Hi! Just for clarification. The italicized writings are Elena's flashbacks and memories with Kol. Thank you so much for the response to the first chapter! I know it was slim on background, but with this chapter everything becomes clearer, and I hope you still enjoy it! Please read and review! Thank you!
Faded and Worn
Chapter 2: It Hurts
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Elena blinks away all of tears and grits her teeth. Damon fiddles with his black sweater and looks at her with sad eyes, yet with an unwavering resolve to not help her. He makes no move to come towards and her and away from Stefan. Stefan crosses his arms in front of chest, and just stares, with a faraway glassy look in his eyes. Elena moves to the front door and throws it open, then pauses. "I swear, if either of you try to follow me I will make sure all hell breaks loose."
Damon's head shoots up, and he looks at her with a pained expression, "Elena…don't do anything stupid. There are reasons you know…try to think about it rationally."
Elena becomes even more furious at Stefan's cold smile, which was directed at Damon. She realizes that Stefan's too far gone, so instead she walks out of the house and doesn't turn around, because she knows they can still hear her. "There is nothing rational about breaking a part two people that belong together," she says bitterly.
Elena slams her car door shut, and speeds away, wanting nothing more than to get home. She dials the number, and brings the phone to her ear. "Caroline?" she tries not to start crying again, but it still sounds like a whimper.
Caroline's strong voice answers her, "Elena, just get home safe. We're waiting for you."
Elena races up the pathway, and barrels in the door. Caroline is sitting on the couch, looking at her worriedly. "Nothing?" she asks, but already knows the answer. She pats the spot next to her. Elena moves forward and sits, holding her head in her hands. Caroline tries to soothe her, but all Elena can see are those fiery brown eyes that she adores. She can tell that Caroline is anxious to hear what happened, but is grateful for the silence.
The front door slams open, and Elena shivers from a gust of wind. But she knows better than that. Caroline moves forward quickly, and Klaus appears, brimming with anger. He gives Elena a small, playful smile, trying to lighten the mood. Elena nods her head at him. Klaus murmurs something into Caroline's ear. Caroline looks up at him and nods, and then gives him a quick kiss and squeezes their hands together.
Unbridled power ripples off him. She almost senses his rage, but maybe that's just because she's feeling the same thing. It kills Elena see to Klaus, because it reminds her too much of him.
Caroline takes a deep breath and then sits back down next to Elena, cradling her knees to her chest. She gives Klaus a pointed look, but he shakes his head and continues pacing, like a panther Elena notes. A few seconds pass and Klaus' phone begins to ring. He flashes outside to presumably answer it.
They turn on the television, flipping around the channel, trying to pass the time. A stupid chick flick is on, and of course, Caroline leaves it.
"Uh uh," Elena laughs lightly, "Change it." She holds her breath, suddenly feeling like she's being suffocated, and then remembers…
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"Just change it Kol!" Elena laughs, and shakes her head.
Caroline glares at the three Original brothers. "Okay see you guys? Thanks Elena. It's decided. We are not watching the Victoria Secret Fashion Show!"
Klaus chuckles at Caroline's displeasure. "Oh love, it's just really not a big deal. You know I'd much rather see you up there."
Caroline glares him, "Nice try, but I'd like the remote."
Klaus looks at her innocently, "Well then, you'll have to come get it…" he gives her that ridiculously sexy smile and she bolts after him. They chase each other too fast for Elena's eyes to follow.
Kol leans in, "You know, you could be up there too. I bet you could show them how it's done. Strut around." He winks at her knowingly.
Elena looks at him warningly. "Kol…" Elijah decides to leave the room, pretending to be occupied with his phone.
He lowers his voice and speaks much too innocently, "Well that's not what you were saying last night…" Elena blushes and remembers. Still though, she narrows her eyes at him, remembering Elijah's presence.
He holds his hands up in defeat. "Okay, okay. I'll be good." He strokes her hair lovingly, but as Elena looks up at him, sees that he still smirking down at her.
He doesn't expect her to respond, much less with a vixen-like tone. She subtly trails a hand lazily down his thigh, grinning slightly. "And if you're good…you just might get a little show at home of your own." She bats her eyelashes, driving him crazy. He looks back at her, shocked, but with a wicked smile. Caroline and Klaus run back into the room, laughing as Klaus effortlessly picks her up and spins he around.
