"Stripped"

Chapter 29: Choices

Bella was finishing applying her lipstick when Rebekah walked in.

"You look lovely," Rebekah said.

"Thanks," Bella replied. "Why aren't you dressed?"

"I decided not to go," Rebekah said, "Besides you'll have Damon."

"No I'll go alone," Bella said.

"What are you so afraid of?" Rebekah asked.

Bella tensed, "Nothing."

"You aren't a very good liar." Rebekah chuckled. "Life is too short to be afraid Bella."

"I'm not afraid for me," Bella said, "I'm afraid for those around me."

"We can take care of ourselves," Rebekah said, "You on the other hand need to learn that it's not your job to protect everyone."

"I watch my family's back no matter." Bella said.

"Even if the cost is your own life?" Rebekah asked.

Bella stayed silent.

"I'm going to stay at Matt's tonight if that's okay with you?" Rebekah said.

"Fine by me," Bella said, "Just watch your back."

Rebekah nodded and left the room.

Bella took on last look in the mirror at herself and grabbed her jacket. Bella made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen. She poured herself a shot of whiskey and downed it quickly.

"Liquid courage?" Damon's voice asked behind her, "Never known you to need it."

Bella didn't look at him, she just poured herself another shot and downed it.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I'm going to dinner," Damon replied.

"I don't need a body guard," Bella said and walked out of the kitchen.

Damon blurred in front of her blocking her path. Bella couldn't help, but take in his appearance, he was in a suit that fit him perfectly. Damon didn't dress up, but when he did he was a lady killer. Bella caught his gaze taking in her appearance as well. Her dress was a deep wine color off the shoulder bandage dress. Every curve of her body was hugged by it and Damon's tongue darted out to wet his lips. His eyes burned into her skin with the intensity they held and the underlying hunger. Her hair was in a wavy bun and her makeup was heavier around her eyes. He saw the necklace he had given her was around her neck. He reached out and touched it lightly.

"Goes with anything," he murmured.

Bella swallowed, "I have to go," Bella whispered.

"Yes we don't want to be late," Damon said venom seeping into his tone.

"I'm going alone," Bella said and moved away from him.

Damon caught her arm and pulled her back to him, "Over my already dead body,"

Bella could feel the tension in his muscles of his chest. The tick in his jaw had appeared as well.

"I can handle myself." Bella argued.

"Every time I hear that you get closer to dying," Damon said squeezing her arm a bit. "I'm not chancing that anymore."

"I'm not your girlfriend anymore," Bella said, "You don't have to worry about me."

Damon snaked his arm around Bella's waist and pulled her flush against him. He leaned down to her ear and whispered;

"You may have ended things Bella….but that doesn't mean I've stopped caring." Damon said, "Now we can go to this dinner together or I can find a way to keep you occupied."

"Or I could just shock you until your unconscious," Bella challenged.

Damon chuckled, "I thought you might say that, that's why the others are outside waiting to see if we walk out together. If we don't…..I might not be stopping you, but they will be."

"Asshole," Bella hissed and struggled in his hold. "You're playing dirty."

"It's my specialty," Damon said and pulled back to look at her, "What's your answer Swan?"

Bella mumbled a few more choice words and then glared at him.

"Glad you see it my way." Damon said and released her grabbing her jacket, "Allow me."

Damon helped Bella into her jacket and led her to the front door.

"Keep glaring and you'll get wrinkles," Damon chided.

"You've seen me old, gray and wrinkly it's inevitable," Bella said angrily.

"Doesn't have to be," Damon replied and locked the front door.

"How did you get a key?" Bella asked shocked.

"I've always had one," Damon said, "Since the day I started crashing," he smiled jingling the keys. "Now come on we'll be late."

.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Bella and Damon drove in silence and arrived at one of the upscale restaurants in Richmond an hour later.

"Name?" the host asked.

"Isabella Swan," Bella said.

"Ah yes," the man said smiling, "Mr. Mikaelson said you would be coming with a friend. This way please."

"Friend," Damon scoffed and the tick in his jaw showed.

Bella sighed and threw up her hands. The entire restaurant froze including Damon. She turned to face him and waved her hand.

