E, C and B's plane crashed. D&E are stranded on an island; E escapes to get to J, meets A&G. D&E reunite, bond, meet K, make escape plans. They confess feelings, share steamy times. They reveal the pains of their past.
Chapter 28: Wannabe Hipster Teenage Band
Elena blinked open her eyes. The room was brightly lit. She twisted her body groggily to check for Damon next to her. It was empty. Where was he?
She stretched and let out a yawn. Taking in the vitamin D from the sun, Elena realized it was the day. The day she escaped. Escaped, got caught, who knew? It was, for the time being, her one shot at getting out of there.
Slowly, she put her feet on the floor and walked out of the bed to search for Damon. Hearing the familiar sizzle of omelettes, she entered the kitchen. She stopped abruptly.
Damon was dancing and gyrating around the kitchen mouthing along to Salt and Pepa's Whatta Man.
Not knowing what to do, she simply watched him. She found herself weirdly entertained.
'Oh come on!' he groaned, not turning around but clearly talking to her. 'I wanted to do the whole breakfast in bed thing!' he said. Elena took a moment to realize he probably heard her come in - what with his super vampire hearing and all. 'Can you go back and pretend to be asleep and fulfill my fantasy?'
'This is your fantasy?' Elena exclaimed in surprise. She really didn't know the man at all, did she? 'Fine, live your dream,' rolling her eyes, she headed back to the bedroom. Immediately Damon materialized in front of her, blocking her way.
'What?'
'I was joking, come on look at what I'm making,' he said, placing a hand on her back.
Well.
'I'd rather you do the breakfast in bed thing, now that you mentioned it.' Relishing the look on Damon's face, Elena winked and walked back to the bedroom. Damon didn't stop her.
As she waited under the sheets, she noticed a few diaries poking out from under the drawers. Curiosity compelled her. Damon said nobody lived there. He didn't bring any belongings of his own (not that she knew of) so if the owner of the motel had left their personal thoughts behind, he or she clearly didn't care enough if a stranger read it.
She opened the diary and read it:
June 2009
Today I did something I am conflicted about. I know, story of my life. Let me tell you everything because I can't keep it bottled up any longer. I saved a girl's life. No this is not when I drink from her but let her live - not that saving.
What?
So I was visiting my home after 4 years when I saw this car passing over a bridge. There was a girl, a human girl and two people who could only be her parents. For some reason - maybe the breaks stopped working - their car headed off the bridge. And they were drowning. What was I to do? It was a complete accident. I swam as fast as I could (did I mention that vampires hate water?) and tried to rescue them. I couldn't just stand and watch them drown, you know. I saw the dad and as I reached to pull open the door, he motioned towards the girl in the backseat; his daughter. As I turned to look, it was her. After all these years. Katherine.
No. No, no, no.
Elena knew she should stop reading. She wondered if she could.
She didn't seem to recognize me. I was a bit insulted and confused but I pulled her out of the wretched waters anyways. She choked and gulped and I thumped her until she could breathe. Then I wondered maybe she wasn't Katherine. She was so... innocent? I rested her soaking body on the stone pavement. I went back to get her parents but... I was too late. I wish I was fast enough to save them - I know things happen for a reason, but what happened to that girl was just… cruel. I saved her life but she'd become an orphan. Maybe they'd have been happy together - she and her parents - in the afterlife. I couldn't tell you. I went back to Katherine to see if she was okay. She looked up at me and seemed completely confused as to what happened. There was no way she could be looking at me like that if she was Katherine. Even she wasn't that good. The girl fainted from exhaustion before I could say a word. It did make me wonder... I'd known every detail about Katherine Pierce. Good and the bad. So which one was this?
I called the hospital. Then, I compelled her and everyone who came to nurse her back to health to not ask any questions about how she survived and not tell anyone what they'd seen. I told them to tell her that it was a miracle. I don't know why I did it, she just didn't seem like the bad type, I guess. Also, it was more believable than 'Yeah, a vampire rescued you. Yeah, I know, they exist.'
The doctors said she was fine. No change in their heartbeat on delivering the news. So they are telling the truth.
But I have to get to know her. Once she gets better of course. Surely you understand why.
I'll write after.
Yours truly,
Stefan
Elena could barely read towards the end. Her hands were shaking with anger. A vampire rescued her. A vampire. And she didn't know for four years.
He thought she looked like Katherine. He knew her. Maybe he was one of her boy-toys.
She looked for a picture of him in the diary, trying to picture her savior. Seeing his face may help jog some memories. Unfortunately, there was no photographical evidence except a picture of Elena.
