CHAP 45:
I waited on guard throughout the next hour of laboriously trying on some of the dresses and showing them off for Klaus. While it was a chore I forced myself to be as bright and bubbly as I had been when he'd collected me from Elijah. Especially when I needed Klaus to do up the backs where he would trail his fingers at times. I even took it upon myself to twirl and pose. It came with some difficulty as this time, changing didn't equate to any privacy for me. So Klaus was indeed enjoying each show as he reclined on the bed. Thankfully I could hide ever so slightly on the other side of the portable rack containing the dresses. I kept expecting him to ask why Elijah and I were so quiet. That he'd caught onto Jonas having used magic for Elijah's purpose. But he never did. Even once Klaus had ultimately decided on my dress and called for the remainder to be taken away he behaved as normally as the next unsuspicious person. In the end it was too good to last.
"Are you hiding anything from me Elena?" Klaus began casually. I'd been tidying my hair in the internal door mirrors and froze for a millisecond.
"No." I replied simply, then to be sure added. "What kind of something?"
"Oh it could be anything. You just seem to be over-compensating again." His voice sounded indifferent. But I wasn't stupid. If he had reason to ask me this, then it was important in some way. I turned to face him.
"How?"
"You're chipper. Have been since you left Elijah. I had assumed that you'd resist my watching you this last little while. Not seem as happy as you have been in any case."
"Would you prefer I drop the act?"
"It depends on the reason for your act."
"I thought it would make you happy?" I volunteered.
"Is that what's fuelled such tolerance in you? The desire to make me happy."
"Well. Yes." I began awkwardly and joined my hands behind my lower back as I turned to face him. "I wanted to seem appreciative. Since you put an end to my time with Elijah."
"Was it really that bad?" I shrugged.
"I've had worse company."
"I see. So that's all this is? You're showing your appreciation." He clarified while standing up off the bed and moving toward me. I had nothing to fear. For I was telling the truth, despite keeping with what might now be a charade involving Elijah. I did want to talk to him now. Not that I was accepting of his resilience. But I couldn't very well change so suddenly from being out of sorts with him to wanting to spend time with him. That would definitely rouse Klaus' suspicion. When I next spoke my voice was timid. His slow approach made me think that he had a point to make. That he had found fault in my words.
"Yes. I swear it is. There's no other reason-." I began to babble as Klaus flicked the switch on to illuminate the darkening room and proceeded toward me.
"Shh. Don't stress my love. I believe you. No. Don't step away from me." He said in warning, but also as a plea. "I want to show my own appreciation. Though I had begun to take an unconscious step back I did as he'd asked and stood still, my eyes darting back and forth between his as the distance between us slipped away. "I'm not going to hurt you. I'm very happy that you're not acting towards me resentfully after my mistake earlier." As Klaus' arms came up around me I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Whatever he was doing, was about to occur. Unconsciously I held my breath while Klaus embraced me firmly. His head had positioned itself next to mine and he'd turned his face into my hair as he hugged me. "I love you like this," he murmured and continued to hold me. I couldn't believe it. He was just hugging me? Klaus and I were hugging. He hadn't added any sexual innuendo whatsoever. Slowly I raised my own arms and wound them around his ribcage to return his hug. "I'm going to skip dinner with you this evening. Jonas and I will be working on the lighting for a while."
"Okay." I replied indifferently as he let me go. I turned back to the mirror and began sectioning my hair so I could begin a side plait to run over my left shoulder.
"But I have a surprise for you. Elijah will join you. In here. For the duration of dinner." He outlined then strode over to the door and stepped out. It felt like an age before I comprehended what he'd just said, but it soon clicked. Darting over I flung open the door, glad to find him only a step or two along the hall.
"What!?" I hissed. Completely unimpressed. "Why?" Turning back to face me he smirked.
"I enjoy you two butting heads. Without even being present I find the knowledge of it rather satisfying."
