Shopping with Caroline is exactly what she needed, she thought about having Bonnie tag along but the girl sent her a message saying she might be MIA a little longer and plus Caroline and Alexis needed this time together. "Oh please, don't you think for a moment I didn't see you and Matt arrive to Sexy suds together." Caroline had told her in that knowing way of hers that made her laugh. Alexis ends up explaining what happened that night about them sorting it out and such. The blonde smiles, finding what her friends says endearing and cute. Caroline is extremely thankful things are going well for her friend, especially when it comes to Matt. If things weren't Caroline probably wouldn't let Matt ever have any peace because she knows just how shattered Alexis had and would feel.
Eventually the girls talk about everything that's going on, excluding Damon as it's a sensitive topic. Caroline's quite put out because the cheer season has also been put on pause along with the football season that will likely be forfeited, if it hasn't already. As the two girls talk it makes them realize how much they've missed each other, considering recent events. Without a doubt Caroline is the best to go shopping with because she always knows what looks best and will give her honest opinion. Caroline ends up helping Alexis pick out a few things, maybe around half a dozen things, as Alexis can still wear some of her stuff now, her stuff meaning Jenna's or Jeremy's maybe even a few of Matt's things.
After they finish up the girls grab lunch together before parting ways. Alexis debates on what to do but her feet ache and her back does to so she decides going home is the best thing.
In her room, the pregnant girl organizes her new clothing and putting them in her wardrobe. While she does that she also takes some of the clothing that no longer fits, putting it aside for her sister because it'll be quite a few months before Alexis would be able to fit into them again and Elena has almost the same fashion sense as her. Alexis can't help the pause she has when she thinks of her sister because she has no idea what's going on with Elena and it worries her. Maybe her sister is having an off day, sometimes she has those but with everything strange going on she can't help but think it is more than that. Before Alexis can continue to theorize about what's going on her bedroom door practically flies open, startling her.
She jumps, dropping the shirt she was holding on the ground as she spins around. Alexis only relaxes for a second when she sees it is her brother in the door way before she realize by the look on his face something is wrong.
"I-I need your help downstairs..." His eyes are wide an pleading. He looks like doesn't know what to do but he's worried and hurt. She furrows her brow, turning her head slightly before she is quick to react. As soon as she moves he's turning.
"What's going on?" She asks him, moving quickly following him closely as the go down the stairs. He shakes his head.
"Vicki, she's-" The way he says it, she knows and he doesn't need to actually tell he because she can easily understand what he means. Alexis's heart hurts at that and her eyes close briefly in regret before she just hurries. She finds herself stopping in the kitchen to see almost all the food that was in the fridge taken out and on the benches. Vicki has sunglasses on and she's just picking at some of the left overs shoving it in her mouth.
"Vicki?"
"I'm so hungry." It's more than being hungry, she feels like she hasn't eaten for an entirety yet food is doing nothing to help
"Hey-" She starts, making the mistake of trying to touch the girl when she walks over. Vicki dodges her, screwing up her face like she's been insulted.
"Don't touch me, Gilbert!" The older girl snarls, stepping back away from her, shaking her head.
"It's okay, just- What happened?" Alexis puts her hands up in surrender, and it's the she's using that has Vicki doing a double take. It's obvious, Vicki's fallen off the wagon, she's relapsed and now is having a bad trip, otherwise Jeremy wouldn't have asked Alexis to help. Vicki looks at her, eyes widening from beneath the sunglasses.
"Alexis?" She asks, voice hitched, face softening as she looks at the younger girl realizing it is Alexis and not Elena. They lock eyes, there's a broken, even with the sunglasses on Alexis can see lost look in Vicki's eyes like she isn't too sure what she needs or what is real. Alexis lets out a breath, nodding as she looks at the aunt of her unborn child.
"Yeah, Vic." Alexis promises and Vicki slumps slightly relaxing, looking down at the bump where her niece or nephew is growing, just to confirm it is Alexis. Alexis forces a smiles, putting a hand on Vicki's arm to try and balance and comfort her. This time Vicki lets her. Alexis breaks the eyes contact looking to Jeremy, but he seems to know exactly what she's about to ask.
