A/N: I'm so sorry if the story has lost its momentum but here's the end of Season 3! I'm so happy and I feel terrible too because it's been THREE months since I last updated. I just get caught up with assignments and endless tests. So sorry guys. I hope the waiting was worth it. And Vanessa and Kol was supposed to make up in last chapter but Alaric died so the timing wasn't right.
P/S: I have Calculus test tomorrow YOLO. I just have to update this story because I feel terrible to you guys xx
A/N: I own nothing but my OCs
Chapter 34: Baby Steps
My phone rang for the upteempth time and I pat my hand on my bed, searching for my phone. "Hello?" I asked groggily, eyes still shut. I moved the phone further from my ear instantly when I heard Rebekah's angry voice nagging nonstop at me.
"Where are you?" she asked me when I didn't response at her nagging.
"Bed," I said sleepily.
"Look, you've lost someone. But you shouldn't be grieving, staying in your bed all day," Rebekah said much gentler than before.
"It's weekend. Who wakes up early in the morning on weekend?" I asked her. Alaric wasn't the reason I was still in bed, it was 8 a.m. for god's sake.
"We need to clean up the school, remember?" she asked and I groaned.
"I didn't even go-neither of us went to the dance!" I protested.
"Just get over here, sweetheart," Rebekah said, her words were final and hanged up. I rolled my eyes and forced myself to get up and went to take a hot shower. It was then that I realized Alaric was actually dead. Like dead, dead. I wouldn't find him making coffee in the kitchen while still half sleeping this morning, instead I would find the couch empty. I suppressed a groan, tired of losing everyone I cared about. Grieving as a vampire was worst than when you were human, everything was heightened and amplified. I rather not think and deal with it at all and it seemed like cleaning a school compound was a nice choice.
I slipped into my skinny and white sleeveless top and grabbed my leather jacket as I headed downstairs, phone forgotten on my bed as Rebekah sent me a text, warning me about a certain vampire hunter that was lurking in our school.
When I reached school, there was no sound of anyone and it was still a mess. Plastic cups were everywhere and decorations had fallen from their actual place.
"Becks?" I called out, still grumbling under my breath as I picked up a chandelier and made my way to the store room. "Becaw!" I screeched, imitating a crow and heard a noise coming from a classroom. I frowned. I suddenly felt anxious at the eerie silent.
"There she is. I've been waiting for you," a familiar voice said from behind me and I froze. Ric. That voice belonged to Ric but that tone, that tone contained so much loath and hatred for it to be Ric. I swung the massive chandelier at him as I turned around but he had anticipated it and blocked it easily. I kicked him hard in the shin, managed to surprise him and I struck him with the chandelier across his back, sending him to the floor. I made a dash without looking back but was stopped a couple of seconds later by Ric grabbing my ponytail and pulling me back. I struggled and clawed his hand and he hissed before throwing me to the wall and held me by my throat. I choked and my eyes widened as I failed to unclaw his grip on my neck. Even if he was a vampire, he was turned only yesterday, I was supposed to be stronger than he was. Ric gave me a cold smile, something that sent a shiver down my spine before he slammed my head against the wall again and my vision turned black.
"Please...stop," I heard a voice across me, not that far away but it was familiar. I groaned at the pounding in my head, and adjusted my eyes to the light. I saw Caroline sitting across me, a pencil was stabbed through each of her hand, keeping her in place. I noticed I was in the same position as her too and I tried not to move, knowing it would be more painful if I did. Caroline sobbed louder as a hissing sound occured and I narrowed my eyes. Caroline was gagged with a cloth and I saw a beaker on a desk with clear liquid which I suspected to be vervain.
"Shh, shh," Ric cooed mockingly, stroking her hair as if that was supposed to calm her down. His dark eyes met my blue ones and that creepy smile I saw before I blacked out crept onto his face again. "Morning, sunshine." I just rolled my eyes.
A sob escaped Caroline's gagged lips when Alaric tightened the cloth and I remained calm as he approached me. "Now, now, what should I do with a vampire like you?" he asked.
"Whatever torture you have in your evil psychotic mind, believe me. I've had worse," I said lazily and indifferently, and Alaric's eyes darkened. Obviously he didn't like my cockiness but to be honest, I can endure this. I've been tortured by Elijah, Jules the werewolves, terrorized by Klaus and tortured by my sweet doppelganger and almost losing my two beautiful eyes. I think I can handle this.
"You think you're so tough, befriending the Originals," he said mockingly. "Well bad news for you, Vanessa. They are all going to die," he said.
