Damon's Daughter
Chapter 16
Esther
A/N: Thank you MusicalLover17, winxgirl1997, cheekymonkey89, and JennyMikaelson for your lovely reviews! I really appreciate them! (:
All compassion I previously had for Klaus was completely and utterly gone. As I drifted in and out of consciousness I fantasized about slapping that stupid smirk right off his damn face. And I dreamt of Elijah. I always dream of Elijah. Every time I close my eyes.
"Hit me again, James," I said, slamming my shot glass onto the table.
"Dear, don't you think you've had enough?" James, the only bartender who would serve me anything, asked. Most wouldn't because I was a woman and I was expected to drink in the privacy in my own home. It was 1885 after all. I couldn't even vote yet.
I pushed the glass towards him. "Refill. Now."
"Okay, okay," James muttered as he hesitantly refilled my glass.
While I watched James I could feel someone's eyes burning into me from behind and suddenly felt someone's drunken breath on my neck and large hands gripping my hips. I spun around and came face to face with Alexander Elton, a very rich drunk who frequented the same taverns as me. He was rude, conceited, and was very infatuated with me, which was honestly just my bad luck.
"Alexander Elton, would you be so kind to remove your hands from my waist," I glared.
"Oh, Emma," he smiled. "You're such a tease." He then pulled me closer to him and started to kiss my neck.
"Alex, stop it," I whispered, and tried to softly push the drunk man off me.
Alexander rolled his eyes. "You know you like it," he sneered, and proceeded to lift my dress up to my thigh.
As I was struggling with Alex I saw a handsome dark haired man watching us with distain. When Alexander lifted up my skirt, he started to step forward and intervene but I shot him a look that let him know I didn't need his help. I was about to reach the end of my fuse with this imbecile anyway. When Alex started to kiss near my mouth I'd decided I'd had enough. I picked him up by the lapels of his jacket and threw him into a table. He landed with a loud crash that caused everyone in the tavern to look at me in awe and surprise.
"Anyone else have a problem?" I snapped when I noticed all of them staring at me. They all gulped and shook their heads. "Good," I smiled and strolled out of the bar.
When the chilly October air hit me I put my arms around myself and shivered. "I really should have brought a shawl," I mumbled and started the long walk to my flat. I was about halfway there when I got the strange feeling that someone was following me. I turned around and to my surprise I saw the handsome man in the tavern. I jumped slightly, not expecting to see him.
"I apologize for frightening you," he said. "I simply wanted to make sure you were okay. That was quite an ordeal earlier."
"Apology accepted," I smiled. "And I assure you that I'm perfectly fine, sir. I can take care of myself."
The man chucked. "You certainly can. That was one impressive throw back there."
"Why, thank you Mr. Mikaelson. I've been told I have an excellent right hook as well."
He narrowed his eyes. "I'm afraid you have an advantage, Miss. You seem to know my name, while I have no hint of yours."
"Oh, Mr. Mikaelson, I will always have the advantage," I smirked.
"May I have the honor of learning your name?" Elijah smiled.
I looked him over once more and smirked. "If you ask to walk me home, I might I just consider it."
"Elijah, my favorite original, back from the dead. You clean up nice," Damon greeted after he hang up on Alaric.
"You left something, in my jacket pocket," Elijah said pulling out a piece of paper.
"Oh, yeah. Dear Elijah, let's get together, thought of the destruction of your brother, XOXO," Damon said.
"Damon," Elijah began. "Why did you undagger me?"
"Well, I'm pretty sure Emma's pissed that I didn't trade her for the rest of your family, and undaggering you is kind of my apology."
"I figured that me being here wouldn't matter based on my brother's feelings for her," Elijah bluntly replied.
"Does Emma know that you are alive?" Damon asked.
"No. She is still currently unconscious." Elijah coolly stated. "I assure you I let Klaus know how displeased I was to see her in such a condition."
"Was I right to undagger you or do we have a problem?" Damon asked, trying to forget what Elijah had just said.
"I'm here, let's talk," Elijah said, pushing any thoughts about Emma into the back of his mind.
"I'll start with an easy question, any idea what Klaus killing weapon might be magically sealed in a mystery coffin?" Damon asked.
I woke up on the softest, most comfortable bed I'd ever slept on. It was so cozy that I almost wanted to burrow myself back under the covers and sleep, but then I remembered that I had a douche bag hybrid to slap. I pushed the covers off my body and rubbed my eyes. When I pulled my hands away from my eyes I gasped. In a chair next to the bed that was not mine sat Elijah. For minutes I stared at him, my mouth wide open while he looked at me tight-lipped and his eyes slightly downcast. Neither of us knew what to say. I was the one who broke the silence.
