Recap:
"Now that you've said it out loud, it does sound like a stupid idea," Talia murmured.
"At least you are safe."
"I love you."
"I love you too, my darling love." Klaus murmured. "Let's find Stefan. He was worried about you."
"I'm sure he won't miss us for an hour or two." Talia smiled as she began to take off her coat.
Klaus' eyes twinkled as he sped the two against a tree.
Chapter 104:
******
"Klaus and Cas- er, Ari, sitting in a car, f-u-s-s-i-n-g, first comes death and then comes- what? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"You're such a weirdo," Stefan chuckled.
"I'm just calling it how it is! Klaus, how many times have you argued with C- Ari in the last hour?" Talia laughed as Klaus muttered something under his breath. She sighed warily as her stomach rumbled. "Damn it, I'm hungry again."
"You're always eating," Ari murmured. "You're like a stick and yet, you're always eating."
"Next stop is a couple of hours away, princess," Klaus spoke as he turned a corner.
"I'll wait. No magicking up food." Talia sat back in her seat and smiled at Stefan. "What's up, Stef?"
"You still haven't told me where you disappeared to yesterday. I was worried sick."
"No biggie, we met a couple of boring hunters."
"I liked them," Ari spoke from the front passenger seat. "Especially that Sam, the other one was rude."
"Well?" Stefan raised an eyebrow as he turned in his car seat and looked at Talia. "Don't leave me out."
"Fine, fine, I'll tell you." Talia took off her seat belt and sat on the seat with her legs crossed. She pulled the seat belt on again. "Okay, so..."
*Mystic Falls*
Rebekah was in the barn at the Mikaelson Manor. She watched as Onyx, Talia's horse drank silently. "You're a beautiful creature."
"Why, thank you." Kol smirked as he emerged.
"Not you, Kol." Rebekah chuckled, "keep dreaming."
"What are you doing here?" Kol asked.
"Feeding Talia's horse."
"I thought that was the housekeeper's job."
"It was, until you killed her," Rebekah scowled.
"Yeah, well, I was bored and she was boring." Kol shrugged as he walked towards the majestic horse. "I don't know what's more beautiful, the horse or Talia."
"Talia, for sure." Rebekah chuckled before she sighed. "I miss her, Kol. I miss Talia and Nik."
"Me too," Kol murmured. "Is Elijah still trying to track them down?"
"You know he is, but he can't find them."
"He's got shit witches." Kol laughed.
"No, Talia is that good of a witch. She's clearly shielding them all."
"Did you hear about Stefan?" Kol asked cautiously.
"No... what?"
"He's left town. To be with Talia and Klaus." Kol bit back laughter. "I wish I was there to see that frigid doppelganger's face when Stefan left."
"When did he leave?" Rebekah asked.
"Days ago." Kol narrowed his eyes. "Why do you care?"
"I don't." Rebekah sighed. "He's one of Talia's best friends. I'm just glad he finally grew a pair and is with her."
"Fancy pissing Elijah off?" Kol asked, a grin playing on his face.
"No, leave him. He's trying to find Nik and Lia."
"Why, though?" Kol rolled his eyes, "they clearly don't want to be found."
"Elijah has his reasons, I'm sure."
"Well, sister, let's find out," Kol smirked.
"After you." Rebekah stroked Onyx's mane and sighed. "Hopefully your owner will be back soon, beautiful."
Soon, the two Mikaelson siblings left the barn, chiding each other as they went.
At the Gilbert Residence, Caroline threw off her apron and patted her hair down. "Elena, breakfast is ready!" Caroline shouted up the stairs. She paused for a moment and chuckled. "Since when did you turn into such a mom, Care?"
"I was asking myself the same question," Bonnie yawned as she walked in. "Are you sure we're going to the lake house? I don't wanna unpack and repack again."
"Yeah, we're going tonight." Caroline picked up a plate of pancakes and smiled at Bonnie. "Everything is packed and the boys will meet us there!"
"Boys...?"
"Oh..." Caroline ushered Bonnie closer. "Elena doesn't know, but Matt is going to bring Jeremy there too."
"Does Jer know we're going there?"
Caroline pretended not to hear Bonnie. "Oh shoot, Nutella, Bonnie, grab the Nutella."
"Caroline..." Bonnie sighed as she picked up the jar and walked towards the table. "Come on, what are you doing?"
