CHAP 57:
Locked in my cubicle I could have laughed at it's misleadingly private and impenetrable function. It was neither. Klaus could come in, rip the door off and I could do nothing. It only felt like I had some space to myself because he allowed it. Sighing I stiffly manoeuvred the clothes that would restrict my toilet stop and took my seat. Taking my time in here just to be difficult, appealed to me on a personal level, but I decided against it. So I was the perfect hostage. Even when beginning to stand, my lower back spasming, my automatic reaction was fear of the consequences of being stuck in here while Klaus grew more and more impatient outside. Breathing deeply I put my hands on the walls either side of me and pressing them outwards, worked on lifting myself, only using my legs to bear weight. The sharp twinges seemed to be here to stay as I readied myself to leave. A couple of times my legs nearly gave way as painful yet numbing sensations shot down my legs. Finally ready to walk and make my exit having already taken what would be a suspiciously long time, I attempted a step forward. Hot arcs of fire lanced across my lower back and I inhaled sharply reinforcing my braced arms on each wall. Trying a a few more times with milder variations I knew couldn't walk without supporting myself. And by walk, it would be more of a shuffle anyway. There was no way I was going to get out of here alone. I needed vampire blood. But I wasn't to like either of the vampires I was with at the moment. So I dreaded asking for it. But I required some sort of help in my current situation, no matter how unappealing. The dilemma was communicating my need for assistance. Klaus being shut off from my mind suddenly seemed slightly less fabulous. What if he thought my absence was some disobedience on my part and he took it out on shoppers here? While I intended to be a pain for him, I wanted to do so intentionally. Not a circumstantial event. I wanted to choose when I would misbehave. That was the only way my behaviour could be safe. As for right now I had to do something.
Assuming he was already suspicious of my time in here I started muttering softly, hoping he was listening in.
"Klaus. I can't move. Am standing, but my back hurts. I'm using the walls to stay upright. I don't want your help, but I need it, or something. But I'm not causing trouble. I promise. I'm ready to leave." I repeated slowly with no emotion in my voice over and over again. I was on my tenth repeat when there was a knock on my cubicle door.
"Elena?" Klaus' voice enquired softly. He was in here.
"Yeah."
"Can you unlock the door?" His question was more in assessment than an order and I answered by doing so. But the door opened inwards, so I was going to have to shift back for it to open fully.
"Crap." I breathed while stopping the door from opening any further.
"Another problem?"
"I have to move back for the door to open fully, but I can't." I informed while keeping my voice hollow.
"That's all right, love." Klaus reassured and I heard him moving. "Here," he offered and his hand came into view as he reached it through the opening, when I finally saw the gash on the underside of his wrist. I understood what to do. But I found myself wondering how he looked to the other's waiting in line with his arm in, so I didn't immediately start feeding. "You know what to do," he prodded. With some pain I removed one of my arms from it's braced position and grasped his hand with the thought I hadn't yet washed mine, but figured he'd just have to deal with it and wash his if he was toilet-trained. Drinking greedily it wasn't long before my arousal buzzed and the shooting pains throbbed then became an ache. With some effort I released his hand, shifted to flush the system then stepped out of the cubicle. Glancing around to find the toilets deserted without even one person lined up, and the other cubicles empty I assessed Klaus inquisitively while we moved to the line of sinks and both washed our hands side by side. "Yes, I had a little something to do with the emptiness. When you were taking as long as you were I confess, I became suspicious. Even before you enlightened me." Turning my head from it's slight angle towards him I rinsed my hands and walked over to use some paper towels. Klaus joined me momentarily and once my hands were dry I moved closer to the exit and waited for him. Narrowing his eyes at me as he subsequently approached I stared at him unaffected. "Not interested in how I did it?" In response I slightly shook my head once from left to right. The next moment Klaus had a vice-like grip on my left upper arm. Gasping I glanced down at his hand then turned my face to his. "Speak!" He hissed in my face.
"No." Came my simple answer to his prior question and he released me. Presumably he hadn't taken my no as defiance, as I was then spun and pushed toward the exit.
"Step outside, head right and walk to the payphones." Klaus instructed quietly. Doing as he'd instructed I saw a line up of seven women outside and did became somewhat curious as to how Klaus had managed that. Just as I'd made it to the phones however, I heard his voice telling the women the toilets were back in use. That he was sorry for any inconvenience. I hadn't realised he'd waited for my departure to appear separate to his until then. Listening in, the woman at the front of the line commented on how lovely it was for the manager to personally assess the facilities. As I casually watched on I saw him make a real effort to chat and maintain eye contact before the lady abruptly stopped talking to him, turned and went inside. I had to assume he'd compelled her to keep everyone out as well as herself.
