Poison & Wine - Chapter XLVII

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"Yep, I'm in no mood for this," I said as I sat down at a table in the Lockwood's backyard. We were currently setting up for the Miss Mystic Falls pageant. "I was shot three days ago and not to mention my head is pounding. I can't haul stuff around."

Elena sighed as she sat down beside me. "I thought if I told you that the pageant wasn't until tomorrow that you'd flake out on setting up,"

"I'm injured, 'lil sis, of course I'm going to get out of setting up for this pointless thing," I leaned back and placed a hand over where a bandage was.

"You're only older by two minutes,"

"Yes, but those two minutes give me a lot of leverage, 'Lena,"

"What are you two doing?!" Caroline demanded as she marched over. "Why aren't you setting up?!"

"Um, because of this," I lifted up my shirt over my torso to show her the bandage before dropping my shirt. "I am injured and am taking a vacation from setting up."

"Andy, Bonnie skipped out on me, you can't either!" Caroline complained.

"I am skipping out, figuratively speaking," I managed to stand up.

"I'm surprised Klaus hasn't ran to snatch you up already," Caroline said with a snort.

"I've not seen Klaus in six days,"

"I don't see what you see in him. He's a vile creature that I can't believe I kissed,"

"You what?"

"When he was in Tyler's body," She explained. "I thought he was Tyler and we almost slept together. It makes me want to barf every time I think about it. I mean, those lips fed on millions of people that he killed. I don't see how―"

"Thank you for that, Caroline," I interrupted. "Especially for the lovely judgmental voice, I appreciate that." I stormed off - as quickly as I could - to my car. When I got there, I was greeted by Klaus leaning against the hood. "Speak of the devil," I muttered as I approached.

"Hello, love," He said as he stood up straight.

"Klaus," I gave a short nod and moved to get in my car but he stepped right in front of me.

"You're going to run before we have a chance to reconcile?" He asked with mock hurt.

"You daggered Rebekah and Kol, we don't get to reconcile," I tried pushing him out of my way but it was no use.

"Come on, Andy. I had to do so they wouldn't tell about the cure,"

"The cure? You daggered them over the cure? I cannot believe you still want your stupid hybrids after everything!" I laughed bitterly. "Everything always comes back to them... Why? Is it because you don't feel alone with them?"

He didn't answer and looked down. I took a step forwards and grabbed his hand. Placing it over my heart, I said, "Do you feel the beat, Klaus?" He slowly nodded, staring at his hand over my heart with curiosity. "It almost stopped when I thought you were dead. I almost die every time you almost die."

I saw him swallow and finally he looked up to meet my gaze. His breath came out rugged and uneven. "The beating's a little off," He noticed.

"Well, I got out of the hospital this morning," I took a step back from him and gathered myself. "You're not alone, Klaus." I walked around him and got into my car. I felt a little better knowing I just took Niklaus Mikaelson's breath away.

The rest of the day I spent at home resting with no interaction with Klaus or anyone except my siblings. The next morning I got up to get ready for the Miss Mystic Falls pageant.

I changed into a black and strapless cocktail Chiffon party mini dress and red ballet flats with the red pendant Klaus gave me to go along with it. I didn't put hardly any makeup on just enough to make my skin not look so pale. I curled my hair, though I didn't have to do much considering my natural curly hair. I covered the bandages on my neck with my hair.

Walking out of my room, I saw Jeremy and Matt in Jeremy's room. "Hey, who's driving?" I asked as I moved to the doorway. They were both in tuxes and ready for the pageant, except Jeremy was staring down at his phone screen with a slightly confused expression that I elected to ignore.

"I am," Matt looked over at me. "Have you lost weight?"

"No," I said almost too quickly. I had been eating when I was hungry, but with everything going on lately I just haven't had an appetite. "We should probably get going, though. I gotta help April get ready."

"Alright," Matt nodded and looked back to Jeremy. "Need a ride?"

"Uh, no. You guys go ahead, I'll meet you there," Jeremy looked up at us for a moment before looking back down.

"Alright," Matt patted him on the arm and walked out of the room.

"Bye Jer," I said before following Matt.

Once we got to the Lockwood mansion Matt and I split up. I started to head upstairs and it was extremely difficult. "Where's your senior citizen pass?"

Glancing over my shoulder I saw Damon at the bottom of the stairs. I hadn't even made it halfway up the stairs. "Left it at home," I grumbled before beginning to move. "I have had quite a few run-ins in the past month."

"Yeah, you have," Damon put my arm over his shoulder and then slid his arm around my waist. He sped up the stairs without warning.

