Chapter 32: Getting The Memories Back
Caroline and Shanyra walked in the founder's party hall. They were both looking gorgeous which was a very normal thing for the Forbes sisters. Caroline was wearing a pinkish dress while Shae wore a maroon colored lace dress with a belt around her waist. The dress revealed her long thin legs perfectly. Even though she only wore light make ups but managed to look stunning. Shae looked very happy. Finally her promise to Sam would be fulfilled and she'd be able to mourn him. Unfortunately till the very last moment, she'd need to keep up her pretense with Kol. If he suspected anything, everything would be ruined. Shanyra would do anything to prevent that from happening. Anyway, she spotted her friends among the crowd.
"Care, I'm gonna go talk to Emily and Maggie." Caroline simply nodded her head.
"And I'll go hide somewhere where Klaus wouldn't find me." She said with frustration and annoyance in her voice.
"Come on sis, I think you should talk to him and get this over with instead of running away from him." Shae gave a mature advise.
"I know I'm handling this poorly but what would I say to him?" Caroline wasn't liking this situation she was in at all.
"You don't have to say anything. You just need to hear out what he has to say" said Shae. Her sister finally sighed out heavily as if surrendering.
"Alright, I'll let him talk to me but only if he takes off the compulsion from you like he said he would." Caroline inhaled a deep breath, then said-
"I'm gonna go look for Stefan. He should be here already." With that they parted. Caroline left to look for her boyfriend and Shanyra walked over to her friends.
"Hey girls!" Shae greeted her friends.
"Shae finally. Damn you're glowing girl. Something must've made you very happy. What is it?" Maggie inquired very curiously.
"Nothing, I'm just happy to be here" said Shae smiling.
"Well we're happy if you're happy." Emily said smiling back at her.
"So, is there anything interesting happening or this is just another boring founder's party?" Shae asked.
"Well it was boring until now" said Maggie, grinning widely.
"Hotness alert, 3'o clock." Shae and Emily looked too and found their history teacher Mr. Kol Mikaelson finally arriving at the party. He was looking hotter than usual. He was wearing a casual black coat with black v-neck t-shirt and black jeans. As he was wearing everything black, it gave his sexiness a certain dark look which was more appealing. The original immediately looked at Shanyra's way. He didn't smile or smirk at her as she wasn't alone; though the way he looked at her, it said a lot of things. He had to avert his eyes though despite not wanting to as Shae's friends were pretty much gawking at him. Kol went to help himself with a glass of Champaign but he'd definitely be keeping his entire focus on his soul mate.
"Oh my god! Mr. Mikaelson totally checked you out Shae." Maggie said exhilarating about it.
"No, he didn't." Shae denied it right away.
"Yes, he did" said Emily supporting Maggie.
"And you were looking at him with quite the interest too Forbes." She said waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Yeah, you were totally eye fucking each other" said Maggie giggling a little making Shae blush brightly.
"You two are impossible." She said shaking her head at them.
"Come on we're only saying, go for it. Something tells me he's very good in bed." Maggie said as she glanced at the topic of their conversation. Kol was speaking to someone, paying no mind to the girls but truth was he was listening to their every words.
"Too bad I'd never find out exactly how good since he's my history teacher. A fact that you two have completely forgotten about" said Shae.
"Yeah, you're right. We should just watch him from afar and fantasize about his skills in bed." Maggie spoke wishfully, letting out a dreamy sigh. It made Shae scowl at her.
"Maggie grow up." She said, not liking that Maggie was having dirty thoughts about Kol. She said to herself it was because Kol was a killer and Maggie shouldn't fantasize about him. But could it be jealousy actually? Not that Shae would ever admit to it.
"Is that jealousy I hear in your voice Shae?" Emily asked right away with a knowing smile on her lips. It made Shae roll her eyes to herself.
"You know what, I'd just pretend we never had this conversation and go get myself a drink." Saying that Shae left her friends.
"She totally wants him" said Maggie.
"And it's not one sided." Emily said as she noticed Kol going the direction Shanyra just went.
