The Original Ripper

Chapter 20: "But it sounds...blissful"

As the four days went by without finding Stefan, Layla found herself growing increasingly worried even going as far as to have some of her out of town contacts to try and find them. By that she meant witches. Sitting when them her witch stared at her as she explained her predicament. The girl witch watched her with a frown. No matter how cheerful the witch was she always seemed so stoic and unhappy, even pained whenever she saw Layla. Maybe that was because the girl in front of her was a banshee and a witch. She was a messenger of death, or a harbinger. "The travellers are bad news, I'd get out before you get yourself heard, I can see the death in Mystic Falls, I see your death." She commented stoically making Layla shift uncomfortably.

"I haven't lived this long without being crafty. Can you go to New Orleans and give Nik this; it is not something I can send through mail." Layla pointed out as she handed the witch some things and then got in her car driving off to the place Stefan texted her to meet him at. Once she got there she saw Tyler/Julian yelling at Stefan and the two got in a fight and Stefan fell to the ground. Climbing out of the car Layla ran up to where they were. Kneeling down next to him she saw Caroline crying and she paused for a moment her hand covering her mouth as Caroline cried screaming for help. Stroking his face Layla felt as if it was her that got her heart ripped out. Letting out an ear piercing scream she quietly wept for Stefan Salvatore. Reaching out for Caroline the two hugged tightly as Caroline cried into Layla's shirt. Closing her eyes she tried to keep the tears at bay. The two brought Stefan to a couch and Caroline cried over him while Layla sat outside curling up she drew in a deep breath trying to keep herself busy however she could. "Cheers Stefan, if you can hear me, I wonder if that's how the other side works. If it is, then I want you to know, I've known love before I met you. It was dark and passionate and brought out the best in me while he was human and the worst in me when I was a vampire. But then when I met you the darkness, the worst in me you showed me the light. What it was to be truly pure. I hadn't felt that way since I was a child. I love you Stefan Salvatore don't you ever forget that." Layla whispered finishing her drink and passing out.

When Layla woke up Caroline was standing in front of her and she grabbed her and the two were walking to the car. "We're going to wait for the rest, our dead friends, Stefan they're coming from the other side." Caroline cheered. Layla then told her she'd meet her there. She showed up late and when she saw a crying Elena, Layla ignored that running to Stefan. She jumped on him wrapping her arms around his waist and he caught her holding her close smoothing down her hair. Stefan gave a small smile and a sigh of relief and she pulled him in kissing him passionately with tears falling from her eyes. Stefan let her down leaning down capturing her face in his hands pissing her passionately.

"I um I heard you." Stefan commented with a sweet smile. Grinning Layla hugged him tightly. "I love you too." Stefan replied too wrapped up in his bliss to notice that Damon nor did Lexi come out.

"Thank you Stefan." Layla whispered kissing him again and the two then pulled away and Stefan looked away and his face fell.

"Damon...Lexi" Stefan whispered to himself as Elena walked into the small building he then stalked off. Layla turned to Caroline walking up to her.

"I'm not good at these things Caroline, so here it is, I need Stefan's best friend to make him smile. I love Stefan and I never want him to cry but I'd be a hypocrite if I said that I believed everything would get better." Layla informed Caroline who looked at Layla shocked but then hugged Layla tightly.

"You were hoping Kol and Fin would come through didn't you?" Caroline asked with pity in her eyes. Nodding Layla wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I was. I just want my family back, but I've lived long enough without them to know I can survive. Inner peace is overrated; it's the fighters that survive." Layla commented numbly before giving Caroline a smile of appreciation and walking to her car driving off to her home. She then showed up at the Salvatore house and walked into Stefan's bedroom. Lying down next to him she intertwined her hand with his.

"Thank you for not leaving. I can't get through his death without you." Stefan whispered. Layla then looked up at him nodding as her head rested on his chest.

"My brothers were on the other side as well Stefan. I'm no different to you. We should get out of here quickly." Layla whispered looking up at him.

"Yes please." Stefan agreed. The two packed up their belongings and looked up at where they were. Layla looked to Stefan as he chucked his bag in her car and the two kissed softly. "Where are we going?" Stefan asked.

"Portland? I've never been" Layla informed him getting into her car with Stefan who smiled at her as she started driving. "You know I've been reading about some history books about Bonnie and Clyde, I really like them. On the road, free from the law, fucking and killing wherever they go with their friends. Maybe no your idea of fun but it sounds...blissful." Layla commented with a cheeky smile making Stefan crack a smile.

"Well we can be the non-violent version of Bonnie and Clyde" Stefan offered rubbing up and down her thigh. "Thank you"