Finally, she reached the house and walked inside. "I found one" she told Klaus.
"And I plan on waking up Damon now since you have the blood you need for now"
Klaus looked up when he heard Hope. "Alright." He didn't really have a problem with it considering he was heading out of town anyway. "I'm glad you found what you were looking for." It saved him time in having to search for that as well.
Hope undid the spell with a muttered word and the wave of her hand, waking up Damon. She then walked towards Klaus and looked down at the prism
Damon slowly opened his eyes and then quickly stood up when he remembered the last thing that happened. His first instinct was to find Elena, and once he caught sight of her he hurriedly went to her.
"Are you okay?" He asked softly, placing a hand on her cheek.
"I'm fine" Elena said, looking at Damon, looking at him in relief. She had been really worried about him.
"Alright, you two. Let's get home" Stefan said, looking at his brother and Elena, not caring that they both seemed so wrapped up in each other
Damon barely even heard Stefan as he looked into Elena's eyes, making sure she was in fact okay. She looked weak. And after noticing the blood bags, he realized why. He didn't hesitate before lifting Elena in his arms. "Okay. Now we can go."
Elena's eyes drifted shut a little from exhaustion as she laid in his arms, not complaining about him holding her. Not right now. Damon headed out of the house holding Elena tightly
Klaus paid no mind to Damon and instead looked at Hope. "Are you ready to go?"
"I'm ready" Hope replied, looking at Klaus.
Klaus nodded and led her to the door. "Stefan. Don't forget to watch Elena until I get back."
Stefan internally sighed. He had had a loophole until that moment. Now he was stuck being a babysitter.
Hope headed out of the house and towards the car
Damon headed out of the house holding Elena tightly in his arms. He didn't bother waiting for his brother. Right now Stefan wasn't himself and he didn't want to deal with that. His priority was Elena.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked glancing at her.
"I'm fine. I'm just... tired" Elena said, looking at Damon. "Klaus figured out why his hybrids weren't transitioning properly" she told him.
Damon walked down the street, keeping her secure in his arms. "Judging by the amount of blood he took from you, let me guess. You're not just the key to breaking the curse, you're also the key to making the hybrids." He mumbled as a sigh left his lips. It definitely made everything a whole lot more complicated. But at the same time, it did assure her safety from Klaus.
"And who's the closest werewolf we know?" Elena mumbled, looking up at him. "His witch is dangerous. She healed, Damon"
"Tyler Lockwood." Damon sighed once more, hating every second of this. Klaus was unstoppable before. Now with proper hybrids he was truly invincible. He knew he wouldn't kill Elena. Not if he needed her blood. But that didn't sit well with him either. She wasn't a human blood bag for him to use whenever he pleased. "Wait what?" He frowned when he heard her following words. "What do you mean she...that's impossible. Even if she had a healing spell it wouldn't work that fast. And the way I stabbed her I should've killed her pretty quickly." Now he needed to find out more about her. "Do you know her name?"
"Her name is Hope" Elena replied, looking at Damon.
Damon nodded as he neared Elena's house, still keeping her secure in his arms. "I'll need to see if anyone knows anything about her. Or at least how she could heal so quickly."
Elena nodded a little at his words. "On the plus side of today's events, Klaus won't kill me," Elena said with a weak chuckle. "And he's leaving town for now"
Damon gently set her down as he stopped in front of her door. "I know. I thought of that. But I don't like the fact that he plans to use you for your blood. It does mean you're safe from dying. But being under his control isn't exactly an upgrade either. We need to find a way to stop him."
"I know. Especially since he has Stefan completely under his control" Elena said, looking at him once he set her down.
"Yeah." Damon sighed and opened her front door for her. "Though I wouldn't worry too much about Stefan. Even if he wasn't under his control, his humanity is still off. Right now you're my priority, okay?"
"Okay" Elena said softly, looking at him. She tucked her hair behind her ear and stepped inside her house before turning back to face him. "Thank you"
Damon nodded slowly, looking directly at her. His eyes easily showed the longing and love he held for her. But he didn't say any of it. She didn't need to deal with his feelings now. That could be saved for another time. "Can I come in? I'm not sure how comfortable I feel leaving you alone after Klaus took so much blood." He smiled a little.
"Of course" Elena stepped to the side so he can enter. "But I'll be fine" she smiled a little
"Fine or not, I'd rather make sure." Damon said softly and stepped inside the house. "Do you want something to eat? You should get your strength back up." He said and headed for the kitchen, already set on making her food no matter what her answer would be.