"I don't know whether I want to kiss you or slap you right now," I said, my voice cracking. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, although I'm almost positive they were happy tears.
"I definitely deserve the slap," Elijah gulped.
I nodded. "Yeah, you do." I smiled and let a tear fall. "I'm so happy you're back," I breathed.
"Me too," Elijah smiled and I could see tears forming in his eyes. "I'd like to hug you, but your skin is still burnt so I better not."
I laughed. "You're probably right." And then our silence resumed. Elijah started to stare at his hands while my eyes were glued onto him. I studied every feature and every movement of his body. It seemed like years since I'd seen him last and I wanted to soak up every single detail of him.
"I'm so sorry," Elijah said in barely a whisper. He kept clenching and unclenching his fists.
My eyes widened in surprise. "What do you have to be sorry for?" I asked, puzzled. "I'm the one who caused you to come to Mystic Falls!"
Elijah's head shot up and he looked at me with bewilderment. "Is that what you think?"
I nodded. "Of course! You wouldn't have come here if I hadn't started that stupid fight, and if you wouldn't have come here you wouldn't have been daggered, so henceforth it is my fault and I'm sorry."
"No, no, no," Elijah protested. He then jumped out of his chair and took my hands. "Don't you think that for even a second. I came here because my brother needed help, not because I was mad at you. I was never angry with you, ever."
"But… what about the wedding?" I stuttered. "You called it off."
Elijah rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Emma, I was upset with Klaus, I was frustrated with the situation he put me in. I didn't mean it at all. But when you sent me that letter after I left… I just figured that you were having second thoughts. I didn't… I didn't want to drag you into something you might regret later."
"I only said that because I was upset you left!" I exclaimed. "I just… I wanted to make you feel how I felt… I didn't mean a word of it, I promise."
"…Are you sure?"
"I'm positive! I never had second thoughts about us, ever. I sent that letter because I was angry with you and wanted to hurt you like you hurt me, which I'll admit was really wrong and stupid. But I've always loved you, don't ever doubt that."
Elijah smiled and rested his forehead on mine. "I love you too," he whispered. I smiled and lightly brushed my lips against his.
"I think this would be a good time to kiss me," Elijah mumbled against my lips.
"I think you're right."
"What the hell is this?" I exclaimed. After Elijah and I had apologized to one another I was rushed to a room filled wall to wall with clothing.
"Klaus is having guests over tonight," Elijah replied before making himself comfortable on a leather couch. "He wants everyone to look their part. I was going to take you shopping, but then I remembered all the clothes you and Rebekah left at our last home. Klaus took them with him."
"Ahh… I see," I muttered and ran my hands over a short, bright yellow dress. "This is overwhelming," I breathed. "There's just so much to wear."
Elijah rolled his eyes. "I know. My little sister really loved to shop. It got quite ridiculous, especially when none of them fit her properly."
I laughed and turned to look at him. "Why don't you pick out my dress then, Mr. Fashion Expert?"
Elijah raised his eyebrows. "Fine, I will," he smirked and hopped off the couch.
"Get dressed. We're going out," Damon said holding up two shirts to Stefan.
"Yeah, sorry, not interested," Stefan replied.
"I didn't ask. Elijah and I have scheduled a very old sit down with you and Klaus. I was thinking about the black. Makes you look all villainy," Damon smirked.
"Klaus won't make a deal, Damon," Stefan argued.
"He didn't have to. All we're doing is buying a little time to give our wicked witches chance to pop off the top of the coffin." Damon explained. "I get Emma back and we find out what's in that coffin."
"So, that's your...uh...plan? Stall Klaus?" Stefan asked.
"If you didn't go postal on his hybrids than maybe we'd have some options," Damon huffed.
"So you unleash an Original to help him out," Stefan stated. "Does your daughter know about that?"
"Undaggering Elijah was smart, Stefan. You're kidding me? After what Klaus did to him? He's in vengeance mood. It's perfect. And, I assume she knows by now."
"There's nothing smart about trusting Elijah, Damon. He screwed us over the last time as he promised us to kill Klaus," Stefan said.
"Yeah, the way you been acting I trust him about this as much as I trust you," Damon said.
"Hmm… Well I guess that goes both ways, doesn't it?" Stefan smirked taking a sip of his drink.
