Hello everyone, followers old and new! Hope you'll like this chapter.
A special thank you to MerylinnEmrys and flawsome4ever for you comments on the last one.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Vampire Diaries
Klaus didn't seem to mind me leaving at all. He fixed me up with a ride and saw me off and everything. I was too tired to think about him. Maybe what I should do was stop worrying about his thinking all the time, because no matter how much I did, I never seemed to come to any conclusions.
I hadn't told anyone I was coming. I just... I wanted to come home to something normal. My house and my mum.
The lights were on when Joey dropped me off in front of our driveway. He didn't say anything, he just drove away, and I guessed I probably wouldn't see him again.
The sound of the car slowly disappeared, and then it was quiet. I took a few steps up towards the house.
How would my mother react when I stepped through the door? Would she ask me about Ohio? What would I say? It had only been a few days and still it felt like forever.
I stood outside until my fingers started freezing.
When I came to the door, I didn't have any keys, so I had to ring the bell. After I pressed the button, I could vaguely hear the sound of it ringing inside. A few seconds later, the sound of footsteps and movement behind the door. The click of the lock turning.
The door opened, light from inside seeping out, and I was met by the happy face of my mother.
''Hi, honey!'' she grinned. ''Oh, you're back!''
Then I had her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I buried my face in the crook of her neck and closed my eyes.
I almost started crying right there and then.
''How was it?'' she asked and leaned back a little.
I wasn't ready to meet her eyes so I hugged her again. ''Good. It was good.''
We spent the remainder of the evening in front of the TV, snuggled up in blankets, with cups of steaming tea in our hands. She was exactly as she used to be, and acted like she had no recollection whatsoever of the night Klaus came.
What he'd shown me had scared me. There was no denying that. I'd been overcharged on people's and my own emotions before, but those few seconds he held my hand proved that I had no idea what could happen.
It wasn't in the cards for me to become a vampire. I didn't want to. But, despite that, I had to come to terms with what I was. I had to, once and for all, try to figure out how to control it. No matter if I was human or not.
The first thing I did the next morning was go see Elena.
Wrapped in a warm jacket and a scarf around my neck, the wind still felt chilly and sharp when I rode my bike down the street. It was a quiet day. I only passed two people out walking, and about as many cars.
Once on the porch of the Gilbert house, I rang the bell and waited.
When the door opened, I smiled hesitantly. ''Hi.''
Elena stared at me, eyes wide in surprise, and then she took two steps forward and threw her arms around me.
''I'm so glad you're back,'' she said, her voice muffled by my shoulder. ''Are you okay?''
I pressed my lips together and felt myself frowning. ''Not really,'' I confessed. ''But I will be.''
She let go of me and had a broad smile on her face. ''It's so good to see you.''
''Is Jeremy here?'' I asked, looking past her into the house. Her smile disappeared suddenly.
''He's... he's out of town.''
''What happened?''
She sighed. ''I didn't want him to get caught up in all this. It's not fair to him.''
''How did you even get him to leave?'' I asked. He was a stubborn guy. He wouldn't leave his family and friends behind if he knew about everything that was going on.
We slowly made our way into the kitchen, and I waited for her to answer.
''Damon helped me.''
She... got Damon to compel her brother? I sighed. ''Elena...''
''I just want him to have a normal life,'' she hurried to say, and avoided my eyes.
''I know you do, but-''
''Speaking of Damon,'' Elena cut me off. ''You should talk to him. ''He's been really worried.''
''You're a good friend,'' I said, because her heart was in the right place, even though I wasn't sure I agreed with what she had done. I knew all about taking away people's selves. ''Thank you for trusting me, when I said I was going to stay.''
She pulled out a chair for me. ''You wanna tell me about it?''
''Well,'' I said, ''I'm not sure where to start.'' Then I proceeded to tell her everything that had happened, from the moment Klaus took me from the house to the events last night.
As soon as I'd left Elena's house I called Damon, but it went to voicemail. I went over the places he could be in my head, and then just decided to go back home. Without a car, I'd be going around all day looking for him. So, instead, I went back and did the laundry.
Who would've thought that something as mundane as folding clothes would make me feel out so of place. I tried practising on closing myself off, even though there was no one else there. I had to get this under control, and I was going to. And I was going to take every doubt and fear I had about Klaus and his plans and push them back into the furthest corners of my mind.
My thinking was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. But, when I went to get it, there was no one there.
I leaned out slowly and looked around. Our yard was empty, and I couldn't see anyone in the street. Then I looked down, and my eyes fell upon an envelope on the doormat. Frowning, I bent down to pick it up.