"Can I please just eat alone? Please Klaus. You already put me with him once today." I whined gently. Despite the fact that I'd welcome Elijah's presence if he'd dish on the daggering Klaus first business, and would love to eat dinner with him just to find out. It wasn't all good news. So I used that knowledge to play it that way with Klaus.
Less than twenty minutes later there was a gentle thudding at the door. I went to it. Elijah stood on the other side with two plates of food each balanced on a hand. The grim quirk of my lips took it's place again as I opened the door wider to let him in. While I wanted to talk to Elijah about earlier, I was hoping this wasn't going to be another opportunity for him to try and get me to accept him and his decision to stay. The food smelled delicious. It looked like the plates each held a piece of fish covered in some sort of marinade. To the side was a salad and in addition to them both was a pile of something that looked like it might be mashed pumpkin.
"Where are we eating?" Elijah asked keen to put the plates down no doubt. Shrugging my shoulders I gestured to the bed. Elijah's lips pursed slightly as he looked upon the furnishing for a moment before he glanced about the room. "What about the lounge? In fact, where is it?" His secondary question was a good one. Even I didn't know where it was. I hadn't seen it since the day Klaus took out his anger on it.
"Klaus wrecked it. The bed'll do." Again his lips pursed but his gaze darkened slightly at the words that fell from my mouth.
"No it won't. We'll sit on the floor. All we need is some cushions so that you're comfortable."
"Elijah. It's just a bed, and more comfortable than the floor."
"That bed might seem alluringly comfortable in some ways. But in other's it is an agonising addition to this room." He replied rather diplomatically compared to the anger I noticed simmering wihtin him as he spoke. Oh.
"Here." I offered and took one of the plates from him. Taking the cutlery from it so it wouldn't fall onto the floor I accepted, "the floor's fine too." Neatly lowering myself to the floor then I shuffled slightly so I could lean back against the bottom of the bed. Elijah hadn't moved to do the same so I looked up. He was staring at me intensely but with a look of deep contemplation on his face. "Are you not sitting now?" Blinking, then pursing his lips slightly again he slowly lowered himself to sit next to me in the same position I'd taken. He'd sat too close though. His arm was practically resting agsint mine and I made a good show of shuffling over to distance us before resting my plate on the tops of my thighs. As I did Elijah sighed slightly and I saw his face turn to look at me in my peripheral vision. "Did you cook this?" I asked before looking to his face with interest. He considered me for a moment before answering.
"Yes. Klaus was kind enough to allow me." I took to the dressed meat with my knife and fork. Having confirmed it to be fish I put a portion into my mouth.
"I hope you don't mind spicy food." Elijah began just as a gentle heat came to life in my mouth.
"Yum." I praised then continued chewing. "And I don't mind spicy food." I confirmed once I'd swallowed my mouthful.
As we ate Elijah told me that Klaus had a similar silencing spell on my room so we were free to talk about any topic. I questioned whether this was truly the case, since I remembered Klaus boasting to Elijah about making me scream so he would hear should he stay. That was on the night I was brought here. As it turned out Klaus had silenced the room after Elijah'd been sent away. Now that he was back Klaus hadn't asked Jonas to take it down.
"That in itself is odd for Klaus." Elijah muttered suspiciously with a hint of confusion in his voice.
"He probably doesn't care about gloating about me and him now that he's happy. Maybe he only cares about me and him now." I reasoned aloud without thinking after I finished my last mouthful. "Sorry. I could have said that less bluntly." I mumbled as an afterthought once I'd sought Elijah's eyes with my own. The tension in his body had crept onto his face.
"You need not apologise." He spoke stiffly.
"Well, that was really really nice." I offered kindly regarding the dinner I'd just consumed. "But since you're only supposed to be in here with me for dinner you'll have to leave soon. Could you maybe tell me what you meant earlier by daggering Klaus before he does that to you?"
"I would rather discuss another topic. Something that would be welcome discussion considering our date-like evening." My eyes flickered from his then returned as I suddenly felt like a deer n the headlights.
"This was not a date."
"Of course not. But it has been date-like. Wouldn't you agree?"
