To Bring Hope and Pain:

Beth was worried when she woke up. For the past few days she had been getting a bit better. She's focused on finding a spell to bring Kol back, rather than her loss of him. Sleeping Klaus' room helped with the nightmares, She'd always start out in her room, but the nightmares became too much. She was happy that Klaus let her stay with him, she'd never sleep if he hadn't. He stayed with her all night, giving her dreams to counteract her nightmares.

She was thankful for that, and just not being alone at night that night she saw Elena, Klaus had been extra careful with her, but making sure that she would still do some things, he didn't want her to go comatose on him again, like taking her with him when he was painting, while he did.

xxxxx

"Why are we here?" Beth had asked Klaus one evening, as he slowly led her through the woods. He was surprised that she even agreed to go after the Elena incident, and he wasn't going to have that happen again. As much as he liked seeing the doppelganger in pain, Elizabeth didn't have that much control yet. 'We're going in circle." She muttered.

Klaus chuckled. "We're not, I promise." He told her as they finally reached a meadow filled with flowers and green grass, where he could easily paint the sunset. She smiled weakly as she looked around. He was happy to see her smile, almost completely, for the first time that Kol was gone. He knew how much she loved to be outside, with nature. 'Come sit." He took her over to where there was a blanket and where he had already set up his easel and paints. She knew that he was just trying to help her, but being out here just reminded her of when she and Kol went to the lake. He handed her a blanket. "Here, it's going to be bloody freezing in a little while." He handed it to her and she smiled in thanks.

She drew her legs under her as she wrapped the blanket around her legs. Klaus had already begun painting, completely concentrating on his work in front of him. Beth was silent for a little while before speaking up. "Klaus? I was thinking of something." She told him quietly.

"Ask away, love." He told her, as he continued to paint her, without her knowledge.

She played with the blanket on her lap. "I was thinking is...is there a way we could...bring him back?" She asked him quietly, but he heard and halted what he was doing. He sighed. He should've known that this would come up sooner or later, but he didn't want to get her hopes up. "I-I know it'd be hard and everything, but could we at least try?"

"Sweetheart, in the condition you are it wouldn't be safe for you to try." He sighed. "But, perhaps if we found a spell that would work, than we could try it, once you're up to full strength and you think you can do it without hurting yourself." Beth's face lit up. "If anyone can do that, Elizabeth, it's you. Trust me." He smiled over at her.

'Thank you, Klaus. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled at him, the smile reaching her eyes, making her eyes twinkle. Klaus' heart would've sped up if he were alive when he saw that. "How's the painting coming?" She asked feeling a little happier.

"See for yourself." He told her as he turned it around for her to see it.

She was taken away by the beauty of it. He had captured the sun setting behind her, perfectly. She was in awe at how he painted her, no doubt looking more beautiful than she knew that she did. "It's amazing, Klaus." She breathed. She stood up to kiss his cheek before hugging him. "Thank you for everything." She thanked him. He kissed her head, holding her to him tightly, not ever wanting to let her go and she felt slightly guilty, feeling the same as he was. Was she falling for him?

xxxxx

Beth walked around the house, thinking of that day that actually gave her hope to have the man that she loved back with her, but now, she was worried when she didn't see him. "Klaus?" She called out as she walked down the stairs.

She was happy to hear his familiar voice talking to someone. "Ah, what an unpleasant surprise." He said. She sighed and listened in. She knew that whoever it was, it didn't make Klaus happy. It wasn't Elena because she knew that she'd be dead before she stepped into the house and she would've let him. To her, everyone involved in Kol's death was dead to her. They obviously didn't care about her enough to leave him alive.

"So I just came up with a list." She froze hearing the voice. It was Damon. She didn't think that he really knew what happened, but she wasn't sure she was ready to face him. She knew that he was still with Elena and would protect her, with or without her humanity on and that made her angry that he still picked her. "It's called 'Things you suck at'. Number one: Finding Katherine, ever. Number two: Covering up your secret phone conversations with that little backstabber Hayley." She was surprised by this news, Klaus never told her, he was in contact with her. "Yeah, so, where is she? What does she know about Katherine?"

Klaus scoffed at him. "I should help you?" Damon nodded. "After you lot killed my brother and imprisoned me in the Gilbert living room?" He reminded him. He was out of his mind if he thought he'd help him.

Damon rolled his eyes. "Katherine has the cure. My guess? She's going to want to cram it down your throat. You help me find Katherine, I'll get the cure, I'll give it to Elena, everybody wins. Just let me question Hayley about Katherine." He told him, hoping that he'd at least appeal to his need to stay a vampire.

