. She attacked me."

"I am so sorry, Elena. Had I known.."

"It's okay, Rebecca."

"It is not, lovely Elena. She should not have attacked you. You'd think she'd grown up after all these years," said Elijah.

"It won't happen again."

"I know it won't. Or I will personally stake you again," spoke Klaus.

"Please, leave her alone. I betrayed her trust. I can understand why she doesn't want me around."

"I have done much worse to you, Elena. I will be here for you, whatever you need."

"I appreciate that. For now, I would like to eat my breakfast. I also need some new clothes."

"We can do that. Rebecca will take you shopping after you're done." Klaus muttered without doubt.

It was strange to walk around New Orleans with Rebecca. She seemed almost cheery. "So, did you mean what you said?"
"Yes, Elena. A baby in this family almost seemed impossible. We're all inhuman, we can't conceive children. There is nothing more innocent and pure than your baby. It is a shimmer of hope in our dark family; I would not do anything to jeopardize that."

"Thank you so much. It's the first time that I'm out without either of your brothers hovering over me. Even though I haven't seen Klaus in a week."

"Seems like that is bothering you."

"I guess, I just like to know what he's up to."

"You will never fully know what is going on my brother's head until he wants you to."

"And that's what I'm scared of."

"Elena, he would never do anything to hurt you."

"Not anymore."

"Don't overthink it. He's a very broken man. It takes a lot for him to change."

"It's a lot easier with Elijah."

"Don't tell me you fancy him too."

"I don't fancy either of them. I don't want to be caught between two brothers again."

"That's exactly what you're heading towards." Elena shook her head. Was she really?

"I missed having a girl around that I could just do fun things with." Rebecca distracted her from her mind. Elena laughed.

"You're right." She was reminiscing about her times with Bonnie and Caroline. Would they ever forgive her for leaving? They still thought she was dead.

Hours later and many shopping bags with them, the two girls arrived back home.

"Where have you been?" Klaus came rushing towards them.

"We went shopping, just as you INSTRUCTED me to do." Rebecca snapped back.

"You've been gone forever."

"Shopping can take a while. We had dinner too."

"Good." He walked away.

"Someone is grumpy."

"I heard that." "You were meant to."

Elena put her new clothes away and then headed to the library. Klaus was sitting there, reading a book. She was about to turn around: "You can come in."

Upon entering, a wonderful smell hit Elena.

"What is this smell?" But Elena already knew what it was, and she didn't like it one bit.

"What are you talking about?"

"Apparently, I can now smell blood very extensively."
"You think the baby needs blood?"

"Probably at some point. But as long as the urge doesn't get too overwhelming, I will not try it out. The thought of it still gives me the creeps."

"Please let me know as soon as that changes. I want to be prepared."
"I will."

Elena sat down on a different couch, with a book in her hand. Even though she was trying, she couldn't really focus on the words.

"Can I ask you something?" Klaus looked up at her. "Elena, you know you're the only one who can ask me anything."

"Where have you been?"
"Did you miss me?" He chuckled.

Elena was contemplating. Has she missed him?

"I don't know. I just know that I'm calmer when you're around."

Klaus seemed surprised. "I didn't expect that."
"Would you like me to take it back?"
"I'd rather you not. I'm calmer too when I know where you are."
"Is that why you were so frustrated earlier?"
"Partially. While I was gone, Elijah kept me updated on your status. But with Rebecca, I just don't know what to think."
"Rebecca is good for me."
"As long as she doesn't get you in trouble." 'She won't."

After a long pause, Elena spoke again.

"You haven't answered my question."
"You noticed that, didn't you. I can't tell you where I went, but I can tell you that I was taking care of some business."
"What business?"
"Elena." "Why can't you tell me?"
"It's just business. So that we can keep living the way we do."

"Are you a drug dealer?" Klaus started laughing. And not just that a litte; it was a heartwarming laugh.

Elena couldn't help but smile too.

"I like that sound."

"What sound?" "Your laugh. I don't hear it often."
"Unfortunately, there's not a lot that makes me laugh. But no, little Elena, I'm not a drug dealer."

Elena was relieved. Klaus dealing drugs was something that Elena could not handle. She didn't want her child to live in a family that already was so complicated and then also dealt drugs. It seemed so human what she was thinking. But Elena needed to make sure that her baby was safe after she was gone.

Klaus realized she was in her head, but didn't want to interrupt her thoughts.

He liked watching her. There was something about her whenever she was quiet. As much of a mystery as her thoughts were to him, he wanted to figure her out. When she told him that she was calmer with him around, a little chill had went through his body. He would never admit that, especially not to his siblings, but he couldn't imagine life without Elena anymore. That's why he had been gone; to find a solution. He needed to save her.

They had been sitting quietly for a while, when they heard a loud noise outside.

Klaus was gone within seconds, Elena following much slower.

Somebody was knocking on the gate with heavy determination.

"Klaus, let me in." It was Marcel. Why had he come here without any announcement?

Klaus pointed at her room, and Rebecca appeared to take Elena to her room. It was probably better if she wasn't there when Marcel and Klaus talked.

Elena was listening from her room.

"What can I do for you, Marcel?"

"You have ignored my invitations for the past week now."
"I was out of town."
"Why did nobody tell me that?"

"It wasn't a secret. I had some business to attend to."

"Anyway, since I'm here. I'd like to invite you to come to a dinner tomorrow night."

"I'd be delighted to."
"I'd be delighted if you brought the wonderful Elena. Where is she anyway?"
"She is resting right now."
"I was hoping to see her."
"I shall bring her tomorrow. Rebecca is going to join as well."
"Oh, how wonderful. I haven't seen Rebecca in ages. I am looking forward to seeing her and you tomorrow."
"Goodbye now."

'Until tomorrow."