"No." I replied coolly as I forced myself to feel less startled.
"Elena. We have shared a portion of the evening together, involving a meal cooked by yours truly, without the presence of my brother. In light of who we are, what we are to each other. This could be considered a date."
"Except that it's not."
"Come now. It's certainly not proper in any way shape or form. But if you consider it flexibly." Placing my cutlery topped plate on the floor and rising I made to distance myself.
"Not a date." I said with finality. "So lets talk about how you think you're going to dagger Klaus first." Moving away from him slightly I crossed my arms in front of me and watched with some disapproval as he also stood.
"I'm not interested in discussing that at present."
"Then why did you bring it up earlier? Is it still a work-in-progress? We could still talk it out-."
"I am not interested," he cut me off gently. "Because I want to talk with you. We don't have to branch into anything romantic. But with your situation. What you've been through, I'm here for you if you'd like to talk about it." I barked out an unimpressed spurt of laughter.
"Do you enjoy rejection?"
"Not particularly."
"Then why are you seeking it out?"
"I'm not seeking it. I simply wish to talk with you. Offer my shoulder in addition."
"There is no way I'm talking to you about any of that." I replied softly while scowling at him. "Crying on your shoulder even to humour you, only encourages you to stay for my sake. I'm not about to do that."
"Friends support each other. It is not an unreasonable notion." Without answering I raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you enjoy rejecting?" He bit back with some bitterness.
"Yes Elijah. I find it incredibly satisfying." I remarked sarcastically. "If you think I'm enjoying the arguments that occur when we're given the chance to talk then you're wrong." Elijah sighed and looked at me sadly while saying no more. The silence extended between us so I looked away from him and focussed on a point on the wall.
"Do you have any other questions about being a vampire you'd like to ask then?" Elijah ventured. I shook my head. "In that case, we'll do this your way." Interested I made eye contact with him again. "Klaus is cocky. Even if you feel he has something more meaningful invested in your relationship. His gloating doesn't outweigh his possessiveness. For instance he's enjoying our own disjointed relationship so much that he's openly invited for me to stay around as long as I like. I'm probably the more entertaining party of course. But he has been very vocal in wanting my presence at the sacrifice. Klaus is looking forward to my inability to do anything as he kills you. And further when you awaken. I am certain he will not guide you delicately. Rather, encourage the monstrous urges you'll have without restraint." Elijah's voice had become more gravelly before it completely cut off. As I waited patiently for him to continue his dark features softened slightly. Laboriously his face took on a smile. It was off-putting considering the conversation topic and how darkly he'd been speaking. Not to mention the nature of what I'd become. My attention was glued to Elijah as though he was telling some spooky story late at night and I was hanging out for the cliffhanger. His smile however dampened that particular atmosphere.
"What?" I asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," He practically beamed back at me.
"Well, stop looking at me, like that then." I gestured at his face. "Because that look is not a look of nothing." He chuckled. It doesn't even match with the conversation we're having.
"I'm just enjoying you. You're company. You're actually wanting to talk with me. It's wonderful." Openly I rolled my eyes.
"Don't get so excited. It's for practical reasons. I'm waiting for you to tell me about your optimism for daggering Klaus before he does you."
"Ah. Of course. As I've said Klaus wants me around at least up until the conclusion of the sacrifice. Giving me some confidence that I'll have ample opportunity to dagger him when he is at his weakest. During the sacrifice." Stepping slightly closer he looked at me wistfully. "Unfortunately, it cuts the possibility of you becoming a vampire very fine. There will be no time to construct anything to fall back upon. So I am neither fully committed to this possibility, nor over confident. It is a passing fancy of a last resort."
"And you think Klaus is just going to have you at the sacrifice unrestrained?"
"I'm counting on it. Arrogance would not be out of character for him. He's already outlined the consequences should I do anything. Therefore it is unlikely that he would be suspicious of me."
"Except that he already is." I offered. "He's told me how you act more impulsively when it comes to me. Rather than considering everything before acting. He is suspicious of you. If you continue to act on your feelings. You might jeopardise everything."
