Stealing Stolen Things
Once again El’s clothes were skewed across the floor as she tried to find something that would match Caroline’s dress. Groaning, she spinned around to look back in her closet, placing her hands on the door frame. “I never thought I would say this, but I have nothing to wear.”
Dasher poked his head out from under a shirt. “Magic the clothes”
“Right.” She blinked, feeling stupid for not thinking about it before. “Thanks.”
El looked around, landing on a pair of black slacks. Picking them up, she then spotted one of the old Elena’s tank tops and a red blazer that hung off her desk chair. “That could work.”
The witch tossed the articles of clothing onto the bed, ready to spell them when her phone, that laid on her night stand, started to buzz. Side stepping over the mess, she picked it up. "Hello?”
“Elena, sweetheart. How are you?”
“Mrs. Lockwood, hi. I’m good.” El answered. “How bout you?”
“To be honest, not good.”
“Oh?”
“I cannot for the life of me find your father’s watch, I’m afraid I may have lost it.”
El waved her hand around, causing the clothes to fly back into the closet. “Oh, I’m sorry Mrs. Lockwood, but I could not find it in any of the boxes I pulled.” She put on her best apologetic voice. “It must still be in storage.”
“Is there any way you get get it before the party?”
She rolled her eyes at the woman, she was making it obvious that she was desperate. “I’m sorry Mrs. Lockwood, but there are so many boxes in storage. I’m afraid I won’t be able to find it before the party.”
“Well…” The doppelganger could feel the nervousness oozing through the phone. “Then I guess it’s fine if we don’t show it this year. I’ll see you at the party Elena, goodbye.”
“Bye Mrs. Lockwood.” El hangs up with a huff. Tossing her phone on the dresser, she turned to look back at the mis-match outfit that laid on her bed. “Okay, Dasher. Let’s magic these sons-of-bitches.”
Dasher just rolled his eyes.
—-------
Jenna had left for the party a while ago, having ‘volunteered’ to help set up. So Dasher laid at the bottom of the stairs as El sat on the steps, leg bouncing up and down. Her mind was filled with the nights ‘what if’s’. Like, ‘was this a date?’, ‘Are we gonna dance?’ or the less fighting ‘What if I can’t get the moonstone?’. Her train of thoughts flew out the window once she heard a knock.
Jumping up, the witch patted her pup's head before walking up to the door. Holding out her hand to grab the doorknob, El paused. She couldn’t open the door empty handed! If this was a date, she would not be the one not giving the something you give on first dates. Thinking quickly, she used her magic to make a single white rose, that way the two girls would match even more.
Blowing out a breath, she pulled the door open. El’s face grew a smile as she greeted who was at the door. "Princess." But it faded when she saw who was standing behind her. “And Bonnie?”
“Hey Elena.”
El fiddled with the flower in her grasp. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight? With us, I mean.”
The Bennett witch nodded her head towards the blonde. “Caroline told me you were going together, so I asked if I could come along.”
Caroline grimaces. “And I said yes, so surprised!” The blonde did a slightly awkward version of jazz hands.
The witch's lips pulled up in a grin that didn't reach her eyes. “Great, that's…awesome. I’m glad you’re here Bon-Bon.”
That’s when she spotted the flower. “What’s with the rose?”
“Oh, it’s um…” The doppelganger looked down at the flower then back at Caroline, who repeated the action, hoping that it was for her. “...not important.” El dropped the rose, pretended not to see the look of disappointment on her princess. “We should go, we don’t wanna be late.”
Noticing the tension, Bonnie glanced at the two. "Is everything okay with you two?"
"Of course!"
"Why wouldn’t it be?"
The girls said at the same time.
Seeing as it was obvious Bonnie didn't believe them, Caroline changed the subject. "We should go, right? Let's go." She dragged Bonnie with her to the car.
Saying goodbye to Dasher, El locked the door and moved to look down at the single rose she held. With a quick look back at the car, the flower disintegrated. Leaving nothing but air as the doppelganger walked to the car.Bidding her pup a goodbye, El locked the door behind her and walked towards the car with the other two following.
—-------
One silent car ride later, the three mortals arrived at the party. All walking together through the front door.