"I'm going to barf!" I was dizzy and nauseous at the sudden movement. "You are a jerk."

"Thank you," He kissed my temple and moved us towards a room I heard voices from.

"She's right," I heard Caroline's chirpy voice. "Gracie Lockwood had a three foot slit her year and practically got laughed off the court."

I heard Elena laugh right before Damon and I walked into the room."She got my vote," Damon said.

I notice Elena looking at him and appeared to stop breathing. Once I regained my balance I pushed off of Damon as Caroline threw a black object at him. It smacked him right in the chest. "Get out, lurker!" She said.

Damon, sarcastically, said, "Ouch," Caroline walked over to him. "Where's Professor Shane?"

"Check the judges' table," She answered before she started to close the door on him, but Damon put his hand up and pushes it back open. Caroline started to walk back towards Elena.

Damon looked over at April. "Red one, definitely."

Caroline stopped in the middle of the room, midway between Elena and Damon. She had her arms crossed. "We've already agreed that the red one is a little bit too showy," She snapped as she glanced at Elena.

"It's a pageant. That's the whole point," Damon pointed out.

Caroline looked at Damon and placed her hands on her hips. "Did you win Miss Mystic last year? No. I don't think you did,"

I piped up, "Neither did Elena and she wore blue,"

Caroline ignored me. "Nobody cares what you think, Damon,"

"I care," April quickly said.

"See? April cares," Damon said then looked at my sister. "Red, right, Elena?"

Caroline glared at Elena but she just looked at April. "The red is pretty,"

Caroline's face fell and Damon smirked in triumph. "And my work here is done," He walked out of the room.

Caroline looked back at Elena. "Uh, what happened to thirty seconds ago when you hated the red one? What happened to safe is good?"

Elena looked at her with a glazed look over her eyes. She shook her head and turned back to April. "Whichever one you want to wear, April," Elena walked out of the room. Caroline watched her leave and turned around, confused.

"What just happened?" She asked.

I slipped out of the room while they weren't paying attention and followed after Damon and Elena. What was going on between the two?

They were standing face to face at the bottom of the stairs so I hid back but was still close enough I could overhear. "We need to talk," Elena said.

"Stefan told me about the break up," Damon said. "I'd say I'm sorry but I'm not." Typical Damon.

"What did he say?"

"Oh, you know Stefan, he kind of just went on and on about it and wouldn't shut up,"

"So, he didn't tell you why?"

"Nope. But I'm sure it has something to do with you acting weird, so why don't you tell me?"

"You,"

I was stunned at that. Stefan and Elena broke up because of Damon? That is... Oh, my God, I can't even imagine what Stefan's going through. I mean, I could because I went through it with Damon, but his love for Elena was different...

I heard Professor Shane's voice and decided to go outside then.

I walked down the stairs and passed right by them without saying a word to them. Once I got outside I pulled out my phone - Elena had gotten me a new one yesterday since I destroyed my old one at that Murder House Party - and called Stefan. It rung a few times before going to voicemail.

"Stefan, hey, I just wanted to see how you were doing. I'm, uh, I'm at Miss Mystic Falls right now and I don't suppose you're here, so... call me whenever you get this. Bye," I hung up and rubbed my eyes.

"You look stunning,"

I looked to see Klaus was at my side. He was in a black suit and looked devilishly handsome with that curly hair and those dimples. "You don't look so bad yourself,"

"Which lucky gentleman is your date?"

"I'm here alone for your information," I looked forward and looked around the crowd of people outside. "I'm making a statement."

"So am I. Perhaps we should join forces?"

"No, I think divide and conquer fits," I couldn't help but flash a smile before I headed down the steps. He quickly grabbed my arm and helped me down the four steps. "I'm not a child, I was perfectly capable doing that on my own."

"Yes, but you were struggling and I couldn't stand watching it," He was still holding onto my arm, giving me a warm smile.

I looked away from him. "I'm still upset, Klaus,"

"I know, which is why I brought you this," He held up a single red rose.

"You think a rose is going to make up for everything?"

"No, but it's a start,"

I took the rose and brought it up to my nose. The smell was divine. "It's beautiful, Klaus,"

"Not nearly as much as you," He took a step forwards. "I had it cut so you could wear it in your hair. May I?" I nodded and handed him back the rose. He positioned it in my curls and then looked down at me with a smile. "You're wearing your necklace."

"Of course," I smiled back up at him. Guilt struck me and I had to take a step back from Klaus. "Why did you not tell me you were alive, Klaus? I was dying without you."