"I know turning into a vampire can get very confusing, but have you forgotten how hard we tried to kill Klaus? And if you're not going to kill us, we're the baits. For whom exactly?" I asked, narrowing my eyebrows at the person I used to know.
"Who said anything about not killing you?" he asked with a smile and I ignored the indirect threat.
"If you're using Caroline to bait Klaus, it's not really going to work. Sorry Care," I said to her. A part of me thought back at Kol, and wondered if Ric knew about us. I knew he disapproved of our friendship but I knew in my heart that I wasn't a bait for Kol. But last night...Ric couldn't know that.
"You're just happened to be in a wrong place at a wrong time, Vanessa. Just like you've always been," he said with a smirk, pulling out his phone. It was a while before whoever it was finally picked up, and I heard my sister's voice at the end of the line.
"Whoever this is, it's not funny," Elena said sternly.
"Well, who else would it be?" Ric asked her with a grin.
"Ric?" she asked, shocked.
"Listen closely, I'm at the school, I have your sister and Caroline. And if you want to keep them alive, I need you to get in your car and come down here right away. If you tell anyone where you are going, I will kill them," he said sternly before hanging up.
Kol arrived at the Gilbert's house as he saw his brother marched towards the house with a propane tank and a burning newspaper with a determined face. He would have laughed at the situation, wondering what had they done now to make his brother done so but he remembered that Vanessa lived there too.
"Did you huff and puff yet and see if you can blow the house down?" Kol called out in amusement, climbing out of his car. Klaus turned to look at his younger brother and rolled his eyes. The door opened and Stefan looked at Klaus, baffled at his childish action.
"Put it out," he said, somewhat tiredly.
"Come outside and make me," Klaus challenged him and Stefan stepped outside lazily.
"Elena's not here. Alaric has her and Caroline and Vanessa and he's gonna kill them unless you turn yourself over to him," Stefan told and Klaus looked annoyed, throwing both of his props to burn the house down.
"Who has Vanessa?" Kol asked, frowning.
"The vampire hunter mother turned last night," Klaus replied before taking two glances at his brother. "What are you doing here?"
"None of your business," Kol replied cheerfully. "Where is this hunter keeping them?" Kol asked Stefan, his tone was businesslike. Stefan was as confused as Klaus was, not to mention he never dealt with Kol so he couldn't predict his motives. All he knew was that Kol hated Damon and was in Denver with Jeremy and Vanessa.
"At the school," he said and Kol turned his heels but was stopped by Klaus.
"What do you think you're doing? The hunter has the white oak stake," Klaus growled and Kol rolled his eyes.
"So? We're an Original, brother. Don't tell me you're scared," Kol said with a smirk and Klaus had to close his eyes for a second and took a deep breath from lashing out. He had always had a temper but at times like this, he needed a clear mind to think and plan. Kol who had always been more impulsive, prefer to just charge in without thinking.
"Don't be stupid, Kol," he said and turned to Stefan. "And I know you're not asking me to walk into a certain death for your precious Elena."
"I really wish we could. But unfortunately, if Alaric kills you there's a one in four chance that we die too," Stefan said dryly.
"I'll take those odds," Damon interrupted, walking outside with a picket fence over his shoulder. He noticed Kol and the Original smirked.
"Well, well, if it isn't my favourite Salvatore," Kol said and Damon forced a smile that was more like a grimace.
"And a hundred percent chance that Tyler dies," Stefan reminded and Damon shrugged.
"I'm good with that too."
"Why don't we just figure out a way to put Alaric down?" Stefan suggested.
"Why don't we just stop wasting our time and just kill the hunter? We can take him," Kol said, growing anxious. He knew Vanessa is strong enough if the hunter was to torture her but what if the hunter decided to kill her?
"That's a fantastic plan," Damon said and smiled charmingly at Kol.
"Okay, how about Damon sneaks in and distracts Alaric, while Stefan grabs Elena and carries her to safety?" Klaus suggested.
"Huh, that's a great idea. What's to stop me from getting killed instantly?" Damon asked.
Klaus and Kol glanced at each other and shrugged, "Nothing," they said in sync, smirks forming on their lips.
"Caroline's in there. Don't you have a thing for her? Or did she just reject you too many times?" Damon shot back and Kol chuckled under his breath earning glares from his brother.
"This isn't really helping too much," Stefan said and Bonnie walked out of the house with an idea.