Elena watched him head to the kitchen. "I guess so." She said, raising an eyebrow before following him. She felt tired from the bloodloss. But she knew she was okay. Damon was here.
Damon opened the fridge and began gathering ingredients to make her something to eat. "Good. Because I wasn't actually taking no for an answer." He chuckled softly.
"I figured that" Elena said and took a seat tiredly in a chair at the island counter
Damon looked over at her and smiled a little before focusing back on cooking for her. "Glad we're on the same page then." He said playfully. "Did you want to take a nap while the food is done? I can take you upstairs." He offered.
Elena shook her head slightly. "Im fine" she said softy. "I just want to sit here and watch you cook"
Damon chuckled a little, her words easily bringing a smile to his face. "Then your wish is my command." He grinned. He loved spending time with her like this. Away from everyone and everything. He knew it couldn't last forever. But he was always grateful for them when they happened.
Elena smiled automatically at his smile, unable to help herself as she watched him get started on the food. Despite everything that was happening, she was glad she had Damon here with her. Even though Stefan was humanityless and Klaus' slave. She paused. "Katherine stopped by. While Klaus and Hope and Rebekah temporarily left. She tried to get Stefan out of there but gave him vervain instead"
Damon frowned at that, his easy going expression fading slowly. "Can't say I'm surprised. She's everywhere." And apparently still holding a soft spot for Stefan. Though for the first time, that was actually useful. "But that's a good thing for once. At least now he can't be compelled any further." It didn't change the fact that his humanity was still off, but at least he wasn't technically fully under Klaus' control. Even if he had to act like he was.
Elena suddenly wanted to put the smile back on his face. She shook that thought away. "I dont think Katherine will be a problem for us right now." She said. "She is looking into the witch, though. Stefan mentioned Hope to her. Not that I trust anything Katherine says if she does find answers and wants to share them, but i thought you should know everything that happened."
Damon gave her a small nod. "Thank you." He smiled a little, still finding it difficult to believe that Elena actually trusted him now. He still remembered a time when their reality was far from that. "But, you're right. I think she's too focused on getting Stefan away from Klaus to properly think of anything else. And you know what they say about the enemy of my enemy and all that." He rolled his eyes. He didn't want to work with Katherine, naturally. But if it came to that, he would. As long as Elena and his brother were safe. He may be at odds with him at the moment but that didn't mean he wanted him to be Klaus' puppet forever. "I'm not saying we're teaming up with her. But if she does find something out and she can help, we should consider it." He frowned at his own words. "And I can't believe I'm the one to say that."
"I cant believe it either" Elena chuckled. "You are usually more anti Katherine than I am"
Damon chuckled. "Believe me I still am. That hasn't changed. But, I've just decided not to let my pride get in the way of helping you. And Stefan." He added. "Though at the first sign of trouble I'm stalking her myself."
Elena chuckled at that and nodded. She smiled a little despite everything Damon made her feel relaxed or tensed. The tension was usually her being attracted to him. She had spent a good bit of time with him this summer, and she really appreciated what all he did to help her find Stefan. It meant a lot
Damon continued making her food in silence, but every once in a while he'd sneak a glance in her direction. He just couldn't help himself. He loved her so much. Even if he knew it was impossible she could ever feel the same way. Not completely. Maybe she did have feelings for him. But in the end he knew she would always choose Stefan. Anyone would. "How about tomorrow, we forget all about Klaus and everything else we have to deal with, and just have a nice time out somewhere? He's out of town for now, so I think we earned ourselves a little cheat day right?"
"That sounds like a great idea. Assuming Stefan isn't stalking me. Klaus wants him to watch over me" Elena said with a sigh
Damon frowned, already not liking that at all. And not just because it meant he most likely wouldn't get any alone time with Elena. But also because he just didn't want her around Stefan when he was like this. "I'll deal with Stefan. You just focus on resting up for tomorrow, and eating." He smiled setting the plate of food in front of her.
Elena smiled a bit at Damon before starting to eat the food cooked in front of her. She nearly moaned at the wonderful flavor. How were both Salvatores so good at cooking? Though she supposed immortality had that as a perk. Years to become a pro and pretend it was all natural talent. "Were you always this good at cooking?" she asked when she swallowed a bite before taking another.