Mrs. Lockwood, seeing the three girls, went up to them. “Girls! You all look smashing.” All of them said thank you, as she glanced behind them, confused. “I see none of you have an escort?”
El’s jaw clenched slightly. She was supposed to be Caroline’s, but obviously plans changed. “We thought we would go stag, make a statement. Ya, know?”
Even after a few drinks, the mayor’s wife could see how Caroline shuffled her feet at Elena’s words. “I see.” She then changed the subject. “Please, come on in and enjoy the party.” The girls watched as Mrs. Lockwood walked away to greet other guests.
Bonnie turned to look at her friends. “I’m gonna find the desert table, wanna come?”
Caroline went to agree before she spotted her mom in her work uniform. “Unbelievable.” She muttered. “I’ll be right back.” Leaving the two girls alone.
“That’s not gonna go well.” El said.
“No, it’s not.” Bonnie shook her head. “So, desert?”
“I’ll meet you over there, I have to do something first.”
The Bennett witch, accepting her answer, left El by herself. Although the doppelganger wanted the help of her blonde maybe-something-more-friend, her pride was hurt. So, she went alone.
El wandered the halls of the Lockwood mansion, trying to locate Mr. Lockwood’s office. After a few minutes, she stumbled over the door. Leaning on the wall, she shifted her head both ways. Seeing that the cost was clear, the witch slipped into the room. Closing the door as softly as she could, she knelt on the ground and held out her hands.
You see, El Gilbert knew that the moonstone laid under the floor, she just could not for the life of her remember where. So since the stone was infused with magic a thousand years ago, the witch hoped that her magic would be able to locate it.
However with her less than adequate sleep schedule and with all the magic that she did today, it was running dangerously low. Something that Qetsiyah had informed her that would happen at the beginning of her journey.
At the thought of her mentor, Jamie Parker’s heart clenched. She had no idea where Tessa went, but she couldn't help but think that Mikael had something to do with it. After all, the body snatcher could only talk to the creator of the Otherside though the dream realm. And the original vampire hunter currently haunted it.
If she knew how much of a hassle he was going to be, she would have had Klaus kill him instead. El’s thought process was cut short when what felt like a pulse shot up her arm, when it landed on the corner of the carpet. Eyebrows shooting up, she peeled back the rug and pulled at the wood paneling only to stop once the lock box came into view.
Holding out her hand, El whispered. “Dissero.” Hearing a pop sound, El reached down and opened the safe. After she rustled some papers around, the doppelganger 's spotted a tiny chest.
Opening it after setting it on the floor, El reached into the box and pulled out the smooth, foggy looking rock. Moving around her hands, she got used to the feeling. What surprised her is that it seemed to be pulsing with magic and, was light? Lighter then she suspected it to be.
But the witch would have to question it later, slipping it into her pocket, she put everything back in place. Dusting off her slacks as she stood up, she slipped out of the door. But when she turned back around after closing it, El Gilbert stood chest to chest to the one and only Damon Salvatore. Not good.
“Hello, witchy.” Damon smirked.
“Damon.”
El went to step around him, but he blocked her. “Wait. I just wanted to apologize to you for being such a world-class jerk the other night when I insulted your dog. There's no excuse. My therapist says I'm... acting out, trying to punish Stefan.”
She stared at him. “You don’t have a therapist.”
“Okay, you caught me.” The vampire threw his hands up in surrender. “I just wanted to know what you were doing in the mayor’s office.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That’s none of your business.”
He chuckled, but it contained no humor. “Oh, no. You made it my business after our little talk.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?” She didn’t have time for this. “You insulted my dog and I retialied and then you ran away with your tail between your legs.”
Damon squinted at El. “One - hurtful and Two - I’m talking about after.”
“I went home.” The witch talked to him as if he was a child. “And slept.”
“I’m not talking about you!” The vampire raised his voice. “I’m talking about me. I don’t remember anything that happened after, till I was ripping into your history teacher’s throat.”
“That sounds like a you problem.”
“You are a me problem!”
“The middle school comeback, nice. You totally showed me.” El laughed at the fact he could not come up with something better. “Look, this conversation died ten minutes ago.”
“We’ve only been talking for three minutes.”
