(2) Just Magic (D. Salvatore)

Chapter Ninety-Two

It's quiet when Damon wakes. The whole house just seems quiet and he kind of likes it. After the night before he suspects bed is going to be a lot of people's choices today. They all deserve a late morning. They pulled off something impressive. Even if it doesn't really feel that way. Getting one over on the big bad of the week. He shifts a little and reaches over for Cassandra. Finds her awake and sat up against the headboard. She raises an eyebrow at him.

"Morning" She offers. He hums in agreement.

"How are you feeling?" He asks as he sits up at her side. A little surprised to see her awake before him, he thought she'd likely sleep most of the day given how much energy she had to use yesterday to give to Bonnie. She nods a little and then shrugs. She's tired still, but she probably will be for a few days as her body regenerates that lost energy.

"A little better" She answers. "Still run down and..." She holds out her hand and concentrates on it but nothing happens. No mist. No nothing. She's empty. She gives him a look. "No powers"

"We knew this could happen," He tells her as kisses her shoulder before shifting slightly. Though Klaus is out there, she's not going to be able to defend herself if anything happens with him. She's going to have to stay put. Stay in the house.

"It feels weird" She admits. "Like part of me is missing"

"You've been with them for what?" He asks. "Nearly a year now, it's going to feel weird to be without them" She hums in agreement. A year. She can't believe it's nearly been a year since the car crash. A year since she gained her powers. A year since this all started. He kisses her head and then climbs out of bed to get changed for the day. He pauses slightly and cocks his head. "I should put this in the fridge" He picks up the champagne off the night before. They never got around to drinking it. Their nap turned into a full-blown slumber.

"Or we could drink it now" She offers.

"It's a little early for champagne" He comments, she gives him a surprised look because if anyone was going to be up for early morning drinking it was going to be him.

"But we're celebrating" She argues with a smirk, he hums a little and thinks a moment before smirking back at her.

"Do you know what it is never too early for?" He asks her, she raises an eyebrow at him. "Mimosas" He wiggles his eyebrows at her. "Bit of orange juice solves everything" He pokes her nose and then kisses her softly. "Run a bath. I'll make us some drinks" He grabs the champagne from the side. "You can even use the good bubbles"

"Oooo you're a bubbles guy, who knew that?" She teases back, he hums and smiles to himself as he leaves the room. Despite the fact their original plan went all wrong, they did come out of that fight on the right side, the winning side. She is right. Today is a good day. Cassandra rests back and lets out a soft sigh. She is feeling pretty good considering.

...........

Stefan is asleep in his bedroom when he wakes up with a start and notices Elena's not beside him, he touches the bed and frowns.

............

Stefan pulls on a jacket as he heads down the stairs looking for Elena. Though it is pretty quiet. He can hear Damon and Cassandra in the kitchen but nothing from Elena.

"Elena!" He shouts for her. Cassandra is there in a doorway, holding a mug of coffee, wrapped in a silky red robe, her hair damp from the bath. Turns out Damon didn't have orange juice either. So coffee it is. For now. He really needs to sort his kitchen out. Stefan raises an eyebrow at her. "Hey" He greets, drawing it out slightly.

"Mornin', roomie" She counters with a smirk and takes a drink from her mug.

"Have you seen Elena?" He asks her.

"Urm, no" She answers. Damon walks over to her with his own mug of coffee, he hums a little in greeting. 

"Where's Elena?" Stefan asks Damon.

"I don't know, Stefan. It's your girlfriend. Mine's right here" Damon looks at Cassandra and winks.

"I thought she was staying here last night, wasn't that the point of the 'safe' house" Cassandra adds turning to Stefan.

"She was here when I fell asleep, woke up and she was gone...she's not in the house, no note...." Cassandra hums a little and then stops.

"Wait" She then cocks her head. "There is something..." She stops and seems to straighten. "No, she wouldn't" She comments a little.

"What?" Stefan asks her. Cassandra pulls a face.

"She wouldn't" She repeats and hands Damon her coffee before walking away, towards the basement. Damon realises first, because of course, he does.

"No" He agrees with her. "No, come on, you're right...." Cassandra sees that the basement door is open. Damon and Stefan join her, flanking her.

"Oh, Elena" Cassandra complains and pulls a face before hurrying down into the cellar, the two brothers right behind her. They all see that Elijah's not there anymore. "She did" She comments.

"Yeah, of course, she did" Damon grumbles in annoyance. "Why wouldn't she?"

"Guys" Stefan scolds.

"Even you have to admit that this is a stupid move on her part" Cassandra offers, Stefan opens his mouth argue but can't with Cassandra. "What is she thinking?" She asks. "We have an edge...." She then stops when she realises. She rolls her eyes in annoyance. But of course, she has.

"What?" Damon asks her.

"I know why she's doing this" She answers and looks at Damon. "Control. She's lost it and now...wants it back. Elena has always been about doing things her way no matter who she screws over, so...."

"Us not doing things her way, she's gone and changed the game" Damon adds, she nods in agreement. "How very Katherine of her" He offers and then looks at Stefan. "Congrats, you're dating your ex" Stefan gives him an annoyed look.