Sorry, I realised that I can't count, but here! Have another chapter

Playing with Fire

Rebekah felt nervous. Like properly nervous. Eww, is this how Sarah feels around Elijah? It's awful, she grumbled to herself. The girl in question had been thrilled when the cheerleader had informed her that she was going on a date with Jake Martin at the weekend, and had surprisingly, and suspiciously, offered to come to her house on the Friday night to help pick out what she would wear. And the girl couldn't keep that stupid grin off her face. It was beginning to annoy Rebekah.

"I don't understand you." The vampire said suddenly, and Sarah turned to her, scrunching up her nose. "You, who doesn't like skirts or dresses or dances or makeup or anything feminine, will volunteer willingly to help me find something to wear tomorrow?" She asked, and the girl's cheeks turned pink.

"Well... I've never been on a date before, and you're my friend, so I want to be here for you." Sarah confessed, mumbling out the last bit as she turned back to search through Rebekah's expansive wardrobe. The cheerleader huffed, though warmed on the inside by her simple words, slumping back on her bed. "Plus, I do like all that stuff... Just not on me." Rebekah rolled her eyes. That's a blatant lie, she thought to herself.

The vampire sighed dramatically. "Fine. Just know that on your first date; I'm doing all of this to you and more." She promised, wanting to laugh when her friend shivered.

Sarah let out a breath. "I don't think I need to worry about that anytime soon," she muttered under her breath, but Rebekah heard it clear as day.

"Don't worry," she answered, "My brother will eventually grow a pair and ask you." She said confidently, laughing when Sarah cringed. She didn't have to be nervous here; Rebekah had kicked Nik out when they got home from school, wanting to have some girl time without the addition of nosey brothers like the last time, especially nosey brothers with supernatural hearing.

"What are you thinking of wearing?" Sarah asked, pushing the subject away from herself.

The blonde shrugged, running a hand through her pale tresses. "He said something warm." She paused before adding, "And I don't really want to impress him."

Yes you do, Sarah thought, but wisely kept her mouth shut. She pulled out a fluffy beige jumper and held it up to the light. It was obviously new and unwashed, the tags swinging from the label making it obvious. The girl frowned. It was a nice jumper, but she didn't think Rebekah would wear it. With a sigh, she put it back.

"Well then... smart-casual jeans and a jumper? Not a skirt or a dress though. I don't think that will end well." The loner muttered under her breath. Rebekah rolled her eyes.

"No..." She got off the bed, "I'm going to wear that... and that." She pointed out her clothes, and then guided Sarah away from the wardrobe. The cheerleader noticed that grin on her face, and rolled her eyes, that warm feeling Sarah had given her drying up. "Not that I've been thinking about it." Rebekah added hastily. Sarah just kept on smiling.

The cheerleader kept fiddling with her hair, leaning forward and scraping her nails against her white teeth, her brother frowning at her in the mirror as she did so. "Would you stop that?" She snapped at him, and Nik's eyebrows rose.

"You're annoying me," he finally muttered, sipping blood from a whiskey glass. Rebekah rolled her eyes, checking herself over in the mirror once more before turning around. It was nine fifty-five am, and the female Original was preparing for the longest five minutes of her life. I should've cancelled it… Rebekah thought to herself. He can't reject me one day, and then ask me out the next! Fine, I won't go on that date.

…But Sarah is expecting me to, and Nik will never let me live it down if I turn Jake down on our doorstep. Plus, it's a little late to cancel… As if the universe was proving her point, the doorbell rang. Rebekah glanced at the sixteenth century grandfather clock Nik had taken out of storage a few days ago, and narrowed her eyes. You don't win points for being exactly on time, Jake Martin. But she had another problem to deal with - her brother was heading to the door.

She blurred in front of him, shooing him away, and strangely the Hybrid let her, shaking his head as he wandered away, probably to his art studio, though she knew he would be listening in. She smoothed her hair, and decided against a winning smile, but opened the door anyway. I want to knock him out, not impress, she thought to herself, letting an arrogant smirk trace across her face. And it was all worth it for the expression on Jake's.

He wore smart dark blue jeans, and a chequered shirt, unbuttoned at the top for her to see a grey top hiding underneath, hair smoothed and styled gently, smelling faintly of hair gel. Jake looked gobsmacked, green eyes wide, mouth agape and curled into a half-smile. This might not be too bad... Jake thought before he could stop himself.

All morning, he had been having similar thoughts to the cheerleader, including three different t-shirt changes and panic twitching. It had been terrifying to be outside on the Mikaelson threshold, in front of the house containing two of the oldest vampires in the world, but the moment Rebekah appeared, for some reason it hadn't mattered to him. She was as stunning as always but that couldn't stop Jake from appreciating it now. She's... She's...

Jake sighed through his nose, and smiled uneasily at the Original. "Are you ready to go?" He asked, and Rebekah nodded, not smiling back, unable to talk over the lump in her throat. The cheerleader watched him carefully. Not even a minute in, and it's already awkward... Rebekah grumbled mentally. This wasn't her first date, not even close, but they usually flowed better and more comfortable than this train wreck, neither of the two speaking as if afraid of the consequences.

He's still playing that jazz CD; Rebekah noted when she slid elegantly into the car. Though, the song changed when they'd reached the end of the Mikaelson drive, and she glanced at the radio trilling happily in shock. Saint Louis Blues, she thought, I remember this. Unconsciously, a pretty smile graced her face. The sharp trumpet brought back memories, good ones, which Rebekah felt she had too few of. The cheerleader relaxed in her seat, missing the bright smile on Jake's face when he realised why it was there. Got this in the bag, he thought triumphantly.