"What the hell?" Damon asked looking around confused.

"Game face," Bella said seriously, "Don't let them get under your skin. They know we broke up, but we have to show a united front in spite of that."

"You froze this place?" Damon asked still surprised.

"Focus," Bella said and snapped her fingers. "United front."

"Fine, but we're talking afterwards," Damon said.

Bella turned back around and took a deep breath before she waved her hands unfreezing the place. The two of them followed the host towards one of the more private areas;

"Isabella," Klaus said standing up with Kol as soon as he saw her. He quirked an eyebrow when he saw Damon, "And Salvatore."

"We expected you to bring our sister." Kol chimed in.

"Rebekah didn't want to come or see you," Bella said, "Besides you said I could bring anyone."

"I assumed since you two broke up…." Klaus trailed.

"Assumptions can get you killed," Damon said and moved to take Bella's coat off.

Bella obliged him and Damon pulled out her chair after tossing both their coats to the host.

"May I get you a drink?" the host asked.

"Bourbon for me straight and red wine for the lady," Damon said as Bella sat down.

"Right away," the host said.

"Minus the vervain in Damon's glass," Bella said staring directly at Klaus.

"Kol," Klaus said.

"Fine," Kol said and stood up compelling the host. "It was just a little joke." He said sitting back down.

"I came here to talk a truce not to play games. If that's the case I'll leave," Bella said.

Their drinks arrived and the waiter came to take their orders. Once he was gone Klaus leaned back in his chair.

"Shall we get straight to business?" he asked and Bella nodded. "The hunters cause a problem for all of us. They want us dead which includes my hybrids. As you are helping those they want to destroy they will come after you." Klaus leaned forward placing his elbows on the table, "Now I know you are powerful Miss Swan, but you are limited. Your power drains you and the hunters are physically more powerful then yourself no offense."

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight it's the size of the fight in the dog that counts." Bella replied taking a drink of her wine. "The one that wins is the one that has the most will as well as the most to lose. I like my odds against the hunters."

"What of your ex," Kol said, "I don't mean you mate," he said looking at Damon winking.

Damon smiled, but fury was in his eyes as he downed his drink and signaled for another.

"The Cullen's are of no concern to me," Bella said and put her wine glass down, "Though something has bothered me."

"What's that?" Klaus asked.

"It's quite the coincidence," Bella said, "I mean I turn down your offer and let out Rebekah then suddenly my ex and his family are in town, able to walk around in the sun. The rings on their fingers are very similar to the ones your family wears."

Bella took a drink from her glass.

"Yes quite the coincidence," Kol said.

"That's the thing," Bella said, "I don't believe in coincidences." She said glaring, "You think I wouldn't catch on to your little game? You want my attention divided. You wanted me to need your help."

"Clever girl." Klaus said, "I admit Kol did call in a favor getting them the rings."

"There goes that plan," Kol said downing his drink.

The waiter brought their food.

"Why do you continue to underestimate me?" Bella asked, "Now you've just created more trouble for yourselves."

"Us?" Kol asked shocked.

"You want me. You've made that abundantly clear. You see now there's a whole other faction of vampires that won't let that happen. You screwed yourselves on this one." Bella said.

Damon watched as Bella stayed cool and collected as she spoke. She wasn't going to let the two brothers rattle her, but Damon could tell she was tense.

"What about you Damon?" Klaus asked, "Care to put in your opinion. I mean you must have some feelings towards the Cullen's being around Isabella."

"They won't get near her," Damon said shrugging.

"They could take her at any moment," Kol prodded, "Just like we can."

"None of you are getting to her." Damon said tensely.

"Bella I dare say he still carries a torch for you," Klaus said, "It seems your break up is one sided."

"My personal life is none of your business." Bella said and stood up.

"Leaving so soon?" Kol asked.

"You've tried to trick me once again and you have once again failed. This dinner is over as are our conversations. I don't need your help in handling my ex and his family or the hunters. Though you two might want to watch your back…..you see now you two have no ally. Good evening." Bella turned to go.

"Alaric, Jenna, Lexi…I can give you what you need to bring them back," Klaus said.

Bella froze completely.

"You're lying," Damon hissed.

