Chapter 56

Lovefool

"Well, there was no one home at the Gilbert household," Klaus stated sounding very calm when he got in the car. "And the little witch or the history teacher is nowhere to be found… How strange."

Stefan seemed even tenser, if that was possible.

"Maybe Jeremy doesn't live here anymore, you killed his family, remember?"

Klaus ignored his comment and started the car, he was way past furious. There had to be some place he hadn't thought of yet… The Grill.

"Nik, I'm bored," Rebekah complained. "When are we going to kill someone? I need some action!"

"Patience, Bekah," Klaus replied. "I have a feeling that you might got what you want very soon."

His sister rolled her eyes and concentrated on her nails. Stefan tried to look calm but Klaus could easily pick up his nervousness. Worried about his brother perhaps? Or was it something else?

"Let's go," he said after stopping the car.

"You want us to come too?" Stefan asked trying to sound casual.

He definitely wanted that now.

"Yes, you two love birds can make out later."

All three of them got out and headed across the street towards the Grill. When they entered, Klaus scanned the place quickly, trying to see someone he might recognize. No such luck yet. Apparently Rebekah wanted to take a seat so he and Stefan followed her example, although Stefan kept glancing around him when he thought that Klaus wasn't watching. It seemed that he should definitely have a little chat with the ripper…

"Stefan?"

Klaus turned his head and saw a young waiter standing next to their table.

"Where have you been, man? Elena has been worried sick about you."

Klaus' eyes narrowed; there was terror on Stefan's face when he turned his gaze towards the younger vampire.

"Elena?"

"I can explain…" Stefan started desperately.

"Oh, no need." Klaus turned his gaze back towards the waiter. "Why don't you take a seat with us," he said smiling.

The waiter looked at him and Stefan alternatively.

"Thanks but I'm at work. What can I get you?"

Klaus grabbed the boy and made an eye contact.

"How about some information…" Dammit, vervain, the boy had it in his system. Did everyone in this damn town know about that?

"Bekah love," he said nodding briefly towards the boy.

"What are you…" he started before Rebekah moved behind him and wrapped her arm around his waist.

"We are leaving now, if you make a sound, my sister will break your spine and believe me, I'm not kidding. Do you understand?"

"What…" The boy flinched when Rebekah pressed his spine.

Apparently Stefan was about to flee but Klaus managed to make an eye contact.

"As for you, mate, you're not going anywhere. For now on you'll do exactly what I say."

"No, please don't do this…"

"Quiet. We're leaving."

They were just heading towards the door when Sheriff Forbes entered the Grill.

"Stefan?" she said. "I haven't seen you for a while, how's your brother?"

"He…he's fine," Stefan managed to say.

"Good, I'm glad to hear that. Hello, Matt."

The boy looked very pale but somehow he managed to nod. Unfortunately Sheriff Forbes could easily see that something was wrong.

"So, who are your friends?" she asked sharply.

"Nik and Rebekah, they're my…cousins from England," Stefan replied tensely.

The sheriff looked at them attentively.

"Really?"

Klaus was about to lost his patience but he gave the woman a charming smile.

"It's nice to meet you sheriff. I'm afraid we must be going now…"

The woman was reaching for her gun.

"Matt, could I have a word with you in private…"

Klaus threw her very roughly against the wall, making her to lose her consciousness and fall on the floor. People in the Grill were staring at him, some of them even screamed. Klaus had no patience left; he grabbed the nearest person and snapped his neck like s twig.

"Shut up!" he shouted. They were like cattle, completely useless. "We're leaving."

Rebekah was right behind him with the boy and Stefan followed her reluctantly. It was time to finish this.

...

Ava was sitting on an armchair and looking at a black and white picture of her and Elijah; it was taken back in the 40's. They were standing in front of the house they had been living back then, she was wearing a dotted dress and nylons, he was wearing a stylish striped suit. Her head was leaning on his shoulder and she was smiling, he had wrapped his arm around her but he looked death serious, there wasn't even a small light in his eyes.

