Chapter Twenty Four: All I Need
"Can you still see the heart of me
All my agony fades away
When you hold me in your embrace
Don't tear me down
For all I need
Make my heart a better place
Give me something I can believe…"
Ooo0ooO
(Annabelle's POV)
Klaus fell into an exhausted sleep around midnight, long after I arrived at the front door. He stretched across the couch, his head resting in my lap. I played with his hair and every now and then, he murmured something, which to me sounded like approval.
I looked down at him and traced his brow lightly with my forefinger. All the serious lines were smoothed away and his breathing was deep, soothing in the silence.
"I know you're going to wake up and want to go on a killing rampage," I said to him softly. "I just wish you wouldn't."
Gently, I eased from the couch, resting Klaus on a pillow. His brow furrowed and I smiled, kissing him softly.
"I'm still here," I whispered. I looked over at his poor brother's body. I walked over cautiously, half expecting its eyes to snap in my direction.
Kol was gray and black, his clothes burnt. I crouched down next to him, ignoring the smells, and sighed. I touched the corpses' cheek, shivering at how cold it was. Kol's hazel eyes stared fixed at the ceiling.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I wish this hadn't happened to you." As gently as possible, I brushed a hand over his eyes, closing them.
"Rest in peace, Kol."
Ooo0ooO
(Charlie's POV)
I decided to go out for a drink while I waited for my sister to get back to me. I headed into town and spotted a restaurant called "The Grill".
"Well, they don't win points for originality," I said to myself, chuckling.
When I walked in, I was hit by the smell of burgers, beer and people. I looked around and headed for the bar.
Sliding into a stool, I ordered a whiskey, neat.
I glanced up at the TV perched above the bar, which was showing a football game.
Someone sat down next to me but I didn't pay attention to them.
"Bourbon," the man said. I cast a casual glance in his direction and saw he was staring at me with ice blue eyes.
"Help you?" I asked easily, raising a brow. The man's eyes narrowed.
"Sorry, you just look like someone I…know," he replied. I made a noise of acknowledgment, turning my attention back to the game.
"You a big football guy?" the black haired man asked. I shrugged.
"Sort of. You?"
"Oh yeah. I practically invented the game," he replied. I snorted, amused. Looking back at him, I stuck out my hand.
"Charlie Davis," I said. The man shook my hand and it took every ounce of willpower not to stiffen or snarl.
"Damon Salvatore." I dropped his hand and took a sip of whiskey to control myself.
Damon cocked his head to the side. "Any relation to Annabelle Davis?" my gaze snapped back to him.
How did my sister know this vampire?
"Sister," I stated. Damon lifted his brows and nodded, drinking his bourbon.
"Figured. You guys look freakishly alike."
"That usually happens with siblings." Damon lolled his head in my direction.
"You'd be surprised," he said. He leaned in closer. "My brother and I look nothing alike." Then he smirked. "I stole his good looks." I snorted again.
"Yeah sure, buddy," I replied with amusement. Damon leaned in again.
"So are you a werewolf too?"
Ooo0ooO
(Klaus's POV)
I woke up to Annabelle's voice, quietly murmuring.
"Rest in peace, Kol," she whispered. My eyes widened a little.
I flinched when I felt her hand touch my shoulder. I rolled a little to look up at her. Her eyes were dark and sooty, filled with sad tears.
"Hey there," she said thickly. I flashed up so I was standing next to her. She looked at me, then at my brother, then back at me.
"Klaus, I…" she trailed off before more tears trickled down her cheeks. "I don't even know what to say to you."
I myself was at a loss for words, so I wrapped my arms around her, resting my cheek against her hair as she buried her face in my chest.
"I need to tell you something," I said quietly. Anna leaned back and looked into my eyes. I lifted a hand and traced her cheek.
"Back in the woods, before you fainted, I…did something. Something I should not have done, especially to you. And I hope to God you can forgive me."
Annabelle's eyes held mine and I nearly broke down at the gentle look within their depths.
"I compelled you, Anna. I compelled you to forget."
Ooo0ooO
(Charlie's POV)
I looked at Damon sharply.
"Well I guess that's as much a secret as you being a vampire, right?" I asked sarcastically. Damon smirked again.
"No, Charlie, it's not," he said easily. "But the thing is every werewolf that comes into town ends up dead." He focused his gaze back on me. "Figured I should give you a fair warning."
"Gee thanks," I said blandly. Damon blinked at me in a weird way.
"You two really are alike." He scooped up his drink. "Creepy."