"He's on his way." Her younger brother tells her and she nods, looking back to her boyfriend's sister.
"Come on, lets get you to sit down." She tells the girl, as Vicki would probably feel better sitting down or lying down. She moves to guide Vicki, so they can move her into the lounge but Vicki doesn't move.
"I'm sorry-" Vicki starts but she can't continue as suddenly her face screws up in pain. Vicki lets out a loud pained noise, "Ugh, it hurts!" Vicki suddenly pulls away harshly, voice getting loud, seeming getting angry and stepping away from the pregnant girl.
"Vicki, it's okay jus-"
"Shhh, you're too loud and-! Ahhh!" Vicki yells before she sinks to the floor, hands covering her ears, bringing her knees up to her chest and curling in on herself. Alexis presses her lips together, crouching down in a few feet front of Vicki, even though her back aches. She is trying to think of something to say but settling for nothing at all. Settling for just being here for her. She looks over to Jeremy and he goes off to the front door to check if Matt's here yet.
"Vic. What are you on?" Her voice is so quite that she's surprised Vicki here's her.
"I don't know. I don't like it." The girl admits, not even looking up, her memory is scattered and she's not sure of anything. Alexis has nothing to say to that, as she doesn't want to be loud and Matt, who knows how to handle Vicki like this will be here in a moment. Alexis ends up getting Vicki some water and Vicki takes it, still sitting when she drinks from the bottle. It's not long when she hears the front door opening followed by Matt's voice. She pushes herself up, struggling slightly but still getting to her feet in time to see her brother and boyfriend entire the room. Alexis steps over when Matt spots his sister, looking back to Jeremy and pausing in his tracks.
"Do you know what she toke?" He asks, looking at Jeremy trying to think of how he'll approach this. Jeremy lets out a breath, shaking his head because he truly doesn't know.
"I..I don't know." The youngest Gilbert admits. He hasn't seen Vicki like this before. Alexis steps closer, crossing her arms as Matt turns to see if she knows. His girlfriend answers the question before he even needs to ask.
"She says she isn't sure what she toke, only she doesn't like it."
"Damn it." He breathes out, screwing up his face before he lets out a breath. Alexis steps back, closer to the brother, moving out of the way so Matt can attend to his sister. As much experience she has with this stuff from her brother Matt has more than her when it comes to Vicki (and living with his mother). She's worried, she hopes Vicki will be fine but she also kind of wants to see how he'll handle this. The blond walks over to his sister before slowly crouching down in front of her so they're at eye level.
"Hey, Vic. How you doin'?" Matt asks, gently pulling the sunglasses from his older sisters face. Voice soft and cautious and Jeremy knows that tone. It's the exact some one Alexis uses when he is messed up. Matt and Alexis are more alike then they might know, Jeremy thinks. If anyone he knew had to have a kid together they're probably the most responsible pair he could have chosen. They know how to go beyond to take care of family, they actually care.
"Not good, Mattie. I hurt." Vicki admits, voice broken.
"Okay, where's it hurt?" He asks her, concern on his face. Jeremy looks to his sister, she watching Matt. There's a look on Alexis's face, she finds it sweet and sad. She's hates Vicki's relapsed but most people do so she can't be that mad. Vicki brings her hands up to her mouth, touching her gums and teeth, pushing at her lips.
"My gums. My jaw hurts. My gum...there's something in my gums, and it hurts." Vicki tell him, seeming on the verge of tears because all of this.
"Okay, well..." Matt starts, reaching for Vicki but she isn't having it.
"No. Just leave me alone." Vicki tells her brother, pulling away from him, not wanting to be touched at the moment.
"Come on, Vic. Don't be like that. Let's get you home." Alexis is about to offer Matt could just take Vicki upstairs as that would be easier on him and Vicki but she doesn't get the chance
"Just turn it off!" She shouts, looking at Matt raises her hands that ball into fists in frustration.
"Turn what off?" Jeremy asks, loudly, confused and frustrated himself and Vicki snaps her head to look at him.