Klaus strode towards me then stopped and pivoted on his heels while offering his arm. I glanced at it with disinterest then to his face before starting to walk back the way we'd come. Less than two paces forward I found my arm in Klaus' and he had me drawn as close as possible to his side.
"Don't I get a thank you?" He murmured. His mouth on my ear closest him. Allowing a lengthy exhale I kept my eyes forward and didn't answer. "When I ask you a question, I expect an answer, Elena. You should talk more, like you used to. Open up once more and you'll get over your trauma."
"I'd rather not thank you for rectifying something you caused." I dead-panned.
"I was wrong to throw you down on the concrete." he admitted. " I am, sorry." I said nothing and we kept walking. "I want to comfort you, not cause you more pain. I meant what I said on the phone the other night. I would have liked to be there for you. In all my existence I know full well one cannot change the past. But I'm here now. With you. I want to be here for you. I can't have my queen anything but as strong as you've been up till now."
"I meant what I said too."
"I've listened to all you've ever said to me, to what are you referring?"
"On the phone. I don't need you." Klaus said nothing more for a bit as we walked through the flow of shoppers.
"Please, consider this, Elena." He initiated as we left the shops and entered the car park, our destination a little way up yet. "I am an Original vampire as well as a Hybrid. I can want for nothing, and get it. And yet, I need you. If one buys into the laws of magic, maintaining a balance. Then you balance me out. I need you. An all powerful, soon to be fully-fledged hybrid, needs you. So how can you, in your current, lowly form, say you don't need anyone, let alone me? I need you to break my curse. You need a purpose to your life. Losing your parents took a lot out of you. I can't pretend to sympathise there. But when you transform from the sacrifice we'll go on to create our race and glide along on power, glory. You will have purpose again. I'm going to give than to you." I made no response and Klaus relented pushing in the time it took for us to rejoin Elijah.
Inside our car was silent while we found and made our exit from the car park. Elijah was driving and Klaus was with him up front while I had the back. I'd silently submersed myself in some of the things Jonas had explained. Like how my helping kill the girl might have secured the freedom I now had from Klaus within my mind. It was somewhat comforting. It gave her death more purpose and I was appeased some by what I'd done. She helped me more than she'd ever be able to understand, because of me. I wished I could have thanked her, not that she'd have understood. I just really wanted to express my gratitude. Of course, that would only help me. Not her. Nothing would help her now. Knowing I couldn't dimmed my comfort somewhat and I found myself conflicted and feeling selfish for having profited further from her death.
"The loss of the warlock is inconvenient. I'd like to check if she's pregnant without the delay of meeting with another trusted witch." Klaus broke the silence. "Of course, I don't need that knowledge to keep trying." Withdrawing from my thoughts I listened in.
"Did you really need to provoke him?" Elijah replied, "Is Greta truly dead?"
"She is." Klaus answered. "Consider it a test. One he passed. If he didn't react as he did, he would've most certainly been up to something. You know witches are intuitive. I would rather tell him, than withhold it and earn his wrath unexpectedly. When I had no protection. This way, even though I've lost a valued warlock, I'm comfortable knowing no-one involved in breaking my curse has any ulterior motives. I have both you and Elena backed into your respective corners, Jonas' alcove had a window to freedom. He was the weakest link in all of this. He required testing. Yes, now I have to pick up at least another, but I know my plans are secure."
"There's a difference between telling him and mocking the worth of his children."
"I doubt he'd ever expected us to sit down somewhere quiet where I would sympathise with him." Klaus turned in his seat to look back at me.
"Elena," he soothed. "I wish you wouldn't cry for him. It upsets me." The bastard actually sounded sincere. Frowning slightly I pieced together that he was referring to Jonas and realised a couple of tears lazily trekked down my cheeks.
"What?" I exclaimed in disbelief. "He was kind to me. Which is more than I can say for you!" I spat angrily. "So I'll cry if I want to. If you died I wouldn't shed a tear. Jonas was a good man. Instead of having him killed you should have taken some tips on how to be even one tenth the man he was," I shook my head slowly from side to side as if searching for clarity after my outburst. The atmosphere within the vehicle grew tense and under my angry facade I felt fear. I couldn't allow it to overwhelm me though so made an effort to still my head and stare emptily at him. My fear stayed in check even as Klaus' darkened eyes perused up and down my body, his head tilting sideways before he next spoke.