"No definitely not." Damon chuckled softly and shook his head. "I mean when I was human it wasn't common for men to cook. But when I was a kid I used to watch my mother a lot though. Sometimes she'd secretly let me help with the food." He smiled a little. "But I never made a meal on my own. Well. When I met Katherine I did cook for her once." He made a face at the memory. He remembered how much he had wanted to impress her. "I learned later after I turned. I...didn't adjust so easily at first. To being a vampire. I wanted to still feel, normal I guess. So I taught myself how to cook. I needed something to do besides plotting Stefan's eternity of misery." He joked.
Elena chuckled. "Well, you are certainly a good cook now" Elena said, continuing to eat.
Damon chuckled. "I'm glad you enjoy it then. Would you answer if I asked who's a better cook between Stefan and I?" He grinned and took a seat beside her.
Elena chuckled a little and shook her head, taking another bite of her food, smiling a bit.
"Figures." Damon laughed softly. "But I had to try." He said keeping his gaze on her, watching her eat.
Elena finished up eating her food and drank the last of her drink. She still felt a bit tired from the bloodless of the day. But eating has started to help
Damon smiled as he took her empty plate and stood up, taking it to the sink. He began to wash it then. "How are you feeling?" He asked glancing back at her.
"I'm still tired. But I do feel a bit better now that I ate" Elena said, watching him. "Thank you" It was strange knowing she trusted Damon a lot more than she trusted Stefan
Damon dried the now clean plate and put it away before walking closer to her once more. "You're welcome." He said softly and then before she could protest, he swiftly scooped her up in his arms. "Now you should probably take a nap and rest up okay?" He said as he began heading towards the stairs.
"Hey!" Elena said in protest, unable to help the small laugh that escaped her lips, despite how she was currently feeling. "Im perfectly capable of slowly walking upstairs to my bedroom, you know. Are you going to stay here too?"
Damon grinned as he walked up the stairs, keeping her secure in his arms. "I'm aware of that. But I'd rather you didn't push yourself. Especially if I'm right here and I'm willing to help." He said and then nodded at her question. "Someone's gotta make sure you're okay. But don't worry, I won't go through your drawers this time, promise." He said though his tone held a playful edge to it.
Elena didnt comment on that but instead looked up at him while she was in his arms, When she realized she was sort of staring, she diverted her gaze
Damon glanced down at her, his breath caught in his throat as he stared into her beautiful brown eyes. What he would give for just a single kiss. Gently he set her down on her bed and took a seat as well. "Um. Try to get some sleep okay?" He said quietly but his gaze remained on her.
"Okay" Elena said, looking at him as she laid on the right side of the bed. Her mind went back to the last time they had laid in bed together. She forced away the thoughts and instead closed her eyes, her mind going back to the situation with Stefan
Damon's eyes remained on Elena, as he looked at her with a gentleness and love in his expression. He wished their life was different. That she wasn't in love with his brother. But as he thought that he realized how ridiculous it was. Of course she was in love with Stefan. He was Stefan. The better man. She'd have to be completely insane to prefer him instead. He sighed softly and had been about to reach over and lightly caress her hair when he heard a noise by the window. "Katherine what the hell?" He snapped when he saw the doppelgänger standing there.
"What? I figured you'd be here." Katherine shrugged leaning against the wall.
"You know most people knock. They don't just show up in someone's house."
Katherine rolled her eyes. "Please. You can resume your Elena longing later. Right now there are actual important things to talk about. Like Klaus' witch, Hope."
Elena had still been a little awake when she heard Katherine's voice. But her eyes didn't open. She felt drained of energy and knew she was safe with Damon there. Even with Katherine in the area. Besides Katherine had more pressing matters.
Damon briefly glanced at Elena, noticing just how tired she looked. He sighed, running his hand through his hair. "What? What's so important that you couldn't have called me?" He finally said looking in Katherine's direction.
"Believe me when I actually tell you, you'll be glad I came here." Katherine said and stepped further into the room, looking around. She couldn't say she was surprised by her doppelgänger's decorating style. "Hope doesn't exist."
Damon raised an eyebrow at that. "What do you mean she doesn't exist?"
"What I said. Technically she doesn't exist. I went through every record I could find, talked to every witch I could reach and no one in the world has heard of her nor does she have any family anywhere."
Damon frowned. He was liking this less and less. "Maybe you missed something? I mean it's only been a couple of hours. You couldn't have possibly found out that much in so little time."