"Oh… This is about me kissing Elena. Just remember; if it wasn't for Klaus, you have never become such a dick and that kiss would never have happened. So get ready and get happy. We're going to negotiate a fake truce and I don't want your attitude screwing it up," Damon snapped.
As I examined myself in a full length mirror I had to give Elijah some credit. The dress he picked out looked rather nice on me. It was an old dress of Rebekah's with the tags still on it. It was completely white and covered in lace, which is something I've always loved. As I walked towards the dining room I felt confident, but also slightly nervous. Elijah told me about the plan and I was praying it would work. When I arrived in the dining room Klaus and Elijah had already sat down and were staring each other down at opposite ends of the table.
"Emma! I'm so glad you could join us!" Klaus exclaimed when he spotted me.
"Like I had a choice," I mumbled and pulled out my chair next to Elijah.
"Ahh… Still sour about what happened earlier… Don't take it personal dear. You were simply leverage."
Elijah glared at Klaus while I rolled my eyes and poured myself a large drink of champagne.
"So, Emma. What's new?" Klaus smirked. He was enjoying the obvious tension in the room.
"How's Caroline? Is she enjoying my bracelet?" I shot back. I saw Elijah stifle a laugh out of the corner of my eye.
"Jealousy is not attractive on a woman of your age, Emma," Klaus said, taking a small sip of his champagne.
I rolled my eyes once more and then quickly downed my drink in a few gulps. I glanced up from my glass and saw them both staring at me.
"What?" I asked, deadpanned. "I think we all know I'm going to need it."
This time Elijah couldn't hide his laughter. He smiled a genuine smile, one that I hadn't seen in quite some time.
"I have some business I need to tend to. Hybrid thing; you wouldn't understand. I will be back shortly." Klaus smirked, leaving Elijah and I in silence.
I looked up from my empty glass and met Elijah's gaze.
"I need to talk to you," I whispered.
"Then let's talk," he replied.
"Not here," I argued. I got up from my chair and motioned for him to follow me outside. Once we were out there he look at me, confused.
"Why are we out here?" he frowned.
My lips abruptly crashed against Elijah's. I had almost forgotten how sweet he tasted. Or how he smelled. God, I missed him, and he missed me. Our bodies fit together like puzzle pieces. At first the kisses her simple kisses but they quickly escalated to heated , fervent kisses and touches. Before I knew it I hungrily ripped Elijah's jacket off of him, causing it to tear. I quickly pulled away from his when I heard a car coming up the long driveway.
"You are going to pay for ripping that jacket. It was my favorite," Elijah seductively whispered in my ear, and felt shivers go down my spine. Before I had a chance to respond, Damon was parking his car in front of the house.
"Niklaus, our guests have arrived!" Elijah shouted, opening the door for them. As they entered Damon glanced at me, making sure I was okay. I have him a slight nod and followed Elijah back into the large house.
"Damon, Stefan!" Klaus greeted. "Elijah tells me you seek an audience. Very bold. Let's discuss the terms of our agreement like civilized means, shall we?" he asked.
"It's better to indulge him," Elijah smirked as he took my arm.
"I didn't come here to eat, Klaus. In fact, I didn't want to come here at all, but I was told I had to because you would hear us out," Stefan glared.
"Well, we can sit and eat or I can reach down your throats and pull out your insides. The choice is yours," Klaus sneered.
Klaus, Elijah, Stefan, Damon and I all sat at the dining room table eating except Stefan. Emma sat, picking at my food while shooting not-so-discreet glances at Elijah.
"Thank you, love," Damon said as one of Klaus's compelled servants poured him a glass of wine.
"You lost your appetite," Klaus commented looking at Stefan.
"Eat. I thought we agreed to leave the grumpy Stefan at home," Damon smirked.
"Isn't it nice? The five of us dining together? Is it that was you had in mind when you pulled the dagger from my brother?" Klaus asked Damon.
"Oh no... I know how he felt about you so... I figured the more the merrier!" Damon winked at Elijah.
"Wait, you undaggered Elijah?" I asked in disbelief.
Damon smiled at me in response.
"Elijah and I we have had our quarrels over the centuries but we always make it through," Klaus replied.
"Kind of like you and Rebekah right? Where is she by the way? Last I checked she was still daggered because you were afraid to face her," Stefan said.
"If you are referring to the fact that Rebekah knows that I killed our mother I've already come clean to Elijah," Klaus frowned.
"Hey Stef, remember when you killed dad? Might want to down on the judgment till desert," Damon said.
"We're here to make a deal Damon. That doesn't mean we have to kiss his ass for seven courses," Stefan snapped.
