The Missing Piece

Little Annoyances

"Careful love," Nik chuckled as he held my shoulders.

"All done Nik?" I asked, a soft smile on my face as he placed a light hand on my cheek.

"Yes, Angel," His smile reminded me of our time in the twenties. "What would you like to do today?"

"Why don't we start with something to eat?" I suggested, wrapping my arms around his. We walked like this until we reached the Mystic Grill where Nik separated his arm from mine to hold the door open for me.

I sat in a small booth closer to the bar and Nik went to get us drinks. My eyes followed him as he walked, my attention was diverted when a cold hand touched my shoulder. I had seen him enough to know when he was there and so, without turning my head, I addressed him.

"Leave me be, Luke." I felt his hand move to my throat as he spoke.

"Why? You're so much fun." I felt my eyes beginning to water. "Oh look, here comes hubby." I locked eyes with Nik as I tried to smile as if everything was fine.

He handed me my drink as he sat down, as soon as he actually looked at my face his expression changed drastically. "Angel, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," I pushed my hair back behind my ear as a forced a smile. Luke's cold hand moved to behind my neck, sending chills down my spine at the ghostly touch.

"Keeping secrets? My, my, how unlike you." I could almost feel the icy breath next to my ear.

"Love, what is it?" Nik reached out to touch my hand, rubbing the back of it to try and console me.

"Yes, love, what's wrong?" I took a long sip of my drink before realizing that my hands were trembling and I sat the glass back on the table with a soft thud sounding as it hit the wood.

"It's nothing Nik," I smiled as bright as I could, his eyes told me he didn't believe me, "I promise, it's nothing. Why don't you tell me what you've been up to all day?" I pushed my hair over my shoulder, resulting in pushing Luke's icy hand off, I let my hand rest by my shoulder for a moment.

"That's a surprise, Angel. Wouldn't want to give it away so soon." His smile reminded me of the good times, I truly was glad we were on good terms. "I heard you went to see your brother, is he doing well?"

"Well enough, I suppose. He's lucky he's still alive. His comments are becoming absurd." I finished my drink as my smile dropped, I looked behind Nik to see Damon walking in. "Speak of the-" Nik replaced his hand on mine and gave it a little squeeze.

"Relax, Love, breathe, " I smiled through a clenched jaw as Damon locked eyes with me.

"There's my little sis," Damon greeted me as he walked over, I rolled my eyes and picked up my drink.

"If you'll excuse me, I need a refill before I deal with, whatever you want to talk about." I pushed myself out of the booth and walked to the bar, ignoring the few looks I was getting. Apparently, the whole town knew the Salvatores, including the busboy, as he stopped me on my way to the bar.

"You're a Salvatore?" He asked, he had grabbed my arm to get my attention, but now he was getting on my nerves.

"What's it to you?" I pulled my arm away, tapping on the glass to keep my restraint.

"So you're a-" He cut himself off as he looked to the table I'd come from. "You know Klaus?"

"Let me just tell you one thing, my business, is mine, not yours. I assume you know my husband through Elena, keep out of it, or you might not live to regret it." I gave a curt smile before turning and continuing my walk to the bar.