"Jeremy and Elena and stubborn. No way would they speak to each other without our help."
"You call that helping?"
"Look, they need a push!"
"Care, I-"
"Morning, Elena!"
Bonnie whipped around and smiled at Elena. "Hey, you look better."
"Thanks, I feel better. Thanks for the tea, Bon, it helped me get some sleep."
"Um... Elena," Caroline sat down at the table and ignored Bonnie's pointed look, "I was hoping we would drive down to the lake house this afternoon. We're all packed. What do you think?"
"Sure." Elena picked up a piece of toast and exhaled softly before taking a bite. "Will Jeremy be there?"
"Not if you don't want him to be." Bonnie spoke.
"I want him there." Elena looked at her best friends. "After everything that's happened... Stefan... her... Damon... it would be nice to have Jeremy there. I need him."
"He'll be there." Caroline reached over and squeezed Elena's hand. "Matt will be there too."
"The Matt who hates me?" Elena chuckled sadly.
"He doesn't hate you... he was just annoyed. That's all."
"Seems like I'm annoying everyone." Elena's hand shook as she poured herself a cup of coffee.
"Here, let me," Bonnie spoke.
Elena exhaled as she watched the hot coffee steam in her cup. "What a start to the new year, huh? This time last year, it was only Jenna, Ric, Jeremy and me. Then she came and everything- everything has changed."
"In a good way," Caroline spoke cheerfully. "Things are- well, were good and if onl-"
"Caroline, pass me the milk, would you?" Bonnie's tone was evidently annoyed. "Milk. Yeah, thanks."
"As I was sayi-" Caroline stopped when the doorbell rang.
"Saved by the bell, huh, Care?" Bonnie murmured.
"I'll get it." Elena rose from her seat and left the kitchen.
"Care, stop bringing it up," Bonnie whisper-yelled.
"I'm just trying to help Elena."
"By bring Talia up?"
"Don't say her name." Caroline murmured. "Elena doesn't like it when you say her name."
"Look, I don't like it any more than you do, but we need to let Elena calm down before we actually try again with Tal- hey! What's that?"
"Um..." Elena looked distracted as she looked at the parcel in her hands. "Late Christmas present from..." Elena quickly placed the parcel on the kitchen table, almost knocking the jug of orange juice and folded her arms. "Put it away."
"But-"
"Throw it away or open it. I don't care."
Bonnie was surprised. "You want us to open it?"
"Open it before I change my mind," Elena murmured, her gaze fixated on the cardboard box.
"It's addressed to you and your family," Bonnie spoke softly. "We ca-" Bonnie stopped and her eyes widened. "Care!"
Caroline, who was tearing the box open, froze. "Oh, my God."
"What is it?" Bonnie asked anxiously. "Care?"
Caroline looked up at Elena and Bonnie, her eyes filled with tears. "Have a look for yourselves."
Reluctantly, Bonnie and Elena edged forwards and looked into the box. "Wow." Bonnie murmured.
Elena reached into the box and gently picked the silver book up. On the front of it, there was a picture of Jenna, Alaric, Elena, Jeremy, Caroline, Tyler, Matt, Bonnie and the Salvatores. "My family." Elena read the title as she held the silver plated photo album. Her hand began to shake as she made to open the first page. She stopped. "Is- is there a note?"
"Here," Caroline sniffed as she held it up.
"Read it. Please." Elena whispered.
"To... to Talia.
I hope you like how the photo album has turned out! It was a pleasure to work with you and to bring your vision to life. I hope your loved ones appreciate this gift from you with nothing but gratitude and love. I truly wish you luck for the future and everything you do. Remember, you are a wonderful witch. You just need to have more faith in yourself.
Stay safe and believe in your magic,
Love, Ayana."
Caroline looked up at Bonnie and Elena. "Who's Ayana?"
"One of the most powerful witches in America." Bonnie murmured as she eyed the photo album. "Grams always spoke so highly about her."
"Open it." Caroline whispered.
Elena shakily opened the first page and gasped. "It's- it- it's moving!"
"What?" Caroline and Bonnie rushed to Elena's side.
"She's used magic to animate them!" Bonnie was awestruck as Elena flipped another page to see Jenna and Alaric kissing before looking at the camera. "They're on loop."