"I'm just saying we have a long evening ahead of us, pace yourself," Damon replied.
Stefan suddenly turned his brutal gaze on me.
"Hey Emma. I think that now would be the perfect time to tell your dad about your… extracurricular activities," Stefan smirked.
"What?" Damon asked, nearly choking on his food.
My eyes widened and I prayed that Stefan wouldn't really say anything. He was just messing with me… He had to be.
"Damon, I would like you to know that-"
"Stefan, shut up," I warned.
"Your daughter deliberately disobeyed you the other day," Stefan finished and took a bite of his food.
"How so?" Damon frowned.
"She had a little daggering fest with Klaus' family. She undaggered Elijah, then she re-daggered him…"
Before Stefan was able to continue I threw her steak knife at him, causing him to flip his chair over in surprise. I missed his arm by just an inch. Everyone but Stefan started roaring with laughter.
"You missed!" Stefan sneered.
"Oh, Stef... If I really wanted to hit you, I would have." I shot back.
"Stefan, where is the lovely Elena tonight?" Elijah suddenly asked.
"I don't know. Ask Damon," Stefan replied as he got back into his seat. Klaus and I began to chuckle as Elijah looked at us confused.
"I'm sorry you missed so much. Ahh ... trouble in paradise," Klaus explained.
"One more word about Elena and this dinner is over," Stefan snapped.
"You know what probably it's best just to keep Elena in the do not discuss pile," Damon said.
"You're probably right," Klaus agreed. "It's just the lure of the Petrova doppelganger is still so strong. What do you say brother? Should we tell them about Tatia?" Klaus turned to Elijah.
I suddenly shifted in my seat. I didn't really want to hear about Tatia. It was going to ruin a perfectly good dinner.
"No, why should we discuss matters long since resolved?" Elijah said uncomfortably.
"Oh, given their shared attraction for both Elena and Katerina I think they must be curious to learn about the originator of the Petrova line," Klaus said.
"We're not going anywhere Elijah. Please! Do tell." Damon smirked. I felt tempted to throw my shoe at him.
"When our family first settled here, there was a girl named Tatia," Elijah began. "She was an exquisite beauty. Every boy of age desired to be her suitor, even though she'd had a child by another man. And no one loved her more than Niklaus."
"Ah, I said there's one who loved her just as much." Klaus said.
I heart dropped and I felt a knot in my stomach.
"Wait a minute, so you both loved the same girl?" Stefan smirked slightly.
Elijah must have noticed I was uncomfortable because he reached for my hand and gave it a light squeeze before he started talking again.
"Our mother was a very powerful witch. She sought to end our feud for Tatia and she took her. Klaus and I would later learn that it was Tatia's blood that we consumed in the wine of the night where our mother performed a spell which turned us into vampires." Elijah explained. "Tatia wouldn't make a decision between the two of us so for a time Niklaus and I grew estranged. Harsh words were traded. We even came to blows. Didn't we, brother?"
"But in the end we recognized the sacred bond of family," Klaus smiled.
"Family above all," Elijah said raising his glass to Klaus.
"Family above all," Klaus smiled as the two of them toasted.
"So why don't we move this evening along and discuss the terms of this proposal," Elijah suddenly said.
"That's very simple. Klaus gets his coffin back and in exchange he and the original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever. Me, Stefan, Emma and Elena live happily ever after. No grudges." Damon said, putting down his phone.
"Deal sounds fair brother." Elijah said.
"I don't think you understand Elena's doppelganger blood ensures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those that oppose me. I will never leave her behind." Klaus began. "Say I do leave her here under your protection and what then? How long until one of you turns her into a vampire? Or worse. How long before she dies caught between you two. You see each one of you believes that he is the one who can protect her. That is simply a delusion. Gentleman. The worst thing for Elena Gilbert is the two of you."
Damon went pale. "I'm going to get some air." He said and walked out of the room.
"We'll deal with this," Elijah said and quickly rushed me into the room filled with his family.
While Elijah, Damon, and I were in the other room, waiting for the other Originals to come back to life Stefan watched as Klaus drained one his servant girls. He pulled away from her neck and dropped her to the floor.
"Delicious," Klaus smiled "Aged to perfection."
"Well...I guess the only reason you agreed to this evening was to drive a wedge between me and my brother," Stefan stated.
"Oh no you're doing that well enough for you own. Because of Elena you're going to lose your brother and you only have yourself to blame."
"What do you say, Klaus. I'm here to put something on the table. We've made our offer," Damon said as he reappeared with Elijah and I.