Ava touched the picture carefully with her index finger and bit her bottom lip. She wondered if he had ever loved her. Maybe her own feelings towards him had blinded her, he certainly didn't look happy. She was pathetic, maybe she had all these years wanted something that he would never be able or willing to give. That didn't change the fact that she would give her life for him without hesitation. She truly was a fool.

"What's that?" someone suddenly asked, cutting off her thoughts.

Ava looked up and saw the Bennett witch standing in the doorway.

"Just a little memory," she muttered.

Bonnie walked next to her and looked at the picture.

"Looks old. You and Elijah were together for a long time."

"Yes, I suppose so, although it didn't feel so long to me."

Bonnie crossed her arms and sat down on the couch.

"Is it true that you used to be a witch?"

Ava nodded.

"Yes."

Bonnie looked at her attentively, Ava picked up judgment but also a little bit curiosity in her eyes.

"Why did you… I mean…"

Ava smiled.

"I understand what you mean and to be honest I sometimes think about that myself. But I would make the same decision again."

"For him?" Bonnie asked looking at the picture.

"Yes, for him. I realize what you must think of me…"

Bonnie shook her head.

"Who am I to judge, most of my friends are something else than humans." She paused and hesitated before continuing. "Can I ask how it was like? I mean losing your magic?"

Ava lowered her head.

"It was…difficult, especially when the craving for blood started. But I promised to myself that I would never forget who I am and I tried for years to make amends. I worked as a nurse and did all kind of charity work, mostly to ease my conscience. I suppose that for a servant of nature this kind of change is more difficult than to someone else."

Bonnie nodded.

"Yeah, I can't ever imagine becoming a vampire, I would rather die, no offence."

"None taken. Funny, I used to think like you."

The thought made Ava smiled.

"And then you met Elijah?"

"Yes, pretty much. Love is truly a strange thing, stronger than any magic."

"Did he turn you?"

"Yes, but he would have never done it against my will. He made it quick and painless and he stayed with me the whole time."

Ava didn't really know why she was telling all these things to someone who she barely knew; perhaps she felt some kind of connection to this young woman because she was a witch. And the truth was that she hadn't had anyone to talk to for a long time, it was kind of nice that someone listened. Thinking about the night when she had woke up as a vampire made her quite emotional. Elijah had been holding her, stroking her hair calmingly. He had been very kind and gentle that night, there had been warmth in his eyes, despite of his grief. She wanted nothing more than see that look in his eyes again.

"For what it's worth, I hope that you'll find him," Bonnie said.

Ava smiled and before she managed to stop herself, she hugged the young witch.

"Thank you."

Bonnie seemed completely surprised and a little uncomfortable when she tapped Ava's back.

"Sure."

"Bonnie?"

Ava pulled away when Bonnie's boyfriend walked in. The young man stopped and looked at them both.

"Yeah, Jeremy?"

"Elena asked me to get you, something about the bastard's wife."

"Is she alright?" Ava asked immediately.

"Yeah, I guess. Except that Damon let her saw him and Elena."

"What? Is he suicidal?"

Jeremy shrugged.

"Probably."

Ava sighed. Why had she even bothered to spend so much time formulating a plan? She had every intention of returning Anna home as soon as Elijah would be safe. Klaus would no doubt want to hunt down everyone who would be involved in this, so why didn't these people follow her plan? She should probably check on Anna, she was important to Elijah. She couldn't let anything happen to her.

...

Klaus was pleased, finally he was getting somewhere. The boy had been quite stubborn but thanks to Stefan he had known what strings to pull. Threatening to kill the boy's mother had done the trick. He hadn't known much but enough in order for him to take certain actions. The little doppelganger was alive, that and dealing with Stefan's treacherousness was the next thing on his to do list right after finding Anna. That explained why he hadn't been able to create more hybrids.

He knew now who he was looking for, besides of Damon Salvatore, the doppelganger and the Bennett witch. Ava Wilson, Elijah's little toy. She must have told these people about Anna. The problem was that Klaus still had no idea where they were, but someone else might know. Klaus picked up his phone.

"Vincent, I have a special assignment for you."