"I might have an idea. My mom used a desiccation spell on Mikael that immobilized him for over 15 years. If I can get it from my mother, I might be able to use it on Alaric," Bonnie said.
"If and might? Your words inspire such confidence," Klaus said mockingly.
"I'll get it. But even with the spell, we'll need a lot of vampire muscle to take him down. Including yours," Bonnie said to Klaus.
"Just so we're clear, the sun sets in about eight hours. If we don't succeed before then, Elena will be dead, I'll be gone, and the rest of you will be left to fend for yourselves," Klaus said, finally cooperating.
"Then you better call Abby now," Damon said and Klaus glanced at his brother.
"There's no need for that . We have my brother," he said and Kol glanced at Klaus, annoyed. "Help the witch and then you can save your damsel," Klaus said and the two brothers shared a look. Kol knew Klaus too was surprised at his relationship with Vanessa. Even he himself was surprised at how much the young vampire had a hold on him. Kol turned to Bonnie, masking away all his worries with a playful grin.
"Well little witch, this spell you're about to do is very dark. Unless you're sure you can handle it-"
"I can handle it," Bonnie said firmly, cutting the Original brother's off. He narrowed his eyes, not sure if he liked her overconfidence or not.
"We'll need a human to help you with this spell," Kol said.
"For what?" Damon asked cynically.
"I can do it," Jeremy interrupted, appearing at the doorway. He was still standing in the threshold though, for precaution.
"You don't want to do it, mate," Kol dismissed him. "What about that human our sister is crushing on? The one I almost killed at the ball?" he asked his brother casually.
"Matt Donovan," Stefan said in disapproval.
"I'm right here. The faster we do this spell, the faster we can save them," Jeremy argued. Kol and Jeremy made eye contact before Kol finally nodded.
"Whatever you say, lad. The spell will allow you to stop a vampire's heart. The blood will stop flowing and his body will dessicate but to stop a vampire's heart, you need to find a balance among the living. That's where the human comes in," Kol explained briefly to Bonnie.
"What does that mean? I don't speak witch," Damon interjected, noticing Bonnie's face fell.
"I have to stop a human heart," she said. Kol turned to Jeremy and Jeremy gave him a firm nod.
"I want to do it," Jeremy reconfirmed.
"Great, let's get this party started. I don't want to get stuck in a bloody traffic," Klaus muttered under his breath.
Alaric was sitting on his desk while we were still staked down by the pencils, waiting. We heard the sound of footsteps entering the school and Alaric looked up. "Right on time," he said with a smirk.
"Caroline! Nessie!" Elena turned to Alaric. "Let them go!" she said determinedly.
"Free her yourself," Alaric said, gesturing to Caroline. I frowned but Elena looked at me as if asking my permission to save Caroline first since she was nearest to her. I nodded, knowing Caroline couldn't stand being tortured like this. Elena walked cautiously to Caroline, glancing at Alaric warily. She tried to soothe her pain and very carefully and gently, pulled out the pencil that was jammed through her hand. Caroline screamed loudly when Alaric suddenly slammed the pencil back into her hand.
"You said that you would let her go!" Elena protested.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Elena? Stop trusting vampires!"
"Why are you doing this?" Elena asked.
"Because you need me. Because you're an 18 year old girl without parents or guidance or any sense of right and wrong anymore," Alaric said and I made a face, not finding any sense in the crap he just said.
"Look at you. How is this right?!" Elena argued.
"She's a murderer. She told me she killed someone and liked it," Alaric said, pointing the white oak stake at Caroline before he turned around to face me. Okay, here we go. "And your sister is worst, Elena. She killed innocents for fun, without remorse. Then she started hanging out with the Originals. You sent her to Denver to look after Jeremy and all she did was performed a massacre on Halloween with Kol Mikaelson," Alaric said and I glared at him when Elena looked at me with her wide eyes, as if I betrayed her or something.
"Now how is that right?" Alaric said, turning to Elena before continuing. "Listen, Elena, your parents led the council. It was their life's mission to keep this town safe. They weren't dead six months before you undid it all."
"You don't know anything about them," Elena said through her gritted teeth.
"Why, am I wrong? Do you actually think that they'd be proud of you?" He asked and looked at me too. I always hated when they used our parents' names to hurt us. "If you don't side with the humans, you're just as bad as them. Now kill her," Alaric said, handing Elena the stake. "Or I'll do it for you and I'll make it hurt. Get up!"
Alaric grabbed Elena's upper arm harshly and pulled her towards Caroline, and forced the white oak stake into her hand. She glanced at me and I nodded, ready to back her up. I heard her heartbeat quickened before she turned around quickly, attempting to stab Alaric with the stake.