"The talking, the chatter, just turn it off!" Vicki tells them, pushing her brother away from her as she quickly gets up on a mission. She is quick to walk past Alexis and Jeremy to seek out the noise. Alexis is quick to follow and so the other two but Vicki stops, frozen at the threshold to the lounge room. The TV turn is on and clear in all of their line of sights. Alexis pauses next to Vicki looking at it and TV is inaudible. Vicki seems to hear it though but the others can't, not until Jeremy marches forward, grabbing the TV remote and turning it up, having recognized Logan with the old mystic falls cemetery in the background.
"..horribly. Three bodies were found dead in what is believed to be a drug deal gone awry. The bodies have yet to be identified. They were discovered earlier today over at the old Mystic Falls cemetery." Vicki's crying, lips quivering at the news, her friends are dead. Alexis feels her heart clench at the news more have died.
"That's where we were last night." Jeremy speaks, eyes widen looking at the TV.
"Jeremy..." Her brother could have been one of those bodies, her voice hitches when she looks over to him but then another relaxation dawns on her. Vicki was there, people died and now Vicki's messed up...is she trying to forget something? Did she see something? Did something happen to her. "Vic.." Alexis starts, her eyes welling up, emotions clawing to get the better of her. Vicki looks at her, tears in her eyes looking as if her entire world has fallen apart. Alexis want to hug her, and not let go until she is sure she is okay.
"What happened, Vic?" Matt demands of his sister looking to her. She doesn't answer and they continue to listen.
" ...homicide, and are fast under way looking for suspects. They're asking anyone with information..." Logan, the reporter continues and Jeremy spins to look at Vicki.
"I'm calling the cops." Matt announces, steeping back to turn and grab the phone but Vicki grabs him, stopping him.
"No. Don't." Vicki tells him, sounding extremely upset and Matt gives her that big brother look, saying they have to. Vicki tears her eyes from him, turning to the girl when she speaks up.
"We have to, Vic. Loo-" Alexis starts because people have died if Vicki-Vicki or Jeremy- can help catch a killer by talking to the cops they should do it. They can't just let a murderer walk free. Vicki cuts the pregnant girl off, hand grabbing Alexis wrist tightly as she look at her.
"Please don't." Vicki pleads with her, She not only sounds heartbroken and upset so looks it. She looks distraught, traumatized and desperate. Alexis lets out a breath, locking eyes with the girl, before she looks to Matt. He hilts his head slightly, a look on his face that she doesn't have time to decipher before Jeremy is speaking up.
"What happened after I left last night, Vick?" Jeremy asks, looking at Vicki with wide eyes as he comes over. Vicki drops the grip she has on Alexis as she focuses on him. She doesn't know the emotion she's feeling, just not wanting to think back to then so she just shoves Jeremy with all her strength. He stumbles back, hitting the back of the couch hard before falling to the ground. Alexis's eyes widen and she's quick to her brothers side.
"Jer, are you okay?" She asks her brother, dropping by his side. Putting a hand on his shoulder. Matt stands between them looking between Jeremy and Vicki. He stands there so Vicki can't outburst on Jeremy again, or Alexis and if she were to make a move so he could easily block her.
"I'm fine. I'm fine." Jeremy tell his sister, shrugging off her touch and there's an angry tone is his voice.
"Damn, Vick." Matt huffs, turning back and looking at his sister. Jeremy pushes himself up, dusting himself off before offer his sister a much needed hand. The pregnancy is already starting to make moving around a little more difficult she thinks as she takes his hand and he pulls her up. Alexis looks to Vicki about to say something but she's cut of as Stefan and Elena walk into the room.
"What's going on?" Elena asks, looking between the group and Alexis notices a look come over Stefan as he looks around, mostly at Vicki. It's as if he's figuring something out.
"She's really messed up." Matt tells them, shaking his head and Stefan steps forward.