"This is so... thoughtful and beautiful." Caroline murmured.
Elena's breath hitched as she ran her fingers over another photo. It was one of Talia, Elena, Jeremy, Ric and Jenna, taken on the first day they met. Elena and Jeremy were hugging Talia while Jenna danced and Ric watched proudly. "I do- don't remember taking this."
"Stefan took it," Caroline murmured as tears fell. "When did Talia make this?" Caroline winced almost instantly when she realised she said Talia's name out loud, but Elena did not seem to hear her, as she smiled at the old memories.
"It must've been when Jenna was still alive." Elena closed her eyes and tears dropped. "I messed up."
Bonnie and Caroline exchanged a look.
*Back to Stefan and Talia*
"And you're sure you've never seen these hunters before?" Stefan asked.
"Nope." Talia shrugged, "I mean, I'm sure I haven't. I would've remembered... right?"
"Talia, your memory is crap." Stefan bit back a chuckle and furrowed his eyebrows... "what if they weren't who they said they were?"
"What do you mean?"
"What if they were meant to kill you by whoever wants you dead?"
"Well, if that was the case, then I wouldn't be standing here and talking to you, that's for sure." Talia chuckled. "Come on, I can't be arsed waiting for Klaus and Ari. Let's get some food."
"That's another thing." Stefan mused as they began to walk. "Castiel is actually called Ari?"
"I know, still bugs me out." Talia admitted.
"You're telling me." Stefan murmured. "So... uh, I'm surprised Klaus has let you out of his sight, considering what happened."
"Well, we had a long talk yesterday. He wasn't happy about me sneaking off behind his back to find to find the herb. So I promised him I would stay put." Talia nudged Stefan gently. "Stuck to your side like superglue, Stef."
"Lucky me,"
"Oh, cheer up, Steffie!" Talia threw her arm around him, "come on, I'll buy you a doughnut."
"Yeah, like a doughnut is gonna make all this go away."
"You worry too much, babe," Talia rolled her eyes. "Come on, before Klaus loses his nut and think we've been kidnapped. Also, never underestimate the power of a decent doughnut..."
"If you say so," Stefan managed to muster up a smile. His phone buzzed and he ignored it.
"Might be important." Talia nudged him.
"It's Damon."
"What's your favourite, chocolate doughnut or sprinkle doughnut?" Talia asked.
"Uh..."
"You like both?" Talia's voice was now louder, drowning out the ringing phone. "We can get both!"
"Hang on, Damon's calling."
"Don't you fuckin' dare answer it." Talia snapped. "Sorry. Put it on mute."
"Done." Stefan sighed and looked at Talia. "Happy?"
"Extremely." Talia grinned. "Come on, I need tea."
Back in Mystic Falls, Elena began to look at the photo album again, while Bonnie and Caroline watched her.
"I'm worried." Bonnie murmured.
"Why?" Caroline did not tear her eyes away from Elena.
"She hasn't said a word."
"That's good... isn't it?" Caroline asked.
"You think so?" Bonnie scoffed before sighing. "Let's go now, to the Lake House."
"Okay." Caroline bit her lip as she walked towards Elena. "Hey, Lena. Ready to leave for the Lake House?"
"What?" Elena did not look up as she looked through the album for the third time. "Huh?"
"Let's go. Jeremy and Matt have probably left now."
"I shouldn't have done what I did." Elena whispered.
"Excuse me?"
"I practically drove her out of town."
"Yeah- uh, let's uh-" Caroline looked at Bonnie in desperation.
"Elena, what's happened has happened. Let's uh-"
"How can I fix it?" Elena asked softly.
"I-" Bonnie did not know what to say.
"You can't fix it." Damon spoke, startling all three girls. "Too late, Elena Gilbert."
"Damon!" Bonnie spoke, "when did you get back from-"
"From trying to find Talia?" Damon spoke icily, "now." Damon looked at Elena, who had her eyes closed. "What's the matter, Elena? Can't bear to hear your little sister's name?"
"Any ideas where she is?" Caroline asked, attempting to distract Damon before another argument broke out. "Any ideas?"
"If I knew, I wouldn't be here with you, I'd be on my hands and knees, begging for her forgiveness." Damon sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "God damn it, Elena, why didn't you realise you screwed up weeks ago?"
