Chapter Twenty: Two is Better Than One

"Maybe it's true, that I can't live without you

Maybe two is better than one

But there's so much time to figure out the rest of my life

And you've already got me coming undone…"

Ooo0ooO

The next morning, I went to the hospital to pick up Annabelle. She had insisted that I go home for the night, since she decided to stay in her brother's room.

I got out of my car and walked through the sliding doors. When I reached her room, I saw her sitting in the chair by the window, gazing outside. She turned to smile at me and I saw her gray eyes were smoky and filled with many thoughts.

"What are you brooding about, sweetheart?" I asked, leaning down to kiss her forehead. Annabelle sighed and shrugged.

"It's just funny, I suppose, thinking about how much my life has changed this year. It started out with me being a normal- or whatever you consider normal for a werewolf- then suddenly, I'm dreaming about this mysterious man." She smiled at me and continued, "I lose my brother, find said man, who ends up being my mate… then I get Charlie back." She shook her head and her curls brushed her cheeks lightly. "It's a lot to absorb."

I ran a hand down her hair, enjoying its silky softness. "Any regrets so far?" Annabelle looked up at me with a patient, knowing look.

"None," she stated firmly. I smiled and helped her to her feet so I could kiss her properly.

"Ugh. Are you guys going to be doing that a lot?"

Annabelle and I turned and saw Charlie leaning against the doorframe, watching us with a mix of mock disgust and humor. Anna laughed and walked over to him before kissing his cheek.

"What are you doing out of bed?" she demanded, placing her hands on her willow slim hips. I frowned, noticing her weight had gone down again slightly.

"I came to say goodbye to you since you're leaving today," Charlie was saying, which snapped me out of my thoughts.

"How are you doing?" I asked casually. Charlie shifted his gaze to me, eyeing me with cool gray eyes.

"Better. I guess I have you to thank for that," he answered, giving me a small smile. I shrugged and leaned against the far wall.

"No thanks necessary," I said. Annabelle rolled her eyes at me.

"He must like you, Charlie. He's usually not the modest type," she said sarcastically. I raised a brow at her back and Charlie grinned.

"Annabelle," I warned quietly, shaking my head. She ignored me and took her brother's hand.

"Where are you going to stay when you get out of the hospital?" she asked, concern filling her voice. Charlie shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'll figure it out. Maybe I can stay with that sexy doctor." He gave me a good natured wink. I snorted. This man had a sense of humor that mirrored his sister's precisely. Annabelle shoved him slightly and he gave her an innocent smile.

"Seriously, Charlie," Annabelle sighed. She glared at me over her shoulder, her gray eyes dangerous. Unsure for a moment, I shifted on my feet.

"Charlie, you are more than welcome to stay at my home for as long as you need," I offered. Guessing by Annabelle's smile, I had said what she had wanted to me to say. I sighed inwardly.

She wolves.

Charlie looked over at me and he rolled his eyes. With some sort of male understanding, he nodded at me. Annabelle, oblivious, turned to wrap her arms around my waist. Leaning her head against my chest, she gave her brother a cheeky grin.

"And yes, Charles, you will have to deal with this and kissing. A lot of kissing." Charlie grimaced at her and took his leave quickly.

"Was that necessary?" I asked curiously. Annabelle looked up at me, her eyes dancing with mischief.

"Yes," she said, "It was. He still believes at times I'm his baby sister."

"You are, love," I reminded her. The intimate look she gave me under lashes was like a heated punch to the groin.

"I'm not little anymore. I can kiss whoever I want," she whispered before pressing her lips to mine. "Except I prefer you."

"And I you," I murmured before drawing her closer. I rubbed my lips over hers, enjoying the sweet flavor. Her teeth scraped against my bottom lip and I groaned. I heard her silent laughter and pulled away to nuzzle her neck.

"Let's go home," I insisted.

Ooo0ooO

When Klaus and I returned to the mansion, I went up to my room to take a shower. Standing under the hot water, I felt myself relax. Everything was now perfect.

Sighing, I adjusted the knobs so I could draw myself a bath. Filling up the water with rose scented bubbles, I sank under the water. I rubbed my throat, relieved to discover there was no scar. Trailing a hand down my side, I discovered the same went for my ribs. Absently, I traced my ribs, which were still obvious beneath my skin.