It was thick, fancy paper, and it had my name on it in elegant writing. I opened it, all the while keeping an eye out. Sliding out a piece of paper, I turned it over and read what it said.
Please join the Mikaelson Family
this evening at seven o'clock
for dancing, cocktails & celebration
Klaus' name was signed at the bottom. Why would he invite me to a dance? And celebration... what was there to celebrate? I had just gotten back from his mansion. What had I missed?
I went right back inside to grab my phone, and sent Elena a text asking her to come over later. I couldn't be the only one to get one of these, right?
I was still lost deep in thought when the doorbell rang again. This time, I tried to get a look through the window before I opened, and when I saw the familiar figure I felt myself relax.
''Hi,'' I said when I opened the door for Damon.
He gave me a lopsided smile. ''I believe you called.''
''Come in,'' I said, stepping aside.
He nudged my shoulder as he passed me, entering the living room. ''Good to have you back, Moreau.''
''Glad to be back,'' I closed the door, and went after him, seeing him plop down on the couch. ''Thank you. For worrying.''
''Me, worried?'' Damon stretched out and rested one arm on the couch. ''Nah. You came out of the lion's den alive. Call me impressed.''
I smiled. ''Elena told you anything?'' I asked, sitting down on the armrest.
''No, said, it wasn't my story to tell.''
''Apparently, I'm what's called an empath. My great-great-grandmother, who ran around with Klaus a hundred years ago, was one too.''
''An empath,'' he said lowly. ''Figures.''
''Yeah,'' I murmured, looking down at my hands. ''I learned a lot.''
''So what made you come around?'' Damon asked.
''What do you mean?''
''You're not as... bleak as before.'' That was an uncommonly kind way of putting it, considering Damon's tough love act.
''Well...'' I began, biting down on my bottom lip. ''He showed me what could happen. If I ever turned into a vampire.''
''You'd just turn like anyone else,'' Damon shrugged. ''Not that you're going to,'' he added seriously. He put his feet up, but after seeing my face he stopped himself before they touched the table.
''According to him, I don't. This whole thing with feelings... feeling them stronger than everyone else, it doesn't go away. Maybe it's just too big a part of who I am, I don't know.''
''Witches lose their powers if they turn,'' Damon shook his head. ''That's just the way it works.''
''I'm not a witch, and I don't know if the projections would stay or not. The feelings would, though.''
''You really trust him?'' Damon asked doubtfully.
''Not really,'' I replied. ''But I could tell he wasn't lying.''
''Right,'' Damon huffed.
I clapped my hands on my legs and got on my feet. ''I need to get something to drink. You want something?'' I asked.
''Why, you offering?'' he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I waved him off and went into the kitchen. The sound of the TV came through when I was pouring a glass of juice.
I got in the couch next to him when I returned, and leaned back, taking a sip. ''What are we watching?''
''This guy is about to send some kid to a ranch,'' Damon said, staring at the screen with an unconvinced look on his face. ''Is that like sending a dog to a farm?''
A grin stretched on my face, and it felt nice. Yeah, I was going to turn this around.
At lunch, Elena came by.
''Yeah, I got one too,'' she said when we were sitting by the kitchen table. ''Look, have to tell you something.''
I frowned at the look on her face. ''Okay..?''
''Klaus kept his family in coffins, and Stefan stole them before Klaus found out. He got them back, but we managed to hide one of them. Eventually,'' she sighed, ''Bonnie managed to open it.''
''What was in it?''
Elena spoke with a straight face. ''Their mother.''
''Their mother?'' I echoed, feeling very confused. ''I thought she was dead.''
''She's a witch,'' Elena shrugged. ''And not just any witch, but the Original one. I'm guessing she has a few tricks up her sleeve.'' Elena drew circles on the table with her finger. ''And, according to Elijah, all she wants is for her family to live in peace.''
I tore my eyes from her hands and looked up. ''You talked to him?''
''Right after Rebekah tried to kill me.''
''Jesus,'' I mumbled. ''I'm gone for a couple of days?'' Ever since all this started, this town was never quiet. ''You okay? Why would she want to kill you?''
''The night Mikael was going to kill Klaus,'' she began, and her voice oozed with regret, ''I might've...'' she paused and cleared her throat uncomfortably. ''I daggered Rebekah. I feel terrible, but if I hadn't done it... everything could've gone wrong.''
''It kinda still did,'' I said. ''And no offence, but how did you manage that?''