"I didn't screw up." Elena snapped. "C'mon, let's go to the lake house."
"But-" Caroline stuttered.
"What happened was none of my fault." Elena spoke. "You know, when I looked through these photos, I thought, yeah, maybe... maybe I fucked up. But now, Damon, hearing how much you want to find her and beg for her forgiveness. You have never gone down on your hands and knees and asked for my forgiveness, ever! When you turned my biological mother, you never said sorry! When- when you killed Jeremy. When you hurt me, you never ever said sorry. But for her! You're willing to go down on your hands and knees!" Elena's was now shouting as tears streamed down her face. "Even when she isn't here, you still choose and run after her!"
"Elena, sto-" Bonnie tried to calm her friend down while Caroline stood still, too scared to move or say the wrong thing to make matters worse.
"No!" Elena shoved Bonnie off. "Admit it, Damon, you're always choosing her over me!"
"Damn fuckin' right, I am!" Damon yelled back. "Why shouldn't I choose her when the thing she is being nailed to the cross for is for falling in love with the wrong man? Just the way you fell in love with me?! Sure, I fucking despise Klaus, but what happened... happened. We had no control over it. Talia didn't either. I mean, I seriously doubt she wanted to fucking fall in love with a fucking Original when she knows how much we fucking hate them! I shouldn't have let you fill my head with poison. Talia deserved to be put first, after everything she has been through, some things she's being through at the expense of you! Poor kid's sacrificed hell of a lot just to keep you happy and safe." Damon was now beyond furious and struggled to control himself when he wanted to grab Elena and shake her hard.
"I-" Elena did not know what to say. "Fine."
"Fine what?" Damon asked in a sour tone.
"I'm done with you, Damon. If you love that bitch more than you love me, then go!"
"Don't," Damon sped in front of Elena and grabbed her by the neck, "call Talia a bitch."
"Let me go!" Elena screamed as tears fell.
"Bonnie, do something!" Caroline pleaded.
"Stay out of it, you two!" Damon snarled as he stared into Elena's eyes. "What the hell's gotten into you, Elena?! She's your sis-"
"She is not my sister! Go fucking sleep with her then, you selfish son of a bitch!" Elena screamed as she pushed Damon off. "Go on! You clearly love her more than me! Go! Get out! Go on, go! Find that fucking bitch and fuck her! I hate you, Damon!"
Damon chuckled bitterly. "You know what, you're right. Maybe I fell in love with the wrong sister."
Elena gasped; Damon's words cutting her deep.
"Damon, stop," Bonnie walked over the Salvatore and sighed softly. "Damon, please, don't do this."
"Bonnie, don't you dare take her side." Damon murmured before he looked at Elena. "I'm done."
"You're done?" Elena asked softly.
"Damon, don't," Caroline spoke.
"Bonnie, Caroline, you're on your own. I'm well and truly done." Damon chuckled softly as he picked up his jacket.
"No." Elena whispered. "You do not get to leave me."
"I just did." Damon smirked. "You know, Stefan was right. You're the big fat wedge between Stefan and me." Without another word, Damon began to walk out.
"You do not get to leave me, you bastard!" Elena screamed as she fell to her knees. "You're gonna regret this, Damon! I promise you, you'll regret this!"
Bonnie and Caroline were too scared to move. Finally, when Elena started to sob, the two girls flocked to their best friend's sides.
*Fell's Church*
"I'm surprised Damon hasn't come looking for us in Fell's Church when we're literally an hour away from Mystic Falls." Stefan spoke as he and Talia looked around. They were outside a café, overlooking the forest and mountains.
"I've concealed us all." Talia admitted. "No one can find us."
"No one at all?" Stefan leaned towards Talia. "Not even you know who?"
"Not even the Mikaelsons, save for Klaus." Talia picked up her cup and took a long sip. "I miss Matt's hot chocolates. He made the best ones, with the little marshmallows and chocolate shavings and those teeny tiny candy canes. I wonder what his secret ingredient is."
"Talia."
"I bet his secret ingredient is love or something." Talia smiled dreamily.
"Talia."
"No, Stefan. You honestly think I'm the secret ingredient in the Grill's hot chocolate?" Talia snorted. "Please!"
"Talia. You know what I'm trying to say." Stefan sighed. "You're the queen of changing subjects, my God, Lia."
