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chapter forty-nine ━ the least of your concerns

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❝ if only she knew ❞

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twenty votes and twenty comments for the next chapter!

A FEW WEEKS passed since the night neither of them would forget. It was easy to say that they were closer, happier, and connected. The morning after had been a pain, seeing as Melody finally felt the soreness, but it had been a blessing because Klaus had made her a warm bath, poured some soap into the tub, so she was covered by the bubbles. He had made her breakfast, all her favorite, including chocolate milk. He was treating her like royalty and she didn't stop him. For the rest of the day, they relaxed, her falling asleep on the couch only for him to sketch her while she rested.

Melody spent the next few weeks with Klaus, usually smiling at him, blushing whenever he would tease her about how she would sometimes ask him if they could do it again. He never denied her. And he showed her new things slowly so she could adjust and learn. She loved everything he taught her, and in return, she became more comfortable around him regarding her body. Because she trusted him.

It was nice because there hadn't been a single shred of drama. They kept to themselves, spending the day inside of going out for meals, he even took her shopping once and she dragged him into Victoria's Secret. Klaus had been embarrassed at first but once she told him that she was going to try some stuff on and show him, he quickly told her that they could stay as long as she liked. They even tried to go into an art shop but it was too modern for their liking. Both of them preferred a cozy setting. Mystic Falls didn't provide that.

Turns out Elena had gone insane with her humanity off and threw a party at the Salvatore house. Caroline called and had asked Melody if she could come help clean up. Of course, the brunette agreed since she felt bad for her having to clean it up all on her on. Stefan then called Klaus, talking about a lead on Silas. Rebekah was with Damon in New York working on a lead on the cure. Everything was jumbled.

Cleaning up the Boarding house hadn't taken too long, so they moved onto the problem at hand. Stefan poured them all drinks but once Melody felt to sip her's, the smell revolted her and she set it aside quickly, making a disgusted face. No one commented on it.

"We think Silas is in Mystic Falls," Stefan started, sitting across from them next to Caroline. Oddly enough, the two had gotten rather close since they got back from finding the cure. There was a growing friendship, however, there seemed to be something else surfacing between the two.

"So some blood went missing from a few hospitals," Klaus replied, waving it off as he took a sip of his bourbon. "What about Elena? Don't vampires with their humanity off tend to overindulge in human blood, or were you the exception?" Stefan immediately denied it, seeing as the doppelganger wasn't even in town. "Well, let's say for a moment that it was Silas. I'm struggling to see how this affects us."

Melody wouldn't admit but she didn't quite understand why this affected them either. Why was this their problem? Because frankly, she could sense that they wouldn't be in Mystic Falls for long. The town was becoming a bore and she couldn't stop thinking about New Orleans. She even had a dream of some witches there which she laughed off because the city was the place for voodoo anyways, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

Stefan tried to be civil with the hybrid, explaining the best he could. "Look. Silas wants to die and be reunited with his one true love, but he's supernatural, so if he takes the cure and dies, he gets stuck on the Other Side."

"How romantic," Melody muttered, giving her full glass to Klaus who frowned, seeing that she hadn't drunk any of it. Usually, she didn't waste her drinks. But he didn't spend time pondering the fact, taking it from her and sipping from it.

"But if he destroys the Other Side altogether, he can take the cure, die, and pass on, but in destroying it, every dead supernatural being will return to our side."

Her nose scrunched up as she listened, crossing her legs as she leaned back on the couch. She had been more tired than usual, taking naps, and waking up late. Which was unlike her because she was used to getting up at the crack of dawn, Pan got her into that habit since he did the same. There were several things about her that were off from her regular behaviors. Klaus noticed and told himself to keep a close eye on her. He also got an odd feeling when he was around her.

Caroline spoke up for the first time since they got there. "That means every werewolf, every witch, every vampire." She glanced at Klaus, smiling falsely at him. "I wonder how many of those you personally killed. Care yet?"