While he took a swig, I regarded him coolly. "Well, thanks. You can go now." Damon chuckled.
"Oh I don't think so. I'm going to keep my eye on you and your sister."
"Get near my sister and I'll make sure the next thing I sink my fangs into is you," I snapped, facing him. My wolf eyes flashed.
Damon lifted a brow nonchalantly. "Noted."
When I blinked, he was gone.
Ooo0ooO
(Annabelle's POV)
I blinked at Klaus, furrowing my brow.
"You compelled me?" I asked. I felt a twinge of hurt, of betrayal, which was smothered by anger. I took a deep breath to quell it.
"What did you make me forget?" I demanded. Klaus's eyes flickered and his mouth set itself in a grim line.
"I don't think now is the best time," he said flatly. His gaze fell down to his brother's burnt body. I looked at him with bewilderment.
"When is it going to be a good time, Klaus? When will you finally stop keeping all these secrets from me? Why do you keep shutting me out like this?"
Klaus shook his head. "It's the only-,"
"I swear, Klaus, if you say it's the only thing I know, I will punch you," I hissed. I planted my feet firmly and glared up at him. "Now tell me the truth."
"I'm scared." I froze at his silent words and stared at him with huge eyes.
"Excuse me?" I breathed.
"You heard me," he said softly. His eyes focused on me, deep and blue, begging me to understand.
"I have already lost two of my brothers. My mother and father have both tried to kill me, as well as thousands of other vampires and supernatural beings. I have spent my entire existence running. Now, I have a way to stop running."
"Hybrids?" I asked bleakly. Klaus shook his head.
"No. The cure. If I get a hold of it-,"
"Klaus," I sighed, closing my eyes. "Enough."
"Anna-,"
"No!" My eyes snapped open, burning like a gold fire. "Don't you see? This anger, this need to be feared you have inside of you will kill everyone you care about as well as yourself! Haven't enough dead for you?" I cried. I threw my arm out towards Kol's dead body. "Your brother is dead, Klaus and all you want to do is plan revenge?"
I closed my eyes and willed myself to find some strength.
"Klaus, if you continue down this path you're going to lose." My eyes opened, back to cool gray. "Are you willing to risk Rebekah's life?"
Klaus stiffened and opened his mouth but I shook my head.
"Are you willing to risk my life?" I asked quietly, softly. Klaus's face twisted in agony, his eyes darkening dramatically.
"Never," he growled. I cocked my head to the side.
"Then prove it. Give up this horrible dream of yours. Stop hurting people before you are completely alone."
"Annabelle," Klaus moaned, looking at me with a torn expression.
"This has never been my choice to make. This has been yours, and it's time to choose. You must choose," I said. Klaus winced at his own words.
"I don't want to lose you," he said.
"I know, Klaus. Trust me when I say I do. But you need to figure out what's more important to you- this plan or your family. Rebekah might hate you right now but she's still your sister and God, she loves you. I know because she looks at you like I know I look at Charlie."
I rubbed a hand over my eyes before sighing. "Put her before me, Klaus. You can't lose her either. Family should always come first and you know it."
Knowing it would hurt like it always does, I stepped away from him. "When you're ready to make your choice, let me know. The first step will be to tell me the truth about what you made me forget. We can go from there."
"Don't go," he whispered. I looked at him sadly.
"I'm not, not really," I said gently. I lifted my wrist, which was still stained with the blue lines of the soul bond.
"I'll be with you this way," I murmured. "I just need to make sure my own brother is okay." Klaus lifted a hand as if to stop me but it fell limply by his side.
"Choose," I requested with a note of finality in my voice.
Turning, I opened the back door and slipped away into the night.
Ooo0ooO
(Charlie's POV)
I left the Grill and headed back to the motel. When I opened the door, I saw Anna sitting on my bed, her eyes unfocused and staring blankly at the wall.
"Anna?" I asked. Her gaze focused on me, a weird mix of sadness, relief and hurt. "Is everything okay? Klaus…?"
"His brother's dead," she said solemnly.
"That Kol guy?" I asked, eyes wide. "How?"
"He was staked by the one weapon that could kill an Original Vampire," she replied, shaking her head. "And Klaus… He's so torn up about it. You'd never know by looking at him but his eyes…"
Her gray eyes looked into mine. "His eyes say another story."
Walking towards the bed, I sat next to her. "Is that all that happened?" Anna gave a pained laugh.
"No," she admitted. "He told me about him compelling me. He didn't get to the reason why or what he said but it's just so…"
"Complicated?" I finished. Her lips twisted a little.