Klaus smiled, getting up to walk towards him, before taking a seat on the couch. "Can't help you, mate. Hayley's off limits. Although, I did have run in with a vampire who may know where Katerina is. Too bad for you, I bit halfway through his bloody neck. He probably won't have much time for chit chat."

Damon scoffed, making to leave before stopping at the door. "I want to see her." He said suddenly. Klaus suddenly went rigid. Beth looked surprised. He actually wanted to see her? He had to have known what she did to Elena by now, unless Caroline lied for her.

"Well, she's made no mention of you, with good reason, so it'd be in your best interest to leave." He clenched his jaw tightly.

Damon turned to face him. "You don't have any control over her. I need to see her, after everything that's happened do you want to be responsible for taking away someone else from her?" He asked, pushing his buttons. He wasn't keen to antagonize the hybrid but he needed to see his best friend, at least apologize for what Elena did.

"You lost her when you left without even seeing her. And trust me, mate, If I were you than I'd leave now, before I really get upset." He threatened him. He wasn't going to let Damon's visit set her back, not when she was doing so well.

"You can't keep her away forever." He told him simply before slamming the door behind him. Beth sighed, silently, waiting a few minutes before coming down the stairs, as though she just arrived.

Klaus turned and smiled at the beautiful witch. "Good morning, sweetheart."

"Morning." She smiled weakly as she took a seat next to him. He handed her a blanket, as she turned to face him. "Is everything okay? I heard voices down here? Did someone drop by?"

Klaus gave her a knowing smile. "Though Damon may not be as attuned to hearing you, I do and I know that you heard everything, sweetheart." He informed her, not unkindly.

She looked down sheepishly. "I just couldn't sleep. I saw you weren't there and...I got worried." She admitted. She had gotten more worried about Klaus' safety, especially since Kol had died. She couldn't risk losing Klaus too, he was too important to her. He smiled, surprised. "Anyways, what was he talking about Hayley? You left?"

She tried to keep the upsetting tone out of her voice. "Only for an hour, love. Trust me, I came back as soon as I could. I just have to question her about somethings relating to Katarina. I don't want the cure to fall into their hands." He said and she nodded. She didn't want Elena to have the cure either. She knew that it was vindictive, but she didn't care. If she took away Kol from her, than Elena didn't deserve to be human. She nodded. "Caroline has expressed interest in seeing you. You think you'll be up to spending time with her?"

She looked up at him surprised. "You'll let me go out?"

He chuckled. "No one can make you do anything you don't want to, love, but yet, it might me a good idea. She would like that and it'll be good for you to get out, besides I don't think you want to be here when I question the wolf girl."

Beth blushed slightly as he brushed her hair back behind her ear. She didn't know why she was having this reaction to him. She shook it off, deciding that it was a fluke from sleeping in his bed so many nights. "Okay, yeah. It'll be great. Have you thought anymore of what we spoke about?"

Klaus sighed. "We agreed when you were well enough, and I can still see that you're tired, sweetheart. A few more days, please?" He asked. She sighed and nodded. She knew that deep down he was right, she just wanted Kol back with them, it was hard to be patient. She snuggled up into his side, as she had down so often the past few weeks. He started to play with her hair.

"Thank you." She muttered against the fabric of his shirt.

"I told you, there's no thanks necessary." He insisted. He would do anything for her, she had to have known this by now. He felt her dozing off as he played with her hair. He smirked hearing her talking in her sleep. "You'll have to say that again, I didn't quite catch that, love."

"I don't...want to leave." She mumbled as she nuzzled his chest. He sighed, contently as he kissed her head. He was hoping that this was a sign that perhaps she felt something for him as well, at least he hoped she did. After all the time that they've spent together, in the back of his mind, he hoped she'd feel what he did. "I don't...want you...to go...Kol."

Klaus went tense hearing his brother's name. All hope flew out the window. "It's...it's Klaus, love." She finally flew her eyes open, completely awake and aware of who she was with.

"S-sorry," She muttered, embarrassed as the heat from her cheeks, spread to her face, as she sat up.

He shook his head. "My fault, love. I shouldn't have waken you." He apologized, but she had already stood up. She didn't want to make him feel any worst, the dream of Kol had been so real. She wanted that, she wanted that to be real. She needed him. "Elizabeth."

"It's fine. I should just go get ready." She told him as she started walking away, but his voice stopped her.