The only thing he did was smile at her, not providing a verbal response. Melody sighed, wrapping her arms around herself as she looked at Stefan. "How do we stop him? Find some kryptonite?"

"Bonnie said Silas needs to complete three massacres to do this spell. Before Professor Shane died, he convinced the pastor to blow up the Council. Next, you had you kill Klaus's hybrids, and now he only needs one more massacre, so if he's here, that's what he's doing. We need to find him."

Despite the fact that the memory did cause her to wince, shrinking slightly in her seat, she felt better that at least the hybrids were bound to die eventually. The only aspect of the situation that bothered her was that she murdered Carol Lockwood, an innocent woman who hadn't caused her arm. She forced away all her thoughts, clearing her throat to see them all looking at her.

"Are you okay?" Caroline asked softly, looking very concerned for her friend she was glad to have rekindled with.

Melody nodded with a frown. She could sense something was off about herself, but it wasn't like she knew. All she guessed was that she was having a bad day. "I'm fine, Care, promise." Her words didn't provide reassurance to any one of them. And they all glanced at one another, looking equally worried. She wasn't lying because she felt okay, just not entirely herself.

If only she knew why.

———

They were forced to wait until night fell to be able to break into Shane's office. Melody told them that she and Rebekah had found the professor dead on the island so chances were, Silas was posing as him. It was good that they had the upper hand and would know just in case they saw him. Seeing as he was an ancient witch, it wouldn't surprise them if he could morph into different people at will. They had to be careful because of that theory.

Caroline had questioned as to what they were doing there and Stefan answered her. "If Shane really was working with Silas, chances are he was helping him plan his next move."

Melody scoffed at that, a hand on her hip while the other was on her temple. She had a massive headache so she assumed she was probably getting sick which would explain that odd feeling she was getting. "Well, I'm guessing we are looking for his villain to-do list. Which contains, stealing bags of blood from two hospitals, concocting three massacres, and feed the goldfish."

"Actually, not to nit-pick, but we villains usually use minions to feed the goldfish, that sort of thing," Klaus told her with a teasing smile. "Not that you would understand since you are such an angel."

She rolled her eyes playfully and shoved him with her hand. Caroline was happy that the brunette was content. She wasn't too happy about who she was content with. And so she jabbed a thumb towards the hybrid, looking to Stefan. "Why is he necessary again?"

"Well for one, I needed support, two, he refused to let me go alone, and three, he's an Original who can't die that easily which might come in handy," Melody replied, closing her eyes as she rubbed her temple in circles. "If you could tolerate him, that would be great and much appreciated."

Klaus wanted to soothe her, rub her arm, take her back to the mansion so she didn't get stressed more than she probably already was. Yet he knew if he offered she would say no. "Besides, Stefan and I work well together, or at least we did in the twenties." The said vampire pointed out that he had his emotions off. "And that's why you were more fun, just as Damon is probably relishing in Elena's emotionless company in New York."

Melody went over to Shane's desk, going through the drawers again. Caroline helped her, sensing her discomfort so she rubbed her back to help ease her.

"My brother knows what he's doing," Stefan responded tightly, getting annoyed.

"Does he?" Klaus challenged. "Don't underestimate the allure of darkness, Stefan. Even the purest hearts are drawn to it." Instantly the females stopped, Melody looked down at the desk while Caroline glanced at her. She could tell the words had affected her because it made perfect sense. Before all of this, the brunette had a pure heart. Then she met the hybrid and now she had to learn to balance dark and light. Stefan didn't notice their reactions, laughing the words off. "Still, I'm sure it'll all be fine."

Melody cleared her throat, her hand pressed against a large book that she found inside one of the many drawers, under stacks of papers that were no doubt unimportant. "I think we found something." They two came over and took a glance at the cover. "Symbolic Figures in the Dark Arts. I believe Bonnie talk about Expression Triangles?" She pointed a finger at a large intricate drawing of a triangle. Despite it being only a shape, it still looked menacing.