Shae was indeed getting herself a drink but she felt someone's eyes on her. She turned around to look and found Kol standing near the staircase. Their eyes locked and he smirked at her. Then he went upstairs. Shae knew he was asking her to come. She obviously didn't want to go but knowing it'd be bad idea to avoid him now, she put down her drink and went upstairs. She started looking for Kol but he wasn't there. Suddenly an arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her inside an empty room. It was obviously Kol. He closed the door behind and kept Shae pressed against it as he hovered over her.
"You startled me." Shae complained in a whisper. The intensity between them was too much.
"Sorry about that. I missed you darling." Kol said lightly brushing his lips over her face and neck in an arousing manner.
"Me too." She said, her breathing became quick and short on their own. Kol was about to kiss her so she spoke up again, obviously to not let it happen.
"I couldn't stop thinking about you last night." Shae said which was true. Only she was thinking about watching him suffer, nothing romantic at all.
"What were you thinking about?" Kol asked in a seductive whisper as he spoke into her ear. Shae blushed and lowered her eyes due to shyness. Sometimes she wondered how could she project such expressions while feeling the exact opposite.
"You've become very shy. You used to be very blunt when younger" said Kol affectionately.
"Do you not like how I've become?" Shae asked dragging the conversation longer. It was bad enough that he was touching her. She didn't want a make out session with him. But unfortunately, it was unavoidable.
"I do. In fact, your new personality is making me fall in love with you all over again. I want you so much now, it both hurts and scares me. What are you doing to me Shanyra Forbes?"
"I don't know but I've heard love so consuming can be very destructive." She said.
"I don't mind a little bit of destruction." Saying that Kol slammed his lips against hers. He started kissing her hungrily. In a blink of an eye, he hoisted her up. Shae wrapped her legs around his waist. Kol took them over to the study table that was in the room. He tossed everything off the table and sat her on it. This made exploring Shae's body easier for Kol. He roamed his hands over everywhere. He pulled away from the kiss only when Shae needed to breath but he attacked her neck right away. Shanyra had to play along and pretend to enjoy everything even though inwardly she was praying for something to happen that would stop Kol. Because he seemed to be in the mood to rip off her clothes and take her right there on the table. Shae certainly didn't want that. At least her mind didn't. Her traitorous body however was responding to his touches on its own. The increasing wetness in between her legs was the proof of it. Thankfully her prayer was heard and someone knocked on the door.
"Kol, I know you're in there." It was none other than Rebekah. Despite hearing her, Kol decided to ignore his sister and continued ravishing his soul mate.
"Come on Kol, don't make me break down the door and come in." She threatened.
"Kol stop. It could be something important" said Shae, making the original stop.
"I don't care." Was Kol's reply. He tried to kiss her again but she didn't let him.
"At least find out what is it." She insisted. Kol sighed out heavily and begrudgingly pulled away from her. He then opened the door with a sour face.
"What the hell do you want?" Kol asked Rebekah sounding pissed off. After all she did interrupt his tour to heaven.
"Caroline wants to talk to you. It's about Shae." Rebekah said quietly so that Shanyra wouldn't hear it. Kol frowned in confusion.
"What is it?" He asked sparing a quick glance at Shae who was looking at them with curiosity.
"Talk to her and find out." Saying that Rebekah left. Kol really wanted to go back to kissing Shae but it seemed Caroline had something important to say and since it was about his soul mate, Kol decided not to ignore it. He walked back to Shae.
"What is it?" She asked with a frown of curiosity on her face.
"I need to go but I'll be back soon. Why don't you go back to your friends and enjoy the party meanwhile? They must be wondering where you disappeared to." Shanyra simply nodded her head. Though she did wondered what was making Kol suddenly leave. She hoped it was nothing she should be worried about. Kol couldn't possibly know what she was planning to do, could he? Kol kissed her lips one last time before leaving. Shae straightened out her hair and dress before walking out of that room herself. However as soon as she did, she almost bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry." Shae quickly apologized. When she looked up, she saw quite a handsome looking man smiling down at her. He was looking at her as if he knew her. But Shae never saw him before.
"It's been a long time Shanyra." He said with a calm and soft tone of voice. He looked like the older version of Kol. Also he radiated superiority. Shae immediately realized who he was.
"You must be Elijah." She stated.