"Tell you what. That was inappropriate. You know I don't tolerate that kind of talk when we have company. But expression is better than your sullen closed off behaviour." Pausing his eyes became a little softer, and when he next spoke his tone wasn't as hard. "So, I'm going to allow the liberty of your tongue. No consequence." Saying nothing I turned my head and looked out the window until Klaus could be heard shifting in his seat. Glancing forward I found him facing forward and deciding to lie down, commenced my sleeping act.
I over heard the call Klaus made to pick up Jonas, it was much like organising any common human service to be done. There was no mention of Jonas' location, but Klaus ended the call promising he would text. So our travels remained secret. What was clear was the amount of use Klaus gave the cleaners, for he mentioned his account. Vaguely I wondered if they'd tended to the clean up after the other night and the practice run before that. Following the call Klaus and Elijah spoke on and off, about nothing of importance. Just the usual vague travel decisions I'd been used to when Jonas was with us. At one stage Klaus asked Elijah if Jonas had performed the pregnancy spell on me at all, to which Elijah said he hadn't. That seemed to spark some action on Klaus' part as he spent some time on his phone again, speaking with three other counterparts. Since until now we were to stay on the move. Keeping up my act proved relatively easy since no-one was bothering me. When asked what I'd like to eat late into the night I easily opted for ignorance. I was eager for some food, but it seemed opportunistic not to show it. Denying myself any enthusiasm from the offer, and preventing myself from hoping I'd be given something to eat regardless of my response proved tiring. Perhaps that was the result of acting fatigued by my emotions. That or wallowing in a measure of misery was taking it's toll on my conscience.
We did stop for food eventually, for I was given some reasonable pumpkin soup after being coaxed to sit up by a very cautious Klaus. Having been dozing at the time my act was fantastic. I acknowledged Klaus with bleary eyes and a heavy head as though my brain was having difficulty communicating my body's ability to function. Perched on the very edge of the back seat, he held my crusty bread for when I wished to take it. I could feel his eyes on me, seeking out some sort of interaction but I kept my gaze down. Only raising it so far as to locate the bread Klaus gestured with before taking it from him. When I was finished, my cup was taken from me hospitably and fingers ran through my hair as I was asked if I wanted anything more. A minute shake of my head and the door was closed before Klaus hopped back in the front and we were on the move again. Evidently Elijah had remained seated up front the whole stop.
Later, while in actual slumber I became aware of motion and being lifted. Eyes opening slightly I found Klaus was carrying me. His feet on pavement broke the otherwise silent air and I widened my eyes before blinking rapidly from the harsh fluorescent lighting before focussing on Klaus' face with narrowed eyes. There were only centimetres between our faces since my head rested on his shoulder. We gazed at each other. His eyes soft and caring, while I kept mine hollow. I opted not to struggle, simply deciding to endure. Especially seeing as this seemed to be our change of vehicle. Soon Klaus and I gracefully rotated, swung, and dropped before my bum rested on something while Klaus still had an arm around my back and underneath my legs. Some further adjustment from Klaus and my bum dropped a little. Judging by what orientation I had, I was on Klaus' lap sideways. But he'd spread his legs so I'd dropped down between them. Slowly looking about me I saw the car was a five seater and Elijah was getting into the drivers seat diagonally in front of us, closing the door a moment later. As the interior light faded I made to move, not keen on keeping such close proximity with Klaus but he retracted his arm from beneath my knees and fingers splayed, pressed that hand gently down on my abdomen.
"Stay," he whispered and I couldn't help but draw comparison with Elijah in a back seat just the other evening. I did as he enforced, but wasn't going to be any more encouraging. Instead I closed my eyes instantly. It was my escape, my defiance. Feeling some material draping over me my eyes opened just a fraction to find it was my robe, before shutting them again and going back to sleep.
