Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I don't own the Vampire Diaries. I'm just borrowing. Only the story belongs to me.
Note: Hey, guys! Just thought I'd update "Freedom isn't Free." Thank you for the great reviews so far! You guys are amazing. When we last left everyone, Stefan and Elena get the briefcase from the airport and Damon kills Rebekah and escapes, determined to get to his wife and brother before Kol gets to them. No spoilers, except the action takes place after Damon's escape.
After Damon's Escape...
Stefan looked all around as he and Elena proceeded to Elena's car as they left the airport. Rebekah had instructed them to go to the bus terminal downtown and wait for one of her associates to come and take it from them. It sounded simple enough, even though Stefan couldn't help but get the suspicion that something wasn't right about the whole thing.
No sooner did he and Elena walk out than Stefan saw what looked like a Dodge Viper driving toward them. Not sure who this was, but not about to take any chances, Stefan reached into his pocket with his free hand, his fingers closing on the weapon. Once the car stopped, he took it out and aimed it at the door.
"All right, step out of the car," he said. "Let me see who you are."
Elena watched as the car door opened and her eyes widened when she saw...
"Damon!"
Damon smiled. "The one and only."
Hot tears stinging her eyes, Elena went over to her husband and wrapped her arms around his neck, mindful of her belly, kissing him passionately. Damon slowly wrapped his arms around her and returned her kiss, happy to see that she was all right. After a few minutes, they stepped back, breaking the kiss, brown eyes meeting blue.
"Oh, Damon, I was so scared," said Elena, tears streaming down her face. "I thought I was never going to see you again."
"The feeling is mutual," her husband replied. "But, I'm here now, and that's all that really matters."
Elena smiled through her tears and then brought Damon's hand down to her belly, allowing him to feel the baby kicking underneath. "The baby is happy that his father is okay."
"Wait, 'his'?" said Damon. "Elena, what are you talking about?"
"We're having a son," said Elena. "That's what I wanted to tell you before you got kidnapped."
Damon smiled. "I'm glad you told me, because that makes me just as happy as the fact that I was able to find you in time."
Stefan cleared his throat. "Not to break up this little reunion, but I'm curious about something. Did Rebekah let you go?"
"No, I escaped." Damon then stepped out of the embrace to show his brother the marks on his wrists. "Here's the proof if you don't believe me. Oh, and I killed Rebekah just before I escaped, so you don't have to worry about her following me."
Elena gasped when she saw Damon's wrists. "Shit, that looks bad." She looked at Damon again. "Damon, we have to get you to the hospital and have your wrists fixed before you get an infection. I don't like the condition they're in."
"No, I can't," said Damon. "Not while Kol is out there."
Stefan and Elena looked at each other and then Stefan looked at Damon, saying, "Kol?"
"Rebekah's other brother," said Damon. "I heard her talking to him on the phone. I don't remember much of the conversation, but he said something about the white van he was driving was shot in both the front and back tires." He nodded at his brother's gun. "With your gun." He raised an eyebrow. "Does Mom know you have a gun, Stefan?"
"Yeah," said Stefan. "In fact, she told me to buy it." He sighed. "So, what's our next move? We still have the briefcase with your ransom in it. We have to take it to the bus depot, where our contact will come for it."
"Too risky," said Damon. "Kol will probably be there, with a few of his closest friends."
"What are we going to do?" Elena had a worried look on her face when she said that, mostly because she was concerned about Damon's wrists.
"The only thing we can do," said Damon. "Kill Kol before he kills us."
Stefan nodded and smiled. "Count me in. I want to finish what I started with that asshole's tires."
"Good, I'm definitely going to need your assistance on this, brother," said Damon. "The sooner we deal with the son of a bitch, the better off we'll be."
Elena spoke up then. "And me? What am I going to be doing?"
"Go to Atlanta," said Damon. "My mom will keep you and the baby safe."
"What?" said Elena. "But, Damon, I want to help you with Kol. What good would I be if I went to stay with your mother?"
"I'm looking out for you and the baby," said Damon. "I know you think I don't want you to help, but I'll feel better knowing that you're safe. Kol won't stop until you're dead and the safest place for you will be with my mother."
Elena sighed, knowing she was fighting a losing battle. "All right, I'll stay with your mother. At least, until this bullshit with Kol is taken care of." She looked at Damon. "Before I go, I need you to promise me something."
"Sure, amore mia."
"Stay alive," said Elena. "I don't want to lose you, not now, not ever."
Damon smiled and kissed her. "You have my word, Elena. I'll come out of this alive, I promise you."
Elena returned his kiss and climbed into her car. She wanted to ask if she had time to get her suitcase, but decided against it. If Kol was indeed after her, going home to get clothes and things was probably not. Besides, she was sure that Elizabetta would be able to take her shopping for something suitable, like some newer maternity clothes.
Not wasting any time, Elena started the car and drove off, leaving Damon and Stefan alone. They then climbed into the Viper, placing the briefcase into the back seat, and before Damon could open the driver's side, Stefan stopped him.
"Better let me drive," he said. "You're in no condition to drive."
Damon wanted to protest, but stopped himself, knowing it would do him no good. "All right, you can drive."
Smiling, Stefan got in on the driver's side, taking the keys from Damon. Damon climbed into the passenger side and looked out the window as Stefan started the car and off they went toward the bus depot.
Note: Thus ends Chapter 6 of "Freedom isn't Free."
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