I'm so sorry for the delay! I hope the length makes up for that! As usual I only own Vanessa and her doppelgangers.
Chapter 7: The Old Us
I groaned as the alarm went off. Vampires didn't need sleep, but that didn't make me any less grumpy. But when my eyes flew opened, I realized that I was in my room. It reminded me of my human life and I suddenly felt sad. I will never grow old, stuck and frozen. I will become mature as the year passed but my features will always remain sixteen.
I was not one to deal with emotions, which Katherine had said could make me sadistic and cruel. But right now, I was posing as the old, human Vanessa. And sometimes, I felt like acting. It was like I wasn't Vanessa.
"Who am I kidding?" I asked out loud, snapping myself out of my thoughts. I had changed, I was a vampire now. I stopped at my tracks on my way to the bathroom. On the shelf, there was a frame. A picture of me and Elena in our cheerleading outfits. So bright with smiles and…I smiled at the memory.
After taking a shower, I headed downstairs and bumped into Bonnie, the witch. She had been very shocked, to see that I was alive. But as soon as she hugged me, she let me go abruptly. She gave me an apologetic look. And I understood. She didn't want to be anywhere nears me…for the time being.
"Hey Bonnie," I said and she didn't say anything but nodded at me. Pushing the bitter thoughts away, I saw Elena not far behind the witch. She turned to me and frowned. I raised an eyebrow at her and her face went red in fury. Bonnie bade her goodbyes and I headed to the kitchen with Elena stomping behind me. Without even looking at her, I can feel her fuming, as she glared at me.
"You can't just live in the house, wearing Vanessa's clothes, and pretend to be her!" Elena hissed under her breath furiously. I smiled in my mind at her protectiveness over Vanessa although I didn't like the tone she was using on me. Putting up the Cassidy façade, I turned to her nonchalantly.
"Aunt Jenna will ask if I don't come home, Elena. That's why," I said, pouring the cereal into the bowl. In case you were wondering how Cassidy actually talked, it was a lot like Isobel. So calm yet nonchalant, and at the same time sophisticated.
"You can't pretend to be Vanessa and live here. I won't allow you to do it," Elena said through her gritted teeth. Looking at Elena, I saw what was alluring everyone into helping and saving her. She would always do the same for them.
"I really don't care, Elena. I can and I am," I said with a shrug. I saw her getting angrier and was glad to hear Jeremy's footsteps. "Jer, can you pass me the milk?" I asked when he entered the kitchen.
"Always the bossy one," he grumbled making me smirked. "What's wrong?" he asked Elena when he noticed her glaring at me. I thanked my little brother as he handed me the milk.
"She doesn't like to be grounded," I answered with a smirk and he chuckled, leaving Elena with her frustration and anger.
It was really good to be home, to be with Jeremy and Elena even though she still thought I was Cassandra. Jeremy still didn't know about me being a vampire, and to me, it was better if it stayed like that. I actually have no idea how to tell them that I was Vanessa and a vampire.
We heard Damon's voice as we walked downstairs, with Jeremy's arm around my shoulder. It felt so much like home.
"Where's Bonnie?" Damon asked.
"I thought she was meeting you," Jeremy replied. Here was one thing I didn't like; Jeremy's involvement in this drama. He wanted to protect Elena and like all the Gilbert men, he was really brave but that made him foolish, willing to put someone's life before him when his life was just as precious.
"No, she's on moonstone duty and I'm on Elena patrol," Damon said.
"And who's on Tyler Lockwood and the full moon?" Jeremy asked and I frowned. Oh, right. Katherine's plan B was Tyler. Tyler was a close friend of mine although he was kind of a jerk as we grew up. Nevertheless, he was still a friend.
"Vampire Barbie asked me if she could handle it, and I said, why not? Figured if she screwed up, he'll bite her and then I'll be rid of two of my problems," Damon said nonchalantly and I shot him a glare.
"Damon," I said warningly and he gave me a charming smile. Caroline was no longer the old Care just as how I wasn't the old Vanessa. Caroline had become so much kinder although she still can't keep a secret. Then I remembered Caroline was also in Katherine's plan. But I guess not anymore, and I hope it stayed like that. Because Caroline would be the only one to understand my situation.
"Hold on a second. Tonight's the full moon?" Elena asked as the realization hit her. Damon's phone rang as soon as her question was asked.
"Yep, but you were too absorbed with all your suicidal tendencies to notice," he said, getting up from the couch and answering his phone. "What?"