"Elena, back up. " He says, motioning for Elena to step back making it sound like Vicki is the most dangerous thing here. He looks into Vicki's eyes and Alexis finds his next actions a little strange. He places a hand on Vicki's cheek as he speaks to her. "Look at me. Focus. You're gonna be fine. Everything's gonna be fine." He tells Vicki before looking over to Matt and Jeremy. "-Guys, take her up to bed. Shut the blinds. She's gonna be okay. Come on. Come on." They head up stairs, leaving Elena and Stefan alone downstairs. Moments later once Vicki is settled in the room with Jeremy Alexis finds herself talking with Matt.
"Sorry about Vicki, I-" Matt starts as they talk at the top of the stairs. He seems put out, almost ashamed slightly upset that Alexis saw this but his pregnant girlfriend is quick to clear it up.
"Don't be. " She cuts him off, stepping forward, closer to him. Looking at him with soft eyes. "Look she's family now. We help each other and we take care of one like this kind of thing is new to me. I get it. You..You did really good talking to her, taking care. I'm just sorry I couldn't be more of a help..." She admits, crossing her arms over her chest, shaking her head slightly.
"You did plenty." He assures her, his hands touching her lower arms and she look like she's thinking it over before she nods.
"Maybe, but Vicki will be fine."
"Maybe, I just.." Matt starts, words getting harder, voice getting chocked. "I just hate she's relapsed. She was working so hard to get clean, Lexy." Alexis can hardly believe it to but the fact is breaking Matt's heart. He's never seen Vicki so determined before or working so hard and now...she's relapsed and it's so hard to see her like this again. Alexis lets out a breath, putting her hands on him, one hand on his neck and the other on his shoulder as he is obviously hurt. His eyes shine with water but tears don't spill and he also seems tired of it all.
"I know but allot of people do. It's not over. It's a process. A long one." She tells him, shaking her head wanting to cry herself but trying not to let herself. He's at a loss for words, he doesn't need words now so she presses her lips together before she steps forward. She pulls him down into a hug, hand on the back of his neck with her arms wrapped around him. He hugs her, has head dropping forward and down to rest on her shoulder.
They stay like for a while, they both need it but Matt does more in the moment. He composes himself while holding onto her, thankful he isn't alone and he has her. He eventually starts to pull back, kissing her on the cheek before fully pulling away. They talk quietly for a bit before Alexis sighs. "I think something's up with Elena." She admits and Matt frowns.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know, I just-" She trails off.
"Go talk to her." He tells her because that'll be the best thing and won't leave Alexis guessing, stressing about it.
"I should." Alexis nods, speaking softly.
There's something off, a tension between Stefan and Elena that wasn't there before. A tension that just feels awkward, distant and wrong. Alexis realizes it as soon as she steps back into the kitchen, stopping at the threshold, looking at the couple. The conversation doesn't look friendly, if anything Elena appears distraught. "Elena?" The younger twin speaks up, interrupting the lull in the couple's conversation. Elena jumps, spinning to her sister look on her face like she's a child who just got cut with her hand in the cookie jar. Elena shakes her head and is quick to compose herself, pretending as if nothing is wrong but Alexis can tell.
"What?" Elena asks, looking uncomfortable and Alexis looks between Elena and Stefan with a feeling of unease.
"Can I talk to you?" Alexis asks but the older twin just shakes her head, making up an excuse.
"Uh, not the best time."
"Please." She asks but Elena shakes her head. In her defence Elena's trying to avoid her, talking to her to keep the truth hidden. She's is hiding what she's learnt last night like Alexis hid her pregnancy by avoidance. This truth, this truth could have devastating consequences. Elena's trying to protect Alexis and the baby. "Fine, can I talk to you, Stefan?" She looks to him; since Elena won't talk she'll talk to Stefan instead. Stefan looks slightly surprized but Elena is not having it.
"No." Elena shuts it down straight away.
"Elena." Alexis says, not understanding why her sister is acting in such a way.
"It'll be fine. I promise." Stefan speaks up and Elena looks to him, not sure how true his words are.
"No-" She starts but she's interrupted.
"Elena!" Matt is to Alexis's rescue. He's walked into the room asking Elena to talk. Elena seems reluctant but Matt guides her to the other room letting Stefan and Alexis talk.
"Hey." Alexis breathes out as she walks over to Stefan.