"Is that so? That is good to know. Thank you for telling me." He paused as he considered this. "It seems you might get your wish on one matter then. I shall refrain from interrupting yourself and him from now on. No matter the nature. Wether he be punishing you or not." He paused again and his next words were more forceful. "Do not take it as me relenting my support for you. Or that I'm going anywhere. But for the sake of providing a last resort. I have to stop myself." I smiled at him quickly.
"Miracles do happen." I muttered. "I wouldn't consider that method of killing Klaus as a last report though. It might be the best and only chance we have."
"We?" He pressed smugly. I fixed him with a frown.
"Ultimately you. But as we are allies I included myself then." Elijah smirked before looking at me pointedly.
"As for classifying it as a last resort, I shan't consider it anything but. It is not an optimum solution Elena," he stepped closer again. "If Klaus somehow survives you will still be a hybrid. If he doesn't survive the ritual," Elijah's voice dropped off ominously. "It seems you won't rise. You will die permanently, along with anyone else Klaus have ever turned."
"Killing Klaus will wipe out some sort of lineage?"
"Yes. I myself have only just become privy to this unproven information."
"Wow." I was awed by this information but not sure how I felt about all the vampires that would die with him. They weren't my concern by any means, but they'd have no idea what was happening to them when it did.
"As interesting at that possibility is. You will be resolutely dead as a result." Elijah pushed gently.
"Well." I began as I considered this. "I did offer you to kill me the night you took me from Mystic falls."
"You did." He acknowledged stiffly. "Are you still comfortable with that outcome?"
"I prefer it to the other." Shrugging my shoulders I looked to the floor. "Everyone else will be safer with Klaus gone." I said, shrugging again and stepped away from him.
"If it comes to it." Elijah spoke insistently. "As a result of you becoming a hybrid, know I will be there to help you every step of the way. Even when I am prohibited to do so. It's not an easy transition becoming a vampire. I may not be able to help you with everything. Only the vampire side of you. But you'll have me. Always."
"Uhm. Thanks." I tried to sound appreciative while acting like his help wasn't going to be the best thing in the world. If I was too appreciative then it would be encouraging. Not to mention my mind was set on having accepted my imprisonment. I wasn't about to get hopeful. That once this was all over we'd go back to normal. Maybe if things worked out to plan, they would. But if Elijah knew I was willing to be with him, then he might keep pushing for us, here and now.
"Feeling optimistic are you? For an us after the sacrifice is over." I nearly snorted.
"We don't know that this will ever really be over. Things might settle down, but you know I'm Klaus' forever." Elijah opened his mouth as if to put his own twist on my last words. "Don't. Don't bring this conversation back around to us. That my freedom will automatically mean I'll come back to you." I stopped. "I'm sorry. That sounded really blunt. I hope you know what I mean. I just don't want to get my hopes up." Even as I tried to clarify I pursed my lips together, still unhappy with my words.
"I understand. The prospect of being free to spend the rest of your life with me seems to good to be true right now."I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Something like that." I replied slowly as a thought occurred to me. "You told me that if I were turned now, I spend the rest of my life on the run. But, if it was just you and me. None of this doppleganger and Klaus fiasco. Would you have turned me at some point?" Elijah's features actually looked surprised for a moment before turning serious. The surprise was probably because though I'd told him not to bring this conversation back to us, that seemed to be what I'd just done.
"Never of my own volition. Not unless you were well informed prior and you indicated strongly, an ever present desire to become what I am."
"But, we're blood bound. Would you not want me with you forever?" I couldn't help the hurt in my voice.
"Not if you didn't want to." His answer was resolute.
"So when we were at our first safe-house and you gave your heartfelt speech about waiting me out, forever. You meant it. But, you would do so in vain? You would let me go upon my death, just like that? I mean geeze. Would you really be comfortable with me aging well beyond your external appearance? All for nothing."