"Sheriff Forbes has officially declared Mason Lockwood a missing person," I heard Alaric said. Mason was the werewolf working for Katherine and Damon had killed him, in the attempt of retrieving the moonstone.
"What? Why?" Damon asked.
"Some girl from Florida showed up on the Lockwood's door step looking for Mason," Alaric replied.
"What girl?" Damon asked.
"I don't know but she sure got everyone in a tizzy," Alaric said.
"That's not good. Where are you?" Damon asked.
"I'm at The Grill."
"I'm on my way," Damon said and hung up and turned to us.
"Change of plan. You babysit," he said to Jeremy and Jeremy dropped onto the couch, laying his head on Elena's laps. "And you follow me," he said to me and I raised an eyebrow.
"Sure," I said, walking towards the door.
"Hey you know, you should get out, enjoy the sun," Damon said before feigning a realization. "Oh wait, you can't," he mocked and I laughed as Elena threw a cushion at him. Jeremy laughed too, causing him to be pushed by Elena down to the floor.
"What do you know about Mason?" Damon asked as soon as we were out of the house.
"Katherine was going to use him as the sacrifice. And Caroline too," I answered before looking at him. "And is there any story between you and Caroline?" I asked and he made a face.
"Tell you some other time," he said and stopped at his track. "I can handle this Mason's mystery woman duty alone. But you…" he trailed off looking at me with his sceptical blue eyes.
"Yes me?" I asked sweetly.
"When will you tell Elena that you're her sister?" he asked rather seriously and un-Damonly.
"What does it have to do with you?" I snapped, avoiding the question.
"Elena came to me, asking everything about Cassidy, whether you can be trusted or not…Then she broke down," Damon told and I looked away.
"It's not easy…" I trailed off before something clicked in my mind. "Wait," I said and Damon raised his eyebrow as he noticed a small smirk forming on my lips.
"What?"
"Are you worried that if she finds out, and then she finds out that you know, she's gonna get mad at you?" I asked and laughed slightly as his face changed. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but Elena only thinks that vampires are good because of Stefan. I heard about you, Damon. You don't used to be like this," I said and he rolled his eyes, looking away from me.
"If you are that worried, don't worry. I got you covered," I said with a wink. "You can go deal with the she-wolf. I'm paying Katherine a visit," I said and he snorted.
"Send my love to that bitch," Damon said sarcastically and I laughed. How could it be possible to hate Katherine when he was in love with Elena? The face was identical and I doubt he could look at Katherine without thinking of Elena and vice versa.
I landed softly on the ground and looked at my surrounding warily. The entrance of the tomb was opened but all I could see was darkness. How deep was the tomb anyway?
"Kat! Kat kitty kitty cat!" I called out, leaning against the wall. I heard footsteps heading toward me before I came face to face with Elena's doppelganger, Katherine.
"Finally," she said with a scowl and I laughed at her. "What? No blood?" she asked when she realized I came empty-handed and I smiled innocently.
"I'm mad at you," I stated and she frowned, wondering why I would be made at her. "Oh, hello Stefan," I greeted Stefan who appeared behind Katherine.
"Damon told me that you're Elena's sister," he stated and I smiled.
"Vanessa Gilbert. Nice to meet you," I said.
"Yeah, she's the girl that you failed to save," Katherine retorted and I chuckled before stopping.
"Hey, I'm still mad at you," I said, wiping the smile on my face and she frowned.
"What? You didn't contact me for weeks, and I have no clue about what is happening," she said, turning the tables around.
"You're always good at observing and making plans, Kat. But you failed to know that Cassandra was murdered by Klaus," I paused, just to be more dramatic. "In front of Elijah," I said and she gasped. I could see through her façade, that she had grown more fearful of Klaus. She took a deep breath and looked at me.
"And what did Elijah say?" she asked, slightly concerned and I scoffed.
"He tortured me, but we made a deal," I said and regretted slightly that she wasn't involved in the deal. Well, not directly. "He'll help us kill Klaus, and you'll get your freedom."
"Why would he do that?" Stefan asked.
"Klaus killed his family and dropped them into the ocean, not to mention he compelled Cassandra to commit suicide in front of Elijah. I think you can see his reasons," I shrugged. I turned back to Katherine who was calculating everything in her mind, formulating a very careful plan.
"Klaus wants to break the curse, and Elijah wants to kill him," she muttered and I nodded, crossing my arms. She had to pick a side, and if she chose wrong, she would be dead.
"So sister, where do you stand?" I asked and her brown eyes met with my blue eyes, both showing the spark of Petrova fire.