"I thought I taught you better than that," Alaric hissed as he grabbed her wrist.
"You did," Elena answered and smashed the beaker with vervain at Alaric's head and he screamed in pain. I clenched my jaw as I pulled my right hand from the pencil and pulled out the other pencil holding my left hand, and stabbed Alaric's neck with it.
"Get help!" I heard Elena yelled at Caroline and she managed to get out but Alaric blocked our path with a smirk.
"Not so fast," he said. Our eyes met, and I felt my vampire's face came forward and I bared my fangs at him. He flashed towards me and I kicked him in the stomach but Alaric recovered quickly and grabbed me by my throat. Elena picked up a chair and hit his back with it and Alaric let me go, glaring at Elena.
"I should kill you. I should gut you like Brian Walters, Bill Forbes, and all the other cowards I plan on ripping apart. You're the worst offender of them all, Elena. You don't deserve to live," Alaric said, choking Elena.
"So then, why am I still alive? There's obviously no humanity left in you, so what's stopping you, Alaric? If you want me dead then kill me," Elena taunted, distracting him. I broke a piece of wood from the table and rushed towards him, stabbing him in the heart but Alaric turned around, and the stake missed its target. He glared at me and if looks could kill, I'd be dead. But instead of cowering in fear, I gave him a playful smirk.
"You look pissed," I commented and before he could reply, I released my grip on the stake and pierced my long nails into both of his eyes and he screamed loudly. He grabbed my hands, crushing my bones and I fought hard to keep a strong grip on his head. I saw Alaric reached for the white oak stake inside his jacket and I pulled out my hands quickly and slammed him against the locker. I couldn't pick up Elena's heartbeat anywhere which meant she might already get away so I rushed towards the exit, only to be shoved hard sending me falling onto the floor. Alaric turned me over harshly and kept my left hand in place with his feet while gripping my right hand, his other hand holding the broken wood that I staked him with. I let out a grunt as I gripped his wrist, the stake hovering dangerously close above my heart.
"For a vampire that's very young, you surely have a lot of darkness inside you. Two years of being a vampire and you've already caused so much terror," he said in a patronizing manner, shaking his head as if he was disappointed in me. I hissed at him, refused to accept that I was going to be staked by someone I once thought of as a parental figure. It was almost as if it was Dad trying to kill me.
"Don't cry now, I should have killed you a long time ago. If your parents are still alive, believe me when I say your own father would have staked you himself," he said and I struggled against his grips, refusing to back down. Just as the stake was about to stab me in the heart, Alaric was thrown off of me and I looked up to see Kol. He sighed in relief when he realized he got there just in time and offered me his hand.
"Why are you always late?" I complained but still manage to smile when our eyes met.
"What are you talking about? My timing is impeccable," he said and I rolled my eyes. He gave me a grin and pulled me up to my feet and I watched as the Salvatore brothers hold Alaric in place as Klaus appeared out of nowhere. "Come on," Kol said seeing they had subdued Alaric and used his vampire speed to get us out of the school.
"Did you and Klaus actually teamed up with Damon and Stefan?" I asked, laughing and he rolled his eyes.
"Thanks to you and your hobby of getting yourself in danger," he said, climbing into his car.
"Well I just couldn't help it," I said with a small grin. After a while, Kol pulled over at the side of the road and looked at me. He seemed to be fighting with himself, trying to find the right words. "What is it?" I asked him gently, seeing him all serious now.
"Last night, I didn't get to apologize to you properly. About the hurtful things that I said to you, I'm sorry. If you know me than you should know that I didn't mean any of it," he said. Right, I had forgotten about it after being tortured by evil Alaric. Kol had meant to talk to me after we defeated Esther but the timing wasn't right. I bit my lower lip, letting his words sank. I remembered the night in the woods, when he mocked my feelings towards him. It hurt.
"But it still hurts," I said softly. He shut his eyes in regret and I took a sharp intake of breath. I knew he wasn't the type to apologize. He wasn't even the type to say this kind of things. And I appreciated it and I wasn't going to push it any further. But then he continued.