"I would, Elena." The weight of his devotion to me was crushing and I took numerous steadying breaths as I stared at him. My face was heating up with my embarrassment, and my shame for treating him the way I had been recently. I wouldn't change my demeanour to him. But it seemed even more unjust for me to be pushing him away like he didn't matter.
"That's so tragically romantic." I stated sadly.
"Is our current situation not equally tragic?"
"Yes I suppose you're right" I murmured and picked a point other than Elijah to frown at while I sat on the edge f the bed. "You know I never realised how easy death could be. I've never feared it. But knowing that I'll come back. Klaus killing me seems so, insignificant."
"If, or when it happens. It will be anything but." Elijah assured as he came close again, keeping his sombre eyes trained on me. Suddenly I was frustrated. How had we come to have another deep and meaningful conversation when I was trying to keep him away?
"Why do I keep doing this?" I asked myself aloud for his benefit, then honed my words on him. "How do you worm your way in and get me talking Elijah? It's not fair. I don't want to talk." I finished through my gritted teeth.
"Because you need to. This is exactly why I'm here. You need not go through this alone." He stepped closer again and I saw his right arm move momentarily. As though he intended to reach out and touch me, or take my hand in his but then recalled Klaus' rules. Composing myself I looked him in the eyes.
"Well I don't like it." I complained, almost pleadingly for him to stop any future occurrences before they began. Not that he would do so. "I think there's been enough talking tonight. So, maybe you should leave. Dinner is over." I reasoned.
"You're kicking me out?" Shrugging I agreed.
"I suppose I am."
"Let Klaus kick me out. Don't do his bidding for him."
"I would if I knew that in the meantime I wouldn't talk any more. Besides I'm tired." Explaining this as I turned the covers of the bed down and shuffled into a position I could then swing my legs up from. I froze when I caught Elijah's eyes. They were dark and full of anger.
"Do not. Please, do not get in that bed while in my presence." His strained voice half commanded, half pleaded.
"Then please leave before I do." I asked softly.
"Let me stay with you. When Klaus returns I'll happily leave. Just allow me to stay." Sighing I looked at him long and hard. I would really prefer he left. I'd done enough talking. Every time we were together he somehow seemed to get some conversation out of me.
"Regardless of whether you stay or not I'm getting into bed. Since you don't want me to be in it while you're here. I think you'd still be better off leaving." Came my diplomatic and reasonable reply. Having already voiced his aversion to my intentions. Elijah exhaled loudly as his hard eyes glued to mine.
"If you can willingly place yourself in this bed. Then surely I can endure the sight of you in it." He said finally. Frustrated I crossed my arms.
"Look. I want you to leave. I was trying to be delicate about it just then. I wasn't testing you in any way. There was no prize for your compromise. I think you should leave. Now. Please don't make this come across any harsher and more horrid than it already is."
"I've decided to stay. If I can handle the sight of you in Klaus' bed" His eloquent speech pattern fell into a bitter muttering at this. "Then surely you can put up with my presence. Who knows? Klaus might come and tell me to leave in ten minutes from now. I'm sure you'd view that time as nothing at all. No hindrance to you."
"Elijah." I began evenly. "Please leave now. Otherwise I will call Klaus and he will ask you to. Only you'll actually listen and respect his wishes."
"That's really not necessary." He almost warned.
"I can't see you heading to the door." I stated blandly.
"You're not the only one possessing a stubborn streak. I refuse to let you keep pushing me away."
"I'm sorry Elijah." I whispered, uncrossed my arms then swung my legs up on the bed while calling Klaus in my mind. Drawing the covers over me I glanced to Elijah as I waited for his brother to respond. His face was like stone, and his mouth gaped slightly. His stance was rigid and the concealed outrage on his facial features made him look offended.
"You called him. Didn't you Elena? You called on my brother to remove me from your company. I had thought you wouldn't feel like you had to do such a thing." Blinking back tears I stared at him nonplussed.
"Klaus? Are you there?"
"Yes. What is it my love?"