Jenna and I were having some bonding time, as she filled me in with the funny stories of my late parents when the bell rang.
"Can you get the door?" Jenna asked and I hopped off from the counter. The person that rang the bell was totally not someone that I expected. At all.
"Elijah," I said breathlessly, feeling my heart stopped. He gave me a calculating look, a look that I had always hated as it seemed like he was reading and seeing through me.
"Hello Vanessa. Are you well?" He asked formally and I looked at him warily. What could he want from me?
"Vanessa! Who's that?" Jenna asked, and I heard her footsteps coming toward us.
"No one!" I shouted and foolishly attempted in closing the door. Elijah stopped the door from closing effortlessly, his eyes bored into me. It held a dangerous glint and I found myself frozen.
"What games are you playing Vanessa?" he asked, his voice was low yet dangerous. And although I didn't know what he meant, I didn't know why I decided to play with fire. I smirked.
"Come in and find out yourself," I said playfully, tilting my head to the side. He took a deep breath, fixing me with his hard look.
"Vanessa, why didn't you invite him in?" Jenna half-scolded me as she reached us. I did but Elijah needed a human's invitation.
"Well, I don't invite strangers into our house," I countered and she rolled her eyes at me but smiled instantly at Elijah.
"You must be Elijah," Jenna said, and my jaw dropped. How did she know him? The next two words were uttered by Jenna before I could stop her. "Come in." Well, no use in crying over a spilled milk.
"Who's he?" I whispered at Aunt Jenna as I watched warily at Elijah who stepped into our house; the only place that was safe for Elena, Jeremy and Jenna.
"Elijah's a historian and he's working on Mystic Falls," she told me and Elijah turned around, smiling at me. "Elijah, this is Vanessa, my niece," Aunt Jenna introduced and I gave him a smile.
"Nice meeting you, Elijah," I held out my hand at him.
"My pleasure," he said, kissing the back of my hand when Jenna turned her back on us. He pulled me to him with his strength effortlessly like I was a doll and I whimpered, much to my embarrassment.
"We need to talk," he stated in a low voice before releasing his iron grip on my hand. I released the breath that I had been holding once he was a couple of feet away from me. He followed Jenna to the kitchen and they talked about writing history of Mystic Falls, much to my amusement. Hmm, Elijah Smith, the historian. That was kinda funny.
"Well, Vanessa knew a lot more history than I do, she could show you around," Jenna said when I walked into the kitchen.
"Love to," I said and winked at Elijah playfully. He however, looked at me with his intense and dark eyes, freezing me on my tracks. It was as if he compelled me not to move, but only with his eyes. I was also holding my breath, yet again.
"May I have a look at the files that you keep?" he asked, finally releasing me from his eyes. My body relaxed and I looked at Jenna who nodded and headed to the closet. He returned his gaze to me and I gave him the innocent smile that would annoy anyone.
"Do not take me lightly, Vanessa," he warned and I frowned. What in the world…
"Vanessa, can you help me?" Jenna asked and I went up to her hurriedly. She handed me a box which I carried without an effort to the dining table.
"I do take you seriously, Elijah," I whispered to him as I placed the box on the table. "But you don't seem to share all the stories, which makes me wonder if I should trust you," I said snidely. He rose to his full height, intimidating me with his powerful aura that radiated from his presence and not to mention that he towered me as well.
"If it makes you feel better, Vanessa. You do not have my trust either," he said huskily before leaving me to deal with my frustration of his effects on me. You couldn't deny that Elijah was an attractive man, and me being a teenage girl couldn't help but was drawn to him. But he was dangerous. That, I know from all the tortures he did to me. But that was also the appeal. It was like playing with fire. So fun and exciting yet so, so dangerous.
"Hey, what are you doing?" I heard Elena asked Jenna who was rummaging through the closet.
"Perfect timing," Jenna replied, handing Elena another box. "Vanessa is busy flirting," she added under her breath and I gaped, baffled by her statement.
"What is this stuff?" Elena asked, and I was glad she didn't hear that.
"Your mom's files from the Historical Society. I got roped into helping Mrs Lockwood and by roped, I mean very excited to participate," she complained for the umpteenth time. She kicked the closet door closed, and Elena gasped at the sight of Elijah. I'd have laughed at the surprise look on her face but refrained myself from doing so. Elena seemed terrified. Very terrified.