She ignored him. “I have things to do and places to be and sadly, you, Damon Salvatore, are not one of them. So it’s rather you move or I make you move. The choice is yours.” El hoped he wouldn’t call her bluff because she did not want blood on her suit.
A scowl came across his features. How dare she talk to him this way? He could kill her in a blink of an eye if he really wanted to! But, did he really want to kill her in such a public place? Getting her out of the house would be a lot of work, and Damon hated work.
Huffing out a breath, showing he was not happy with the decision, moved slightly to the left. Giving El the ability to walk away.
“Thank you.” She said as she sped walk past the vampire, heading towards the desert table she knew Bonnie was waiting for her.
—-------
After having a quick conversation with Bonnie and getting a bite to eat, El moseyed over to the dance floor where all the couple seemed to be entranced in one another. However, she was so busy people watching that she failed to notice someone taking a spot next to her.
“Hey.”
The witch glanced at the person through her peripherals. “Hi.”
Caroline fumbled with her hands. “Look about inviting Bonnie, when she said she had no one to go with I felt bad and-”
“Caroline, it’s fine.” The doppelganger cut off her friend.
“It is?” The blonde was confused, wasn’t El making it a big deal before they left for the party?
All she did was shrug, still not looking at Caroline. “Yeah, I get it. It’s not like this was an actual date or anything.” The last part of the sentence tasted bitter on El’s tongue.
Caroline’s eyes flickered to the ground at the words. “Right, yeah of course. I mean, can you imagine us? Like, together? That’s just silly.”
“Yeah, silly.” El repeated the words with a forced chuckle.
They stood in silence for a few beats.
“Do you wanna dance?”
“Oh, yes please.”
The two girls walked to the dance floor as a slow song began to play. El taking the lead, she took Caroline’s hand gently and carefully laid her other hand on the blonde’s waist. Pulling her close the two swayed back-in-forth.
“I’m sorry.” El admitted. “I shouldn’t have gotten mad earlier, you were just trying to be a good friend.”
Care shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. I should have texted you about the change of plans.”
A small smile pulled on the witch’s lips at her words. “Let’s just say we’re both sorry.” She twirls the blonde in her grasp, earring a tiny yelp from her dance partner.
Falling into El’s chest, Caroline giggled. “Works for me.”
Not moving from how close they were, Caroline, with a burst of confidence, leaned her forehead on El cautiously, wanting to give her room just in case she pulled away. Yet the witch didn’t, instead El closed her eyes and relished in the feeling of having Caroline against her body.
Opening her eyes after a few moments, the doppelganger witch stared into the ocean blue eyes of her friend. Knowing she hadn't missed read the signs, El, ignoring the looks of fellow party guests, leaned her head forward. Caroline followed her lead. Lips brushing against each other, and just as they went to press then together a cough could be heard next to them.
Knowing who the cough came from, El Gilbert shut her eyes tightly in annoyance. “Yes, Stefan?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Can it wait?” Caroline’s eyes held a soul piercing glare.
To his credit, the vampire did seem apologetic about interrupting. “I’m sorry Caroline, it’s urgent.”
“What is so urgent, Stefan?” El was done with the brothers.
“It’s about Damon.”
“I guessed. What about him?”
Stefan peaked around, trying to see if his brother was an ear shot. Finally coming to the conclusion he wasn’t, he went to tell them about his plan in a hushed tone. “I’m going to vervain him tonight, and I need your help.”
Caroline was intrigued, getting rid of this dangerous vampire that attacked her…friend? Girlfriend? Something? Her something was top priority. “How?”
“You’re not going to like how.” Stefan shuffled around, almost scared to tell the girls his plan.
“Spit it out, Stef.” El taped her foot.
“I need someone to play the bait.” As the words piled out of his mouth, his gaze landed on Caroline.
“Hell no!” The doppelganger whispered harshly at him. “She has no training, and you want her to go against your psychopath-of-a-brother?”
“It’s the only way to get rid of him.” The young vampire explained gently. “He won’t go for you, he knows you can defend yourself.”
“He’s not wrong, El.” Caroline spoke up.
“Princess, with all due respect, no.” El’s focus went back to Stefan. “Come up with something else.”
“Elena.” At the full name of the doppelganger, El’s head snapped back over to Caroline. “If it means getting rid of Damon, I’ll do it.”
