Forever

Worst Friday Ever

The rest of the work week went quickly past and we were especially excited for a this weekend. It was Rosh Hashanah so we had two extra days off.

"Mmm, baby." Jim groaned as we laid in bed Friday night. "I seriously love working with you, it's so much fun!"

"Wow," I giggled. "I thought that you were gonna say something extremely sexy..." I laughed and rolled over, pressing myself against him.

I kissed him gently and let out a content yawn to show my exhaust.

"Good night love," I muttered to him.

He held me tight. "Night baby." He answered in a sleepy tone.

I woke up about an hour later to an empty bed.

"Jim?!" I called. "Where are you?" I asked, receiving no answer.

I walked through the house and found no trace of him. After checking every possible spot I decided to call his cell.

"Jim?!!! Where in the-" I heard weird noises on the other end.

"Chin up newbie. Take it like the man you claim to be." It was Stefan's voice. "This is part of your brotherhood initiation. And don't worry, if you can't make it through it, your little girlfriend will be just fine."

He was being tortured. Why did he need to join the brotherhood? Why did he get up and leave? Where were they??

I opened the "Find My Phone" app on my phone and typed in his phone's information. He was across the street, at their house. Stupid me for thinking that they would be anywhere else. I knocked on the door hard and when I didn't get an answer I rang the doorbell until I thought it was going to die out on me.

"Kate! What are you doing here this late at night?" Damon answered the door, and it seemed as if he had no clue what was going on.

"I've come to collect what is mine." I said harshly.

"What do you mean, princess?" His blue eyes pierced mine and I knew he truly had no clue.

"Where is your brother?" I gauged.

"He should be upstairs in his room. I'll go get him." He turned his back to me. "Actually, now that you've asked, I can hear breathing down in the basement. Two people, one is struggling for air, the other is laughing."

I pushed past him and flew down the basement steps. I turned the corner to see my boyfriend in the opposite corner of the room, tied by his hands, hanging from the ceiling, with sticks protruding from his chest and stomach. He was barely breathing.

As far as I could tell, Stefan hadn't seen me. I backed up slowly and found myself on the Salvatore's couch, bawling my eyes out.

I sat Indian style on the couch and just let the years roll down my face. My hands reached down between the cushions and felt something hard, a wooden stake. I pulled it out and examined it. Gently pressing it to my chest I saw blood start to run down my front.

"Kate! Stop!" Stefan came running towards me and yanked the stake from my grip.

"Why should I stop? Huh? It's not like I have anything left to love in this world!" I screamed at him. Tears were still streaming down my face.

"Kate, I'm...I'm sorry. I let the jealousy take control of me. I'm a monster." He said softly, tears still falling from his eyes.

I spent the next two hours on the couch crying, I knew Damon was downstairs doing everything he could. I didn't want to imagine my life without Jim. It was so scary that this could be my reality.

Finally I heard footsteps coming up the stairs into the living room. I listened as Damon climbed the stairs, but then I heard another set. Jim was alive!

I raced to the door of the basement steps to greet him.

"Jim! You're alive!" I was crying different tears now as he scooped me up. He had complete strength back. "Damon, you're a miracle worker."

"No need to thank me. Oh and don't worry, from now on my little brother won't be bothering you two. Go get some sleep." He ran his fingers through his short jet black hair and we went on our way.

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The next morning, Jim woke up extra early and tried not to wake me. As he got up he kissed my cheek softly and breathed in deeply. I was awake but I acted as if I was still asleep.

I heard him go into the kitchen and start making breakfast. I sat up in bed and switched on the TV.

"Babe? You're awake!" He put on a sad looking smile and kissed me.

I kissed back passionately and pulled his head back as he started to pull away.

"Jim, I love you." I whispered.

He kissed me again and said into my lips, "I love you so much, I'm so sorry for going over there last night and causing you so much pain." I winced.

"Love, it's okay. I get it. You wanted to feel like you belong." I hugged him tighter. "I'm just happy you're still alive. Just promise me you'll never go over there alone again. I don't trust Stefan."

"I promise babe." He smiled. "How can I make it up to you? You lost a lot of sleep because of me last night."

"Start by shutting up and kissing me." I giggled and pulled him to my lips again. The worst Friday of my life was officially over, and I was still with the man of my dreams, and we were both still alive.