A/N: Sorry for the long wait everyone! It has been a stressful chapter but I'm happy I have finally posted it :) I can't believe I am eleven chapters in already and they still haven't managed to get to the resort yet haha, it is just so jam packed. Once again many many many thank yous to all my readers and a special thanks to everyone who has left me a review! Love you guys :D
Chapter Eleven - SMS Suspicion.
Still at the Orlando International.
Niklaus' mind momentarily shut down as he heard Eljiah's words pass through his ears. He darted his eyes to see Kol and Rebekah's reactions. They were just as stunned as he was – perhaps even more. Elijah however, looked vacant. His expression gave away nothing but the slight tinged of anger gleaming through his eyes.
"It was you?" Rebekah was the first to break the eerie atmosphere. He never answered. Instead, he continued to glare at Klaus as he watched frustration creeping up behind his younger brother.
"So, tell us Niklaus, what are you going to do now?" Elijah put one foot forward. "Are you going to brutally attack me? Or is it going to be a simple break to the neck this time? " His tone was patronizing. This was side of Elijah his siblings would rarely see.
Kol was stood very still while observing his brothers – he had to admit it felt strangely odd being the audience rather than the performer. He wasn't sure where to look or what to do – particularly because this was his liability.
"How could of it have been you? I saw you the whole time Elijah?!" Klaus was still cynical about Elijah's assertion.
"It doesn't matter how!" Elijah snapped. The three of them jolted at their eldest brother's fury. Klaus leered at Kol, annoyed that it wasn't him to hold accountable this time or that Elijah was protecting him. Either way, he still needed convincing.
"Why did you do it?"
"Because you deserved that shock to your system." Elijah uttered. Kol snorted at the reference to the tazer incident. Rebekah narrowed her eyes quickly at him indicating, not make the situation worse.
"And you thought getting me arrested was going to teach me a lesson?" Klaus' sarcasm was filled with provocation as he began to believe Elijah was speaking the truth. He never got the reply he wanted or even got a reply at all, which riled him up even more.
"There is no way that he isn't involved?!" Klaus' raised his voice as he pointed at the younger brother.
"Hey, don't start bringing me into your domestic?" Kol insisted.
"That wasn't permission for you to open your mouth!" Klaus growled.
"I need permission now?"
"Oh will the both of you just stop?!" Rebekah cried in aggravation. The brothers silenced at the sound of their sisters shriek.
"You two always have to stoop to the other ones level and now you have gotten Elijah hitting low blows? I know you three actually find it difficult to function at times but this is too much!"
"Speak for yourself Rebekah..." Kol muttered.
"No, I'm speaking on your behalves." She interjected. "At the end of the day, Kol and Nik it is both your faults we are here right now and if you don't like it tough! You don't like each others company, then don't speak to each other, it is as simple as that. And Elijah, if you really did get Nik arrested then you're just as bad a them two put together." She paused for a breath and also to see her brother's expressions slowly turn to guilt and shame.
"Now I'm going to find somewhere that hires out a car or anything just to get us to this resort because, one: I don't want to spend one more minute in this airport and two: I need a break from you three!" Suddenly the only female original grabbed her luggage and stormed off to follow the signs to get out of the small waiting area they were in...
"So who is going to go after her this time?" Kol decided he didn't want another silent moment. Klaus sighed as he looked back to see Rebekah's figure getting smaller and smaller as she walked further away.
"Don't think I have forgotten about this." He grumbled and turned around to search for his sister.
"Just like he hasn't forgotten about you snapping his neck last week." Kol whispered to Elijah.
"I haven't forgotten about that either!" Klaus called out from a good distance and turned left out of the others view.
"My bad..." Kol lowered his jaw. Elijah revealed an expression what read: "Thanks for that.."
Kol unheeded his brother and shrugged.
Well good luck dealing with him when that time comes." He charmingly, smiled as he tried to get away. Elijah straightforwardly latched on to his juvenile, brother's jacket-collar to stop him from going any further. Kol sighed in defeat once he realized he wasn't going anywhere.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry that my most recent success has now got you a new enemy, but you didn't have to stick up for me?" He held his hands out in front of him to gesture an apology, followed by a childish smirk. Elijah's hand suddenly flew past Kol as he whacked him straight across the back of his head.
"What was that for?!" Kol cried as he immediately placed his own hand where a mark would have formed.
"Be grateful that's all you got." Elijah remarked. The younger original, said nothing and continued to scowl as he rubbed his head soothingly.
"Why did you do it Kol?" Elijah sighed. Kol looked up to see a desolate face staring back at him.
"You could be talking about a million things here?"
Elijah glanced disinterested with his brothers games.
"Do you want another slap?" He raised a hand for warning. Kol instantly stepped back at the sight of his arm rising.
"Because you said it yourself, he deserved it?" He grumbled back.
