Recovery Delayed:
It had been almost 2 weeks since they gotten to England. They had fallen into a routine. Kol was attentive to Beth every day, whether they stayed inside or went out to see the country. He was glad that she wasn't catonic, he knew that if he wasn't there, there was a good chance she wouldn't have been able to even get out of bed in the morning. He was there for when she cried, he made her smile and he felt good knowing he was the main reason that she was slowly getting over her mourning period. He remembered a day when she was really bad.
Kol jerked awake to sound of clattering and then glass breaking. He looked to his side and saw that Elizabeth wasn't there, but near the fireplace, that was still lit. She threw a picture against the wall so the glass shattered. She was shaking, tears were streaming down her face. "Elizabeth, darling." He said softly, as he swiftly got out of bed. He didn't want to scare her, but she jumped anyways.
"I-I saw him...when I was d-dreaming. He hates me. R-Ric hates me. I couldn't save him. He hates me. Klaus too, they both hate me." She whispered as her voice cracks. The dream had been so real, so vivid. As though he was there with her, himself. She knew it was true. She wasn't strong enough to save him.
"No, he doesn't. I promise he doesn't." He told her as he zipped over the glass to her side. She was doing well so far, but he was afraid when the realization that she would never see him again sank in. It was the worst part. She shook her head, crying and pulled away from him. She kneeled by the picture that was in the frame she broke. The glass was everywhere, but she didn't care.
"I'm sorry, Alaric. I'm s-sorry, It's all my fault. I should've saved you. I'm so sorry." She sobbed out trying to get the glass of the picture. Kol's heart broke at the sight of her so distressed. He picked her up, as she grabbed the picture and brought her away from the glass. She cried into hhis shoulder as she shakily hanged onto the picture of her and her godfather. "I'm so sorry."
She blamed herself too much for what happened. He also felt better knowing she was no longer using dark magic, slowly but surely she was getting back into control. He wouldn't let her speak to anyone because he knew it would only get her upset. They were now having lunch at the lake. "It's really beautiful out here, Kol." She smiled up at him. She laid down with her head on his lap, as he absentmindedly stroked her hair.
He smiled at her. "I'm glad you like it, darling. This used to be your favorite place to be while you were here. I'd see you out here sometimes, just thinking or reading." He told her. "I often joined you. I could always tell when you were upset about something."
Kol looked out the window of the living room. She was still out there, just staring at the lake. He didn't know why none of his siblings would bother to get see her, no he did, but he thought it was rubbish. Elizabeth was strong, but she was only human and nearly being attacked by a pack of vampires, when she had no experience with any other than them, would upset anyone. And if the rest of his families were acting like bloody idiots and giving her space, he'd have to do something about it.
A minute later the young original was standing in behind the witch. "Thinking of taking a dip?" He asked. Elizabeth barely acknowledged his presence. She should have seen this coming. He was probably going to make fun of her, tease her, annoy her. Anything that amused him, he'd do. He took a seat on the grass, next to her, looking her over before beginning, "It's going to get dark soon."
She sighed. "Your point is? Kol, why are you out here? If you're that bored and in need of amusement go bother your sister. Bekah will put up with you, I, however am not in the mood." She told him bluntly. Usually, they'd have an enjoyable banter between them, but she wasn't in a playful mood.
"I came to see how you were holding up." He told her in all seriousness. Her tone shocked her enough to look over at him. He genuinely looked concerned for her, but she quickly dropped her gaze from his deep brown eyes, to look down at the grass, which suddenly became more interesting. "You shouldn't blame yourself, darling."
"I wasn't fast enough. I didn't react quickly enough, had Nik not been there? I wouldn't be alive. I owe my life and gratitude to him, but how am I supposed to assist him if I cannot keep myself safe, let alone the others?" She said with a sigh. Kol understood now. She was upset with herself, more than she was shaken up.
"You're new to darkness that the world holds. You're not used to it. No one expects you to jump into it with all this knowledge. No one blames you, Elizabeth." He told her, unexpectedly grabbing her hand to hold it in his. She looked up at him, suspiciously.
"You're being nice today...why? Have you broken one of my things? Did Nik threaten you?"
Kol chuckled, shaking his head. "No to all. I'm not completely heartless, as you believe, dear." He said with a sly grin, looking back at her. Elizabeth looked at him curiously, before hesitantly leaning to place a soft kiss upon his cheek. No other action could've shocked Kol more. He felt a rush of warmth, run through his cold heart, and felt as though it was skipping, something he hadn't felt in a long time...since he was human.
"Thank you, Kol." She thanked him, as she stood from where she sat. Kol was in too shock that he didn't realize that she was halfway back to the mansion when she looked back at him. "Coming, Mikaelson?" She teased him as he got up to quickly rush to her side, offering her his arm, which she took on the way back to the house.