Stefan read from the page opposite, tirling his head as he did so. "In some schools of magic such as Expression, human sacrifice can be used as a focus for power. It is rumored that the addition of two supernatural sacrifices compounds the mystical energy, creating an Expression Triangle."

Caroline pointed at a symbol, that time. "Humans — that was the council fire." She pointed at another. "Demons — Klaus' hybrid failure."

"Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a failure," he commented, but then Melody rose an eyebrow at him and his argument died in his throat. He moved on, looking to the last symbol. "What's the third?"

It took a moment before the blonde female gasped, bringing her clasped hands to her mouth. "Oh, no."

While Caroline and Stefan quickly went to find Bonnie, keeping her from completing the triangle, the couple was left in Shane's office to figure out where the location could be. It wasn't difficult necessarily, it was only that Melody was having a hard time focusing. She was beginning to feel nauseous.

So she and Klaus were alone in the office, poring over a map of Mystic Falls. The younger of the two held a ruler and a pan, drawing lines on the parchment while she explained to him her thoughts. "Okay, there've been two massacres. Pastor Young's farm is here, and the old Lockwood cellar, where I viciously slaughtered your hybrids, is here." She drew a line to connect the two. "According to the book, the Expression Triangle is equilateral, putting it here."

Then she drew another line to form a triangle on the map. Klaus smiled suddenly and went to speak before she stopped him, holding her finger that held the pen up at him. "I am well aware that there are two places the third massacre could be. I passed geometry, I swear." He grinned, holding his hands up in surrender. She smiled at him, drawing two more lines that connected the last triangle opposite of the other she drew.

He looked at her and she glanced up at him, a small blush turning her cheeks crimson. Melody cleared her throat, tucking a piece of hair behind her ears as she looked down. But, of course, they were interrupted. Stefan and Caroline entered the office, crossing over to the two.

"Did you find Bonnie?" the fairytale woman asked curiously, arching a brow.

"No, but we talked to her dad," Stefan explained. "I think we found Silas."

———

They had been sent to the wrong location, well, they had a fifty-fifty shot at picking the right place and it just so happened they chose the wrong one. Melody and Klaus had walked in the woods for a solid hour, their flashlights guiding their way because the brunette was feeling too sick to use her magic. He respected her naturally, offering to take her back to the mansion. And naturally, she denied him.

When they realized they were in the wrong place, they had to hurry to the other location. Once they arrived, they found Stefan leaning against a tree, groaning in pain, and Caroline holding her stomach next to him. A group of witches was chanting, all huddled together.

"They're linked," the Salvatore told the two. "Bonnie's gonna kill them."

"Not if the witches kill her first," Klaus growled before he slammed Stefan against the tree, pinning him there.

Melody hated to admit it but he wasn't wrong. They couldn't let Silas complete the triangle, they couldn't let him get the cure either. So if they meant letting Bonnie die then so be it. Better her than tons of innocent people, right? Caroline didn't argue with them, trying to protect her friend. The fairytale woman spoke up. "Care there is no other way, we stop the witches, they will die, and then Silas gets exactly what he wants."

One witch held a dagger over Bonnie, while the latter screamed in pain. Suddenly Caroline sped into the circle and shoved the dagger into the witch's chest, killing her instantly. Klaus shouted and they all watched in horror as each witch dropped dead, one by one, the torches' flames burnt out. They were covered in darkness.

Caroline herself seemed shocked by her own actions. She quickly recovered, remembering why she had done so. Melody stared in shock, eyes wide, fear coating her expression.

When Bonnie opened her eyes, all they could see is milky-white pits, her pupils gone. Her smile was sickening, evil, eerie. "The triangle is complete." Everything started to spin after that. Melody pressed her hand against a nearby tree, holding her stomach. Klaus grabbed her, using his vamp speed to get her away from everyone else. He brought her back to the mansion.