"After a thousand years of solitude, betrayal and killings I had forgotten what it's like to actually live, to have a friend, to just enjoy your life, your existence. Then you come along, and I was surprised to meet someone like you. Someone who understands me, someone who isn't afraid of my darkness, someone who can handle my demons. I was afraid if I let you in and one day you turn your back on me...I don't want that. So I said those hurtful things to make you go away, but then I realized you were already in," he said and let out a chuckle, shaking his head. His eyes met mine and he smiled. "I don't know what is it going on between us, if this is actually love," he laughed at that word, almost mockingly, "but all I know is that it feels right and I don't want you to leave. Ever." He stared at me, not once taking his beautiful dark and ancient eyes off mine and I felt a smile crept onto my face.
"Kol Mikaelson, I should have recorded that heartfelt confession," I said and he pushed the side of my head, and I burst out laughing. I couldn't help but grinned ear to ear as I stared into his dark brown eyes that didn't seem to hold the demons anymore. It wasn't twinkling with mischief or malice, but...happiness. "Kinda sound like you were proposing," I added teasingly and he rolled his eyes, glaring at me for playing around.
"I will kill you, Vanessa," he warned playfully and I laughed, filled with joy. He waited until I was done laughing, and looked at me expectantly. "So do you forgive me?" he asked, and I grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him into a deep, passionate kiss. It had been a while since I tasted his lips against mine, and it had always felt good. Alive.
"Of course I forgive you," I said, kissing him again. "How can I not?" I asked, smiling. "You're not the only one afraid of this. I'm terrified too, but we're taking the chances and risking our feelings because it's better than being alone for eternity," I told him softly, touching the side of his face. He chuckled at himself and looked up to meet my eyes.
"I will push you away, you know," he said, taking a deep breath and grimaced. "I'm not used to this. I'm not used to having someone by my side."
"Baby steps, darling," I said and he laughed.
"Alright then. Together," he said and I grinned, and leaned in for a quick kiss. His smile only grew wider and he kissed me again. "Nik and Bekah are leaving. And so am I," he told me and I pulled away to look at him in the eye.
"Do you want to come with me?" he asked me softly. I looked at him, wanting to say yes and just leave this godforsaken town but a part of me just can't just leave my family. No, I can't leave Jeremy while we were in a crisis with Evil Alaric. I bit my lower lip, hesitating and feeling guilty. But I didn't want to live here anymore, constantly having to worry about my life and watching everyone I cared about died because of my sister.
"Send me home, Kol," I said solemnly under my breath and his face fell, looking dejected. "I have to start packing," I added with a grin and he looked at me in surprise. "I think it's about goddamn time I leave," I said, slightly laughing and he joined in.
"I can't agree more, love," he said with a smirk and I laughed. I wasn't sure if this was the right choice but this joy that I'm feeling, I wanted it to last forever. I wish it would.
I didn't know why I packed up so fast. Perhaps I was just so excited to get out of this bloody town or perhaps I just didn't want to bump into Jeremy on my way out. I didn't want to leave him, I really don't. But at the same time I seriously couldn't stay here for another minute, entertaining the drama evolving around my sister. It wasn't like me, to leave without saying goodbyes, to leave without hugging Jeremy but if I did those things, I might end up staying.
And I sure as hell don't want to.
Fortunately, my passport wouldn't expire in another two years. I remembered we had renewed our passports a month before the accident, and Mum had wanted to bring Elena and I to Italy. But clearly that never happened.
"You know it would be a lot easier if I was invited in," Kol said as I placed my luggage at the doorway and I rolled my eyes. "And what's inside? Stones?" he groaned as he picked it up to his car.
"You're an Original. Stop complaining," I chuckled, grabbing my handbag. I couldn't believe this; I am leaving Mystic Falls. "What?" I asked him, as he was just staring at me and he shook his head.
"I'm not forcing you to leave, you know that right?" he asked and I snorted.
"See this smile? I want to leave," I said and he chuckled, starting to drive to the airport. "For a very long time," I added under my breath, watching as my house got smaller and smaller and feeling the weight on my shoulder getting lighter and lighter.
We arrived at the airport and went looking for some snacks while waiting for Klaus's private jet to arrive. It would be at least an hour until then and I had been playing with my phone, debating to call Jeremy or not. He would have flipped I supposed, to know that I was running away from this problem. Or maybe not. I knew Jeremy wanted to go away too. The only thing that had always stopped us was Elena. But today, no. I will be selfish.
Kol had been seducing some stewardess and I wasn't sure if I needed to be jealous or not. I knew it was just to lure the prey and he was always good at it, but I...I shook my head, not wanting to pull the crazy girlfriend act. At least, not yet. I heard his phone rang and he gave a smile at the stewardess, holding his hand up as he reached for his phone in his back pocket. His brows furrowed in annoyance before he left the stewardess abruptly, answering the call.