“He’s dangerous.”
“So are you.”
The witch faltered. “That’s different.”
“It is.” Care agreed. “But, I want to help. Please, let me help you.”
“I haven’t even started training you yet.” It came out in a whisper, already knowing she lost.
The blonde shrugged. “What better way to start training than with an over egotistical vampire.” She held onto her shoulders. “Trust me.”
Sighing, El finally cracked. “Fine.” Her gaze switched to Stefan. “What do you want her to do?”
“Drink this.” Stefan held out a glass of champagne for Caroline’s to take.
Bringing the drink to her lips, her eyes shifted around, like she was looking for someone. “Just tell me if you see my mom.”
—-------
On the outskirts of the Lockwood mansion, Caroline stood alone. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms as she stared at the fountain. Waiting for Damon Salvatore to strike. The longer she waited, the feeling of anxiety she felt rose. Every branch that snapped or wisp of air she felt, made her feel like she was being watched.
“Why, hello there.”
The blonde spun around towards the voice.
Damon looked her up and down, pretending that he’s trying to remember who she was. “It’s Caroline, right?”
“Yeah.” Caroline pushed a piece of hair behind her ear. “Who are you? I’d never seen you here before.”
“Just someone who’s passing through.” He waved his hand. “I’m here to see a friend, El Gilbert. Maybe you know her?”
Playing the part, she perked up at the name. “El? She’s my best friend.”
“Perfect.” The smirk that was on Damon's face made her skin crawl. “Do you think you can give her a message for me?”
“What’s the message?” The blonde tilted her head, curious.
“This.” Damon vamp sped over to Caroline, covering her mouth to keep her from screaming. He bit into her neck to suck her blood, only to start coughing once it went past his lips. Unlatching his fangs, he fell to the floor. “What the hell?”
Stefan walked up to his brother. “You know, I couldn’t spike your drink, so I spiked hers.” He was the last thing his brother saw as Damon's eyes fluttered shut. Passing out from the amount of vervain he had consumed.
Once El knew he was out, she raced down to Caroline, helping her up. “Are you okay?”
“I never want to do that again.” The blonde mumbled, bringing her hand up to the bit only to wince when she touched it.
The youngest vampire walked up to the two, biting into his wrist. “Here, drink this.”
“No, you’ve done enough.” The witch pushed his arm down. “Just get your brother and leave.” With her attention back on Caroline, she didn’t notice the look on his face as he sped away. “Stay still.”
Bringing her hand so it was hovering over the wound, she mumbled a healing spell. As the words left her mouth, Care could feel the mark closing up. After a few moments, the only thing that was left was a slight bruise that could have easily been from a curling iron.
“I would do more, but frankly I’m running low on witch juju.” El scratched her nose.
Caroline tried to wipe off some of the dried blood on her neck. “At least I won’t have to explain to my mom why I have puncture holes in my neck.”
“That’s true, that would be one hell of an explanation.” The doppelganger laughed a little. “Especially to your vamp hating mother.”
“I’d probably just tell her it was a kink gone wrong.” The blonde shrugged with a chuckle.
“Wow!” El cackled, not expecting her to say that. “Profound.”
“It would be the quickest way for her to stop asking about it!” She defended her explanation, laughing as well.
Once the two finally came out of their laughing fit, El held out her hand. “Come one, let’s get you to a bathroom so you can clean up.”
—-------
The two found Bonnie after they cleaned up the rest of the blood in the bathroom. After conversing for a bit, Bonnie noticed the bruise that was left over on Caroline's neck, asked what happened. After stuttering out an excuse that the Bennett witch didn't believe in and an outrageous amount of pleading for her to drop the subject, she reluctantly agreed.
With a change in topic, the rest of the night went better than expected. Filled with boisterous laughter and snotty founder member's impressions. But as hours passed and the three girls grew tired. All drained in different ways. Caroline, because she literally became a raspberry slushy for a vampire. Bonnie, because she was confused as to why candles are lighting on fire with no match in sight. And El, because she's been using her magic to consider degrees even with the lack of sleep she's been receiving.
Calling it a night, the three shuffled back to Caroline's car, still talking about tonight's events when they dropped off Bonnie. Once Care was on her way to drop off El, the two sat in comfortable silence.