"Am I imagining this?" He asked her and she froze, before turning back to look at him. "I know that you're still grieving, and I understand that, love. I truly do, I'm not pushing you into anything, but you feel something for me, I know that you do. I can see it." He saw the way he caught her looking at him, or even blushed, but she'd never confirm it. "I know you, Elizabeth."

She sighed, taking a step towards him. "You've been amazing, Klaus, really. I don't know what I would've done without you, but I just like you as a friend." It wasn't untrue, but she knew that she felt something for him, just not as deep as what she feel for Kol. She did like him how could she not? After everything he's done for her, he's still made her smile, but she didn't want to give him false hope, though It killed her to see his expression drop. "I love, Kol, I want him back, but I don't want to lose our friendship, either."

Klaus took a step back .She could practically feel how cold he was being and it hurt her. "You're right. You should probably get ready, Rebekah will be here soon." He told her shortly. She hated that she hurt him, but she didn't want to lie. She reached out for him, but he stepped away from her, his eyes darkened. "Don't."

Elizabeth felt her heartbreak. She hoped that he wouldn't be like this, but he didn't take it well. And she'd blinked back tears. 'I'm sorry." She told him apologetically, before leaving him to his pain and rage.

xxxxx

"What is going on with you?" Beth quickly glanced at Caroline. She knew that if anyone could tell if something was wrong, it'd be here. "I'm supposed to be helping you keep your mind off things and you're supposed to be helping me keep my mind off Tyler, but obviously something else has got you all bothered, so spill."

"It's nothing." Beth reassured her with a small smile. She didn't exactly want to tell Caroline about their argument. She just felt guilty that she just hurt him and he wasn't picking up his phone to apologize. "I just...I guess I'm just tired. It's been a really long day." It wasn't a lie. Caroline seemed insistent on keeping her happy, she didn't even mention what she was doing with Elena earlier.

She nodded. "I actually have to go out for a little while, but you can take the bed ok? It's all set up. Are you sure there's nothing else that I can do?" She felt guilty for not being there for her friend, especially with what had happened with her brother. She knew that Kol would want to know that she was okay.

"I'm sure." Beth assured her, giving the blonde a short hug. "Thanks for this." She trudged up to her bedroom. She didn't even bother to take off her clothes and just kicked her shoes off as she got into the bed. She debated calling Klaus, but hoped if she came him space, he'd come around.

She took out the grimoire that she took from Klaus' house. She didn't tell him, nor Caroline what she was doing. She knew that the only thing they'd agree with was looking for a spell to bring Kol back would be too dangerous for her, but she didn't care. She needed to do something. She flipped through a few pages, luckily this book had a lot to do about life and death, she smiled to herself as she looked through each page. If there was a solution to bring Kol back, she wouldn't stop.

xxxxx

Beth gasped, waking up with a start. She was shaking. It was another nightmare. It had been a while since she had one that vivid. She looked around and saw that she fell asleep reading the grimoire, already bookmarking a page that she hoped would help. It was her protection spell that she did, and the spell had ways to use the pendant to bring back the spirit, she just hoped that it would work, once she figured out how to physically bring him back, but she was too shaken up to think straight. Against her better judgment she called Klaus, but was met with no answer.

This was starting to worry her. After calling so many times, she thought he'd at least send a text saying that he was okay, but he was still too angry, she guessed. She hesitated before getting out of bed and grabbing her shoes. It would curb her fear if she could see for herself that he was safe.

Beth walked through the dark streets of Mystic Falls as she made her way to Klaus' mansion. She walked slowly, before stopping completely thinking she heard someone. It worried her, being so late at night, she walked at a steady pace. She hoped she was only being paranoid. "You shouldn't be out here alone." She froze, hearing the familiar voice of her best friend. She turned to see Damon. She wrapped her arms around herself as he took a few steps forward and she took one back. He looked hurt at first, but shook it off. "I guess I deserve that." He told her softly. He couldn't help, but notice how she looked. She wasn't nearly as bad as the first week that Kol died, but she wasn't a hundred percent either.

"You deserve worst than that." She told him seriously. She didn't mention that she could do worst to him, that was an obvious threat. He sighed. "Did...d-did you know? "She asked him, afraid of the answer. She really hoped that he didn't. She's lost so many people, to know that Damon knew they were going to kill Kol, she knew that she would never forgive him if he did.

He took a careful step forward. "No, I promise. I'm sorry, Elizabeth. I am." He told her honestly. He avoided coming over for so long for the wrong reasons. He convinced himself that Elena needed him and that Klaus was taking care of her, but he didn't want her to hate him. "I'm sorry. I should've come by earlier." She looked away from him. "Please, look at me. Just talk to me."