"Hey, I'm Elijah," the Original vampire said casually. I pitied Elena as she was very scared yet tried to remain compose. Well, I was still scared of Elijah, so I will not blame her for reacting that way. I heard Elijah not only slapped Trevor that his head flew off his neck, but also ripped off some vampires' hearts from their chests in front of Elena. That would traumatize me, if I was still human and not accustomed to the violence that surrounded us.
"Elijah is in town doing research on Mystic Falls," Jenna told Elena, taking the box from her hands. Elena was still staring fearfully at Elijah, as he moved closer. Elijah…always had to scare poor people.
"It's a pleasure," he said, offering his hand. Elena nervously took his hand and I trailed behind Jenna who made her way to the two.
"So you're welcome to stay here and rummage through this stuff or we could help you load it into your car," Jenna offered and Elijah glanced at me.
"Or I can get someone to pick it up tomorrow," he said.
"Also a good plan," Jenna said, glad that she didn't have to load the stuff into his car.
"Thank you so much for inviting me into your home, Jenna," Elijah said, making Elena more terrified of the fact that he had already been invited in. Sigh, Elijah was being dramatic. "And Elena…I hope to see you again sometime soon," he said, looking at Elena before turning to me. "The same goes to you, Vanessa."
"Sure, looking forward to see you as well," I said dryly and his eyes glinted in amusement. Then I understood it. 'How can you act so brave when you know I can kill you in a wink?' or at least that was what I thought he meant.
When Elijah was gone, Elena hurriedly ran to the stairs and when I realized she was getting to Jeremy, I followed suit. But someone held me back, pinning me against the wall.
"What do you want?" I choked on my words and Elijah gave me a sickening smile. That was the moment I realized Elijah can be very deadly too. He released me and was gone in a flash. When I made my way to upstairs, I saw Elena talking with Jeremy, with Elijah hiding in the corner. Jeremy then walked downstairs, and I gave him a smile.
"A wise choice," Elijah commented and I tensed as I walked towards them.
"What do you want?" Elena asked and I stopped next to her. Elena would come to no harm, he had promised me that. But that didn't mean his words can be trusted as all he had been doing since he arrived was implying threats on me.
"I think it's time you and I had a little chat," Elijah replied before looking at me. I was standing in front of Elena, being the barrier between her and Elijah. Both of us stared down, and then I realized. No matter how annoying it was as Katherine had said, on how everyone was busy willing to save Elena's life, I realized I was one of them. I felt Elena stared at me, puzzled at why I was being protective over her and I hoped somehow, that she would know.
"She remains unharmed," I said briskly and Elijah stared at me before he finally nodded.
"Rest assured. I have no intention in doing that," he said and somehow, he managed to make me trust him. As far as I know, I was still taking vervain. "Elena?" he asked, gesturing to go into her room. Elena turned to me, as if asking for my help. I guess if you need to choose between trusting a thousand year old Original vampire or five hundred year old vampire who was your twin sister's doppelganger, you would choose the latter.
"I'll listen," I said and gave Elena a look to be careful. She became slightly calmer much to my amazement. The bond was still there. I headed downstairs as Elena led Elijah into her room.
I listened to the entire conversation, hoping for new information but was disappointed. Elena made a list of people that she needed to stay safe and as I expected, Cassidy wasn't on the list. Elijah finally walked downstairs and his dark eyes met mine. He nodded to the door and I followed him without a word. We walked to his car which he parked a little far from the house and I was sure Jenna would be really grateful that we didn't have to load the boxes into his car.
"Where are we going?" I asked cautiously when we reached his car. Elijah appeared in front of me, surprising me as well as making me stumbled a few steps back. I expected another threat but all he did was opened the passenger door for me. "Thank you," I said quietly, climbing into his car. He closed the door and was in the driver seat in less than a second. After a while of silence, he finally broke it.
"What were you doing in Richmond?" he asked, and I glanced at him.
"What were you doing in Richmond?" I shot back, referring to the glass shattering incident. "Damon wanted to get in touch with Klaus, so we went to see Slater. He was the one who helped Rose getting in touch with you," I told.
"Hmm, why would he do that?" Elijah asked and I shrugged.
"Damon thought it would be better to find Klaus before he finds us first," I guessed. "You have no idea where he is, do you?" I repeated Elena's question and he sighed.
"I have to admit, no."
"And you're going to lure him using Elena?" I asked and he stayed silent.
"She remains unharmed," I stated again, looking at Elijah and he took his eyes off the road to meet my eyes.
"You have my word," he said and I leaned back.
"How did you manage to make me trust you?" I asked, sighing in frustration and to my surprise, he chuckled.
