Forever

The Invite

"Kol?" I was in the dark room, but the vampire was nowhere to be seen. It was just a large, empty space. "Kol?!"

A creeping sense of loneliness and anxiety welled only my gut. But it wasn't mine.

"Drew." Kol had the most devastating relief on his face, a tear slipped down his cheek. He rushed at me, gathering me in his arms. "I thought I'd lost you."

He was shaking.

"Hey, I'm okay." I wrapped my arms around him. "I'm okay."

Kol pulled away, still holding me as close as he could. "What. Happened."

"I may have... done something dumb." I set my hands against his chest, fiddling with the buttons on his shirt. "I wanted to save Bonnie, in order to do it, I had to step between her and Klaus."

His face paled. "Does he-"

"No, Elijah came before Klaus could find out, though I think I've struck his curiosity. I've been kind of hiding out in my house since then, I haven't seen either of your brothers." I bit my lip. "I told Jermey."

"I hate playing catch up. I hate being stuck in this infernal dark world." He brushed my jaw with his knuckles. "I hate being so far from you."

"Elijah's looking for you, Klaus said he buried you at the bottom of the ocean, but Elijah is holding out hope that he didn't. We're going to find you. Even if I have to do it myself."

"No Darling. Promise me you won't. It's too dangerous." His hand drifted to mine, holding it over his heart. "You said you told Jeremy, that's your twin, correct?"

"Yeah. He swore he wouldn't tell anyone. It's kind of a relief, for him to know. I mean Elijah's been great, but he can only do so much and it's not like we just sit and talk."

Kol laughed. "Elijah can be a bore." His eyes twinkled. "I'm glad you have some support. I'm sorry I asked you to keep this a secret, if there wasn't such a danger to your life, you could tell anyone you'd like." His grip on me tightened, like he was afraid I'd disappear.

"I've missed this." Even though it was my fault that I'd been gone as long as I was. "I missed you."

"It looks like you're beginning to wake up Mon Amour." Kol leaned forward, kissing me on the forehead. "Stop avoiding Elijah. He's trying to help you, or at least it sounds like it. Perhaps I was too quick in the judgment of my brother."

"We'll find you!" That fuzzy haze drowned everything out.

...

My room was significantly darker than it'd been before. After a much needed shower and getting dressed, I made my way toward the Salvatore house, mine was empty and they were bound to be there.

"What a lovely surprise." Elijah appeared by my side and I jumped. Vampires really had to stop doing that to me, it was getting annoying. "Walk with me." He offered his arm.

"Elijah-"

"No no, you've done your wallowing and I assume from your more rested complexion that you've spoken with my brother."

"It's creepy that you watch me." I took his arm.

"The last time I left you unsupervised, you confronted Niklaus." He paused. "And lied to me."

"What are you going to do?"

"You'll just have to wait and see."

What the hell did that mean?

"Hello sister." Ric appeared on my right, his hands held behind his back.

"Elijah!"

It was jarring to see that evil smirk on Alaric's face. "Elijah revealed to me your attachment to Kol. I won't kill you on a condition that my dear brother holds up his end of the bargain."

"What bargain?"

"A deal was struck to ensure your safety." Elijah said it so casually. "I do believe we have a dinner party to attend."

"Yes, yes. The one to make amends and save the precious doppelgänger." Klaus chuckled. "Your friends are desperate."

"Wait. We're going to this dinner party? With my friends. I thought the whole point of Elijah sneaking around was so they wouldn't find out what I was."

"That was before. When Niklaus was still a danger to you. Now however, it won't matter what your friends do, we already have you under our protection." Elijah placed his hand over mine, though it felt like it was more to keep me there than providing any comfort. "This party is the perfect opportunity to state our intentions."

We walked up the Salvatore driveway. Shit shit shit. This was really happening.

"Stay calm, little sister. No harm will befall your little friends, so long as they behave." Klaus pat my head.

"You can't kill them."

"Oh but I can. My accord with Elijah only protects you. It says nothing of anyone else."

We were at the door now. Klaus knocked. I felt powerless. Of course Elijah would make a freaking deal over my head.

Damon answered, a faux grin on his face. That is, until he saw me and his expression dropped.

"Mister Salvatore, how kind of you to invite us for dinner, may we come in?" Elijah greeted pleasantly.

That seemed to shake him out of his stupor. "Little Gilbert. What are you doing with these miscreants."

I opened my mouth but Klaus beat me to it. "She's our plus one. Why not take the youngest of your gaggle. The perfect hostage. Be a good little host and no harm will come to her."

Damon's eyes flashed. "Come on in. We made plenty of food for everyone." He grit his teeth.

Elijah lead us inside where John and Jenna were already seated. Klaus greeted Jenna as Alaric, even going so far as to kiss her cheek. I wanted nothing more than to tear him away from her.

I was quickly seated between the two originals, Damon and John at the opposing heads of the table, with Jenna, Jeremy, and Caroline across from us.

"Shall we." Elijah smiled, setting his napkin in his lap.