"Yes, it's nice to see you again." He said really meaning it.
"Well I can't say again since I don't remember you but it's a pleasure to meet you finally." She said making Elijah give her a polite smile.
"About that. Would you please come with me? Klaus is waiting for you. I believe he had agreed to give you your memories back." He said getting straight to the point.
"Sure but what about Kol?" Shae asked worriedly knowing he'd try to intervene.
"Don't worry about him. Caroline and Rebekah should be able to keep him busy for a while." Elijah informed her with a smirk. Now, she understood why Kol suddenly left. Her sister and Rebekah were going to keep him occupied with something while Klaus take off his compulsion from her. Elijah and Shanyra started walking together.
"While we have a moment alone-" He spoke up again.
"I want to apologize to you Shanyra." Elijah said very sincerely. But it confused her a little.
"About what?" She asked curiously.
"About what happened four years ago. And for my part in the plan of daggering Kol and letting Niklaus compel you to forget everything about us. I'm truly sorry for what we did to you." The original apologized.
"Well according to me there's nothing to forgive. I already said this to Klaus. I understand that you had to save your family." Shae said really meaning it.
"You are family too Shanyra. You used to trust us and we broke that trust. We never forgave ourselves for that." He said.
"Well then if a day ever comes that I do something that you can't forgive me for. We'll be even that day." Shanyra spoke humorously but of course she had a secret meaning to her statement. Somehow Elijah sensed that which made him a little confused. What did she mean? Unfortunately there was no time to inquire about it. They reached the place where Klaus was waiting for them.
"Where is he?" Klaus asked; obviously about Kol.
"Occupied with Caroline at the moment. Still I'd suggest you hurry up" said Elijah. Klaus then looked at Shae.
"Are you ready?" He asked. She nodded her head. She took off her bracelet which had vervain in it. She wore it because Kol had asked her to. Otherwise he'd be whining about it. Though she didn't drink any vervain. That Kol only assumed she did. Klaus stepped closer to Shanyra and he looked into her eyes. His pupils dilated and he said only one word-
"Remember."
In a matter of seconds, countless forgotten memories started to fill Shae's mind. She began to remember everything about her time with the originals. To say that this was overwhelming Shae would be the understatement of the century. She remembered the very first time she met Kol Mikaelson. The first time she met the other originals. Why Kol abducted her? How he spared her life by agreeing to create a bond between them. She remembered now how he had become her guardian angel. Kol gave her a life, she thought wasn't possible for her but always wanted it. Shae remembered her wonderful time with Rebekah and Klaus. She remembered about Hope and Hayley as well. Not only that, she remembered all the times she got into danger or got herself into trouble as well and how Kol saved her every time. And of course last but not the least, how much she was in love with her soul mate. All the things she used to feel for him. Shanyra felt her heart would explode due to feeling so many emotions at the same time. Her knees gave out and she was about to fall down but Klaus quickly held her. She looked up at him. Klaus was no longer a stranger original hybrid. She knew him.
"Nik!" Shae gasped out loud. Her eyes watered as she couldn't handle her feelings and emotions any longer. They were getting all over the place.
"I remember you." She said with a smile that lasted for two seconds before she got worried.
"How is Hope? Is she alright?" Shae suddenly felt as if it was only a moment ago when Klaus appeared and informed her and Kol that Hope's life was in danger. Amazing things memories. Now that Shae remembered Hope, she remembered how much she used to care about the hybrid's daughter. And with her memories, that love and care returned as well.
"She's fine." Klaus answered. He tried to hide it but he started getting emotional as well seeing Shanyra getting so vulnerable.
"Shae, I'm really sorry for what I did." Klaus apologized sincerely once again, knowing this time the apology would mean something more to her.
"Hope's life was in danger. I would've even let you kill me if it meant she'd be safe." She said really meaning it.
"Thank you." Klaus said feeling relieved. He pulled Shae into a hug. She hugged him back tightly. Elijah watched them with a smile on his lips. He was glad that Shanyra wasn't holding any grudge against them. He truly wasn't expecting her to be so forgiving. Right then Rebekah came there.
"I want a hug too." She said pouting a little. Shae pulled away from Klaus and looked at her.