Rebekah stared in shock and amusement at the scene in front of her. It had taken them an hour to get to their destination, and the blonde had to grudgingly accept that Jake had picked a good idea. Something she hadn't done before, which was rare, though had watched enviously as others did it. Something she hadn't been able to convince any of her brothers to try with her, but now she had a golden opportunity in the guise of a date with Jake Martin – Ice Skating.

Despite how close it was to lunchtime on a weekend, the arena was practically deserted, which she didn't mind one bit. The Original watched the sparse few actually on the rink, most people milling around the wrong side of the barriers, swamping cafes and hot food outlets instead of getting out on the rink as her date went to go get them both skates. Jake crept up behind her silently, carefully placing the skates down in front of her, but Rebekah continued staring out at the ice rink. The teen couldn't tell what she was thinking. Or feeling. Green eyes met blue. "Do you want to join them?" He asked after a moment of mental blankness. For the first time since they'd met, Rebekah smiled, a smile that lit up her face and made her eyes shine. One that caused a smile on his.

"I'd love to," she answered honestly. Jake grinned as if he'd won a prize, pulling on his skates expertly, waiting patiently for Rebekah to do the same. She winced slightly when she pulled them on, hard, thick plastic scraping against her feet. The teen walked out onto the ice, twirling around gracefully to face the blonde. She wanted to scowl. Alright show off... she thought darkly.

Jake suppressed the smile he wanted to wear when he realised just why the girl was so hesitant. She's never skated before... He pondered, before taking a darker turn. Poor Original. He shook himself mentally. Jake, let it go.

He drifted back over to the side, holding out a hand, sincerity shining clearly in his eyes. Rebekah hesitated, glancing between his hand and his eyes. The blonde made a decision. Now or never. She clenched his hand tightly, though careful to keep it soft and not to crush bones or leave bruises. Slowly, Jake led her out onto the ice, keeping her secure in his grip, eyes never leaving her face. Her movements were halting and she skittered across the ice, eyes glued to her wobbly feet, but Jake never let her fall.

It had turned from skating, to just gliding, the boy never leaving her side, though after a few confident minutes, he let her skate alone. She shuffled her feet, sliding forward cautiously and she smiled brightly. Jake smiled in return, and detangled himself properly, leaving only a limp hand in hers. The cheerleader slipped around the ice, giggling quietly as she did, her smile as bright as the light fracturing on the ice. Wow... He's good, this is fun, she thought, not looking at him when she realised she hadn't giggled honestly in a while. Jake relaxed, watching the girl as she glided ungracefully in small circles and for some reason, the teen felt so... odd. He couldn't put his finger on it. I feel, Peaceful. Yes, that's it. Peaceful.

Jake had only booked the skates for a short while, meaning after an hour Rebekah found herself sat at the little cafe by the ice rink, a hot cup of coffee snuggled in her hands. Jake sat across from her, chugging down a giant hot chocolate, keeping a sly eye on his date. Out on the ice, classes had started, small children skating hesitantly with almost as much skill as Rebekah, their parents wedged into the same cafe as they were. Suddenly, the girl sighed, and Jake glanced at her.

"Alright, I admit, this was a good-" Jake coughed, eyeing her obviously, and Rebekah rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Alright, a great idea." Jake grinned, snagging a few chips from the bag in the centre of the table, chomping down happily. Knew it, he thought, knew she'd like it.

"Thanks," he said, but the smile disappeared when Rebekah bit her lip, staring into the brown swirls inside her cup. Jake's smile and good mood evaporated instantly. What? I thought she said she was enjoying herself. "Rebekah?" Jake asked, and the Original sat back in her seat, arms folded over her chest defensively.

"Why did you take me here?" Jake was stumped at her question, eyes widening as he scratched his head. What? Well... uh...

"I thought you would've liked this place, and-"

"No, I meant why did you take me out on a date?" Jake stiffened at the harshness in the girl's voice. He looked at her dubiously, but took the question seriously. Why did I ask her out? He thought. To prove that I'm not gay... but why do I care? I don't want her to think that I like guys like that. But... why? The answer hit him. I want her to think... I like her. No, I can't, I don't – she'll kill me! Painfully! The vampires blue eyes flashed dangerously during his mental debate, and for a split second, the teen thought the skin around her eyes darkened, just like Alex had described to him. Jake gulped, adrenaline beginning to pump around his system, leaning away from her. "Was this some kind of joke? Or did someone put you up to this?" Her eyes widened. "Please don't tell me someone from the Elena Gilbert Gang made you do this?"

Jake was shaking his head frantically. "No!" He blurted, panicking and blushing heavily. "No, I..." Rebekah waited for him to continue. "I..." What? Why can't I say it? Why won't it come out?

Rebekah sneered. "I, I... what?" She mocked, ignoring the disapproving twinge her conscious offered. She knew what she was doing wasn't nice, the hurt and badly masked anger was all over Jake's face, but she couldn't help herself. There was something different about him, something that he made her feel. It was a good feeling, but she didn't know if she liked it. Nothing good came from that feeling, and she had centuries of experience to back it up.

Jake bit his tongue, hand shivering as suddenly Rebekah stiffened, smelling his blood. No... No... No, this isn't supposed to be happening! "Be quiet!" He hissed suddenly, eyes squeezed shut, drawing the attention of nearby tables, and surprisingly to both, Rebekah quieted. The teen breathed heavily through his nose before opening his eyes again. "I invited you out because I wanted to – no one else had anything to do with it." He finally answered honestly, green eyes boring straight into hers. Rebekah's breath caught in her throat, and she gulped. Oh...