Klaus isn't going to be happy about that, I thought with an eye roll.

A knock sounded from the bathroom door before it opened. Klaus stepped into the room, his eyes warming when they met mine.

"You really have to learn to give a girl some privacy," I said, scowling. Klaus just rolled his eyes at me.

"I just received a call from Dr. Fell." I sat up quickly.

"What is it? Charlie? Is he okay?" I blurted out. Klaus walked over and sat down next to the tub, leaning his back against it. He gave me a reassuring smile.

"Everything is fine. He is leaving today," Klaus said. I released a deep breath and sank under the water again. Klaus absently traced my hand which rested on the edge of the tub.

"Is he going to stay here for sure?" I asked, leaning my head back and closing my eyes. Even with my eyes closed, I could sense Klaus's stare.

"Of course, darling." I smiled and turned my hand over to grip his.

"Thank you," I whispered, keeping my eyes closed. I head Klaus shift and his lips brushed over mine, while his other hand softly cupped my neck. I trembled when his thumb traced up and down slowly. I opened my eyes to stare into his. They were serious, dark, endless.

"I have something I need to take care of," he said. All traces of warmth drained from me and I resisted the urge to shiver. I recognized the look clouding Klaus's face.

"Klaus what are you going to do?" Klaus stood up and headed for the door. He paused with the door knob in his hand.

"I need you to trust me." Then he opened the door and left. I leaped from the tub and snagged a towel to dash after him.

"Klaus!" I called.

"Annabelle?" Looking down the stairs, I saw Charlie standing at the front door with a small suitcase in his hands.

"Charlie!" I said in shock.

"I took the liberty of calling a taxi for Charlie to bring him straight over." I whirled again and saw Klaus standing behind me. I glared at his amused look.

"Perhaps you should get dressed, sweetheart," he suggested, giving me a naughty smirk. Charlie cleared his throat loudly.

"Ah, yeah. Supernatural hearing down here," he called. I choked a little and rolled my eyes before dashing back into my room to change briefly. Not a minute later, I emerged in comfy jeans and a stylish t-shirt with matching flats. I yanked my hair into a sloppy ponytail and placed my hands on my hips when I saw Klaus was downstairs, murmuring to Charlie.

"What are you boys whispering about?" I asked casually. They turned and I thought I saw a brief flash of guilt flicker over both of their faces. I narrowed my eyes.

"What's going on?" I demanded. Klaus flashed up to me and took my hands, looking into my eyes.

"Do you trust me, Anna?" he asked. Furrowing my brow, I felt dread sink into my gut. I gripped his hands tightly, trying to understand.

"Of course I do. But Klaus, if you have to ask, there's a reason. What are you planning on doing?" Klaus's eyes remained steady and cool, unreadable.

"Please, sweetheart. Go take your brother down to the river." Impatience flashed through me, reflecting in the sharp gold glow in my eyes.

"Niklaus," I snapped. Suddenly, Charlie's hand landed on my shoulder and I snapped out of it, looking up at my brother. His calm gray eyes stared into mine and I felt myself relax under my brother's reassuring touch. I sighed and looked back at Klaus worriedly.

"Please." I said, "Be safe. Don't do anything reckless." Klaus shook his head.

"No promises." I stepped towards him but Charlie's hands clasped my shoulders tightly. Klaus looked into my eyes one last time and finally, I saw a flicker of regret in those midnight depths before he flashed away.

Tears welled up in my eyes. My brother's hands rubbed my shoulders soothingly.

"Come on," Charlie urged. "Let's go to this river I keep hearing about."

Giving in, I lead Charlie out of the mansion.

Ooo0ooO

I waited until Charlie got Annabelle out of the house before walking to one of the back rooms.

The coffins containing my staked family filled the smallish space and the air was quiet and cold. I opened one of the caskets and stared down at my gray-skinned sister.

"Hello, Rebekah," I murmured. I removed the dagger from her chest before walking to the coffin next to hers. I did the same thing to Kol.

"Time to wake up, brother."

A few moments later, they woke up.

"Niklaus," Rebekah hissed, glaring her baby blue eyes at me.

"Nik," Kol said, his tone sharp. His hazel eyes eyed me with a mix of wariness and anger.

"Now I know both of you are annoyed with me at the moment-,"

"Annoyed?" Rebekah laughed sarcastically. "Annoyed doesn't even begin to describe it." She walked over to stand in my face.