"Yeah," she sighed. She stood up slowly and crossed her arms over her middle. I noticed the outline of her ribs and hipbones, still so obvious under her clothes.
"Anna, you need to get better," I murmured. She looked at me and glanced down.
"I know," she muttered, shoving at her hair. "I'll make something to eat back at Elena's." I nodded.
"Just be safe, okay?" I asked, standing up. Anna chuckled and hugged me tight.
"Always," she replied. When she let me go, I watched my baby sister walk away into the night.
Sighing with worry, I flopped down on the bed and settled in for a restless night.
Ooo0ooO
(Klaus's POV)
Annabelle returned to the house an hour later.
I was standing in the living room, staring out towards the front window. I turned at the sound of the door opening. Anna gave me a small smile as she closed it behind her.
"Hi," she said. I swore I felt my heart roll in my chest. She was so beautiful, even with no makeup on and hair not brushed.
"Hello love," I answered in a low voice. Her lips curved but it didn't reach her eyes. She stopped in front of me and looked up at me.
"I'm going to eat then I'm going to freshen up," she told me before sliding past me. I reached out and took her arm gently. She turned back to face me, her eyes holding her question.
"Sweetheart," I said simply. "I need to tell you what I made you forget." Anna's eyes went dark and wary.
"Klaus, please, I want you to tell me too but I need to eat." I felt a flash of disappointment but knew she was right. I nodded and dropped her arm.
Anna moved into the kitchen and began cooking up chicken with steamed vegetables. She ate quickly and quietly, her facial expressions changing as she worked out whatever thoughts were buzzing through her mind.
Once she was done, she gave a little content sigh. Then, glancing at my brother's corpse, that sigh changed into a sound of distress.
Anna opened a cabinet door and pulled out a large green tablecloth, and to my surprise, draped it over my brother. My eyes filled with sudden tears and I clenched my jaw to control the rush of emotions that were burning through me.
"Thank you," I whispered. Anna's eyes shot up and met mine. She stood slowly and nodded.
"I'm going to shower real fast, then we can talk, okay?" I nodded, eyes drifting back to Kol.
"Klaus?" I looked up and saw Annabelle standing at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes full of understanding.
"Don't stand and stare forever," she said softly. "He's in a better place."
I shuddered a little. "We can only hope so." Anna gazed at me for a second before walking up the stairs.
After a few minutes, the sounds of a shower started overhead and I kept my gaze fixed on the corpse lying in the kitchen.
Suddenly, the front door opened and my whole body went rigid as the scent of Tyler Lockwood washed in. The arrogant teen walked in and eyed me before leaning against a wall somewhere behind me.
"Morning, sunshine. You look pathetic," he said. Anger rolled through me like thunder clouds.
"Only Bonnie's spell locking me in here wears off. Then I'll look different." I turned to face him. "Angrier perhaps. Or I won't look like anything because I'll have gouged your eyeballs from their sockets." I heard my voice, dead and flat.
"My friend's will be back with the cure by then. Hm? So I could shove it down your throat and make you mortal."
"I'm an Original. What makes you think my entire vampire bloodline won't be cured along with me? I.e. you," I reminded him.
"You know what I think?" He shifted from the wall to face off in front of me. "I think that's impossible. I think the moment you stop being a vampire, our whole blood connection to you is broken and your sire line ceases to exist. So whatever happens to you, happens only to you. Which means I can kill your ass and no one else has to die. Although I am still debating just how to do it…"
I flashed forward so we were toe to toe. Anger bubbled through me, growing darker and darker by the moment.
"I'd recommend drowning. There's nothing quite like the feeling of someone fighting for something as basic as human breath. And let me tell you, your mother was a fighter."
Then Caroline opened the front door. Tyler moved into the kitchen and began pouring himself a drink.
"You're still here? What are you doing?" she hissed at Tyler.
"Gloating."
"Hello Caroline," I said flatly. She looked at me then back at Tyler.
"Come home. Don't stoop to his level," she beseeched.
"He destroyed my life. I plan on being present for every second of his misery until I can kill him myself." He raised his glass in toast at me.
"Fine. You can gloat and multitask, this place is a disaster. Starting with the horrific burnt corpse." She glanced down at Kol and raised a thin brow at me. "Is she here? That werewolf girlfriend of yours?"
"She is," I replied. Caroline wrinkled her nose.
"Tyler's mother is dead. So is my brother. We're even." Tyler sighed and gave me a dirty look. "Call Bonnie. Get her to let him out of here."
