Ace of Hearts

15

"Thanks for coming early with me." I smile at Jeremy, who fidgets nervously with his tie. I roll my eyes and lean over to fix it for him. "It's not gonna stay straight if you keep tugging at it."

"Why exactly did you want me to be here anyway?" He questions as he ignores the lack of space between us. Still, he makes no attempt to hide the contempt in his voice. "I thought you would be right beside Kol right now."

"Not yet. Klaus is the only one that knows about us." I finally finish with his tie and lean back in the passenger seat of the truck. Jeremy's eyes follow my every move, but I turn up the radio as I continue to speak. "There's been so much going on, I didn't want to stir up even more issues. Plus, if I was there now, my plan has no hope."

"You didn't want to cause problems, or Kol convinced you his family would be upset?" I roll my eyes, what I told Jeremy was mostly the truth. It's not my fault he only believes what he wants to about Kol and the Mikaelson's. The other half of it was that I wasn't quite ready to face the withering stare of his siblings. He quickly realizes I'm not going to justify his question by even acknowledging it, so he moves on. "What is this brilliant plan of yours?"

"You'll find out if it works. I don't want to say anything until I have an actual answer." My head hits the rest, and I silently pray that Esther's meeting with Elena is nothing more than wanting to meet the latest Petrova doppelganger. It's a fanatical notion, but it doesn't stop me from hoping. That would be the best outcome, and I can't bring myself to consider the worst.

"You really care don't you?"

"Care about?"

"Everything. You care about me, Elena, Klaus, obviously Kol, and that we're all okay."

"Of course, I care. Am I supposed to be cold and empty-hearted?" I know what he means by the comment, but I would care to not think about it right now. Still, I give in anyway. "You don't have to warn me. I know where caring too much will get me."

"As long as you know that you can't fix everyone's problems, you're good."

"You mean I can't fix them alone ." I emphasize the look with a pointed look at him. "Things wouldn't be so difficult and dangerous if one person stopped fighting. All it would take is one person deciding to help instead of hurt."

Jeremy looks back at me with guilt. Good, make him feel bad. It might just make him finally listen . I don't wait for him to say anything as I open up the door and join the trickling crowd of people making their way toward the mansion.

The silvery-grey silk of my gown trails against the tile of entry way as I finally let it go. Jeremy takes my arm as we walk inside, and I graciously take it as I admire the grandeur of it all. "Wow. They really pulled out all the stops didn't they?" He chuckles as he nods to a few people he knows as we walk by.

I barely hear any of what he or anyone else says. My fingers keep pinching and messing with the soft fabric of my gown, and my head turns to catch any sign of the familiar faces that could calm my nerves. Klaus is the only one I find.

He stands across the hall talking and laughing with Mayor Lockwood, who stands stiff with a forced smile. It's clear that she's scared of him. What more could you expect? He has a supernatural control on her son, who he turned into one of his hybrids. Not to mention, Klaus would not be likely to hesitate to take over her position if he wanted it. Although, I know him well enough to understand he would rather have someone else do the work so he can remain in the dark.

Klaus eventually catches my eye mid-conversation. I manage a quick smile towards him, but it doesn't reach my eyes. He must notice my distress because he breaks off from the mayor and makes his way over to Jeremy and I. "Lee, you're looking radiant." Klaus smiles as he takes my free hand and kisses my knuckles.