"Elijah and I have finished dinner." I began. "But he's enjoying my company so much that he doesn't really want to leave. I was hoping you would do something about it?" I suggested timidly in my head. Bringing this up with Klaus required caution. I didn't want Elijah daggered. But I also didn't want him continuously getting under my skin.
"Elena?" I must have seemed unfocussed, for Elijah was closer now and trying to get my attention. "What did you tell him? Please don't jeopardise our alliance, any plans that are in motion or are yet to come by making Klaus more suspicious of me. Are you still talking with him?"
"I'll be right there." Klaus replied.
"No. He's on his way." I answered simply and lowered my gaze to the bed covers. While there was some anger in Elijah at what I'd done. The majority of his demeanour was disappointment.
"I-." He began in a hoarse near whispered voice then shook his head. "Why are you so intent on protecting me? In the process you're protecting yourself and I understand that. But you're being unreasonable. I care about you. Standing here right now as I wait for the following events to play out, I value your actions your efforts to do whatever you feel is right. But I don't and won't accept any of this. Your actions are wrong." He finished forcefully. Slowly I slid my eyes up to meet his. Elijah looked betrayed and his eyes were full of hurt. Quickly I looked back down at the covers.
"I don't want to hear it." I dead panned without even checking his reaction. I heard his frustrated exhale though and the slight noise of his shoes as he must have moved. Looking up again I found him staring at me fiercely. Yet his eyes weren't quite focussed on me. Sliding my bum backwards I leaned back against the top of the bed and switched my eyes to the door.
"Are you going to leave before he gets here?" My hollowed voice enquired.
"No. That would do even less good in this situation you've instigated." He seemed to snap at me. I knew I'd really done it this time. Elijah was always so patient with me. But that patience had gone missing-in-action.
A few minutes later Klaus stepped into the room smugly. His eyes first found me, to which I sat taller and took a deep relieved breath. Then switching to Elijah he smirked.
"Drink brother?" He offered and went straight for his liquor.
"No. Thank you." Klaus nodded dismissively and proceeded to pour liquid into two glasses.
"Nonsense. Now that my duties are done for the evening I thought you and I could spend some time together. A far more suitable activity when accompanied by a good scotch," he spoke as he walked towards Elijah and offered the glass. Elijah readily took it from him.
"Having an early night my love?" Klaus suddenly enquired of me.
"Yeah." I replied sighing. Big day tomorrow and all." Klaus' eyes glittered happily.
"Indeed. Do you mind if Elijah and I spend some time here? We'll talk in soothing dulcet tones so as not to bother you." Smiling at him I said that would be fine. Truthfully it would be. As long as Elijah's distracted, he could be right next to me for all I care. I just didn't want to talk with him. Shifting down in the mattress to lie down Klaus approached and kissed me good night as he played with my hair. When he moved away I rolled over slightly so that I was facing away from the two brothers. From that point Klaus' voice dropped it's over confident volume and smugness and descended into the level of chatter that occurs in libraries.
"I'd offer you a seat. But I've had the lounge taken away."
"Yes Elena mentioned it acquired some damage." Elijah responded. "Standing is fine." He assured. I felt the bed shift slightly and assumed Klaus had sat on the bottom edge of it.
The two of them talked for some time. About little insignificant things. Then about the following evening and proceedings. As much as I wanted to drift off to sleep I found their conversation interesting. Especially when they began reminiscing about old times and their family. Klaus' hate for his father was obvious when he was barely even mentioned. I could tell from how his voice almost took on a vulnerable quality. Obviously his resentment drew most of my attention, but the vulnerability beneath it made me feel sorry for him. Eventually I found myself dozing lightly while the two men continued talking. Barely noticing the bed moving. It seemed Klaus moved closer to me at some point so he could run his fingers through my hair, and stroke the skin of my upper arm and neck intermittently. Briefly I wondered if it was just to annoy Elijah. But my reaction to the light non-sexual caresses was to sigh contently and nuzzle my face into the pillow before stilling again. Klaus would have known I was still slightly awake, so maybe he would be pleased that I offered some display that wasn't pre-meditated.
