The Missing Piece

I'm Not an Idiot

Damon had taken Talia out and buried her as I grieved in the living room. Mikael had shown up not too long after and they had formed a plan, I knew it wasn't good, but my mind was too occupied to pay attention. Everything came and went in a blur, I didn't really pay attention much until a phone was handed to me. My hands were still shaking as I set the cold phone against my ear.

"Is it true love?" I couldn't have cared less what he was talking about, I had just lost my best friend.

"Come home Nik," my voice broke as tears began falling again, Bekah was by my side in an instant, taking the phone and handing it away before wrapping her arms around my shoulders to comfort me. I cried into her shoulder for a moment before standing up.

"Where are you going?" Damon asked, placing a hand on my elbow to stop me.

"To clean up, what does it look like?" I sighed, wiping away a few more tears. "Can't go anywhere like this." I was more than aware that there was a dance, I wasn't going, but I needed an excuse to leave the house, and that was my best one.

"You aren't going anywhere," Stefan held up a hand and I was growing more and more tired of being controlled. I ripped my arm away from Damon's grasp.

"You used me for your call, but I decide what to do with my life." I went straight up the stairs and to my room, changing into a simple black tee and skinny jeans.

"Not much of a dance attire," I looked in the mirror to see Elena standing in the doorway.

"Because I'm not going to the dance." I sighed, clasping the necklace Talia had given me right before I left France.

1964

"Elijah I'm not going with you." I sighed, leaning on the back of the couch. "I'm not going back to Nik, not now."

"I'm not here to take you back, as I've already told you." He gestured around the room for a moment before letting his hands fall at his sides.

"Then why are you here?" I shifted under his gaze, hoping to find a time to make a run for it, one where it didn't end up with Talia laying on the floor, her heart next to her.

"To help," I took a step back. "Did you know Niklaus has thrown our family into the depths of the sea?"

"He wouldn't," I began, "he cherishes Kol and Bekah too much, there's no way he would ever-"

"It's true," He interrupted.

"Then what do you want?" He opened his mouth to speak before I continued. "Besides 'to help', how?"

"You've been trying to stay hidden," I nodded hesitantly, "I know Niklaus better than almost anyone, I can help." He looked around, taking a moment as his eyes fell on Talia before they flickered back to me. "We'll need to be heading out, he's not too far out as Talia has said."

"Give me your word." I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "Give me your word that you won't take me back to Nik, you don't break your word."

He sighed, "you have my word dear Cleo, you should know that you can trust me by now."

"I've been on the run, I have to be careful who I trust, even when it comes to you." I smiled softly, letting my arms drop, "But it is good to see you." I ran to hug him. He wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in a sense of familiarity, one that went back to the day I was found, the day I was protected.

"Go, get packed, I have a few things to tie up before I leave Paris." Elijah patted my head once, another thing he used to tease me with.

"Oh, mon chou!" I turned to see Talia removing a pendant from her neck. "Take this with you," she handed me the pendant, a small red gem surrounded by a silver circular setting. "Something to remember me by," she smiled sweetly, "I'm sure we'll meet again but just in case, hold on to it for me." She smiled.

Present

"Where are you going?" Elena asked, pulling me out of my thoughts as she walked up to me and helped me actually get the necklace clasped.

"To say goodbye to Talia, by myself." I sighed, moving my hands to let my hair fall once she got it. I touched the pendant where it laid on my collarbone with a small smile. "She was my oldest friend, and if I ever find who killed her, they will pay." I turned to her. "And while I'd love to stay and chat, we both know that vervain your hiding isn't necessary. I'll leave all of you alone and you leave me alone, I mean after using me, I think that's the least you can do." I grabbed my black jacket and held it over my arm. "Just make sure you realize what you're doing, and don't do anything stupid."

"How'd-"

"Oh please, you think I'm not on the alert in this house? I was locked in the cellar because I trusted my brothers, despite being in pain, I'm not oblivious. Have fun at your dance Elena." With that I walked right past her, pausing at the door frame. Taking a breath before continuing down the stairs and out the house, speeding off to the only spot I could be alone.

Happy birthday to me XD Hope you enjoyed the extra chapter today!