"Rebekah!" She exclaimed with happiness and ran to her. They hugged each other tightly. Shae couldn't hold herself back anymore and she started sobbing lightly. Rebekah felt her eyes getting teary as well.
"Welcome back love." The original said happily knowing with her memories back, the old Shae would be back to. The one that loved them and considered them a family. This should be celebrated. Unfortunately this moment of rejoice was interrupted.
"What the hell is going on here?" It was none other than Kol who said that. He appeared there out of nowhere and glared at his siblings. Caroline was right behind him. Apparently she couldn't keep him away for long as soon as he started suspecting something fishy was going on. On the other hand, just as soon as Shae heard Kol's voice, her heart skipped a beat. She turned to look at him and their eyes met with each other.
"Kol!" She said his name with a lot of emotions in her voice. After all he was the man, she was in love with and tragically lost. But now reunited.
A smile appeared on her lips. She took a few steps towards him but abruptly stopped. Because suddenly she remembered exactly what she was planning to do to him tonight and for what reason. And now that Shae knew exactly who and what Kol Mikaelson is, it scared the life out of her. All this time, she was playing him and betraying him; plotting against him. Kol would go absolutely mad, if he found out about it. Also just because Shanyra remembered her past, it didn't make her forget what she used to feel for the second man she fell in love with. And she certainly did remember her promise to Sam to avenge him. But after remembering what Kol was to her, how could she even think about hurting him, let alone kill him? But if she forgave him just like that, would she be betraying Sam? Experiencing all these conflicts, Shae started to have a panic attack.
"Shae?" Caroline immediately got to her.
"What's happening?" She asked worriedly but Shae couldn't say anything. She was breathing heavily, sweating and inwardly she was feeling dizziness and nausea. She seemed withdrawn from her surroundings for that moment.
"What did you do to her?" Kol growled at Klaus with anger.
"Nothing. I only took off my compulsion." Klaus said defending himself.
"She was fine, a moment ago" said Rebekah.
"Perhaps seeing you overwhelmed her so much, she can't handle her emotions now." She said but Caroline knew that's not what was happening. Shae was having a panic attack. Reasons? No one knew but Shanyra herself.
"I'm gonna take her home." Caroline announced.
"Let's go" said Kol but she stopped him.
"If seeing you is overwhelming her, perhaps you should give her sometime to adjust." It was Caroline's polite way of saying, she didn't want him around her sister at the moment. Kol was ready to argue of course.
"I won't-" But he was stopped by Elijah.
"She's right. Shanyra needs time to handle her feelings. It's best that you give her some time. At least a night. You could see her tomorrow." Kol was ready to say fuck off to Elijah too but then he heard Shae say-
"Caroline, please take me home." She pleaded with barely audible tone of voice. By saying that, somehow she made it clear too that she didn't want to be around Kol that time. It confused him but he believed what Rebekah had said. That Shae was feeling overwhelmed remembering their past and what they felt for each other. He decided to give her time and let her be for the night. Caroline quickly take her away from there and left for home. Kol looked back at his siblings. If Shanyra had come running into his arms and told him that she loved him, then perhaps he would've thanked his brothers and sister. But since nothing like that happened, he only gave them a stern 'you're forgiven' look and then walked away from there. Kol thought and hoped that perhaps tomorrow, his Shae would come to him and tell him how much she loves him. Little did he know, he was in for a big shock?
Tomorrow came. So did Shanyra to the Mikaelson mansion. Kol immediately came to receive her. The others were there too. He was expecting to see the old Shae who was full of life and completely in love with him. Instead he found a new Shae. One that didn't even resemble the former one he was beginning to know. It confused and worried Kol. Because the girl that was standing before him, looked every bit destroyed. Her eyes were vacant. She looked drained of all colors. Even the way she was breathing indicated something was wrong. Something happened that changed everything overnight. While Kol kept staring at Shae, the rest of the originals looked at each other. They didn't feel any less confused than their brother.
"Shae, I'm glad you came darling. I was about to leave to see you" said Kol walking closer to her. He was hoping she'd tell him what was wrong. And that's exactly what Shae came to do.
"I need to talk to you." She said quietly with voice that was void of any emotions.