"I didn't because I was afraid you would spill the beans to your friends who put me that predicament," He got a dark look on his face for a moment.

"Klaus, I may be neutral in this war between all of you, but depending on the situation I would choose sides. In that situation I would have chosen you," I felt myself becoming upset so I took a moment to get my emotions under control.

"I am glad to hear that," He admitted.

"But if you so much as hurt anyone else I love, I am coming for you," I warned. "I am going to forget that you tried killing Elena again and say that all is forgiven."

"All?"

"All, even... even Jenna,"

Time seemed to almost stop in that moment. The look in his eyes I couldn't even put into words, it was just so heartwarming. He seemed giddy and just completely happy. I had chosen to forgive him because I knew resenting him for those things would destroy me more if I held onto them.

But, alas, our moment was interrupted.

Carol Lockwood walked out on stage and began introducing the pageant. "Welcome to this season's Miss Mystic Falls," Everyone clapped around us so I joined in before turning completely towards the stage to pay attention. Carol continued. "We are so excited to showcase our most outstanding community leaders in the making,"

Everyone clapped again and I felt Klaus still staring over at me. I looked over at him - he was still giving me that loving look - and nudged him. "Pay attention," I whispered over to him. He nodded with that smile and looked forward. I leaned over and whispered, "Did I mention my forgiveness excludes your make out session with Caroline?" He grinned over at me and I returned it before turning my attention back to the pageant.

Caroline walked onstage and was about to introduce the contestants if I remembered this correctly. "Hi, everyone, I'm Caroline Forbes. As the reigning Miss Mystic Falls, it is my honor to introduce this year's Miss Mystic Court."

Everyone clapped for the girls and I exchange a look with Klaus. I looked around the crowd to see Elena standing a few feet away from Damon looking like she wasn't breathing again. Music started playing for the introduction of the girls.

"We begin the procession with Valerie Fell accompanied by Dylan Clark," There was a round of applause for Valerie as she walked down the stone steps. "Next, we have Amber Wolvertine accompanied by Hector Lindsay," Another round of applause was given for Amber.

Another girl was introduced and more applause are heard. She took the arm of her escort and they walk off together. I glanced around to see Elena waving me over. "I'll be right back," I said to Klaus before I hurried over to her in the crowd. Matt was standing with her. "What's going on?"

"Do you see Jeremy anywhere?"

"No, I've not seen him since this morning," I looked at the escorts and he wasn't there. "Where is he?"

"Did he tell you about his nightmares?" Matt asked.

"What nightmares?" Elena and I asked at the same time.

Matt looked straight at Elena. "The ones where he kills you," She simply raised her eyebrows in surprise while I immediately pulled out my phone and started blowing Jeremy's phone with texts.

"Katherine Wilson accompanied by Eric Hanson," Caroline introduced another girl and a round of applause was heard for Katherine.

"I'll find him, but... " Elena spoke just as April started to descend the stairs.

I sighed. "April's about to get abandoned,"

Matt stepped up. "I got this,"

Elena nodded. "Okay," Matt walked away.

"And finally, we have a last minute entry, April Young accompanied by Jeremy Gilbert," April continued to walk down the steps but stopped and looked around for Jeremy. Caroline also looked around for Jeremy but kept a large smile on her face. Matt walked up to where the escorts were lined up and held out his arm for April. Everyone applauded and April breathed a sigh of relief. She walked down the remainder of the stairs with a smile and took Matt's arm. They exchanged words before April giggled at something Matt said.

Caroline continued to look around, worried, but stopped and smiled. April and Matt walked to the dance floor and faced each other.

The girls and their escorts bow to each other and began the dance. Elena and I were still looking around for Jeremy but she got distracted by Damon. I grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the crowd. Caroline was almost immediately by us as I called Jeremy's phone. "Hey, what's with the last minute escort change? Where is Jeremy?" Caroline asked.

"I'm calling him right now," I said, biting my thumbnail and Damon walked up to us. "He's not picking up."

"Do the math. Emo teen, open bar, it's fine," Damon said.

Elena looked over at him. "Matt said that Jeremy's been having nightmares about killing vampires and he's been hiding it from me,"

Caroline had a surprised and worried look while Damon shrugged it off. "Relax, I'm sure he's fine,"

Elena spoke before I could. "I don't know. I have a bad feeling,"

Damon placed a hand on her shoulder. "If I'm not worried, you shouldn't be worried. Let it go. I'll go look for him,"

Elena smiled. "Okay," Damon walked away.