"I will never ever help you," Caroline snapped.
"How quickly you forget the part where I saved Tyler from the misery of being a werewolf. Or the night your mother invited me into her home to save the life of her precious daughter."
"How delusional are you? You killed his mother. Let's not forget that we're standing in the house where Elena's aunt Jenna used to live. Or did you think that your charm would make us forget how you killed her too? You- you know what?" Caroline looked at me in exasperation. "No. I'm not going to engage in this I- you are not even worth the calories I burn talking to you."
My temper snapped. I grabbed the tall room lamp and shoved it through Caroline's abdomen. She gave a breathless gasp.
"No!" Tyler shouted. Caroline teetered and fell in my arms and I bit down on her shoulder before letting her body slid to the floor.
"Now that was definitely worth the calories," I said easily.
In a whirlwind of brown and pink, Annabelle was suddenly in between myself and Tyler, snarling viciously.
"What is going on down here?" she growled.
Ooo0ooO
(Annabelle's POV)
Standing under the hot spray of the shower, I closed my eyes and let the heat soak into my bones.
I had to admit that I felt a little weird standing naked in Elena Gilbert's shower- the girl who was set on killing my mate.
Sighing, I stepped out and changed back into the clothes I had been wearing. The soft rose sweater clung gently to me but the jeans were a little baggy. Biting my lip, I slid on my shoes and began brushing my wet hair.
Then I heard voices coming from downstairs. I froze and listened closely but growling loudly. I threw down the brush and flashed to the top of the stairs.
Clear as day, I heard Caroline and Tyler talking to Klaus from the kitchen. Snarls erupted from my chest and every instinct told me to go down and protect Klaus.
Flinging myself down the sitars, I flashed into the living room where Caroline was now lying on the floor and Tyler was glaring at Klaus furiously.
"What is going on down here?" I snapped, baring my fangs at Tyler.
I stalked up to Tyler, eyes flashing gold, growls still rumbling in my throat. The smaller Hybrid stepped back, eyeing me with his dark eyes.
"Why don't you ask your boyfriend? He's the one that just attacked and bit Caroline," Tyler said angrily. I felt my claws sink out of my nail beds as I tried to get a grip on my anger.
"Very mature," I spat. "And I suppose you didn't egg him on at all, huh?" Tyler's eyes flashed and I growled sharply.
"I don't think so, buddy," I said softly. Tyler stiffened and stepped forward again.
"What are you going to do? You're just a bag of bones, you can't take me on." I barely blinked when I heard Klaus's chilling snarl and the sound of him flinging himself against the invisible barrier.
"You would be surprised what I can do when a pup pisses me off," I warned. Tyler's hand flashed out but I snagged it before it could touch me. I tightened my grip and he let out a soft grunt. His eyes met mine and I knew mine hadn't cooled off.
"You might be an Alpha too, Tyler Lockwood, but we all know the female Alpha is the one wolf you don't mess with," I snarled, crushing his wrist further.
"Annabelle," Klaus called. I clenched my jaw briefly and released a breath before dropping Tyler's arm. I felt smug satisfaction when he rubbed it a little.
Caroline came to with a loud gasp and I immediately could smell the panic rolling off her in waves.
"Oh my God," she said frantically, moving away from Klaus with large eyes. Tyler shoved past me and picked the blonde vampire up to move to the couch in the sitting room, away from Klaus's reach.
I moved so I could stand by him and he ran a hand down my hair gently. I looked up at him and felt myself relax a little. His eyes were dark and serious but from the warmth in my tattooed wrist, I knew he was sending waves of reassurance in me.
"Oh my God," Caroline repeated.
"Hey, look at me. I can fix this," Tyler said.
"How? The only thing that can heal me is his blood!" Caroline said hysterically.
I saw Klaus's tiny smirk and gave him a scolding look.
"Klaus," I hissed quietly. His features smoothed out but I saw the glint in his eyes, which I didn't find comforting.
"Oh my God, oh my God."
"I know, I'll fix it" Tyler looked at Klaus. "She'll die if you don't heal her."
"Okay," Klaus replied. He bit down on his wrist and held it out, almost mockingly. "Beg me to save her life."
My eyes widened at Klaus. "Klaus! Just because she's a little bitch doesn't mean she has to die!" I snapped. Tyler cut me off from going further.
"Is this what you want? To remind me that I'm powerless against you? Fine. You win. I'm nothing. Now save her. Please."
"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that," Klaus said indifferently. I snatched Klaus's arm and dug my nails in.