"You looked me in the eye and staked me. Again. How can you live with yourself?" she snarled.

"Why did you remove the daggers?" Kol asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He stood braced, feet apart.

"Because I need your help with something," I explained. Rebekah sneered.

"And why would we help you?" she demanded. I smiled slowly at her then at Kol.

"It has to do with the cure," I said simply.

Both of their eyes sharpened with interest.

"Tell us what you need us to do," Kol replied easily. I smiled approvingly at my little brother.

After briefing them on my plan, they went to their old rooms to change and prepare themselves.

"Nik, care to explain why the house smells like wolf?" Rebekah asked, turning her blue gaze to me.

"Got some potential Hybrids?" Kol asked, sounding curious. I shook my head.

"Guests," I stated. Rebekah and Kol exchanged confused looks.

"Guests?" they asked together. I nodded.

"I have two werewolves currently taking residence here. You two are not to hurt them, or I will hurt you," I said firmly, raising my brows at both of them.

"Why is that, Nik?" Kol asked, frowning. "Are they some sort of pets to you?" Flashing in front of him, I glared into his hazel eyes.

"Never call her that again."

"Her?" Rebekah interrupted. "Who's her?"

Right then, the front door flew open and Annabelle ran in.

"Klaus!"

Ooo0ooO

Charlie and I walked side by side into the forest. He inhaled deeply and grinned.

"Nothing like the smell of the woods, eh, Anna?" he sighed, nudging me. I smiled and nudged back.

When we reached the river, I stopped at the water's edge. I looked out past the water, past the woods, towards the sun that was slowly dipping towards the horizon.

I smiled and looked at Charlie. A small smile was spread across his face. I noticed a scar running across his cheek, which hadn't been there before.

"It's nice here," he commented, turning his gaze to me. I nodded and looked back to the sun.

"This is where I first met him. Klaus." I turned to Charlie again. "Are you okay… with everything? Me and him?"

Charlie considered that for a moment, drawing his eyebrows together.

"Yes and no," he admitted. I raised a brow.

"Wanna be more specific?" I asked. Charlie huffed.

"You're my sister. No guy will ever be good enough for you in my eyes. That's what Dad would have wanted me to say. I know, I know. I'm your brother and I'm not Dad. But I still think you should know." He looked down at me and wrapped his arm around my shoulder. "I love you. I promised you when you were little that I would always protect you. I'm going to keep good on my word this time. So…" He squeezed my shoulders. "If Klaus hurts you, in any way, I'll beat him up." I laughed and so did Charlie.

"I think I could take him," Charlie said, pouting a little. I giggled and elbowed him in the ribs lightly.

"Oh I'm sure," I replied sarcastically. Charlie shoved me and I shoved back. Laughing, I sat down on the grassy back and Charlie sat next to me.

"So what were you discussing while I was changing?" I asked. Charlie's demeanor changed. His stiffened and his laughter died, and his eyes cooled considerably.

"Charlie please tell me," I beseeched.

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Klaus asked me to keep you out of it." I glared at my brother. He wilted slightly, wincing.

"Charles," I hissed.

"Don't 'Charles' me," he whined. "You know I hate that."

"Charlie!" I snapped out of exasperation. Charlie's shoulders slumped.

"He's going to wake up two of his siblings, so they can help him while he makes sure that Jared kid or whoever completes that mark thing."

"Jeremy," I corrected quietly. I felt my heart pound in my ears and the blood run cold in my veins.

"Annabelle?" I stood up quickly and turned towards the direction of the mansion. Charlie caught me quickly.

"Anna, what are you going to do? You have to stay out of the way! Of whatever this is!" I shrugged him off.

"You don't understand!" I yelled. "This is so much bigger than just the mark, Charlie!" I started jogging and Charlie ran besides me then cut me off. I glared as he planted himself in my path.

"Well I don't know what going on," he said. "But all I know is Klaus is tangled in something bad and I'm sure as hell not going to let you get tangled with him." I stared at him.

"Charlie, get out of my way." Charlie shook his head.

"Charlie, move!" I lunged to the side and he nipped me by the waist and I struggled against his grasp.

"He's going to kill people! He needs me! Let me go!" I screamed. I untangled myself and without a second thought, shifted.

