ALMOST IS NEVER ENOUGH | TVD [4]

XXXVI • IT'S BEEN A HELL OF A RIDE

thirty-six. it's been a hell of a ride

Salvatore Boarding House, Stefan and Rosie's Bedroom

Stefan is amidst packing his necessary belongings into his big black duffel bag when he comes upon a lovely framed photo of himself and Rosie on the table, both smiling happily when they were together the previous year. He grabs it and stares at it longer, sadly, before packing it in his bag as well.

Damon slowly walks in through the wide open doorway of the room, "Careful, brother. I can hear you popping a hernia over here. Need a hand?"

"Nope, I'll manage." By myself. He replied without even facing him.

The vampire frowns, truly puzzled, "I didn't know you were planning a trip."

"Look, you're not going to talk me out of leaving town so you might as well just save your breath."

So you're leaving alone. "Rosie didn't take this too well, I figure?"

"Yeah, she didn't. But I'm doing this for her." Because I love her.

"Cade has Elena, Stefan."

The human finally turns to face him with a frown, "What? How?"

"Long story. Cliff notes: I had a nasty run-in with our old friend Kai Parker. Didn't end well." He scoffs at the thought of his temporary death.

"What're you talking about? Kai's dead."

"Ish. He's alive enough to screw me over and kidnap Elena's coffin."

"Then he turned her over to Cade?" The former vampire predicted.

"Apparently. But Kai being Kai tried to cheat the devil. Kept an ace up his sleeve and now Cade wants that too."

"In exchange for Elena."

"Putting aside the fact that you were going to blow out of town without having an epic bro moment, I hope wherever you're going can wait. Because I, I need your help, brother." Please. Damon asked, truly desperate for aid.

****

Karaoke Restaurant

Kai is singing karaoke at a bar on the mini stage, "Mama, wipe the blood off of my face, 'cause I can't see through it anymore. I need someone to talk to and a new hiding place, yeah. I feel like I'm knocking on heaven's door. Sing it with me now. Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door, yeah, sing it with me. Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door, ooh. Knock, knock, knocking on heaven's door." He does a little salute, "Anyway, you get the idea. Crushed it, literal mic drop." He sees Stefan at the bar area and sits opposite him, "Well, well, well. Stefawn Salvatore. Hey, how'd you find me? Locator spell?" He grabs a glass of cocktail nearby with a served straw and sips on it.

Stefan smiles sarcastically, "Yelp, actually. CobraKai1972 wrote: 'grunge music selection weak, drinks even weaker'. Then thirty minutes later: 'drinks getting better, love this place, microphone emoji, fireball emoji'."

He smiles in return, "Yeah, what can I say, I'm a sucker for second chances these days. Ever since Cade gave me a new lease on life in exchange for your box o' ex-girlfriend, which I assume that's why you're here."

"Actually, I'm here for what you didn't give Cade."

"Hmm, yeah, I guess that's what I get for trying to put one over on a psychic, huh? Listen, I'm sorry, Steven, but that dagger's my insurance policy in case Cade ever tries to send me back to that hot spot." He fakes a smile.