She didn't know where she was until she felt the coldness of tile, hearing a faint whisper in her ear as someone caressed her back. Melody threw up into the toilet, holding onto the seat as she emptied all of her contents. Once she was done she lied her head against the cool seat, breathing deeply. Klaus quickly disappeared and came back with a glass of water, handing it to her.

"Weak stomach for massacres I'm guessing?" he teased softly. If she had the energy to laugh, she would have. All she could do was smile weakly. There was a ding and he took out his phone to see a text from Stefan. He frowned deeply. "I will be right back, I promise. Just stay right here." She nodded once and he kissed her temple before speeding out of the house.

———

And there she waited for an hour. She didn't move for a while but eventually got up, wiping her face clean and brushing her teeth to rid of the awful odor. Melody guzzled another glass of water before she walked out of the bathroom, her bare feet padding on the ground. Though she was weak, she could still walk fine, but she knew she didn't have enough energy to use her magic still.

That's when she found him. Klaus was groaning on the floor, his shirt off, a wound on his back, kneeling down. The sun had risen and she paused for a minute to glance at the time. She reminded herself the task at hand and went over to him, kneeling down. "Hey? What's wrong? What happened?" Her voice was soft, gentle. He relaxed into her touch when she pressed a hand to his cheek.

"Silas," he breathed.

Melody cursed under her breath, standing up. "Hold on, let me go get my phone and call Stefan, don't move." She quickly went to the stairs and went up to their now shared bedroom, trying her best not to stumble. And meanwhile, he stayed there, hissing in pain as he got himself to the parlor room.

He stood up shakily, using his fingers to try and get out the piece of the white oak stake that was daggered into his back. Almost as quickly as she appeared, Melody was back, walking over to him quickly. "Tell me everything, what happened to you?"

"Silas. He attacked me. He stabbed me with the white oak stake. A piece of it. . .is still inside me."

The brunette looked horrified, staring at him with shock and fear of losing him. She didn't say anything for a moment. He watched her intently, feeling as if he was going to die soon. At least he would pass on with her by his side, right? At least he wouldn't be alone? "That could kill you."

Klaus laughed humorlessly. "Well, I certainly feel like I'm dying."

Melody reached for his face, caressing his cheek slowly, her eyes the same as his girlfriend's, but they most certainly didn't reflect the same emotions she would. She shushed his groans, leaning close to him as if she were about to kiss him. Then she pulled up, lifting up his chin roughly. "As much as I would love to watch you die, you still haven't found me that cure and your precious love is upstairs."

"Silas!" he gasped, shoving her away, falling to the floor.

The ancient witch laughed, staring down at him. Before he could scream, Silas waved his — well, her — hand, silencing him from speaking loudly to call for the real Melody. "Wow, you're so smart. See, last night I looked like Shane, today I look like Melody, and tomorrow. . ." She gasped dramatically. ". . .Who knows?"

Klaus spoke through gritted teeth, unable to speak loudly so his voice came out as nearly a whisper. "Show me your real face."

"Now why would I do that when I can look like whomever I want you to see?" Silas questioned before stepping closer to him. The hybrid shuddered in fear. "Resist me all you want, Klaus, but until you bring me the cure I will bring you nothing but misery. Perhaps I'll even see what your girlfriend has to offer."

Before he could launch himself at the witch, Silas vanished into thin air. He relaxed painfully, turning his head to see Melody entering the room. She held her phone in her hands, walking to him. Klaus felt the magic on his voice disappear, making him sound gruff. "Go away."

She stopped in her tracks, flinch at his tone. "What the hell are you talking about? And I strictly told you not to move."

"I need more time," he growled. "Stop hounding me!"

Melody gave him a look, in no mood for his attitude because she wasn't feeling very good still. And when she was sick, she took shit from no one, snapping back as quick as lightning, regardless if her words were hurtful or not. "I'm hounding you? I went to go call Stefan you asshole! Give me a bloody minute to keep my mind straight after I spent an hour on the bathroom floor, vomiting into the toilet. So show some respect!"