Elena had a guilty look on her face. ''There was a party, where we were going to get Klaus. I was helping her prepare.''
''Elena...'' I didn't want to believe it, when it dawned on me. ''You...''
''In the back,'' she sighed and buried her face in her hands.
I knew Elena. She wouldn't do something like that unless she thought it was absolutely necessary. But still... it was a low blow.
''From what you told me before, that dance would've meant a lot to her,'' I said quietly.
''I hate myself for it, but I couldn't take any chances.''
''I'm not going to say anything else,'' I said, '''cause what's done is done.'' I let out a breath and tightened my ponytail. ''How about we go back to their mother.''
''Her name is Esther,'' Elena said, bringing her hands down. ''She wants to see me, for some reason. They're throwing a ball, believe it or not.''
''Oh, I believe you,'' I said. ''I was invited. That's kind of why I wanted to talk to you.''
''You were?'' she gasped. ''That's great! Look, Damon won't want me to see her. Can I count on you to be on my side?''
''Wait,'' I stopped her. ''Why doesn't he want you to see her?''
''He said I can't protect myself,'' she muttered. ''But I shouldn't have to. Elijah promised none of his family would hurt us. And besides, I got Caroline to come. Well, she's partly going because of Matt, but still. She'll be there.''
When I looked at her in question, she quickly explained how Rebekah had extended an invitation to Matt, and apparently taking a liking to him. Safe to say, Caroline wasn't too thrilled.
''So, what do you say?'' she then asked, continuing on the previous topic.
''You know I'm not much protection,'' I pointed out. Even if I was moving towards a better mindset, I wasn't sure of how well I could control my powers right now.
''You're stronger than before. I can tell. And... well, I'm pretty sure neither Elijah nor Klaus wouldn't let anything happen to you.''
Deciding not to comment on that, I pinched the bridge of my nose and made a face. ''Fine, I'll go. But I don't have anything to wear.''
Elena smiled broadly. ''Thank god we've got a Miss Mystic Falls.''
''I have a bunch of dresses that you could try,'' Caroline said. ''But I'm thinking, this one. Or that one. What do you think? Blue or green?''
She was rummaging through her closet, throwing things on the bed next to me and Elena.
''Green,'' Elena said. ''Definitely the green one.'' Caroline turned to me, holding the two dresses up.
''Green, I guess,'' I had to agree. ''Yours is blue, right?''
Her face suddenly darkened. ''Oh, don't remind me.''
I looked between the both of them. ''Okay, what did I miss?''
''Klaus has been chatting her up,'' Elena piped in.
''And I'm not falling for it,'' Caroline said, throwing Elena a glare. ''He gave me the dress. And it's beautiful, so I'm going to wear it. That's it. You can borrow these,'' she said, putting a pair of light grey heels next to me.
''What's wrong?'' Elena asked.
''I was just thinking that maybe I should wear gloves. Just in case.''
''Of course you're going to wear gloves,'' Caroline said. ''You can't wear a dress like that without gloves. And you won't be alone,'' she added, dangling several pairs in front of us. ''Now, hair-''
Back when I first saw the entrance hall to Klaus' mansion, I'd thought it looked like a ballroom, and it really was made for big parties. Grand parties. They had decorated the two staircases with strings of lights, and they even had a string ensemble set up playing music.
''Alright,'' Elena said as soon as we came through the front doors. ''Now all I have to do is- what are they doing here?''
Across the floor, Damon waved at us. Stefan appeared behind him, looking worried.
''You should go talk to them,'' Caroline suggested. ''I have to find Matt.''
Caroline disappeared in the crowd, and Elena was just about to do the same, when everyone suddenly quieted down and looked towards the staircases.
Lined up on it stood Elijah, Klaus, Rebekah, and three people I hadn't seen before. I guessed maybe two brothers, and the woman – that had to be their mother. They all looked like people, but seeing them together, as a family... It was so strange. They had to be the most powerful people alive.
''Welcome,'' Elijah spoke, his voice carrying throughout the room. ''Thank you for joining us. You know, whenever my mother brings our family together like this, it's tradition for us to commence the evening with a dance.'' His eyes found mine across the room, and he was quiet for a moment before he continued. ''Tonight's pick is a centuries-old waltz, so if all of you could please find yourselves a partner, please join us in the ballroom.''
Elena turned to me with a grim look on her face. ''This is it then, I'm going to-'' she stopped herself out of the blue, looking over my shoulder. She cleared her throat and nodded towards something behind me.
I turned around, and found Elijah wasn't standing with his family anymore.