When I next woke there was daylight outside and Klaus' head had dropped forward onto mine by the downward pressure atop my own and how close his breath felt and sounded. Assuming he was asleep, I was immediately aware I wasn't to be considerate of this. Especially now I was awake. So I abruptly heaved myself forwards and up so I was only sitting on the thigh closest to the centre of the car and scrambled off him with the assistance of an elbow against his chest. Grunting he woke and I found my efforts wasted when he hooked an arm around my middle and pulled me back onto his lap while rubbing at his left eye and yawning. My hands on his arm I started prying it off me, but it was no use. Giving up I lifted my head and my face relaxed except for my cold eyes as I stared at him. For a moment he said nothing, just darted his eyes back and forth between my own.
"Good morning," he opened gently to which my right eyebrow rose. His tongue darted out and licked his bottom lip before he drew it into his mouth slightly while looking at me considerately. "How are you, today?" He brought a hand up to push some hair back over my left ear. How am I today? Oh I'm just fabulous. I helped kill someone a few days ago, and watched you kill a perfectly good man who you valued to some degree, just last night. You're holding me against my will, threatening the lives of my remaining family and you won't give me any space right now. My internal, now private yet no less horrible cataloguing of recent events raced through my mind. The scared face of the girl in my minds' eye. After an initial narrowing of my eyes, my frustration, grief and guilt caused them to widen as my nose prickled and oncoming tears forced their way forward. Frowning slightly as the first tear ran down my cheek I ducked my head and turned it away from Klaus. Gently he caught my chin and guided my head onto his chest then re-wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. "Shh. It's alright. It's alright, I promise." He soothed, encouraging me to cry.
After a toilet stop and bite to eat, it was much later when Klaus tried to converse with me again. We'd re-assumed our positions where I was sitting sideways on his lap. But I'd taken to gazing out the window across the back seat.
"What are you thinking, love?" I ignored him, so he repeated his question once more. He didn't try again, simply pinched my leg. Causing me to emit a soft squeal and jump in his hold. "Come on," he urged through a whisper at my ear closest him. "Talk to me, Elena."
"I've nothing to say," my soft murmur seemed loud even to me in the quiet car.
"Everyone has something to say. I don't mind what it is. I'd just like to hear your voice for a bit."
"Maybe you should torture some speech from me." I suggested bluntly
"You know I will if I have to," he sighed almost silently. "I have to communicate with you the hard way now. My patience will be tested if you keep shutting me down." He actually sounded remorseful for actions he may yet carry out.
"Not my problem."
"You know it will be. You're tough, Elena. But you're still human."
"I see no downside."
"Hmm." One of Klaus' hands was under my chin then, directing my face towards his. Allowing my eyes to jump ahead of the angle of my head I connected our gazes and Klaus took to stroking my jaw. His eyes were sympathetic for about a minute, then they darted down to my lips before returning to my eyes again. He glanced down once more before boredly I picked up the slight nearing of his face and jerked my head backward as my hands braced against his chest. While I could accept him kissing me and give no response, I chose resistance. Applying some anger seemed a natural reaction in response to him thinking it okay to kiss me. So I allowed that to build. Chuckling softly he relented his head's approach and considered me a moment. Wary and now exhibiting the anger my expression darkened. Klaus then tilted his head slightly and his eyes narrowed before he glanced away in Elijah's direction. My guard slightly down as a result he swiftly got back on course and made his move. My head was secured and his lips on mine in an instant, while taking enough care for the union to be gentle. My hands put to use once more I pressed back from him, trying to break free. But Klaus' restraint was perfect, even as he withdrew his mouth a millimetre so he could lick and nip along my firmly shut mouth, he kept me close enough that I couldn't get any leverage for escape. Failing in my struggle I weakened, so began slipping my right arm down and behind me. Kicking my legs now and making sounds of protest, I casually found the door handle. Opening it and giving a little push with my awkwardly angled arm it swung open. An answering bang told the door had connected with something.
"Klaus!" Elijah hissed from the front as our car swerved and screeched. Yelping in surprise and hoping my actions weren't going to cause an accident, Klaus' tongue entered my mouth before freeing it altogether. Noticing Klaus had removed a hand from me I tried to escape his hold for the second time today. One handed Klaus kept me so while trying to close the door with his other. Having not seen what the door had hit I didn't know if much damage had been caused. But when finally Klaus required both his hands to try and close it I assumed the damage had been decent and took this chance to dive into the front passenger seat. Bumping Elijah's arm on the gear stick as I did so I muttered a sorry as I settled and put on my belt. Only then did I look back at Klaus. He was fiddling with something in the structure of the door where it was meant to lock onto the body of the car. Apparently I had accomplished some damage. Happy to be free of Klaus I turned forward and watched the road silently.