"I remember you said you didn't trust me?" he asked, and I rolled my eyes.
"I lied," I said grouchily and I saw he smiled from the corner of my eyes.
"I lied too," he said after a while and I turned to him, surprised.
"Why?" I asked and he stopped the car.
"Do I have a reason not to trust you?" he questioned and I shrugged.
"Maybe," I said and he chuckled deeply before unlocking the car. I followed him into his suit and wasn't surprise at the luxury that greeted me. I thought I would need an invitation, but I crossed the boundary without any problems.
"What would you like to drink?" Elijah asked and I looked at him incredulously.
"Blood?" I questioned back, wondering if there was any other drink that vampires liked. Elijah had removed his coat, rolled his sleeves up and unbuttoned the first three buttons of his shirt. I glanced around the kitchen, envied at such luxury.
"Did you compel someone to get this or did you actually pay?" I asked as I slid into the seat.
"I've been around for a long time, Vanessa. The amount of money that I made isn't little," he replied as he opened the microwave to retrieve the already heated blood bag.
"How long are you going to pretend that you are not Vanessa?" he asked and I looked up at him.
"I just don't know how to tell Elena," I admitted, feeling defeated. I wanted to say more but I realized how much it was better to let Elijah know only a little about me. Opening up to someone also meant to allow them to hurt you. He could use the information against me in the future.
"You're her sister. The bond remains there," he said, pouring the blood into a glass.
"Hmph, said someone who's trying to kill his own brother," I said, accepting the glass with a thanks.
"Klaus was no longer the brother he was when we were humans," Elijah said and I sent him a look.
"Then maybe I'm no longer the sister I was when I was human," I countered and he sat down across me. He fixed me with his dark eyes and I couldn't remove my eyes from him.
"You still care for Elena. You would die protecting her," he said and I felt a tugged on my heart. I swallowed, and with a great effort, I looked away.
"Klaus may have his reasons," I said, changing the topic.
"What reason would it be to kill your own siblings and throw them into the ocean?" Elijah questioned, and I could hear a hint of anger in his voice.
"How can you be so sure that he threw them away?" I asked and he looked at me, sceptically.
"Why does it seem like you're siding with Niklaus?" Elijah asked, and I opened my mouth to retort but closed it back when I found none.
"I'm not siding with him," I finally said. "It just seems like you're thinking you're better than him. That you are no less of a monster than he is," I said, dangerously digging my own grave. But Elijah seemed to ponder on my words. Huh, interesting.
"He has done many terrible things, Vanessa. He would kill your sister just for his own gain. I'd have to put an end to this," Elijah said in his eerie calm way.
"We all had done terrible things, Elijah," I said sadly and he looked at me.
"Is that why you're afraid Elena wouldn't accept you?" Elijah questioned, and I wasn't surprised at all at the sudden change of topic. The discussion about Klaus was actually related to me as well.
"Just as you don't accept Klaus as your brother," I countered and he looked at me deeply.
"How many people have you killed Vanessa?" he asked and I narrowed my eyes.
"Not as much as you, of course," I replied and his lips twitched. "Katherine told me you're the most noble out of all the Originals. But no matter how noble you are, you're still a vampire. A monster," I said, challenging him to deny that. Instead he leaned back, and tried to read my intention.
"But I don't enjoy it. I regret for the lives I had taken," he said firmly and sighed, looking at me. "But not you," he declared. "You enjoy it."
"I do," I agreed, my lips curled back into a sickening and twisted smile. Elijah watched me, and I saw something in his eyes. I couldn't read it though.
"Why do you look at me like that?" I asked him quietly, sipping on the thick, red liquid. He gave me a soft smile.
"You reminded me of my little brother. He enjoyed being a vampire more than any of us do. He's proud to be one," he said, smiling sadly. I wondered if Elijah accepted his nature or was like Stefan, trying to remain human. But then I realized I didn't want to go deeper than I should, no matter how attractive Elijah was. No matter how much I was attracted to him.
"Hmm, if we are going to continue exchanging stories, I rather go to sleep," I said and I saw Elijah's face changed for a second. Then I managed to interpret it once again. He missed Cassandra. A lot.
I didn't want to write this at the top! I hope ElijahxVanessa and hint of KolxVanessa (although it's only one line) somehow make up for the very long delay! For this chapter I used a lot of 'somehow'. I don't know why. And you can see in this chapter, Vanessa understands Klaus thus making it possible for them to be allies in the future! ^^