(1) Bloodlines: The Curse (A Vampire Dairies Fanfiction)

42. I Am Home

A hot shower and sleep had been the cure that Alex needed. After getting back home to her family, the exhaustion of desiccating Klaus, losing James and being awake all night had left her barely standing. She had showered to wash away the grime that seemed to cling to her skin before getting into her bed and sleeping until noon. She was woken up by Elena, who had food for them both, and instead of getting up, Elena joined Alex under her covers, and they ate side by side.

Alex couldn't remember the last time a sandwich had tasted so good.

When they had finished their meal, Alex laid back down and looked at Elena. The bags beneath Elena's eyes and the sag of her shoulders showed her own exhaustion, but there seemed to be more lingering behind her eyes.

Alex asked, "What's bouncing around inside that head?"

Elena sighed. She said, "What happened after I...." Elena's brow tensed. "Died?"

Alex licked her lips and pushed herself back up slightly. "Stefan and Damon showed up. I told Stefan to bring you back here; Damon – I think – must have followed because he disappeared. I then dealt with Klaus. He was going through a transition, his werewolf side taking over, so he was weak. James, Robert and Sarah channelled their power to weaken him even more and then I desiccated him."

Elena nodded slowly. "And what about James?"

Alex had told them that James had given his life for Elena, taking Alex's place, but she hadn't really wanted to discuss it any further than that. But the guilt that seemed to flash in Elena's eyes made Alex understand that it wasn't just her who felt guilty.

Alex said, "He died peacefully like he was falling asleep. Sarah, Robert and I all sat with him. And when Sarah was ready, we burned his body."

"You cremated him?"

Alex nodded. "Explaining his death would be impossible; getting him buried in the cemetery would just bring up all sorts of questions, so it was safer and quicker. Sarah collected some of the ashes to keep."

Elena asked, "What is Sarah going to do now?"

"She said she wants to stay with me. There aren't enough rooms here, but I think we can sort something out," Alex explained.

"I want to say something to her, but I don't know what to say," said Elena.

Alex understood that. Sarah and James had been so alone in their lives for so long, all they had was each other. James had raised Sarah after their parent's deaths, and when Alex stepped into their lives, Sarah had been nothing but welcoming. Alex thought that she deserved more backlash from Sarah, some kicking and screaming, but Sarah didn't hold anyone responsible. In her eyes, James had done what he thought was best like he always did. She couldn't hold his choice against them.

"Sarah would just be happy to have a friend," said Alex. "She doesn't blame you or me for James' choice."

Elena scrunched up her nose. "I feel like she should."

Alex nodded. "Yeah, so do I." She grabbed Elena's hand. "But we can't always control how others deal with things."

"I just wish I could have thanked him."

Alex smiled. The other side was a mystery to them all. But Alex knew that James was over there, most likely watching them, and he knew. She said, "I'm sure he knows."

Elena's small smile was enough to ease Alex's mind as they both lay down. Alex hugged her sister as they did and felt the warmth of a familiar presence around her. James was there, and he did know.

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