"Kol." I straightened up, surprise at hearing Elijah's stern voice. "Where are you?"
"I'm leaving," Kol replied curtly.
"I'm in Mystic Falls," Elijah said.
"For what? Nik and Bekah are leaving town," Kol said. I raised an eyebrow at him questioningly and he just waved me off.
"Our brother needs us. They had Niklaus desiccated and is moving his body as we speak." I frowned at Elijah's words, rising to my feet immediately and walking over to Kol. Elena. I suppressed an angry growl at the thought of my sister and her stupid plans.
"Tell me, brother," Kol hissed, his voice was venomous. "Why would I help you or Nik for that matter after you two daggering me whenever you feel like it? When you do not want to deal with me you put me in the box. Maybe it's time for Nik to learn what it's like to be in it."
"The hunter is out there looking for us. Now is not the time to feel bitter about the past," Elijah said calmly and Kol rolled his eyes.
"Easier said than done," Kol said through clenched jaw. He looked at me for a second before letting out a huff. "What do you need me to do?" Elijah seemed taken aback by his question and so was I.
"Distract the hunter. Take Niklaus's car and pretend you're moving his body out of town," Elijah said. "Thank you, Kol."
"I'm not doing this for either of you," Kol said and hung up. "Well darling, looks like Italy will have to wait," he said and I pursed my lips, a little bit annoyed. We were roped into this because Elena had Klaus desiccated.
"They had him desiccated to save my sister," I said and scoffed. "Once again, my happiness and freedom are delayed because of her."
"Let's just get this over with," he said with a sigh. I glanced at him and touched his arm.
"You're doing the right thing, you know. Helping your family," I said gently and he shrugged.
"Nik sired you, Vanessa. I've got to make sure he's out of the danger or I'll be losing my travelling companion," Kol said. I laughed at his words and nudged his ribs.
"Travelling companion? Very romantic," I teased and he shot me a glare.
"Baby steps, darling," he reminded and I smirked.
"Baby steps," I agreed.
"You want to drive?" Kol asked me playfully as we loaded the empty coffin in the trunk and I rolled my eyes.
"You just want me to wreck Klaus's car, don't you?" I asked and he wiggled his eyebrows, the playful grin that I love, playing on his lips.
"Maybe we should drive it into the police station, wrecking the car and killing Alaric's accomplices all in one crash," he suggested and I laughed.
"I kinda like that idea," I said, smirking.
"My brother won't be pleased," Kol said, pulling me closer to him and I bit my lips.
"That's why I'll be driving," I said and he grinned, kissing me deeply. He broke the kiss and turned away, listening in.
"Did you hear that?" I listened in, hearing an officer reporting us on his walkie-talkie.
"They took the bait," I said and handed the carkey back to Kol. "Maybe you should drive," I said and he snorted.
"Maybe some hot victory sex afterwards?" He asked suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows and I somehow still managed to blush. I faked a gasp, looking at him wide-eyed as I closed the passenger door, fastening the seatbelt.
"It's been a long time, isn't it?" I asked and he laughed bashfully.
"It's not my fault that you're irresistible," he said and I laughed out loud, heat rising to my cheeks and I slapped his arm. I cleared my throat when I saw the cop got into his car and another followed.
"You should drive now," I said, all businesslike. We drove all the way back to the airport and Kol dropped me off at the entrance. He were to drive to the carpark while I talk to the security into letting us shipping a precious cargo.
"I'll see you later?" Kol asked. It was a simple question but his eyes said a lot more than that. I smiled and winked playfully at him.
"Don't miss me too much," I said with a smirk and he rolled his eyes although I could see the corner of his lips twitched when I closed the door. I looked over my shoulder to see the cop watching me like a hawk and I made my way into the airport quickly. I was about to walk over to the security guard when my phone rang and my heart beat faster seeing Damon's name on my screen. He was supposed to hide Klaus's body and passed it to Rebekah.
"Please tell me Klaus is safe," I said breathlessly. Damon remained silent for a while and I found myself stopping in my tracks, and the only thing I heard was my own wild heartbeat.
"Have I ever deliver a good news?" he asked, chuckling and my heart dropped. "Better say your goodbyes now...just in case," Damon said grimly. He tried to pass it as a joke but even he himself wasn't laughing. Damon didn't believe Klaus when he said he sired us, but Kol wouldn't lie to me. I felt my throat tightened, overwhelmed by this turn of event. I should be waiting for the plane to Italy arrival right now but instead, I'm waiting for my death arrival. I closed my eyes for a second before taking a deep breath, trying to calm down, to sort my thoughts out.