WHAT THE-
Oh. Right, this wasn't me.
Damon walked in carrying a breakfast tray, laden with various bowls and trays filled with breakfast. Elena composed herself immediately and gave him a small smile. But like everything was with Damon; she was too late and he saw right through her. Placing the tray on the bed next to her lap, he reached for the diary without a word. Elena clutched it to her chest, as though sheltering the truth.
'Elena what is that?'
She remained speechless. The storm in her head was loud and pestilent.
'Elena, I want to know why you looked as pale as a ghost.' Her lips were sealed. 'Tell me what happened,' he whispered pleadingly. Elena couldn't speak. 'Just tell me, please.' He begged when she didn't reply.
Elena fixed her gaze infront of her, a clear height below his eyes. She cleared her throat.
'The person who wrote the diary... he saved my life. At the Wickery bridge. The night my parents died.'
Damon's eyes widened in shock. He quickly shifted the breakfast tray to the table and crawled into bed to hold her. It was probably nice and comforting; Elena couldn't tell. She was numb, unfeeling. Busy trying not to drown in what she'd just read.
'He was a vampire,' she whispered, quivering, staring off into the distance.
From her still hands, he slowly nudged the diary out of her hands. She was numb. It was easy.
'Oh my god,' he said, after flipping through the diary. He probably didn't even find the right entry she read.
Elena was still frozen.
'Elena baby, you don't understand. I know this person. I've heard of one journalling vampire named Stefan. I've read his other diaries before.'
Elena turned around to look at him, eyes emotionless.
'Stefan Salvatore, Elena.'
No.
'I came to Mystic Falls because I heard rumors he was there. I looked for him everywhere but I couldn't find him. I'm so sorry about all of this, Elena.'
No, no, no.
'Elena say something you're freaking me out.'
Silence.
She broke it.
'I'm freaking you out? I'm sorry, I apologize,' her sharp yell made even Damon flinch. Sarcasm twisted into her words like an anaconda around a stick, you couldn't tell which was which anymore. 'I just found out that the biggest personal tragedy in my life had a tiny detail missing; YOUR brother Stefan met me before you did, but guess what? I didn't even know about that!' Her hair flew in every direction. 'HE knew who I was, who KATHERINE was, and yet he, like you, compelled me to forget. So forgive me for going into shock and freaking Your Highness out!'
Damon stared at her. He gave her a pained look from underneath his lashes, wishing her to calm down. His hand was on her shoulder, and he stroked soothingly. It worked.
'I'm sorry Elena.'
Her forehead creased. 'Sorry, I don't do well under stress. You were trying to help and you told me the right thing at the wrong time. Overload,' she said, pointing to her skull.
'Elena this is dangerous,' he stated solemnly. 'I don't know what where he is now or to whom he spilled his guts out that Katherine's doppelganger exists. I haven't seen my brother in a very long time so I can't tell what he might do. Jumping back to the now, the witches clearly want you for your connection to Katherine. The doppelgänger connection.' He looked expectantly at Elena. 'Do you see where I am going with this?'
Elena remembered something. 'You know that night… before we…' she desperately tried to find a appropriate word, 'slept together,' she gave up, 'Gloria extended the date for me because you whispered something in her ear.'
Damon gaped at her incredulously. 'How is that relevant right now?'
'Answer the question Damon. It was definitely a witch thing and if you made some sort of deal-'
'I told her Katherine would want to see me again so if I offered to lure her out, she could help the witches get what they want before I slaughter the bitch's cute little head.'
Elena raised her eyebrows. 'When were you going to tell me this?'
Without hesitation, he answered, 'Honestly? Never. We were supposed to get out before the date of the ritual, or whenever Katherine decided to sought us out. It wasn't supposed to be now.'
Elena didn't say anything.
'I know this is too much so I'm distracting you, okay? Just... we have to get out of here as fast as we can. So let's focus on that okay?'
Elena nodded and wiped her tears away in fierce determination. She would use her emotions to fuel her mind to think.
'I never saw him after I turned, Elena. I swear. I didn't know Stef turned too,' he held her head between his hands and pierced her with his icy blue glare. 'Maybe Katherine-'
'Damon I can't think about your brother right now.' Elena interrupted, trying to clear her head. It was never productive when Damon was that close to her. 'You're not distracting me, you're clogging my head.'