Frustrated, Kol looks down at his phone. "How long is this thing supposed to last?" He glances at Elena, looking suddenly very impatient.
Elena looks at him smugly, "Oh, I don't know, I thought you wanted to watch it?"
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Elena opens her eyes, blinking a few times and trying to readjust herself. She sits up and yawns, still feeling emotionally drained. She looks outside the window and sees Caroline and Klaus, sitting on the porch, talking softly. Of course, as soon as she made the slightest movement, Klaus tilts his head ever so slightly. Before she can blink, they are both standing by the couch. Caroline quietly puts her perfect hair into a lazy ponytail.
"We're staying with you tonight," Caroline says kindly, "I don't want you alone. I don't want any of us to be alone." Klaus looks a little offended that Caroline feels he might not be able to defend himself, but says nothing, understanding that it's more about just being there for one another.
Elena stands up and moves towards the stairs. "I don't even know who he's with, or who took him, or anything. All I know is that two people I once trusted with our lives are involved."
Klaus growls. "I always knew those two Salvatores were trouble. Don't worry…we'll find the little twit soon enough. He'll be fine. I'll kick his ass when he gets back as punishment for his utter stupidity. He'll be fine," Klaus repeats, trying to convince Elena.
Elena raises a tired eyebrow. "What?" Klaus asks, "He learned from the best- me!"
Caroline rolls her eyes at Klaus' lack of humbleness.
"Shall we?" Caroline motions to the stairs.
Klaus makes no movement to leave. Instead, he paces by the front door, checking his phone every five seconds. Elena assumes he's waiting to her from Elijah. Caroline places a supportive hand on the small of Elena's back and guides her up the stairs.
"Oh come now love, don't tell me there's no boys allowed at this sleepover?" Klaus gives Caroline a defiant smile, and loves how he is able to get under her skin.
"Fine!" Caroline laughs, but turns around to point a finger at him warningly. "You can pick any room but Elena's room…don't pout," she reprimands him. He flashes up the stairs and steals a quick kiss before retreating, and sinks into the living room, earning a frustrated sigh from Caroline.
Elena moves like a ghost on autopilot; brushing her teeth, changing clothes, and crawling into bed. Be strong! She scolds herself. And she will. But tonight she's going to be selfish and wallow in self-pity. Her heart is breaking. She misses him so much that her heart actually aches.
Elena snaps out of her thoughts and notices Caroline watching her sadly. Elena can't help it. She breaks down. "I just…I miss him so much. I don't know if I can do this, I…" she trails off, "I love him and I know he's an Original, trust me, he never let me forget that, but I have this sinking feeling that his disappearance, and Damon and Stefan, and then Esther and Finn…Bonnie's mom…" she says softly, gaging Caroline's reaction, "It's all connected." Caroline's heart breaks for her friend. Plus, she's sad…she enjoyed Klaus' younger brother's company.
Caroline holds Elena as she lets all of her anger out, screaming in frustration and anger, mainly directed at Damon and Stefan for betraying her.
"Tomorrow," Caroline says knowingly, "Tomorrow we get it together and act."
"It's only been three days," Elena says solemnly, "But I already feel like a piece of me went with him. I don't care what I have to do," Elena declares, "I will find him. Just stay with me until I fall asleep…and then you'd better go make sure Klaus doesn't destroy something," she smiles kindly.
Caroline nods in agreement. Stefan and Damon better look out, she thinks to herself. She keeps her promise and sits next to Elena until she falls asleep. Caroline gently closes the door, knowing that Elena wants space, and runs downstairs, cuddling up to Klaus. He's tense. But then again they all are. Klaus talks quickly into the phone. "Elijah, what did Rebekah find?" Caroline holds her breath. "Well I hoped not. But I can't say I didn't expect it. No matter, we're Originals, and we must not forget it. I'll talk to you soon, brother."
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Kol feels strangely at peace. Then quickly his instincts take over- he thrashes against his invisible bonds, frustrated that for the first time his uninhibited Original powers are failing him. Elena! He tries to project out to her, he hisses, and prays- for the first time in a thousand years, that she's safe.