Caroline looked over at us. "Okay, you two go home, I'm gonna start asking around here,"

"Maybe Damon's right. Maybe he grabbed a bottle from the bar and snuck off to the woods,"

I gave Elena a shocked look. Jeremy would have never ignored my calls, drunk or sober. Caroline folded her arms. "No, Damon is never right. Damon is sneaky and manipulative and rude, but he's never right. How can you not see that?"

"I don't know, but why do I think that you won't hesitate to tell me?"

"Fine, friend-tervention," She took a step closer to Elena. "I think your so called 'feelings' for Damon are really starting to cloud your judgment and I don't like it."

Klaus walked over to us and stood in between Caroline and I, placing his hand on my lower back. Caroline continued her rant. "And the thought of you two together really makes me want to barf."

"Easy, love, you're making a scene," Klaus said to her and I shot him a look. He didn't need to get involved in a girl fight that had Caroline as a participant.

"Wow, Caroline, thank you for making this very difficult time so much easier," Elena snapped and walked away. Caroline just stood there with a blank look on her face.

"How did I become the bad guy?" She questioned.

I didn't say a word and walked away. I walked away from the pageant and to a secluded part of the backyard that was surrounded by bushes and had a single stone bench in the middle. I went over and took a seat, putting my head in my hands.

This new drama with Elena and the Salvatores reminded me of Elijah. I didn't forget him by any means, I couldn't even if I tried, but the pain of letting him go had subsided. With everything now resolved between Klaus and I, I knew that he would begin to pursue me again. I also knew it wasn't fair to be with Klaus when I still felt something for Elijah. Elijah's lips against mine still was branded in my mind.

I shouldn't have allowed myself to get close to either of them. I shouldn't have allowed myself to care for either of them. But I do, and I can't change that, but I can decide who I need before I get into all the junk that Elena was in. Besides, I had been on the other side with Damon and knew what it felt like to be dumped.

What am I even saying? Elijah left town. I made him leave because I knew I couldn't have him daggered or killed. Kol was daggered because of me, and all because I wanted to check up on Rebekah.

"Andy?"

I looked up to see Klaus walking over to me. "Oh, hey," I murmured, looking down at the phone in my hands. I sent out another text to Jeremy before looking back up at him.

"Mind if I join you?"

"I suspect even if I say no you will,"

"You would be correct,"

I softly laughed and scooted over to make room for him. I noticed he had sparkling cider and two glasses in his hands as he sat down. "Would you like a drink?" He asked.

"Even though it's not alcohol, yes," I exhaled as I ran my fingers over the scabs on the puncture holes in my neck. He opened the bottle and poured some into a glass before handing it to me. "You know, I only let Kol feed from me because I was angry at you, so it wasn't like he forced himself on me."

"You've never offered me that,"

I shrugged as I took a sip of the drink. Swallowing I looked over at him and studied him carefully. The way his blue eyes shined in the light and seemed to light up when he caught me looking at him created butterflies in my stomach. He was just so handsome. "What?" He asked as he caught me staring.

"Do you think I could convince you to take the daggers out of your siblings?"

"No," He instantly looked away from me.

"I guessed as much, but it never hurts to ask," I looked down into the glass. "I feel so drained, mentally and physically. Honestly I don't know why I'm here... "

"If you hadn't had come, I would've been all alone,"

"Well, it wouldn't be the first time," I downed the rest of my drink. "Would you ever take it?"

"Take what?" He inquired as I handed the glass back to him.

"The cute? For vampirism?" Our gazes locked and there was a long moment before he answered, though it wasn't really a answer.

"Now, why would I want to cure myself of being the most powerful creature on the planet? Hm?" He smirked at me, but I wasn't satisfied.

I put my palm his cheek and raised an eyebrow. "Can you feel this? The warmth, I mean?"

"Yes,"

Slowly I nodded, but still leaned in closer to him until our faces were a couple of inches apart. "You've lived a thousand years... and there's not been one single moment in your whole life that you wanted to be human? That you wanted to hear your stomach growl because you were hungry? That you wanted to get a minor injury, and it not heal within a minute? That you wanted to feel your heart beating in your chest?" I leaned towards his ear. "That when you tasted blood, it tasted like lead instead of the best thing ever?" When I pulled back, I saw I had struck a cord with him. I removed my hand from his face and leaned back.

"I think we better get back, they'll be announcing the winner soon," I said with a small smile as I stood and strode back to the party.