"Goodbye Damon, you were quite fun when you were not pining over Elena," I said and he somehow managed to chuckle.
"The good old days," he said dryly and I imagined him rolling his eyes. "Goodbye Vanessa." I still held the phone at my ear even after the line went dead. I felt like the world was spinning faster and faster until I couldn't breathe anymore.
"Vanessa!" Kol's voice snapped me out of my daze and I bit my lower lip, not knowing how to deliver the news. It was a bigger deal for us. I remembered his reaction when Finn was killed by my friends and now...Klaus.
"Kol," I called him guiltily, my lips quivered and my voice shook, not able to say the word. The thing about telling a bad news to someone you love is like you yourself is hurting them. Kol had always complained about Klaus but he loved him very much. He was his brother and even when all Klaus did was dagger him, I could see how much Kol actually loved Klaus.
"What is it?" he asked, alarmed.
"I'm sorry, Kol. I'm so sorry, Klaus is dead," I forced the words out of my mouth and his dark brown eyes widened in shock, and he shook his head, refusing to believe the news. "I'm so sorry," I kept saying it over and over, pulling him into my embrace. He looked so fragile at that time, like I could break him. I stroked his back and kissed his temple, apologizing again.
"No," he said, pushing me away. "Nik isn't dead. He can't be. He's the fucking Original Hybrid, he can't be dead," he said in denial and anger and I shook my head.
"He was desiccated, Kol. He couldn't fight back," I told him softly. "I'm sorry. They shouldn't have done that to him. Another brother at their hands? I can't even fathom what to say to you," I said guiltily.
"You don't understand," he seethed, his jaw was clenched so tight that he might break his teeth. He ran his hands over his face before looking at me, his eyes blazing with anger and pain. He shut his eyes for a moment before opening it and staring into my soul. "It's not just that Vanessa! Did you forget he sired you?" Kol asked me angrily.
Of course I didn't.
Then I realized I was too overwhelmed thinking about my death and me parting with my loved ones that I forgot I wasn't the only one affected. Those people that I left behind had to deal with this. Jeremy and Kol. I opened my mouth to say something but what in the world should I say? Kol shook his head at me. He just found someone to share his life with and I was already going to leave this world.
"You should call your brother," he told me, turning around and walking over to a bench, giving me some space. He was right, I have to call my baby brother. I have to say goodbye. I pulled out my phone and called Jeremy quickly, my heart raced at the thought of him not picking up and I started to panic. What if we didn't get to say our goodbyes? When he finally answered, I sighed in relief but then it took me a while to even get myself to speak. The thought of leaving him was too much and all that came out were sobs.
"Vanessa, talk to me. What's wrong?" Jeremy asked for the upteempth time, completely worried.
"Jer...Klaus's dead," I told him, still sobbing.
"Nessie...it's...it's a good news right? Why are you crying?"
"He sired us, Jer. I...I don't think I can make it back to you in time," I said.
"No, Vanessa. He's bluffing. That's what Klaus does, he manipulates-"
"Jer, he sired us. It's true," I said once again, firmly.
"No..." Jeremy said and I laughed.
"I was leaving," I blurted out. "I wanted to leave for Italy. With Kol. I was going to live my life and somehow it ended before I could live them," I said, the laugh turned into sobs and I wiped the tears that fell. "I love you, Jer. So, so much. I...take care, little brother," I said hastily and ended the call. I felt like screaming. This pain in my chest, has it already started? Am I going to drop dead any second now?
Just when I felt like I was falling apart, I felt Kol's strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind, as if he was protecting me from my death, securing me from breaking apart. I turned around and hugged him, burying my face in his chest and screamed as he hold me.
"Come on," Kol said gently, taking me out of the airport. I noticed some of the people were staring at us and I found it funny. I always thought humans were weak simply because they were so easily killed. As a vampire, I could protect myself and it gave me the illusion that I was strong, stronger than them. But now...
"Where are we going?" I asked. Kol had taken me to the car and was driving fast to an unknown location. "We don't have much time. I'm not going to make it back to Mystic Falls," I said.
"I know and I'm sorry," he said. He stopped the car outside the woods and carried me uphill in a flash. He placed me down gently and took my hand.
"There used to be a small lake, a pond over here. And I would come here to sort my thoughts, to deal with my anger, to get away from my siblings. Nik and Bekah always played together. They wouldn't let me joined them. I had always been alone. There was Henrik to play with, but even he liked Nik better," Kol laughed. I had forgotten about my impending death, too distracted to hear his story.