"What's the damage?" Elijah enquired smoothly.
"The door's somewhat bent outwards," Klaus told though sounding unfocussed. "But it closes," he added. "What'd we hit?"
"You didn't see?"
"I was," here Klaus lowered his voice, "distracted." Elijah sighed.
"We hit a solid steel barrier post on an interstate."
"Don't get technical with me, Elijah. Elena opened the door."
"As a result of you aggravating her."
"I wasn't aggravating her. We were engaging each other."
"If a woman is so desperate to be free of you that she flings open a door on a highly trafficked multi-laned road and further, once released catapults herself into the front of said vehicle. Then you were aggravating her." He stipulated slowly.
"Right. Thank you for that. But Elena is a special case. Not a typical woman in any scenario another woman would find herself in." Right. I'm special.
"Klaus, really. Do you think this, any of this, is going to help Elena at the moment?"
"Sometimes, brother. Getting physical connects you to others. I've lost something between Elena and myself and I took the chance just now to reacquire it. Though she's fragile at present, I believe she's more than capable of functioning above what she is. I can't be waiting around for her character to return of it's own accord. After some consideration, I feel I need to coax it out. This just now was all for a kiss. That's all I wanted. I truly hadn't expected her to put up such a fight." Klaus' words sounded closer and closer until I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. "In fact, despite the possibility for danger through the resulting incident, I'm quite pleased with the result. She actually did something for herself, Elijah." Klaus spoke softly to me then. His mouth had to be close to my right ear from the feel of his breath alone. "Didn't you, Elena? You're in there." Feeling the brush of something across the front of my neck I immediately inclined forward until the contact became restraining and I was held back against my seat. "Now, my love. Please unbuckle your seat belt and return to the back." As if. When I stayed silent and unmoving Klaus' grip on my neck tightened a little. "Though I said please, that was an order. Frustration will come quickly to me now," he warned gently. "Which you're currently testing. Don't make me drag you back here."
"Klaus, is this really necessary right now?"
"Butt-out, Elijah." Demanded Klaus, before returning to the soft voice he was using with me. "Elena? I see no action." My ignorance tipped his patience. "Very well then." Klaus resigned and my belt suddenly clicked undone.
"No, don't-," I started and Elijah suddenly steered the car sharply across multiple lanes. Tyres squealing we stopped in a spot that wouldn't affect traffic. By then Klaus' hands were on my upper arms despite how I'd moved to get away. He and I both paused and looked to Elijah.
"Why've we stopped?" Klaus asked.
"I'm not enduring any more of this. Please cease disturbing Elena until we reach our eventual destination. Doing anything like this is only going to cause problems we don't need. Like a car accident." Elijah stipulated. He has a point!
"I'm sorry, I thought I was in charge?" Klaus quipped condescendingly.
"Of course," Elijah assured. "But leaving Elena to process her troubles has proved hassle free when it comes to travelling so far. It's also proved to be least upsetting for her. I'd have thought you'd prefer transit to be as hassle free as possible."
"Destinations are important, brother. But I need Elena to be what she was. Who she is. You and Jonas have merely ferried her around, contained her since departing my company the other night. That has allowed for her sullen, quiet behaviour. It's time to encourage her to interact. She's capable of it, you've just witnessed. Otherwise she'd have simply accepted me." If that was how he was going to interpret it I decided I'd have to throw in some bland acceptance from time to time. How I'd reacted had still been fine. I'd just need to keep in mind how he was going to process my behaviours. Sporadic changes would be key.
"All I ask, is that there are no more relocations while I'm driving. Position us all as you see fit now, while we're stopped; and ensure we maintain our stations."
"As you wish, brother." My upper arms were gripped anew and held against my rib cage while I was lifted and pulled sideways, back across the side of the front seat to join Klaus in the back. There was little I could do but kick my legs.
"No! Stop. Please, Klaus. Let me sit up front." My cries insistent I grabbed at anything my restricted arms would allow. Hands finding Elijahs' shirt I fisted the material. But he physically uncurled my fingers from the garment. Expression aghast, I stared at his occurring handiwork for a moment. There'd not been a situation during my current act where Elijah'd so obviously assisted Klaus with me like right now. Yes he'd contained me. But this was a more personal in your face occurrence. Giving him a murderous look while Klaus readjusted his grip on me, more and more of my person left the front seat.