"Yes, and you deserve whatever he is cooking up for you." Elijah smartly replied.
"That's where you're wrong brother, because right now, I am number two on his hit-list because you sir have risen to number one." Kol winked. Elijah was contemplating on thrashing Kol once more when, randomly a mobile went off and the two brothers swiftly rummaged through their pockets.
"Kol what are you doing, your mobile is dead?" Elijah remembered and pulled out his cell to read the incoming text.
"Thanks for reminding me..." Kol muttered. His brother ignored him as he scanned over the text before typing his reply.
"Well, are you going to tell me who it is from?" Kol liked to be nosey.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because it is none of your business." Elijah looked up as he was still typing.
"Who is she?" Kol smirked fairly sure that his brother's secrecy was to do with someone from the opposite sex.
"What?" Elijah stopped in mid-text and Kol swore he saw the tiniest bit of paranoia forming in his brothers eyes.
"The secret caller slash texter? What's her name?" His grin widened with every word.
"What makes you say it's a female?" The eldest brother remarked as he quickly sent of the SMS before Kol could take a peek.
"Because for starters I never see you text for anyone, not even me? Wow, she must be important..." Kol mocked.
"Niklaus and Rebekah are probably waiting for us, lets go..." Elijah avoided the subject, picked up two cases and went on his way.
"Oh my God, you are definitely hiding something! Tell me?" Kol asked as he grabbed his own suitcase and caught up with his brother.
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because there is nothing to tell."
"Liar!" Kol accused as they both took the same turn to the left towards the exit signs.
"Kol?" Elijah breathed.
"Yes." He replied.
"Shut up." The eldest original demanded.
"I would be more nice to me Elijah if I was you, because it is me and you now.. All alone, against that angry, big ball of fur we call brother." Kol pointed in the direction Klaus would probably be.
"Since when had it been me and you?" Elijah questioned.
"Since you put it upon yourself to not rat me out and take the blame." He smiled.
"It was a moment of anger, Kol. Niklaus provoked me and I irrationally confessed it as my doing."
"Either way, he hates you so welcome to the club." Kol patted his older brother on the back as they finally saw their fellow siblings standing beside a similar car to Elijah's SUV waiting to get going. Elijah noticed Niklaus' piercing gaze watching his every move.
"Game, on..." Elijah mumbled to his self before taking in a deep breath and exiting the airport doors.
Moments Earlier...
The group (excluding Damon and Stefan) were already on board the coach with other passengers getting ready for their holidays to start. Matt and Jeremy stuck by each other sides (as usual) and found two seats furthest away from the front of the vehicle. Bonnie spotted four seats on the right side of the coach and made her way to fill up the space. Once Caroline had rang the the airline company to explain about the missing case she stepped inside with Elena behind and her sight was automatically compelled to the seat next to her witch friend. Caroline briskly went to sit down next to Bonnie's side. Elena had now noticed the only space left for her was in front of the girls – with a free seat next to it.
"Thanks Caroline..." She muttered sarcastically.
"I got here first. Finders, keepers." The blonde remarked as she placed her bag on the floor underneath the chair. Elena huffed as she slumped herself into the seat closest to the window. She admired the airport view in front of her eyes. The sky was the brightest blue – It was never like that in Mystic Falls. The sun caused her to squint and she subconsciously glanced at her daylight ring feeling very grateful she had it on. When she looked back up, her view was distracted by the two Salvatore brothers (they were walking back up with their hand luggage bags looking overly filled). Elena turned around to see that the only seats left on this coach were the one next to her and another a couple of rows behind her brother and Matt.
"Girls, I don't really want to sit here?" She turned to face her friends who were in mid conversation.
"I am not giving up this seat." Caroline scowled. Elena refused to acknowledge the stubborn vampire and looked at Bonnie with puppy dog eyes.
"'Lena, we did say before this vacation that the seating arrangements were first come first serve?" She glanced back with apology in her features. Caroline had now noticed the brothers at the bottom of the coach placing their luggage inside the compartments.
"You want to swap because either Stefan or Damon will have to sit next to you?" She tried her best not to reveal the smile forming between her words.
"It isn't funny Caroline?" Elena frowned while she also watched the brothers. Neither of the girls budged.
"Well don't even think about asking me for favors during our time here!" Elena hissed as she flipped back round to sulk. She was amazed at her best-friends. They both knew that if either of the Salvatore's sat next to her it would be an excruciating journey. Stefan would pretend everything is normal between them two, while Damon on the other hand, would try anything just to get a reaction out of her!
"Do you think we have enough?" Stefan asked as the two of them strolled to the parked coach.
"I'm sure you and the girls will have enough to go around until the other case arrives." Damon uttered.
"And what about you?" Stefan furrowed his brows.
"I'm only drinking from the vein brother." He answered.
"You better be joking?"