Kol, absentmindedly played with the end of her skirt, as he told her about their past. "You seemed pretty persistent to get my attention." She teased him, making him chuckle. She loved when he told her about their past. It was vivid and she would start to remember, being at the mansion had made many memories come back to her.
"And you were stubborn, as always." He kissed her nose, caressing her cheek. "But you wouldn't be you if you weren't stubborn. It's one of your best and worst quality." She yawned and curled up into his chest a little more. She had been tired earlier. That was the only thing she didn't like, she had major jet lag. It was only 7, the sun was just setting and she felt exhausted.
Kol could sense her exhaustion and carefully stood them up, keeping a tight grip on her, as he walked away from their lake. "Let's get you to bed. I'm sure you'll wake up a bit later, but you should get a nap in." He told her as he zipped them inside the mansion to her room. He laid her down and walked away to get her a change of clothes. "Here, you sleep better in this." He commented as he handed her one of his shirts and turned around.
"Thanks." She smiled as she got it on and he turned around. She got underneath the covers and she soon felt the mattress dip as he got in with her . It was a sort of routine. Whenever she felt too tired, he always stayed with her, while she slept. Whether it was just in the room, or slept next to her. He was always there to soothe the nightmares, what she didn't know was the nightmare she would have, he wouldn't soothe as easily.
"Rebekah, I'm just going to check on your brother." Elizabeth smiled over at her friend. "I told him that I would tell him when we got back, if he was back. Nik told me he's in his room. I'll be right back." She assured her. Elizabeth honestly didn't know how Rebekah managed to shop all day and find outfits all night.
Rebekah sighed dramatically. The fact that her brother and Elizabeth were so close was sweet, but also annoying when she wanted her to herself. "Oh, fine. Just tell my dear brother not to keep you so long. I know how you two can be." She teased her and she blushed, as she walked away.
"I'll meet you in the library." She called after her, knowing her vampire hearing would pick it up. She walked through the corridor to Kol's room. She knocked twice on the door. "Kol, are you in here?" There wasn't any answer, which was strange since Nik was home, and they had just gotten back not long ago. She opened the door to see Kol hovering over a naked women in his bed, both of them without clothes. "K-Kol?" She asked in a barely a whisper, but he heard it.
He turned to look at her, his expression unreadable. A feeling of pain, betrayal and shock washed over her. "Elizabeth." He began, but it was too late. She already ran out of the room. Tears spilled down her face as she ran down the corridor and out the house, not wanting anyone to look at her in her heartbroken state.
Beth jerked awake in shock, breathing hard. The dream was more vivid than she thought, but she knew that it wasn't just a dream. It was a memory and that killed her. Kol still slept his hand over her waist, protectively. She shook her head, slipping from under his arm and walking into the bathroom.
She splashed some cold water onto her face, trying to rid herself from the memory that was plastered on her brain. It hurt her to see Kol like that with someone else. She knew it was in the past and he more than made up for his mistakes, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with. "Darling." Kol's voice made her jump. He looked worried. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah just fine. I'm sorry if I woke you. You can go back to bed." She told him, shortly drying off her face. He sighed and walked over so he stood in front of her going.
"I heard you. You were having a dream. What was it about?"
Beth hesitated. She really didn't want to talk about the past, but it hurt too much. And it would continue to hurt if she didn't let it out. "It, um, it wasn't exactly a dream, but a memory. I was...I was with Rebekah and then I came to find you and y-you were with another girl." She tried to keep her voice from breaking at the end, but she couldn't.
The guilt on Kol's face was evident. He hated that she had to remember that. He knew there was a chance, but he stuck to keeping her away from his room so that she wouldn't. He took her hand. "Elizabeth, I can never say this enough, but I'm sorry. That was the worst mistake I've ever made in my existence and that's saying a lot because I've made some bloody awful ones/" He told her truthfully. She gave him a weak smile, as he touched her cheek, gently. "I did that because Nik told me that you and him...were together behind my back and I-I was drunk and stupid. It's no excuse, but I apologize. You are the best thing I've ever had, I'm sorry. I hope that one day you will forgive me."
Beth placed one of her hands on his. "Hey, I do." Kol looked up at her in surprise. "I forgive you, Kol. It's in the past. It's just the fact that I had to see it again. I guess it just hurt, but you've more than made up for it. I know that." She assured him as she reached up to peck his lips.
Kol sighed. He still didn't know how she could always forgive him, when he didn't deserve it. He was grateful to have it, but he knows that she deserved better than him. And he was determined t be better for her sake. "Thank you, Elizabeth. You have no idea how much that means to me."
She smiled and kissed him once more. "Let's get back to bed now, okay? I'm still exhausted." He nodded, leading her back to the bed, with his hand on the small of her back. She climbed in and he climbed in after her as she subconsciously curled up into his chest. Within minutes, she was fast asleep in his arm, as he stroked hers. He made a silent promise to take care of her, no matter what. He wouldn't lose her, not to depression, dark magic. Nothing would hurt her.