"I hate you for helping him." I spat at Elijah. "I hate both of you!" I exclaimed as only my legs were left in the front of the car. "And I don't hate anyone."Elijah assisted further by folding my left leg over so I swung my right at his head and connected. Apologising for it in the back of my mind. "Don't touch me, you murderer!" Calling him such hurt me and likely him, but I was about to be back with Klaus so the show went on. I held onto the hurt though. So when Klaus finally had me to himself in the back while Elijah pulled back onto the road I encouraged how it felt to so hurtfully speak of Elijah along with the memory of the girl, to bring tears on. Breaking down Klaus held me at my waist and head, drawing me against his chest. Half my body was cocooned by his and I was genuinely surprised. I'd thought he'd take off where we'd stopped straight away. It seemed he was honouring how intuitive he thought he would be to me.
It was later that evening lying across the back seat, exhibiting anything that encompassed the miserable state I'd opted for, when Klaus suddenly spoke.
"I'm not liking this, Elijah." Shifting slightly as though to make myself more comfortable I grumbled unintelligibly into Klaus' lower abdomen. One of his hands immediately stroked the upturned side of my head in response. I'd been in this position since our last toilet stop, courtesy of my pillow. He hadn't let me away from him at all since our earlier struggle. So when I'd collapsed my body against the closed door on what I'd claimed for those few minutes as my side of the car, he'd pulled me to him. But not before I'd snapped my head around to stare at him coldly when I felt the first touch of his hand on my shoulder closest him. We'd commenced another stand off, despite being seated. Klaus' challenging gaze had been shielded beneath a concerned frown. Despite lying around for the bulk of the day, I'd been tired. Most likely due to the act I had to keep up. But the emotions I had to tap into on repeat were draining. It was to my advantage though. The stress made it seem like nothing at all to let some tears free at that moment. I could see my exhaustion helping me like this more often.
"To what are you referring?" Elijah responded more quietly than Klaus, as though considerate of me in case I was asleep.
"Not knowing exactly where our destination will be. Not including our inevitable destination that is."
"I understand."
"We can stay on the road as long a time as we need, but I can't make any progress with Elena within the confines of a car." I wondered what Klaus was referring to. Was it getting me pregnant, or to interact? "She needs to be grounded. Not travelled around." Ah, his concern is my mental state. His comment was surprising. "Yes, motel rooms of a night would allow for the opportunity to conceive." I stand corrected. This is a little of column A and B. "But I want her with me Elijah." There was fragility in his voice. "I can't do that in the confines of a car." Silence met with Klaus' concerns. While I assessed the topic with slight amazement. At times Klaus could be so in tune with the human characteristics he possessed but kept hidden.
"What do you suggest?" Elijah enquired after a time.
"If I had something planned, even a few options I'd be directing, not consulting." Klaus bit back and his hard shell was back.
"Of course." Elijah admonished. "However, you were the one to voice your concerns. No suggestion I could make would possibly suit you, as the notion won't be your own. Forgive me for assuming you simply needed to voice your problem-solving in order to reach a suitable conclusion."
"Point taken." Klaus grumbled. "Another dilemma then," he introduced. "Travelling in this one car is making me antsy."
"We're only verging on twenty-four hours in this arrangement."
"I know. But I need a witch. Not knowing where we're headed, means I can't organise a rendezvous point."
"I fear your secondary dilemma is an extension of your first."
"I can't be blamed for being eager. The next full moon is days away. If Elena could become pregnant I might accomplish everything in a matter of days." Klaus defended wistfully.
"Ah. Surely you're keeping in mind that the lack of success so far could likely to continue? Your eagerness mightn't be well placed, despite the time our current arrangements gives you to ponder."
"I'm a man of action, Elijah," he drawled. "I need to do something. Besides, I'm a sitting duck here. I can't do much with Elena, and without a witch we're three very valuable targets in the one spot. Moving, but still confined. If our presence could be masked by magic I'd feel better about it."
"Would driving assist you any? Assign you some control perhaps."
"No. If I'm to be away from Elena it must be productive. I cannot stand inaction."
"But isn't that the overall problem? Driving is action, Klaus. As mundane as you might see it."
"It serves no purpose for me. Yes, yes, in a round about way it does. But my priorities are governing Elena through her grief, and setting my release in motion. Anything else holds no meaning for me." Elijah chuckled at this.
"As driven, yet selfish as you ever were, brother."
"There's a measure of selflessness if you've taken notice." Klaus responded lowly.