She sighed. "What do you want me to say? It's okay? It's not okay, Damon. You don't care. It's not okay that you felt that Elena, was once again was more important than me. It's not okay that they killed Kol just to get the stupid cure that still unleashed Silas. It's not okay!" She scoffed going to walk away, but he zipped in front of her.

"El, I know. It's not. I'm been a horrible friend. I'm a dick. I am, I don't have an excuse. I was too much of a coward to come see you. I should've come to see you, but I have been by." He told her honestly/ "I have, I've come by at night just to make sure that Klaus is taking care of you. I needed to know that. I just...I couldn't bring myself to talk to you and I am sorry. And I never apologize." She looked down. "I'm not asking you to forgive me. I just want you to know...I'm sorry. That I know how it feels to lose someone, I know. I lost you. I'll always be here if you want to talk or just want to see me again. I still care about you, El." He hesitated before pressing a kiss to her forehead as she closed her eyes. "You're strong, you're going to be okay." When she opened her eyes, he was gone. And part of her wanted to forgive him, but she ignored that and kept walking.

She finally made it to the mansion and was surprised to see that the doors were unlocked. Ever since she moved in, he made sure to keep all windows and doors locked so no one could get inside, even if they were human. Soon, she heard footsteps coming down the stairs. "Klaus is that...you?" She felt her insides freeze a she saw Hayley come down the stairs, hair mussed up, buttoning up her shirt. She looked like a guilty deer caught in headlights.

"Oh, um, Klaus is uh. He's upstairs. Might want to give him a minute though." She started too smooth back her hair. Beth felt sick inside, she didn't know why but she just felt like she was going to be sick. "I should, um go." She said before leaving the house.

Beth walked slowly into the hallway, before seeing broken glass. She followed it into his art gallery, where he kept everything. She saw glass broken. Not a lot, but some frames broken as well as painting. She looked and saw her painting, the painting that Klaus made for her that day in the meadow, that she loved so much. It was broken, edges ripped, tattered, glass everywhere. It was something that she thought was just between them, but it was apparent Klaus didn't care about it as much as she did.

She kneeled besides it, as she tried to pick up the glass, but just cut her finger on it. She was shaking and felt water on her skin. She touched her cheek and realized she was crying. She started crying slightly harder, before trying to stop. She shakily wiped the tears from her eyes. "Elizabeth? Elizabeth!" Klaus ran into the room, wearing just his jeans. He smelled her blood and immediately got worried that Hayley did something, he was prepared to rip out the werewolf's heart when he saw Elizabeth just crying over the mess. His heart clenched, as the guilt was written all over his face. "Elizabeth." He said softly, walking towards her, but she jerked away from him.

"Don't! Don't...don't touch me." She muttered. "It's...it's broken." Her voice cracked slightly, looking at the painting.

Klaus took a step towards her, but she took a step back. It killed him to see her look at him that way, with such pain and he was the cause of it. "Please, Elizabeth. I'm sorry. I can fix this, I promise." He assured her, but that just seemed to make it worst.

She wiped the tears away. "You can't fix it! You can't, it's...it's broken. I-I shouldn't have come." She said. Klaus grabbed her hand but she quickly pulled it away. "Don't! Don't! Just stop! I shouldn't have come back."

Klaus looked desperate to fix this. He was hoping that Elizabeth wouldn't find out about his tryst with Hayley, but it seemed he wasn't that lucky and the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. "It's your home too, Elizabeth." He reminded her softly. She belonged there more than anyone.

"N-no it's not. It's not. I shouldn't have come back. I can't be here." She quickly turned to leave the room, but he zipped in front of her, desperate. He didn't want to leave her alone in this condition.

"Don't, Elizabeth. Please, I'm sorry for how I treated you, but this is your home, as well. You can't leave." He followed her out of the room as she pushed past him. "Just, wait! I'm sorry. You called as she was taunting me about you. I just snapped. I'm sorry. I can fix this."

"No you can't! It doesn't mean anything right? It's just a stupid painting!" She was crying again and she hated that. She hated crying. It just made her feel weak. Klaus felt angry at himself for making her feel like this. "No, don't, just leave me alone. I don't belong here. I shouldn't have come back." She hurried to get out of the house, before he could follow.

She walked through the woods, trying to get a grip. She finally stopped crying and started the walk back to the house. She had to stop feeling sorry for herself, she had to stop crying. That wasn't going to help anything, it wasn't going to make her feel any better and it wasn't going to get Kol back. Anger, channeling all the pain and hurt into anger, power. That's how it'd work. She wasn't going to let herself become weak, not again.