"Hey…so Vicki…"
"Doing a bit better upstairs." Alexis tells him, nodding her head slowly.
"Good." His voice, it doesn't sound like he's happy. It sounds blank, like he knows something tragic and she doesn't. She frowns but she drops it, deciding to get to the topic of her sister.
"Stef... What was that about just then with Elena?" She asks softly referring to the arguing that she does not know the cause of. Stefan gazes down at her, there's a look in his eyes that carry heaviness and pain that has her lifting a hand to gently rest on his upper bicep as she tilts her head. She looks at him softly, eyes full of concern and caring. "Are you okay?" The truth is he isn't, not really and she can tell. Elena found out and he can tell he's losing her. Elena knows the truth now, she's in so much danger but he can't bear the thought of letting Alexis know the truth even though she deserves it. It's dangerous in a whole different way, it's dangerous to her, it's dangerous to her child and he couldn't forgive himself if something were to happen.
"Ask me again tomorrow." He tells her, sad smile but she feels the need to push this, at least where it concerns her sister. He needs to figure things out with Elena, see where things go or end now that she knows.
"Look what's going on? This morning Elena wasn't herself. Has something happened? Are you two fighting?"
"Look, she found out something about me and...I understand her reaction, I even expected it but..." He trails off. She wonders what it is but she supposes it really isn't her place, although she is curious.
"But?" She prompts him, looking at him to encourage him to continue on. He looks back up to meet her eyes, swallowing before speaking.
"I would never hurt her. Not ever. And I'd never hurt you or your child. I need you to know that." He needs her to know that but she already does.
"I know that." She tells him firmly, fully believing it despite her suspicions. Her words seem to ease him so she gives him a small smile. "And whatever it is…It can't be as bad as you're making it out to be. You're too hard on yourself. Just give her time." He can't help but to think Alexis truly has no idea just how bad it is by the way she smiles.
"Maybe."
"If you need anything in the meantime, even just to talk I'm here."
"You know, I haven't told you but...you actually remind me of someone. A friend of mine. My best friend actually. She saved me, from myself." He admits, tilting his head with a bittersweet smile. Alexis almost gets caught on the fact that he was saved from himself. She feels a ping of concern for him but also it eased as she assumes from the way he said it means it's in the past.
"What was her name?" Alexis can't help but wonder and he seems much more at ease now.
"Lexi."
"Really?" She laughs at the similarity of her and this girls name. Stefan smiles, nodding his head when he comments.
"I thought it was funny too. You know, you two you probably get along great."
"Well I hope I get to meet this 'Lexi' one day then." Alexis beams at him, slight laugh in her voice. She'd love to meet this girl 'Lexi', learn about more about her and Stefan. She actually quite looks forward to meeting her.
"Vic? Vicki!" They both suddenly hear Matt's voice shout follow by the sound of the front door being yanked open. Alexis and Stefan share a look before hurrying outside. Alexis stops on the porch seeing Matt half way to his car while Elena steps forward to Elena's side.
"She was fine, and then she just...she just freaked out!" Jeremy announces suddenly at his pregnant sister side whose wide eyed with worry. Matt turns to look at them at Jeremy's voice, grabbing out his car keys.
"I'm gonna go look for her. Call me if you hear anything." Matt tells them loudly, looking to Alexis who nods before he runs to his car. Stefan's also gone a moment later as well, to look on his own for the girl leaving the three siblings outside. Alexis looks between her brother and sister and can't help but think how today may have started out good , for her at least, but it appears to have turned sour for everyone.
I'm the worst at splitting up chapter but oh well, I don't think you guys mind cause you get updates quicker and it takes me long to write really long chapters. Let me know what you think anyway! Also the reason Elena is acting a bit distant, if you didn't get it, is becuase the last thing she want-or stefan wants- is Alexis to find out. I mean Elena's reaction as quite emotional and well pregnancy exemplifies emotins and that amount emotionally distress and such could be very dangerous to the babies health. So that's one factor of why she hasn't found out- along with reason to things that may happen in future chapters*hint*-yet but there isn't much of a wait now things are happening. (sorry for any mistakes)
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