'Right. Sorry,' he handed over the food to her. Elena deciding she was hungry after her meltdown, dug in. 'We'll get to the bottom of this. Elena, I promise you. Hey,' he whispered like a crackle of the fire. 'Look at me. Look at me,' he said, when she didn't respond. After she put the spoon down and finally faced him, he said, 'we just have to focus on getting out for now. Okay? Can you do that for me? Forget the Stefan revelation and all the drama if it helps.' He looked hopeful. Elena nodded slightly. He was right. Order of importance. 'It's almost three in the afternoon and you slept for thirteen hours Elena. Eat your food and get ready. I would say pack your bags but...'
He smirked at the omelette she'd been struggling to catch in her hands. Elena smirked back.
'I can't help it, this is amazing. Damon, thank you. Fantasy or not, this is brilliant. You are a good cook.'
'Well,' he smiled cockily. 'I try.'
She smiled at him. 'So how are we going to do this?'
Damon took a deep breath. 'First of all, you need to trust me when I say that I will get us out. It may not be in the most ideal way but there is no other option right now.'
'Okay...' Elena said cautiously.
'The ship that comes every week is guarded by a vampire.'
Elena actually rolled her eyes.
'I know,' Damon rolled his eyes too. 'But this vampire is different. He is stronger, faster. And there are more. They are called the Originals. Yeah, I know, they sound like a wannabe hipster teenage band. But they're so much more terrifying. The Originals are the first vampires. They are a little over 1000 years old which makes them super strong. Translation: stronger than me. They have an alliance with the witches here because they have a common goal: killing Katherine Pierce.'
Her eyebrows raised. 'What did Katherine do this time to piss off the witches and the Originals so much that they actually joined forces?'
Damon humphed. 'I don't know,' he smiled. 'Wish I did. Anyways, Gloria knows Katherine has returned so the witches are on high alert. If we want to escape, we have to get to her first.'
Elena put the omelette down. 'Are you serious. You want to find Katherine with me when people with magic and super powers couldn't do it? You tried finding her for four years too - and where did you get?'
Damon smiled like he had to teach a kindergartener that the earth goes around the sun. 'Listen, we have got to do this. They can't know that a vampire snuck in to Whitmore village. It's one of the major rules of the Originals. No vampire could know of their alliance with the witches. They don't want to start a war like before. Long story.' Damon tore a piece of Elena's omelette. 'Witches are their secret weapons. If someone does find out, they are immediately killed. If they are feeling merciful, they'll leave your family alone.'
'They'd go after Jeremy if we got killed? Damon I can't risk that.'
He cupped her face. 'Elena, I know. But what choice do I have. We're not swimming you back home. You nearly exhausted me to death, the last time,' Elena tilted her head, testing. 'Little tip: vampires do indeed hate to swim. Even Stefan agreed,' he said, pointing to the diary.
'But Gloria already knows about you. She could out you to the rest of the coven. I'd be dead too for harbouring a vampire.'
'A, you didn't harbour me, I trespassed. B, I don't expect her to keep a secret like that no matter what she promised,' he said, sighing. 'But, I asked her to rescue us. I told her about your brother and how you deserve a better life. She knows you didn't intend any of this to happen and she has all the love in the world for you.' Damon paused. 'She didm ask for one agreement. If either you and me or the witches find Katherine first, we tell the other and hold her captive. I'm not expecting her to keep her side of the deal. I don't care anyway.'
Elena heard the pain behind his words. Seriously, I am never going to grow to like Katherine Pierce. Meanwhile, something else clicked.
'So that's why she wasn't in a hurry to peak inside my brain? She knew I was innocent so she was more lenient with me!'
He smiled. 'She's not the only one you've charmed, you know.'
Elena blushed. Way to change the topic. 'Shut up. Stop with the pickup lines and romance.'
'I guess you bring out the romance in me, sugar puff.'
Silence.
'Even I hate myself right now,' Damon shook his head in disgust, sticking his tongue out like a five-year-old. 'If I ever give you cute names, feel free to drive a stake through my heart.'
'I'm going to hold you to that.'
Elena ate the omelette in a comfortable silence while Damon flopped onto the pillow next to her.
'How do you suppose we find Katherine in less than a day's time?'
'I don't think that's going to be an issue.'
Elena and Damon turned around to face the source of the voice.
'Hello Damon. I think it's time we've had a little chat.'
LAST CHAPTER OF 2014. What a year. Meeting Ian, getting into lots of things for free (heehee ;)), stalking SPN actors and uploading this beauty. Thank you for staying with Flightmate for so long. I hope you had a lovely Christmas. If not, who cares, you can just reread Flightmate!
In the next chapter, I will be offering a gift to you guys. Consider it my gratitude for being awesome people.
So long 2014.
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