"I was a warlock, Vanessa. When I found my power, I didn't mind being alone at all. I preferred to be left alone. So when I was turned into a vampire...
"You lost your magic," I said and he smiled sadly.
"I lost everything," he said. "When I was sad, I would make wilt and dead flowers blossom, when I was alone, I would touch the ground and felt the nature with me, when I was angry, the wind would soothe me. With my magic gone, I couldn't feel alive anymore. The only way I can was to take others' lives and become a monster. And unfortunately for you, you just have to meet this monster," he said and I smiled, shaking my head.
"I believe everything happens for a reason. That our fate and destiny had been arranged long before we were born. The timing had always been perfect. We will always be where we're supposed to be, at the right time, at the right place," I said and he rolled his eyes.
"When I was fourteen, the competition between Elena and I were at the peak. Everyone loved her. Seriously, everyone literally in love with her it made me sick. Guys wanna date her, girls wanna be like her. When the guy I was crushing on asked Elena out instead, I came running home, angry and in tears. I picked up a knife and held it to my wrist. I was literally tired of being the second choice for everyone. My parents, teachers, friends, guys. But I never really got the courage to cut my wrist open, and I thought I was being weak. But now, I realized I was actually strong enough to put down the knife," I told him. "You and I were born in different eras, where my problems may seem petty to you, it was a big deal for me back then. If we had met earlier, we may never be together. To me, everything was perfect."
"I supposed it is," he said and pulled me close to him. "Look up, the stars are lovely," he said and I looked up, seeing the sky above me. There were millions of stars, shining brightly in the black sky and I smiled.
"It is," I said. "It's perfect."
"Would you give me the honor of having the last dance?" he asked and I laughed and Kol just smiled, he seemed exhausted and so was I.
"It would be my honor," I curtsied and he took my hand, twirling me around. He placed his hand on my waist, securing me close to him and I laid my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"It's dark here, isn't it?" I asked, breaking the heavy silence.
"It had always been dark, even with the stars," he said.
"Weren't little Kol afraid of the dark?" I asked teasingly and he glared at me.
"There were fireflies to keep me company in the dark. I always believed it was my magic that drawn them," he said. "That explains why they aren't here right now," he said and I just stayed silent, not knowing what to say to make him feel better. Then out of nowhere, I saw one between the trees and I smiled. Then they started appearing, lighting the woods as we danced. I saw him smiled, the kind of smile you had back then when you were innocent.
"I supposed you still have some magic in you," I said and he kissed me. "It's perfect." I heard him said and smiled.
We were lying next to each other, hands entwined and gazing at the stars and simply enjoying each other's company.
"I never was interested in doppelgangers," he said suddenly. "Nik and Elijah were a pair of loons back then for Tatia."
"What about Ada? The sister," I asked.
"I remembered her. She was beautiful, you all are. But back then I wasn't interested in finding a woman to settle down with you know," he said and I snorted.
"You were a whore," I joked and he laughed.
"I couldn't find someone that understands me," he corrected. "I was waiting for you," he added and I pretended to gag and he glared at me.
"Hey, you're dying love, I was being courteous," he said and I rolled my eyes. "Then there was Katerina and Cassandra. I met them once, just before the supposed ritual. Nik had badgered me to come to England for weeks, insisting that everyone should be there to see him turn into the most powerful being on Earth. Then I met Cassandra in New Orleans once again but there was nothing exquisite about her," he looked at me and I smirked at him.
"You're telling me I'm special."
"Since you're going to drop dead any seconds now, I supposed I could be sweet for a change," he said and I grinned. His eyes were sad, really but when he looked at me, there was light. I had always wanted someone to look at me like that.
"That night at the ball, you carried the doppelganger's face, yes. But you were different. So, so different. Whatever it is, I'm glad I asked you to dance with me," he said.
"You were only wanting to piss Elijah off," I retorted and he laughed.
"And you were pining for my brother," he said and I made a face.
"It felt like forever ago," I said.
"It's worth it," he said with a sigh, and took my hand and kissed it. I got up from the ground and straddled him before leaning down to kiss him. Our kisses had always been rough, hungry like animals but right now at this moment, they were tender and gentle and I loved it. Everything always feels right with him.
Writing this was a bit hard, I didn't want Kol to be cheesy romantic but he is very much in love with Vanessa and he thought this would be the last time they are together. Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter!