Burn - N.M & E.M

Chapter 31

Klaus pulls the car over and just before they enter Chicago. Klaus has been very smug about the fact that they are going to Chicago, continuously looking at Stefan with a smirk on his face.

He gestures for them to get out of the car which they follow and walk a little bit away from the car to a spot that gives them a beautiful view of the city. Chelsea wishes that she had her phone so she could take some pictures, unfortunately it was in Klaus' possession.

"Welcome back to Chicago, Stefan." Klaus exclaims happily.

"What are we doing here?" Stefan asks monotone.

"I know how much you loved it here. Bringing back memories of the good old ripper days?" Klaus asks with a knowing look in his eyes that confuses her.

"Blacked out most of them. A lot of blood, a lot of partying. The details are all a blur." Stefan informs.

"Well, that is a crying shame. The details are what make it legend." Klaus declares happily. "Chicago was magical."

"Sounds like you really like this place." Chelsea points out and tries to ignore the smile that Klaus sends her, and the way that smile makes her feel.

"Yeah well, I'll take your word for it. Like I said, I don't remember most of it." Stefan states.

"Going to get down to business then?" Klaus inquires rhetorically.

"Why am I still with you? We had our fun, your hybrids failed. I mean, don't you want to move on?" Stefan questions obviously fed up.

"We're going to see my favourite witch...after you of course little phoenix. If anyone can help us with our hybrid problem, it's her." Klaus explains before making his way back over to the car.

Stefan follows along behind him, but Chelsea stays where she is standing for a few more seconds. She has hardly ever travelled in her life. The furthest she has made it out of Mystic Falls was her aunts on her dad's side of the family. This summer she has been all over, and, in each place, she has been allowed just a couple of minutes to breath in the new air and feel free.

The noise of the car honking breaks her out of her reverence as she overlooked the city, making her look over to see Klaus in the drives seat and Stefan in the back waiting for her. Sighing deeply Chelsea takes one last long look at the cityscape and then turns her back on it and walks to the car.

#####

Chelsea walks into a bar, following along, slightly behind Klaus and Stefan. The two men stop walking just as they enter making Chelsea stop too. She looks at the place. It has a nice set up and slightly reminds her of the Grill, just a little smaller.

She kinda misses it, the Grill, playing pool with friends as they laughed about whatever funny thing happened at school that day. Life was so much simpler before the supernatural became part of it.

"Looks familiar, doesn't it?" Klaus asks Stefan.

"I can't believe this place is still here." Stefan breathes, shocked.

"You got to be kidding me." A voice is heard from in the bar as a woman makes herself known.

"So, a hybrid walks into a bar, says to the bartender..." Klaus starts, and Chelsea is already rolling her eyes knowing the joke is going to be terrible.

"Stop. You may be invincible, but that doesn't make you funny." The woman interrupts making Chelsea laugh. The woman looks at her and smiles before turning to Stefan.

"I remember you." She states.

"Yeah. you're Gloria. Shouldn't you be..." Stefan trails off awkwardly.