"Klaus!" I said harshly.
"Please," Tyler begged.
"Please…" A mocking little smile spread over Klaus's face and I growled at him. He sent me a look and I glared.
"Please. Save. Her life."
"See now I think you're just telling me what I want to hear. I mean you did call me pathetic earlier. And wouldn't it be more pathetic of me to help now, knowing that hours ago you announced your plan to kill me in a matter of which you're still debating because you want it to have a certain amount of flair. I'm just asking," Klaus said quietly. I gasped and whirled to stare at Tyler.
"I'll be your slave again." Tyler's black eyes filled with miserable tears. "I'll do whatever you want. Just help her."
"No," Caroline said suddenly, her voice blank as her face. She sat up weakly.
"Get me out of here. I can't even look at him," she said to Tyler. Tyler obeyed and scooped her off the couch before carrying her out of the house.
The second they were gone, I turned on Klaus and jabbed a finger into his chest.
"You," I said furiously. "What kind of sick, twisted pleasure are you getting out of this?"
"Annabelle," Klaus snapped. "They both want me dead."
"And you're playing right into their games! You're letting them manipulate you, letting them get under your skin! They know if they get you angry enough, you'll kill someone and then they'll use that against you!"
"What else am I suppose to do?" Klaus demanded, eyes burning gold. "Am I suppose to let them kill me?" I stepped forward, unafraid, and took his face into my hands.
"No," I said quietly. "You're supposed to do the right thing."
"What is that, love?" Klaus murmured. "What could I possibly do?" I rubbed a thumb along his cheek and his eyes melted back to blue.
"Stop being the monster I know you're not," I said simply. Klaus's midnight gaze locked onto mine.
"Be with me," I whispered. "Get away from all of this. Start fresh." I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my face into his neck. His arms went around my waist and he shuddered a little.
"Start a new life with me," I said softly. His arms tightened and he buried his face into the crook of my neck.
"There is nothing I would rather do," Klaus whispered. I pulled away to look at him, feeling sadness pull at my heart.
"Please don't say you can't. You can. You just have to take the first step."
Ooo0ooO
(Klaus's POV)
I didn't reply to Annabelle right away. Her gray eyes looked so shattered, so tired and so unhappy.
Eventually, she shook her head and curled into one of the leather chairs in the living room. Her eyes held mine before they drifted shut and she dozed.
A while later, the front door opened again and Tyler carried Caroline back into the living room. Annabelle stirred and stiffened as she watched Tyler with a mix of wariness and fury.
Tyler laid Caroline down on the wooden floor, like some sort of virginal sacrifice.
"You wanna be in control Klaus? Here. Now you get to be in control over a life. If you want her to die, fine. But then you can sit here and watch her die yourself."
Tyler then left and I saw Caroline focused her green eyes on me.
"Nothing personal, Caroline, but if I kill you that means victory for him. Don't worry, it won't be long now," I said to her. Annabelle then stood up and shoved me aside.
"For God's sake, Klaus," she sighed angrily. She crouched next to Caroline and gave her a hesitant smile.
"Hey," Anna said softly. "I know it hurts but do you think you can at least move to the couch?" Caroline tried to move but winced in pain. Annabelle helped her up and led her to the couch, where Caroline laid down.
To my surprise, Annabelle sat beside her and held Caroline's hand.
"I know we didn't get off to the best start," Anna said. "But I at least have better manners then my mate over there."
"Mate?" Caroline whispered. Anna nodded and shot me a glare. I shifted on my feet, unsure of what to do.
"Yes, he's mine, in every way possible. See this?" Anna asked, gesturing to her lined wrist. Caroline nodded. "This is a symbol of the soul bond we share. We are wolf mates."
Caroline studied the marks then looked her at me. Her eyes trailed down to my own wrist and she blinked. My eyes slid back to Annabelle and I watched her quietly.
Her hair was curling softly, still a little wet from her shower. Her eyes were full of patient kindness and she held Caroline's pale hand.
"I think," Caroline was saying, breaking me out of my thoughts, "He cares a lot about you." She drew in a weak breath. "But he won't tell you."
Annabelle's gaze, still full of patience, looked at me and she smiled a little.
"No," she said. "But I know." Caroline gave a weak laugh, which sounded like a wheeze.
"No I don't think you do," she murmured. Anna looked down at the vampire curiously but didn't say anything. Caroline's eyes looked back at me.
"If you don't feed me your blood, I'll die," she said in a raspy voice.