"Okay," Klaus said and went to sit down. "I offer Elena's future happiness. You see what she needs right now is to be rid of you lot and to fall in love with a human, maybe that blonde football player,"
"Matt Donovan? Really?" Damon whined.
"Yeah. Why not? They'll marry, live a long and fruitful life and pop out a perfect family," Klaus said.
"And continue the Petrova bloodline," Stefan realized. "Every few hundred years you'll have a doppelganger for you to drain and you never run out of hybrids, right Klaus?
"Consider this a small return on her investment and well-being. See, after you hand me back my coffin, I'll insure her safety for the rest of her natural life, and you know that's what's best for her. So? What do you say, Stefan? Do we have a deal?" Klaus stood up in front of the fire place and held out his hand for Stefan. Stefan began to walk over to him.
"What are you doing?" Damon frowned. Stefan reached Klaus and shook his hand.
"Nice try Klaus, but no deal." Stefan smirked.
Klaus growled and twisted Stefan's arm and kicked his leg breaking both parts. He grabbed him and put his other hand into the fire. Damon tried to intervene but was stopped when Elijah grabbed him by the neck and slammed him up against the wall.
"What are you doing?" Damon gasped.
"Elijah! What the hell?" I shouted.
"Stop!" Damon exclaimed. Klaus pulled Stefan's hand out of the fire.
"Bring me my coffin before I burn him alive." Klaus demanded
"I'll get it," Damon huffed and walked away.
"Go with him brother, you keep him honest. When you get back, I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family." Klaus said and suddenly grabbed me and handed me over to Elijah. "Keep her safe." He warned. Elijah and I quickly followed Damon. Klaus then turned his attention back to Stefan.
"Go ahead, kill me. I know you'll do it when he brings the coffin!" Stefan shouted
"You really have given up, haven't you? Where's the fight? Where's the ripper?" Klaus asked pushing Stefan.
Stefan pushed Klaus away from him and Klaus frowned. He turned and saw me, Damon and Elijah with a silver tray in his hand.
"Elijah?" Klaus asked, stunned. "Why haven't you left?"
"Well, where are your manners brother? You forgot dessert," Elijah smirked. He then removed the cloth from the tray, and on the tray laid two of the white oak daggers. Two originals had been undaggered.
"What have you done?" Klaus shouted.
"What have you done?" Elijah asked him. "See I've learned not to trust your vulgar promises, Klaus. We're doing this on my terms now." Just then someone appeared from behind the wall and walked towards Klaus.
"Kol!" Klaus said terrified.
"Long time brother," Kol smirked.
Klaus tried to speed off but was stopped by another Original. This one wore much older clothing. He grabbed a dagger and stabbed Klaus in the hand with it. He then removed the dagger and Klaus came face to face with Rebekah.
"Rebekah!" Klaus exclaimed. Rebekah walked over to him and stabbed him in the stomach with a dagger.
"This is for our mother," she spat before pulling the dagger out. Kol then grabbed Klaus and trapped him.
"You're free to go," Elijah suddenly said to Stefan and Damon. "This is family business." Stefan and Damon started to walk out of the door when Damon asked, "What about Emma?"
"She stays if she wants to," Elijah spoke and turned to me. I then decided that I was staying. I had to. I needed to see Klaus get what he deserved.
Damon glared at Elijah, hesitant to leave.
"Damon," I said. "Go. I'll be fine, I promise.
Damon nodded and reluctantly left the room.
"I love what you've done with the new place Nik," Rebekah said before picking up a glass vase and throwing it against the wall. The vase shattered in hundreds of pieces and caused a beautiful painting to fall.
"I wanted it to be for all of us. Place we could all call home. Place we could all be a family. None of us would ever have to be alone again," Klaus said quietly.
"Well you're right, none of us will be," Elijah said, taking my hand and walking away from Klaus.
"You're staying behind," Finn glared as he followed. Kol also followed and joined his siblings.
"We're leaving you, Nik. Right after I kill that doppelganger wench. Then you will be alone. Always and forever," Rebekah smiled bittersweetly.
"If you run, I will hunt all of you down. Elijah, I will make you watch me tear Emma limb from limb," Klaus growled.
"Then you will become everything you hate," Elijah glared as his grip on my hand tightened. "Our father."
"I'm the hybrid! I can't be killed! I have nothing to fear from any of you!" Klaus screamed.
"You will when we have that coffin," Elijah threatened.
Suddenly, the back door opened and I felt a cold rush of air hit me. We all turned around to see who had caused it, and I gasped. It was Esther.