"And yet, it seems to me that putting Elena's needs right now before yourself isn't fulfilling for you. I believe your antsyness is impatience." Klaus grunted in response and the car went quiet for a while except for Klaus to ask Elijah for the map. I could feel it resting on me somewhat as Klaus presumably assessed it.
About an hour later Klaus broke his silence suddenly. "Elijah. Take the next exit." Doing so without question Elijah proceeded to heed Klaus' directions for a further twenty minutes before we stopped altogether. Taking opportunity of the ceased motion I woke up. Shifting slightly, then lifting my head my body followed until I was sitting upright. Surprised Klaus had allowed it I watched him curiously as he sat forward with the map in hand, extending it into the front of the car so Elijah, seated in front of him could see.
"Alright," Klaus began animatedly. "We're here. Inevitably we'll make our way here." Emphasis was placed on what I presumed to be another location. While Klaus directed I reached for the door handle in an attempt to open it. I found it locked. Releasing a shaky sigh I let that fact sink in before yanking at the door handle repeatedly as I exhibited my frustration. Stopping, my breathing rapid I could feel eyes on me and realised Klaus had stopped speaking. I turned my head slightly left and shot the vampires who were both watching me a cold stare. After a moment both their attentions returned to the map.
"We're dumping the car now. On foot I'll collect my witch. While you'll take Elena here. A little motel sits on the corner. I'd like you to get a room and keep her with you. Once I've got my witch, we'll rejoin you."
"Where will you acquire her?" Klaus chuckled.
"You're no threat Elijah. But I'll be damned if I'm going to share every detail with you. The question is, can you keep Elena from escape without the help you had from Jonas?" At the mention of the deceased warlock's name my heart clenched.
"I'm an Original. I'm more than capable." He responded smoothly in what seemed a more brotherly fashion stoked with ego. Klaus guffawed and lightly thumped Elijah on the shoulder. "Shouldn't I at least know how long you intend to be? In the event something goes awry," he prodded.
"I'm a Hybrid." Klaus' ego was out too. "Your concern is touching, brother. But nothing affects me. I'll have returned when you see me." His tone was final and Elijah made no further move to become informed. "Elena," he called softly and I could hear his movement across the back seat. When he placed his hand on my left thigh I tried to press myself against the car door. "I don't want to be away from you again, but it's what has to be done. I'll return soon enough. Please, be good for Elijah. There'll no doubt be people at the motel. We can't be drawing attention to ourselves, now." The heat from his body intensified and it seemed he was getting closer. Then his face was next to mine and he kissed my cheek before continuing in a whisper. "Don't forget the consequences that'll result if you misbehave beyond reason, my love. And be strong," his gentler voice encouraged. "I know you are. You can win this battle with your conscience." I made no response. Simply tried my best to meld with the contours of the door. "Goodbye, Elena. I'll see you soon." Again his lips met with my cheek before he drew away. He'd still not left after a couple of minutes, nor continued any conversation with Elijah from what I could gather. Unsure I titled my head enough to watch him out of the corner of my eye. "It is customary to acknowledge one's imminent absence, Elena." Eyebrows drawn together I frowned but said nothing. "Elena?" He pushed with some edge to his voice. Rubbing my sore eyes I was given a moment more before pain lanced across the left side of my rib cage while my head was turned to him. His fingers gripped my jaw painfully. Gasping in pain, my body rigid from it's intensity I stared at him with wide eyes.
"Klaus-." Elijah began.
"Shut it." Klaus snapped then addressed me. "Elena. Open that delicious little mouth and bid me farewell." Trying to find a more pain-free state I tried to shift, pretty sure from the position of his lower arm and the pain, that his fingers were between my ribs. When the pain altered in response it was confirmed. He'd just twisted said fingers.
"Bye!" I moaned and Klaus relented. Eyes closed and panting as the pain subsided, he swooped in to catch my open mouth with his own and kiss me soundly. Then my jaw was released and he was stepping out of the car.
"Elijah." he dismissed. "Perhaps she could do with something to keep her mind occupied.? Tv, magazines?" Came his final suggestion and then Klaus was gone from my sight.
"Ten minutes and we'll be on our way." Elijah stated hospitably after turning in his seat. From the look he was giving me I had to assume the ten minute wait was to be sure Klaus was far enough away that we could risk dropping the act. But I'd wait with no expectations in mind until I was told with some certainty that that was the case.