April Young ended up winning and Caroline was placing the tiara on her head when Matt walked over to where I stood with Klaus. "Jeremy's here," He stated in a low voice, his eyes darting to Klaus.

"Where?" I roughly grabbed Matt's arm.

"He's in the house... Elena just went after him," I took off, quickly maneuvering through the crowds to reach them before anything happened. By the time I got into the house, something already had.

Elena had a stake in her neck and was sputtering like a fool while Jeremy was kneeled in front of her, about to finish her off. "No, Jeremy!" I said, stopping a few feet away from him.

"Get out of here, Andy,"

"Jeremy, that's our sister. You don't want to hurt her," I gently spoke as I moved towards them. "It's that stupid mark on your arm." My heart was racing with every word I spoke. What if I couldn't save her?

"Shut up, Andy!"

"Jeremy, look at me!" I demanded as I kneeled beside of him. Slowly he turned to look at me, though the stake still hovered over Elena's heart. "I'm human and I'm telling you not to hurt her. I'm telling you that you're going to have to kill me first, and I know you want to protect me."

Jeremy stared at me a moment and I slowly wrapped my hand around the stake. As I started to pull away, he shoved me back onto the ground with force. Instantly I was caught by a pair of arms.

Looking up, I saw Stefan pinning Jeremy against the wall. "Get him out of here, Matt!" He instructed before pushing Jeremy over to Matt who had just entered. Matt grabbed Jeremy and pulled him out of the room.

I was pulled up to my feet and turned my head to see Klaus. He pulled me to his side and walked us out of the house to the party. "Can I have a moment?" I asked, my breathing hitching. He pulled me to the side and leaned me against a tree. I got my breathing control after a few moments went by and sunk to the ground. I put my head against my knees and wrapped my arms tightly around myself. "I-I think I'm going to pass out."

I felt a hand on my shoulder. His voice was above my head. "I never answered your question,"

I exhaled. "About what?"

"About if I ever thought about being human,"

I looked up at him, his face was an inch from me. His hot breath hit mine and fingers curled around my shoulder. "Have you?" I murmured.

"Once, I was on a trek in the Andes-" He smiled at me. "-and a hummingbird flew up to me. It just hovered there, staring at me, its tiny heart was pattering like a machine gun, like yours does at times. Anyways, I thought, what a thing, you know, to have to work that hard every day just to stay alive. To be constantly on the verge of death and how satisfying every day must be it survived. And that was the only time I thought about being human."

I smiled and grabbed his hands. "You're a real cheeseball, you know that, right?" We laughed together for a moment before I lightly kissed his knuckles. "But you're my cheeseball."

He raised an eyebrow and smirked. "So now I'm yours?"

"Well, I am the only one in town who can stand to be near you for more than five minutes," I turned his hands over in mine and ran my thumb in circles in his palms.

He chuckled and stared at me a long moment before speaking again. "You kissed me before, at the school when we were supposed to be taking Alaric down,"

I looked down at my knees. "I did,"

"Where are we at?"

"We're at a point where I don't know what we are," I carefully said. "And where I don't know if I want to know where we are."

He exhaled, his hand going to my cheek. "This is about a certain brother of mine, isn't it?"

Reluctantly I nodded and looked back up at him. "Klaus, Elijah is my rock, or at least he was. I made him leave town so he wouldn't get hurt by my family and friends or you. I miss him terribly. I miss Kol and Rebekah, too. I just... I just don't know what I want. I need to know for sure what I want before I get with anyone."

"Well, I'll be here, constantly pursuing you," He gave me a toothy smile and I sighed, lowering my head. "Would I be out of line to ask you to come live with me?"

My head snapped back up to him. "Entirely,"

"It would for protection, love," He touched one of my brown curls. "With your brother's seemingly obsessive hunter nature to kill vampires, I don't quite trust you staying in the same house as him."

"He's my brother, Klaus, and I'm human. There's no way he'd hurt me," I immediately regretted saying that last part.

"As I recall, he shoved you not even ten minutes ago. I'm doing this because I don't trust the Salvatores to protect you and Elena so I want to protect you myself."

"It has to do nothing with the fact you're trying to persuade me to choose you?"

A smirk rose up on his lips. "It might have to do with that a little bit,"

"I figured," I couldn't help but laughing. Exhaling, I decided to give into the man. It couldn't hurt, right? "I want to check up on Jeremy first and then we'll get my things, okay?" I said as I stood to my feet.

Klaus grabbed my hand and started leading me away. What had I gotten myself into this time? I felt as if I was digging my grave deeper and deeper with him.

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The End of Chapter XLVII