Breathing ∞ Kol Mikaelson [1]

[67]

While travelling through the tunnels, following the map given to them by Stefan was a lot calmer than when they'd been stuck in the Grill, Emma didn't let herself fully relax until they finally climbed out and into the street. There was no one near to see them and no one to stop them by asking questions.

"I need to get April to Caroline, you need a ride to somewhere?" Matt questioned Emma, not releasing April even though they were no longer stumbling around the dark tunnels. The last thing they needed was to have her running off somewhere and spilling everything she'd seen.

"Yeah, actually, I'm supposed to-" Emma started to say, but the sound of tyres peeling to a stop as it drove down the street had all three of them turning around to look at the approaching vehicle. "Never mind." She smiled as she saw the driver step out of the car.

"Klaus called to say you were in trouble? What happened?" Kol questioned in a worried tone. Klaus hadn't given him much answers aside from the warning itself, which he'd apparently gotten from Stefan who was a part of the whole rescue the hostages mission.

"Just the hunter being a pain. Don't worry about it, Stefan's taking care of him." Emma reassured him, her hand gently squeezing his, reminding him she was right there and in no danger. She hated worrying him so soon after last night.

"I, uh, have to go." Matt announced, his voice cutting off the questions April had started bombarding him with again. But he knew he couldn't just leave like it was any other day.

Noticing the hesitation, Emma sent him a small smile. "We'll see each other again, blue eyes. I'm sure of it." Emma said with a reassuring nod, giving him the sign to get going. April was getting somewhat infuriating. And soon enough, the Donovan took the initiative and started to head in the opposite direction, back towards the main street, allowing Emma to turn back to Kol.

"Are you sure-?" Kol started to ask, but Emma was already ready for the multitude of possible questions she knew was coming her way as soon as she saw him.

"I'm okay? Yes. I want to go to the house? Yes. I don't just want to take a nap? Yes." She finished the question with all of the possibilities and answers she could come up with. Although that part with the nap sounded really good. But then she reminded herself she could sleep in the car when they left.

"Alright then." Kol relented. He still wasn't sure about this, but Emma was adamant. He would let her make her own decisions, ready to be by her side if she needed him or ready to get her out of there the moment she asked.

Taking her hand he led her to the car he'd stolen from his brother's garage, not feeling like spending the day running from place to place on foot. Modern cars were something that he had to get used to, but he learned. And he wouldn't be letting Emma get into one he was driving if he wasn't sure in his own skill.

They drove in silence. Kol wasn't sure what to say or do. He thought it was a bad idea. Which was probably clear by how many times he'd tried to make sure she really wanted to do it just that morning. But then again, who was he to tell her about healthy coping mechanisms? His were murder and drinking.

But while he remained quiet, that didn't mean his eyes didn't keep glancing in her direction. The closer they got to the house, the more her observed her. But Emma's face remained the same as the moment she got into the car. Stoic, not upset, not happy. Just simply watching the houses that rolled past. And then they came up to the house itself.

Once it came into view, Kol started to slow down the car, ready to turn back. And that finally had her look his way. With a pointed look. Of course, Emma knew what he was doing. "You want to hear me say I don't want to be here? Well, I don't want to be here." He was about to start turning the car. "But I have to." She added and he stopped again, a small sigh escaping him.