Klaus was taken aback by her words, gasping as he leaned against the piano seat. "Melody. Is it really you?" She threw her hand up, watching as he struggled to pull himself onto the piano seat, leaning against the instrument. "Prove it to me."

She rose an eyebrow and then made a face. "Okay. Two days ago I gave—

"It's you," he said quickly, cutting her off. Melody smirked at him, knowing that what she would have said wouldn't have been appropriate. "Silas. He stabbed me with the white oak stake. There's a piece of it stuck inside me."

"Why would Silas attack you?" she asked curiously, moving towards him as she noticed his hesitance but didn't move away from him. It was truly her and she wasn't going to leave him there in pain.

Klaus took a deep breath. "He wants me to find him the cure."

"Okay, one problem at a time." She bit her lip, looking at his wound. "What do you want me to do?"

"Well, it's quite simple, really. You don't have enough energy to use your magic, so I need you to cut the stake out of me."

Melody gaped in horror at him, looking over to see some pliers lying on the ground. She gulped and nodded her head, pointing at it. A moment of silence passed as she felt her stomach start to churn again. Whatever she had left, was not agreeing with the idea he presented to her. "I think I'm going to puke again."

———

Thankfully she hadn't thrown up again, but she was on the verge of doing so. What a perfect time for her to be sick. Melody held the pair of pliers, digging through his back to try and find the piece of the white oak stake. Klaus was bracing himself against the piano.

"I'm telling you, I'm about to vomit what is left in my stomach." He yelled in pain through gritted teeth when she moved the pliers deeper. She winced, feeling bad for the pain she was causing him. "Klaus, I promise you, I swear there's nothing in here. And if you think I'm ever doing this for you again, you're insane."

He yelled in agony, hissing. "You killed my hybrids remember? Just get the damn thing out Melody! I can feel it!"

She listened to what he told her to do, digging deeper. He yelled again, slamming the piano top with his hand. Melody refrained from whimpering, feeling her head start to ache again. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry. I'm sorry." But then suddenly, a realization hit her. If Silas truly stabbed him in the back with the white oak stake, demanding him to find the cure, why bother stabbing him in the first place? Klaus couldn't exactly move much with it dug into him.

The fairytale woman turned his head towards her, caressing his face as Silas had, but her touch made him relax completely, shivering as he was sweating at the same time. She leaned close to him and then kissed him slowly, taking her time as he had with her during their first time. When she pulled back, there was a moment of silence.

Klaus opened his eyes, looking surprised. "It's gone. The pain." He reached to touch his back but then he saw her expression. "The-the pain is gone." Then the same realization hit him. "It was-it was never there. He got in my head. Silas. . ." He pointed to his temple. ". . .got inside my head." He grabbed her hand, pulling her close to him. "You took my mind off it. You brought me back, Melody.

She smiled softly at him, shrugging her shoulders. "It was nothing, but I do expect you to make me some chocolate chip cookies as a token of gratitude." He smiled back at her before they both became serious. Melody sighed. "This is bad, you know. Silas can make you feel pain like that, make you think that you're dying. Imagine what else he can do."

Gosh, that was the least of her concerns. But she didn't know that.

———

Boring chapter today besides the fact that Melody started showing signs of a certain something *winks*. Sadly, we have one chapter left. I believe the next chapter will be a short one, seeing as I am putting 4x20 (The Originals episode) as the first chapter of the third book. And as much as I am sad to see Melody's story in TVD end, I am super pumped to get started on The Originals. I can't believe it's been over a year since I first posted this story. . .

Are you excited to see a pregnant Melody?

I hope you guys have a great day/night and don't forget to vote on this chapter, comment your thoughts, and follow me for updates!

( credit : @pepperronys )