Until it turned into dread once they saw who’s car was in the driveway. It was Jenna’s.
Caroline noticed the shift in the atmosphere. “You don’t have to stay here.”
“I know.” El replied. “But I can’t keep hiding from them forever. I’m gonna have to face them eventually, maybe apologize.”
“Apologize? Why! You did nothing wrong.” Caroline said as she stopped the car.
“Jenna and Jeremy don’t see it that way.” El fiddled with her seatbelt, remembering her latest conversations with the two with a grimince.
“Well they should!” The blonde wasn’t having it. Huffing out a breath, she unbuckled her seat belt and grabbed her keys from the ignition.
The witches eyes bulged out of her head as she watched Care slam her door and match up to the front door. “Care? Caroline?” No answer. “Princess what are you doing?”
Sticking her hand into the potted plant next to the door to grab the spare key, she unlocked the door and swung it open. “Giving them a piece of my mind.”
"Oh no." El rushed inside, not wanting Caroline to add more drama into the Gilbert/Sommers household, but she was too late.
Jenna sat at the kitchen counter eating ice cream from the tub when her head snapped up at the angry footsteps that echoed throughout the hallway.
"What is wrong with you?" Caroline snapped at the adult.
"Me?" Jenna pointed at herself, mouth full of mint chip.
"Yes you." Caroline said, ignoring El who was frantically saying no. "I get finding out she killed a vampire is weird, but what El did was to keep us and our town safe and you and Jeremy are outcasting her!"
"Princess, please."
Care waved her off. "I mean seriously, do you have any idea how depressed El has been because she thinks you don't love her anymore?" The blonde’s hands were waving all over the place. “Like, come on, if I can accept it then why can’t you!”
Jenna pushed the stool outwards to stand. “You really think I don’t love you anymore?”
“What else am I supposed to think?” El itched her nose. “You left after I told you what happened and you haven’t made an effort to talk to me till I came back here.”
“Elena.” Jenna stopped herself, remembering the name her niece was going by. “El, you can’t expect me to be okay with you murdering someone. It’s gonna take some time before I accept that this is our life now. Your life now.”
Jenna reached her hand out to grab El’s, but she pulled it away. “I don’t expect you to be okay with it, I’m not exactly thrilled about it either.”
“Then what do you want from me?” The strawberry blonde asked.
“I wanted for you to tell me it was okay. That you understood.” The witch licked her lips, suddenly feeling exposed. “I know I haven’t been entirely forthcoming with my foreknowledge, but I’m trying my best!” Her eyes began to water, rather if it was from sadness or rage, she did not know. “Do you know what’s it like, do you know what I go through on a daily basis? I have zero room for error. Zlitch, nada, none! So sue me if I have to kill a few people to keep everything from going to shit. I will do what I have to do and I would rather have you on my side, but if not, tell me now. I don’t want to waste anymore time in this house if you don’t want me.”
El’s guardian had tear tracks staining her face, finally having some understanding of what her niece went through everyday. “I do want you here.”
“Then show me.” The witch’s voice cracked.
So she did. Jenna pulled her niece into a hug. Petting her hair, she mumbled sorry over and over again while Caroline stood back. Keeping her sniffles as quiet as she possibly could, she tip-toed out of the house. Happy that she could bring the two girls back together.
—-------
After that heartfelt reunion filled with snotty tears and cracking jokes, like how it was during the summer. El finally ended up in her pajamas in her own bed with Dasher already passed out on the ground.
The doppelganger filled with the moonstone while staring out the window. Trying to delay what needed to happen next. Her doe brown eyes shifted over to the laptop that laid on the cushions in her bay window. Biting her cheek, El placed the stone in her bedside’s drawer. Walking over to the computer, she sat down in the bay window and placed it on her lap.
Drumming her fingers on the cover, it took her a second to open it. After logging in, she went to the search bar. Knowing that there was no going back now, she typed in the website she was looking for.
C.R.A.I.G.S.L.I.S.T.
—-------
What you guys think? Did you like Eloline’s almost first kiss? Let me know!
Also, El was officially called out Klaus! What do you think is gonna happen? I would love to hear your theories.
Be safe out there!
-DA