"Then you'll die." Annabelle gasped. "
And Tyler would have learned his lesson in the hard way," I said coldly.
"Klaus," Anna breathed, "How could you be so heartless?" Caroline interrupted her.
"How could you do this to him? To his mom? To her?" Her green gaze looked at Annabelle, who paled a little before focusing back on me.
"I'm a thousand years old. Call it boredom," I said quietly. I saw Annabelle's jaw clenched and she shook her head a little.
"I don't believe you," Caroline whispered.
"Me neither," Anna said. Her gray eyes were bright with shock.
Guilt swamped me and I shoved it aside. "Fine. Then maybe it's because I'm pure evil. And I can't help myself."
Again, Annabelle shook her head.
"No," they said in unison.
"It's because you're hurt," Caroline continued. "Which means that there's a part of you that is human."
I nearly staggered as Annabelle's own words came out of her mouth. I walked forward and stared down at her.
"How could you possibly think that?" I asked. Annabelle looked up at me.
"Because it's true," she murmured. Caroline nodded.
"Because I've seen it. Because I've caught myself wishing that I could forget all the horrible things you have done," Caroline explained between raspy breaths.
"But you can't…can you?" I asked quietly.
"I know that you're in love with Annabelle." Anna's body jerked and she paled further. She stared at Caroline in shock.
"And anybody capable of love is capable of being saved," Caroline said gently. Tears welled in my eyes, ones that copied the ones flowing down Annabelle's cheeks.
How could these two women see through me so easily?
How could they believe someone like me could be saved, even after all the awful things I've done?
"You're hallucinating," I muttered weakly. Caroline laughed weakly.
"I guess I'll never know," she whispered. She made a strange hiccupping sound.
"Caroline?" Annabelle breathed, shaking her. Caroline became whiter and whiter as her body jerked a little.
Finally Annabelle looked up at me desperately.
"Save her," Anna whispered. I nodded and Anna moved to the side a little so I could crouch next to Caroline. I bit into my wrist and held it to her pale lips.
Caroline began drinking my blood and I heard Annabelle's small breath of relief.
Ooo0ooO
(Annabelle's POV)
When Caroline took enough of Klaus's blood, he rested her head gently back onto the couch pillow. His eyes met mine hesitantly.
"Sweetheart?" he asked. I saw the dried tears on his cheek.
"Is it true?" I asked. Those midnight eyes darkened.
I stepped away a little and let out a small sob. Tears began pouring even faster.
"Is that what you made me forget?" I cried. "That you told me you loved me?" Klaus stood up and held a hand towards me.
"Annabelle, please," he breathed. I shook my head.
"How could you?" I demanded, looking at him with slumped shoulders. Klaus gave me a pained look.
"I… Because I believed…"
"What?" Klaus turned his back to me and walked a few steps away from me.
"I was afraid you didn't love me in return."
Pure, utter shock seeped into my veins. To my surprise, I laughed in disbelief. Klaus stiffened.
"You stupid, clueless idiot," I muttered. Within a second, I was in front of him, glaring into his blue eyes.
"Of course I love you," I said firmly. Klaus released a choked breath and stared at me with wide eyes.
At saying those, I felt a trickle of relief through me. At last it was out in the open and he finally knew. Even with his brother's corpse a few feet away, a healing vampire on the couch and the world against him, he knew the truth.
It wasn't perfect, it definitely wasn't how I pictured it to happened, but these things happen unexpectedly- or at least that's what I heard.
And by the look his eyes, the wonder, the hope, joy and love, I knew that this moment was as perfect as it was imperfect.
"Annabelle," Klaus said softly. "I love you so much."
Without any hesitation, I went into his arms. His lips met mine in a pure, gentle kiss, one that filled me with happiness and more importantly, hope. Hope that we would be able to make it through this war together, hope that we had a future together.
Klaus still has a lot of flaws, a lot of issues and a lot to work on within himself. I trusted he would be able to though. I knew he wasn't the monster everyone though he was, he was kind and good in his heart.
And I would show him that. I would remind him that he was still the Klaus I fell in love with.
We pulled apart and I smiled, resting a hand against his cheek.
No other words were said that night, since time seemed to escape us as we stared into each other's eyes.
Nothing else mattered.
Ooo0ooO
Author's Note: Such a good episode! Of course, I had to change some things about it, like the scenes between Caroline and Klaus – which made me cry, by the way.
In all honesty, I wasn't planning on Annabelle and Klaus to admit their love for each other in this chapter… it just happened.
What did you guys think of it? Let me know!