"The answer is no, Stef." Talia murmured as she sat back and exhaled. "No means no..."
"But at least cons-"
"Stefan." Talia spoke firmly. "Look, you were there that night. You saw what happened. They literally embarrassed me in front of the whole town! Talk about public humiliation! And- a- and then to be called a whore and a skank by my own friends? Well, my ex, Tyler, when he promised he would always be there for me and yet, he treated me like that?" Talia's voice cracked. "Damon didn't even defend me. One of the few people I can depend on, or at least I thought I could," Talia murmured, "he didn't even speak up for me. That shit hurt, Stefan, that shit hurt so much. I felt like my heart had been ripped out and stamped on."
"Tal-" Stefan placed his hand on Talia's.
"No, Stefan, let me finish." Talia put her cup down and shook her head. "I don't think I'm ever gonna forget that, the fact that my own family, my own sister, turned on me. Even Jeremy, who is like a brother to me, didn't defend me. That shit hurt. I fell in love with Klaus. So what? So fuckin' what? She fell in love with Damon. What's the difference between me and Klaus and Elena and Damon? Klaus has killed people, sure. But so has Damon! He's killed people without a reason! You remember that man, the one in the car park? Damon killed him because he was there, at the wrong place at the wrong time." Talia's voice shook. "Klaus has killed, sure he has, but he rarely kills without a reason. Like that vampire he killed, because she kidnapped me. Kim, Tyler's hybrid friend, again, because she hurt me." Talia looked at Stefan. "What's the difference between Klaus and Damon?"
"Well, for one, I'm better looking than him."
"Klaus!" Talia jumped up and ran over to Klaus. "When did you get back?"
"A while ago," Klaus's eyes twinkled as he looked down at Talia. "There's a big difference between Damon and I, sweetheart, I'm sure you remember from last night."
"Stop." Talia blushed and buried her head in Klaus's chest.
"Is it done?" Stefan asked as he stood up. "Did you find out who's trying to kill Talia?"
"Not yet." Klaus murmured as he caressed Talia's face. "Ari stayed behind."
"Can you trust him?" Stefan grunted when his phone rang. "Damn it."
"Who is it?" Talia asked.
"Damon,"
"Don't answer it."
"He'll keep calling."
"Keep ignoring him." Talia smiled before she looked at Klaus. "So, Ari. Can he be trusted?"
"He's your ancestor,"
"He's your friend." Talia chuckled. She scowled when Stefan's phone rang again. "Fuc-"
Klaus stooped down and kissed Talia, stopping her mid sentence. "Damon and the Scooby Gang don't matter, not here, not now."
"Yes," Talia was breathless as she looked into Klaus's bright blue eyes. "I love you."
"I love you more, princess," Klaus murmured.
Stefan cleared his throat.
"I love you too, Stef!" Talia laughed as she bounded up to one of her best friends and hugged him. "I love you, bro."
Stefan chuckled, "me too."
"So where to now?" Talia asked, breaking away from Stefan.
"Wherever your heart desires, love-" Klaus stopped; Stefan's phone rang again. "Want me to smash it?"
"It might be important," Stefan murmured.
"The hell it is," Talia growled.
"Let me see what he says." Stefan answered the call and his eyes widened. "Damon?"
"Stupid arse just won't leave me alone," Talia snatched Stefan's phone off him as Klaus moved closer to her. "What the fuck do you want, Damon? Huh? Oh, really, you want me back? Give me one good reason why I should come back, Damon. Just one rea-" Talia snarled.
"You want a reason? I'll give you two. Jeremy is dead, for good this time and Elena's turned her humanity off. That good enough for you, sweetie?" Although Damon's tone was condescending, he was wary of Talia's reaction. "Sweetie? You there?"
Talia's mouth fell open and no sound came out.
Well, shit. What now??? Do you think Damon is lying in a bid to get Talia back???
Hey guys! Sorry I went MIA. I had a new baby. No, not a human baby! My business baby! That's right, I started my own business on Etsy, selling art and crafts. Let me tell you, I was so busy and so anxious about it (I still am, LOOOL)
Do you think I should include Talia and Klaus related things on my Etsy? If so, what?
My shop is called The Original House Co, partly inspired by this fanfiction!
Hope you are keeping safe, what with the pandemic :(