Sprinting towards the mansion, I heard Charlie in pursuit but I was faster and had a head start. Lunging up the mansion stairs, I shifted back and flung the door open.

"Klaus!" I shouted.

"Well, well, looks like we've got our answer." I looked up and saw Klaus standing with a beautiful blonde girl and a tall, handsome man. The girl flashed until she stood a foot away from me, assessing me with cool eyes that were shades lighter than Klaus's.

I stared back. "Rebekah," I said as calmly as I could. Glancing up briefly, I nodded at the brown haired man. "Kol."

"Aw," Rebekah said. "He told you about us. Isn't that adorable, Kol?"

"Indeed it is, little sister." I resisted the urge to flinch when I saw Kol standing besides me.

"Anna!" Hearing Charlie's voice, I turned and saw him running up the stairs. Kol flashed to cut him off at the door.

"And who would you be?" Kol asked, cocking his head to the side. Suddenly, Klaus was behind Kol, gripping his shoulder.

"Easy does it, Kol," Klaus scolded. "These are my guests."

"Guests?" Charlie and I asked together.

"You know, the lot of you have a knack for doing that," Klaus said, raising a brow.

"What is going on here?" I demanded, glaring at the three Mikaelson siblings. Rebekah looked at Klaus.

"Yes, brother. Why don't you tell—Annabelle, is it?—About your little plan," she said. I looked at Klaus and saw a conflict of emotions flee across his face.

"Rebekah, you and Kol just go do what needs to be done. I'll handle the rest," he ordered. Rebekah and Kol exchanged a glance then were gone.

"Klaus?" I asked quietly, turning to him. Klaus stepped up and cupped my face gently.

"Annabelle, you said you wouldn't run. Please promise me you'll keep your word." I grasped his hands and looked pleadingly into his eyes.

"Klaus, please, you can't ask me that when you're planning to run off to hurt more people. I want to help you. Please tell me how to do that," I begged. Klaus stepped forward and pressed his lips to my forehead.

"This is something I have to do," he murmured.

"Why?" I whispered. I dipped my head back to look at him. "Why is it so important?"

"I need that cure-,"

"Why?" I demanded louder. "So you can make more Hybrids? Is that all you can think about?"

"Of course not-,"

"It sure seems like it! How can you ask me to trust you when you do things like this? Go behind my back and plan to kill people, all for the sake of making people like you?"

"You don't understand-,"

"No I don't, Klaus! You know why? Because you don't tell me. Trust is earned and you have not given me any reason to trust you at the moment!" I cupped his face this time, desperately trying to filter my feelings to him.

"There's a war that's going to happen, Annabelle. I need these Hybrids on my side. I can use them to protect you. Don't you see? I need to protect you!" he shouted, throwing his arm out. I stepped back and felt tears prick my eyes again.

"Why do you keep doing this? Why do you keep going back to this…this dark person? This isn't you, Niklaus," I said, tears falling. I shook my head. "This isn't you."

"It is me!" he shouted louder, stepping forward. "This is what I am!" He looked at me and for a moment, I saw his eyes fill with immeasurable pain and self loathing.

"This is all I know," he whispered, stepping away from me. In that one movement, my heart cracked.

"That's a lie," I said slowly. "And you know it." Klaus stared at me for a long moment.

Before I could blink, he disappeared.

I collapsed on the marble floor, sobbing. I felt Charlie's arms go around me and I turned into his embrace. I felt pain and confusion tear away at my heart.

After a few minutes, I took deep breaths to calm myself down. I stood up and wiped away my tears.

"Charlie, there's something I need to do," I said.

"Need any help?" I shook my head.

"Stay here, in case he comes back. Be careful if Rebekah and Kol do. They aren't exactly pleased with Nik at the moment."

"I can't imagine why," Charlie replied dryly. Cracking an unsteady smile, I hugged my brother tightly.

"Be safe," he whispered in my ear.

"I'll be back," I answered. Pulling away, I ran out of the house. Leaping down the stairs, I shifted in mid air. Landing on four paws, I took off into the night towards Mystic Falls.

Ooo0ooO

Author's Note: Hello everyone! So did you all see tonight's episode?! What did you think?! I was seriously flipping out, big time. I'll update with the chapter that goes with the episode ASAP!

Let me know what you thought of this chapter!