Katherine gave him a look. "Damon. With the life I have, believe me all I need is a couple of hours. Less even. In thirty minutes I can find out everything I want to know about anyone, from every place they've ever lived in, to their favorite color when they were three. Trust me, I didn't miss anything." She said firmly. "Besides. With a witch that powerful and working for Klaus on top of it all, everyone should know her. And yet no one in the world has heard of her. A little suspicious don't you think? So I did more digging. Birth certificates, school records, family relations, there's nothing. It's as if she just appeared out of thin air."
Elena forced her tired eyes open at that and looked at Katherine, pushing herself up in a seated position with a small yawn. "I dont think Klaus knows her well. I know he strangely trusts her. But... It seems also like they just met. Perhaps she is going by a different name. Stefan also said she magically appeared in his Chicago apartment." Elena added tiredly as she recalled what he said
Katherine looked over at Elena, frowning a little at her following words. "I thought about that. But talking about a witch who can heal like a vampire is bound to lead to something. Even if her name isn't really Hope, someone should've known something. Especially considering her age." She crossed her arms and leaned against the wall a little. "I'm connected to some of the most powerful witches. And not a single one knew of anything that could cause a witch to heal like that. Nor had they heard of anyone like that currently existing."
"So, what? She just magically appeared to help Klaus like his own personal supernatural guide?" Damon questioned and rolled his eyes.
"That. Or, she's older than she looks." Katherine muttered, revealing what she had already been thinking. "The only thing that can explain no one knowing anything about her now is if she's not from this time. Maybe she was resurrected somehow. By Klaus or someone else who pledged their allegiance to him. And that makes her far more dangerous than she was before."
"Bonnie might know something from talking to her" Elena said, looking at them. "She went with Hope to go get my necklace from her house. I doubt she said much, but she might have said something to her"
Damon bit back a sigh at the thought of Hope being even more dangerous. He was already worried thanks to Klaus and Elena being the key to making his hybrids. Now they had an all powerful witch to watch out for.
Katherine nodded slowly at Elena's words. "Talk to her. Let me know if there's anything she knows. In the meantime, I'll look for a way to stop her. A witch with her power is bound to attract a lot of other witches who will want her gone. More so if she's helping Klaus. That alone is like witch taboo or something." She snorted.
Elena nodded at her words, making a note in her mind to discuss it with Bonnie tomorrow. "I will" she said, sniffling back a yawn
Katherine gave her a nod. She may not like her, but even she could admit that right now all of them needed to work together in order to save Stefan. And take down Klaus of course. She just hoped that if everything went south at least one of them would have the common decency to help her out. "I'm going to go find Stefan. Is there anything you need me to say to him?" She said now looking at Damon, who as she expected, simply shook his head.
"No." Damon answered keeping his gaze on Elena. His humanity was off. He knew there was no point in getting him any type of message. He was tempted to call Katherine an idiot for trying to go after him right now, when he cared even less than he normally did. But he refrained from doing so. Partly because she was being fairly useful for once. But mainly it was because if she was off chasing Stefan, then it meant she would be staying away from Elena. And him.
Katherine nodded and with that she was gone, jumping out the window where she came in from.
Elena sighed once she was gone. "Stefan has no humanity and is under Klaus' control, Klaus knows I am alive and is using my blood to make a hybrid army, and Hope is a mysterious powerful witch with super healing. Why can't the world give us a break?" She questioned tiredly, resting her head on her pillow once more "Hopefully Bonnie found out something that might help"
Damon sighed softly as he nodded in agreement. "Believe me I wonder the same thing every day." He mumbled and reached over, lightly caressing her hair. "But. Don't worry okay? Stefan will turn it back on. Eventually. Klaus won't keep him under his control forever. Eventually he'll get bored. And, as much as I hate to say this but with Katherine off doing her Katherine thing, there's no way we don't find something that'll help us get rid of Hope."
Elena nodded slightly into her pillow, hoping he was right. "He brought her with him to get me. Since she could go inside. Did you know there was a spell to freeze people? Not like ice cold, but... I couldn't move except my eyes and mouth when she casted it" she said tiredly, not liking the memory at all.
Damon's eyes widened a little as he listened to her. "Seriously?" He never heard of a spell that did that. Then again he never heard of an all powerful witch that could heal like vampire either. "I wish I could've been there." He mumbled hating that she had to face him alone.
"You're here now" Elena said, exhaustion hitting her harder as she drifted off to sleep. "That's what matters" she mumbled before fully being asleep on her bed, exhausted from the events of the day.
Damon smiled a little as he watched her slowly go to sleep. He gently caressed her soft hair, simply watching her sleep. He knew she needed her rest after everything she had been through. He just hoped next time he would be able to protect her completely.