"Of course I'm joking..." Damon sighed unimpressed at his Stefan's lack of not noticing sarcasm. His brother was about to shake his head but Damon continued.
"Or am I?" The eldest Salvatore's smirk was back.
"Damon?" Stefan glowered.
"Okay no, seriously I'm kidding around." Damon's face was stern.
"Right, okay."
"Ah but-"
"Oh for fuck sake Damon just shut it!" Stefan hissed. Damon started to laugh at his brothers frustration.
"Oh, Stefan lighten up." He placed his free arm around his baby brother's shoulders.
"Would you like me to make a scouts honor that I will not touch a single drop of blood unless it's from a blood-bag during this vacation?"
Stefan stopped walking as they reached the side of the coach, letting his brother's arm fall to his side. He stared at Damon for a good ten seconds to make sure he wasn't going to burst into laughter and that he was genuine.
"You truly mean that?" He folded his arms slightly unconvinced. Damon exasperated once more as he placed one piece of luggage filled with the blood-bags inside the compartment.
"Scouts honor, remember?"
"I'll believe it, when I see it..."
"Always the pessimist..." Damon trailed off to the coach's door to step on board.
The minute he was inside, Damon's eyes fell straight on the not so happy brunette and the empty seat beside her. He briefly glanced out the window to see Stefan was piling the last bag on board and smiled.
Elena prayed as she saw the eldest Salvatore making his way towards her with the smuggest grin etched across his lips. This was going to be one hell of a half hour.
"Hello Elena." Damon greeted as he settled his self into the chair.
"Hi." She blankly uttered.
"Well, I'd thought I would let you know that thanks to St. Stefan and I, you and Blondie still have your delicacy." He rested his head back.
"You got the bags?" She took an interest.
"Yup."
Elena struggled to hide the small smile twinging in her lips as she knew her and Caroline didn't have to worry for a while.
"Oh, well look at that?" Damon said.
"Look at what?" Elena gazed outside the coach but saw nothing.
"That smile. I mean we don't see that everyday..." He arched his head towards her.
Elena found her self turning away, as she felt her own blood flowing to her cheeks.
"Cut it out Damon." She muttered.
"Cut what out?" He looked puzzled.
"Just, whatever you are doing. Stop it." She finalized as she continued to focus through the glass.
"It's kind of hard to stop doing something, if you don't know what you're doing?" He looked into her eyes, through the reflection on the window which startled the brunette.
Stefan had now climbed inside to see Damon next to Elena. His body stiffened with jealousy and annoyance because he knew that his brother sat there on purpose. Damon decided to wave arrogantly to him as he tried to find another seat. He found one thankfully not too far from Matt and Jeremy and went to take his place. Of course Stefan was pissed off, he still had feelings for Elena whether he would like to admit it or not. There was two reasons to why he really wanted to go on this vacation. Yes, the whole Elena being a new born vampire was a valid reason but really this holiday was for him. He decided that these two weeks were either their second chance at things or to move on, and right now it felt like the first point had the advantage. Also, Damon being in this picture didn't help either however, like he was going to be able to go without him tagging along?
Halfway into journey...
Elena's phone bleeped to tell her she had an SMS waiting to be read. She ignored the look she got from Damon as she rummaged through her hand-luggage to find it. Once she retrieved her cell, Elena typed in her password and clicked on the little, flashing envelope sign to open up the conversation.
"Ooh, messages already and we are not even at the resort yet. You must be popular?" Damon was leaning over, trying to read.
"You'd be surprised how popular I am." She simpered as she moved the mobile away to read the text privately.
"Well, you can never be as popular as me." He retaliated. She snorted at his comment while also replying to the text message.
"So. who would be messaging you at exactly seventeen minutes past six?" He realized that everyone Elena would usually text were on this same coach.
"Oh, um just Caroline's mom asking if we had landed..." Elena muttered quite quietly with an assuring smile. Damon wrinkled his nose as he clearly knew Elena was lying, however he thought it would be best not to dwell on it. He watched her reply to the message and without delay, shove it back inside her bag, what she dropped back to the ground.
"Damon, you're staring?" She noticed his strong gaze on her. He instantly took his eyes off her temporarily to glance at the bag.
"I know." He replied while his face implied he knew she wasn't telling the truth. Elena blinked more than normal as she felt uneasy under his watchful stare.
"You are so odd?" She randomly uttered to get the vampire's judging look away from her and it worked.
"Odd?" His mood changed to amusement in a matter of seconds.
"Yes." She grinned.
"Well, I suppose it isn't the worst thing you have called me." He began to think back.
"Yeah like what?" She questioned, still smiling.
"Ah too many hurtful names to remember." He acted saddened,
"You probably deserved them all." She raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm, I guess you're right." He laughed and she soon joined in. Suddenly, it felt all two real for the both of them, smiling and laughing together, that their grins - in unison - died down and an awkward atmosphere arose...