"Sure. Let's go upstairs to my room" said Kol but Shae refused to go.
"No. It wouldn't be wise for me to be alone with you while I tell you what I have to say."
"What are you talking about?" Kol asked with confusion.
"I'm here to confess" said Shae. She spoke more strongly and louder this time.
Flashback
It was way past midnight. No one in their right might would visit the cemetery at that hour. But Shanyra Forbes wasn't in her right mind that time. She made her way over to Sam Duval's grave. She had a pouch in her hand. It contained the piece of paper on which a spell is written, Kol's blood and all the other ingredients that were required to perform the ritual of breaking the soul mate bond and kill the original.
"I promised I would avenge you." Shae said to Sam's grave.
"I've everything I need to kill him."
"But I can't." She said after a moment of silence.
"Not because I love him now after remembering my past. But because I remember now how much I owe him. I can't kill him Sam. I can't. I know that if you were here, you'd have told me to forget everything that happened and move on with my life. But I can't do that either." Shae's hard demeanor started to crack and tears began to fall from her eyes. She dropped herself on her knees before the grave.
"I don't know what to do anymore." She started crying hard saying that.
"I miss you so much Sam. You died because of me but instead of bringing you justice, I'm sparing your killer's life. I'm so sorry."
"I will never forgive myself for doing this."
After that, Shae put the pouch on the ground. She pulled out a lighter from her jacket pocket and set the pouch on fire. She finally mourned Sam as she watched the fire burn her plan of revenge.
End Of Flashback
"As you well know, I remember everything about our past now. I remember how much I loved you, worshiped you. But most of all, I remember being insanely grateful to you for everything you did for me. When Klaus took off his compulsion and I got my memories back, that gratefulness returned as well. And because of that, I can't kill you anymore." Shae said at once, not hesitating to confess the truth.
"Kill me? love, I think you need rest. Clearly you still need more time to adjust with the past memories." Kol said taking her confession as a joke. She couldn't possibly be serious, could she?
"I was only one step away from breaking the soul sharing bond and kill you." Shae said dead seriously.
"All this time, I wasn't giving you any chance. I only let you come close to me because I needed to get your blood." Just as she said that Kol remembered their so called blood sharing moment. And Shae's odd behavior afterwards. It was then that he started believing her. And it shocked Kol to no limits.
"Why?" He asked as if he couldn't believe his own ears. Kol got the answer pretty quickly.
"Because you killed him" said Shae. For the first time, her voice shook a little and she showed emotions since this confession has started. Kol didn't need to ask who she was talking about. She was obviously talking about Sam.
"I loved him. I had dreamed of a future with him. You ripped that away from me when you ripped out his heart. He wasn't just my boyfriend. He was my best friend too."
"I get it you were jealous and wanted him out of my life. You could've compelled him to leave town and forget all about me. You could've compelled me to leave him. Instead you killed him. Right in front of me. Now I may feel grateful enough not to avenge Sam but not grateful enough to forgive you. I just don't have it in me to forget what you did or forgive that." Shae stopped for a second to inhale a deep breath before continuing-
"I don't think we can stay bound to each other anymore after all this." She said knowing that she wouldn't be able to stay with Kol anymore as she had no wish to further insult Sam and his memories. And Shae had a feeling that Kol wouldn't be able to be with her either now that he knew that she plotted to kill him.
"We should find a way to break this bond so that we can live our lives free from each other. And if you wish to take the entire soul right away and kill me; I'm good with that too. Let me know when you've made a decision." Saying that Shanyra turned around and started to walk towards the door.
"Did you hate me this whole time?" Kol finally spoke up again and asked a question. His voice strangely calm and steady. Shae looked over her shoulder at him and said-
"I think you already know the answer." With that she left the mansion.
Klaus, Rebekah and Elijah looked at each other, all of them worried about Kol and what he'd do now. So far he was simply standing still. Not throwing a fit or getting murderous which was very uncharacteristic of him. But then again, he never did anything predictable when it comes to Shanyra Forbes. His siblings found it difficult to tell exactly how Kol was feeling about this revelation but one thing they knew for sure, Kol Mikaelson was heartbroken.