''Elena,'' he greeted. ''Evangeline.''
''Elijah,'' Elena greeted back, reached over and squeezed my gloved hand reassuringly before she left, dress trailing behind.
''What are you doing here?'' Elijah asked.
''Klaus invited me,'' I said.
He always wore suits or jackets – but he was somehow even more awe-inspiring in a dress suit.
''I see,'' he said. ''Would you care to dance?'' he then asked, offering me his arm.
I hesitated for a second or two. Then I gingerly took it. We walked side by side to a spot on the dance floor, passing some of my friends; Damon probably with his lips in a thin line and lines creasing his forehead, but I didn't see anything because I was busy and focused on the sound of my own heart beating in my ears.
I sucked in a breath when he put his hand on my waist. I avoided his eyes when I placed my hand on his shoulder. Looking down, I saw him hold his other hand out, and I put my hand in his.
When the music started, he moved his right foot and I tried my best to follow.
My hand barely touched his shoulder, and even though I had a glove on the other one it felt like I didn't.
''There's no reason to worry,'' Elijah said, his voice low and close. ''My family are under strict orders not to harm anyone.''
Rebekah I knew somewhat, but very little from firsthand experience. And other than Klaus, the two other brothers looked every bit as sophisticated and regal when dressed up as Elijah.
''They don't look like wild dogs to me,'' I said quietly, even though I doubted that any vampire in here wouldn't hear what we were saying anyway.
''Be glad you haven't seen them angry,'' he said.
I hummed in agreement, then almost cursed when I managed to step on his toes. ''Sorry.''
''Is this your first time?''
''No,'' I said, a little offended. ''But I'm no Caroline. I only ever practiced before a couple of dances. You would notice, this town loves to throw events of every kind. As someone who's family has lived here a while, some things are kind of expected of you.''
The music picked up in speed, and I tried to balance not wanting to fall down with keeping as much distance between us as I could.
''There's a spring to your step,'' he commented.
I looked up at him, raising my eyebrows.. ''I just stepped on your foot.''
''You seem... stronger.''
''Oh,'' I realised. ''You can thank your brother for that.''
Elijah let go of my waist and spun me around, and when I was going to spin back to him I snagged my foot in the dress. I thought I was about to trip and fall, but he pushed me closer to him, keeping me standing. My breath hitched, and my eyes flickered to his. He loosened his hold slightly, and then we were back in the same position as before.
My heart was beating so loud I was sure the whole room could hear it, even the humans. I tried not to look at him from then on, keeping my eyes in a direction past his shoulder at all times.
The next time a spin came, I noticed everyone around us switch partners, and when I looked back to where Elijah had been Klaus was in his stead.
''Well, well, look at you,'' he smiled. ''You look absolutely stunning.''
''Thank you,'' I replied automatically, my pulse still racing. ''Why did you invite me?''
He moved with ease, like he'd been dancing all his life. ''To prove that there are no hard feelings.''
''I didn't think there were,'' I said, finding myself searching the room for my previous dance partner.
''Then I'm glad we're on the same page.''
Then another switch came, and I was back with Elijah. Our eyes met, and I felt my hand lean into him more, not hovering or just barely brushing against his shoulder, and then it was just the sounds of music echoing through the big room, dresses sweeping across the floor, and my own heartbeat.
Eventually, the music slowed down, and when we came to a halt my heart was beating a mile a minute.
I could feel lines forming on my forehead. ''Thank you. For the dance,'' I said, and quickly let go of him, hands shaking.
I didn't know if it was a good idea, or if I was still allowed back there, but it was too cold outside so I made my way through the crowd to the back of the room and through the doors there.
When they closed behind me, the sound of the party was quieted down. I shook my arms and my hands, trying to relieve some of the tension.
That was... I don't even know. Maybe I shouldn't have rushed away like that, but I was pretty sure that if he'd said something I would be too bewildered to give him a reply. I just had to calm down. Not think about it, just calm down, and then go back out there.
I would've realised I wasn't alone sooner if I wasn't so shaken up.
''You,'' a voice spoke. ''I remember you. You're the teacher.'' It was Rebekah. She was beautiful in a green dress several shades darker than mine, but she was looking me up and down with disdain.
''Substitute,'' I said. ''But yes.''
''You were dancing with my brother,'' she stated, raising her chin. ''Why would he dance with you?''
''We're acquainted.'' I couldn't find a better word to use.
''Acquainted?'' she laughed. ''Please.''
''If you say so,'' I said, thinking maybe I should make my way back again, but she was blocking my path.
''You came here with Elena,'' she realised, practically spitting out the name. ''Of course.''
''I know what she did, but past that she's not as bad as you might think,'' I found myself saying.
''Yes, well, some fancy vanilla, others backstabbing wenches,'' Rebekah said, inspecting her perfectly manicured fingernails closely.
''Like everyone else, she makes mistakes sometimes. She's not happy she did it.''
Rebekah's eyes shot daggers at me. Maybe all this time spent around Klaus and Elijah had made me less fearful. Not that that was necessarily a good thing.
''I'm sorry,'' I tried, and I really was.
''You can tell her,'' Rebekah began, speaking in a low voice dripping with hatred, ''that she should be sorry. She has no idea who she's dealing with.''
I opened my mouth to speak, but she beat me to it.
''Leave. I want to be alone.''
I looked at her regretfully. I'd tried to keep myself closed off, but it seemed I still hadn't regained complete control. At least not around feelings intense as hers. There was so much anger in her. And loneliness. And longing.
Rebekah took one menacing step towards me. ''I told you to leave!'' I should know when to leave well enough alone. I slid past her, hugging the wall to put some space between us, and opened the door.
I was still getting my feelings back in check when I came back into the ballroom and ran into Elena. Or, rather, she ran into me.
''You okay?'' she asked breathlessly. ''You look-''
I felt how strained my smile was, but I was focusing more on relaxing again. ''I'm fine.''
Elena stepped closer to me, and spoke in a quiet voice. ''Look, I need to get away from Damon. He won't let me get to Esther, and I need to find out why she wants to see me.''
I hesitated. ''I don't know if-''
''Please,'' she pleaded. ''Dance with him. Calm him down.''
''Elena...''
''Please,'' she repeated. ''I know it's important that I see her.''
''I don't even know if I can do it properly.''
She took my hands in hers and held them tightly. ''I know you can.''
I looked around us, wondering if Damon had heard us or not. Maybe she'd already thought of that, too. I wouldn't put it past her.
''If I do this,'' I said slowly, ''will you promise there's no danger in it?''
''Yes,'' she said confidently. ''She just wants to talk.''
Letting out a small sigh, I gave in. ''Fine.''
Damon knew me too well to fall for dancing with me barehanded. I'd cut a small hole in one of the fingers of the glove, hoping that would be enough. And that Caroline would forgive me.
He agreed to dance, and as soon as the music started we were circling around the room. He was alert, eyes looking everywhere. Even without feeling it, one could tell how anxious he was.
''Where's Elena going?'' he asked suddenly, starting to step away from me.
''She's going to see Esther,'' I said, watching her go up the staircase. Damon started to move away from me. ''Wait!''
I felt disgusted with myself, but I did it, and I saw him stagger.
''What are you doing?'' he asked, and he would've been angry if I didn't keep him calm.
''Before you do anything, just listen to me. Please.''
''You've got twenty seconds,'' he said, clenching his jaw.
''Feel free to be angry with me,'' I began. ''I wouldn't blame you. But... just take a step back and look at everything. I know you care about her. But Esther only wants to talk to her. And no one here is going to hurt her. Elijah promised.''
''Oh, he did, did he?'' Damon snapped. ''You want to remind me what happened the last time he made a promise?''
''They're only talking,'' I said, calming him down again, and still hating myself just as much for it.
''Will you stop that?'' he said.
''If you go up there Stefan will stop you,'' I said, nodding towards his brother, standing by the wall close to us.
Damon pressed his lips together. ''Oh, of course he's in on it.''
''He trusts her to make her own decisions,'' I tried to explain.
''Yeah, even bad ones.''
''They're just talking,'' I said again.
Damon looked up at the staircase and upper floor, watching Elena disappear. ''Just so you know,'' he said, ''I am mad at you. But it's nice to see you stepping up.''
''I'm not liking myself much right now,'' I mumbled. ''But she needed my help.''
He scoffed. ''I'll dance with you,'' he agreed. ''This dance. If she's not back by then-''
''Damon...''
''I won't stretch any further. Even for you.''
''It's not for me,'' I said. ''It's for her sake. And yours.''
As we moved across the floor, my eyes kept drifting upstairs. Elena was gone from view. I really hoped she knew what she was doing. I trusted her on that. I trusted her enough to use my powers on a friend.
Damon's anger and worry flared up again, and I lifted my finger a little to cut the contact. He waited of his own accord, now. And I trusted that. So, we danced, and we waited.
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