"No I'm not," Klaus said smirking, "There is a certain spell that can be used to bring back the spirits of those in the in between. The others you have lost have moved on, but those three…..they are still around."

Damon blurred over to Bella, "Don't listen to them." He said.

Bella turned around and looked at Klaus, "What do you want?"

"Bella no," Damon growled.

Kol blurred and pinned Damon to the wall, "Let them talk mate." Kol said smirking.

Klaus stood up, "I want you to help me find the cure," Klaus stated and walked over to Bella, "I want you to end Silas once and for all."

"What do you know of Silas?" Bella challenged.

"I know he is a danger to all our kind," Klaus said, "He wants to rule the world and I don't like being ruled."

"No you like being the ruler," Bella spat.

Klaus smiled and wrapped his hand behind Bella's head at the base of her neck.

"I want you," Klaus said.

"Get your hands off her," Damon hissed and tried to move.

Kol pulled out a stake and shoved it in Damon's gut.

"Don't you hurt him," Bella snapped turning her head, but Klaus forced her to look back at him. "You can't have me."

"You didn't let me finish," Klaus said seductively. "I want you to think about joining me. If you do I will leave Mystic Falls forever….provided you leave with me of course."

"You want me as your personal spellcaster." Bella said.

Klaus smiled and leaned closer to her, "OR more. I will give you part of the spell for you to check and make sure it is authentic. Once you agree to a truce with me I will give you the other half and you can bring back the ones you care for. Afterwards we find the cure, kill Silas and then you give me your answer." Klaus said, "You have my word and I'll throw in a sweetner…..I'll let Damon there leave with you tonight….Alive."

Bella looked over to Damon, who was shaking his head as Kol twisted the stake.

"Fine," Bella said, "Give me the spell and let us leave."

Klaus smiled leaned in taking a deep breath allowing himself to bask in her scent for a moment.

"Fear is such a delectable smell." Klaus said and kissed Bella on the cheek, "Kol."

Kol removed the stake from Damon. Bella was immediately by his side holding him back.

"Another lovely evening with you Bella," Kol said stepping away from the two.

"I'll kill you," Damon snarled.

"Then you die," Klaus replied.

"Worth it," Damon retorted.

"Let's go," Bella said and pulled him up.

Klaus pulled an envelope from inside his jacket and held it out to Bella. Bella took it and dragged Damon out of the private area. Bella kept a tight hold on him as they waited for his car. Once they were in Damon threw it into gear and sped off.

.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Bella looked down at the envelope in her hands.

"It's a lie," Damon said as he got on the highway.

"He wasn't lying," Bella said quietly.

"You aren't making a deal with him." Damon said shaking.

"It's not your choice," Bella replied.

Damon looked at her from the corner of his eye and wrapped his hands tightly around the steering wheel. Damon pulled off the highway and down a dirt road. He threw the car into park and turned leaning towards Bella.

"I'm not losing you to him." Damon said grabbing her chin.

"I'm already lost," Bella replied.

"No you aren't," Damon growled.

"You don't see what I see Damon," Bella snapped and jerked away from him.

"You see possibilities." Damon scoffed.

Bella didn't respond and Damon begrudgingly turned the car around and headed back to Mystic Falls. They pulled up to her house and Bella opened the door as soon as the car stopped.

"We aren't finished," Damon said getting out as well.

"I'm done talking," Bella said walking up the steps to the house.

"Fine you can listen," Damon said as Bella opened the door. "You're powers are growing and you didn't tell me."

"Stop," Bella warned and then quickly walked over to a candle, lit it and spoke a few words, "Do you want them to know what I can do?"

"The way you're going on Klaus will soon enough. You seem to be considering his offer." Damon growled.

"It gets him out of Mystic Falls for good." Bella snapped.

"And he takes you with him." Damon spat.

"So….what's left for me here?" Bella asked.

"Everything," Damon said and blurred to her. "Your friends, your family, me."

"Which is why I'm considering his offer Damon. You all get your freedom." Bella replied.

"Not at the cost of your own," Damon said. "What happened to the original plan we all agreed on? Get the cure shove it down Klaus' throat and turn him over to Liz."

"That was before." Bella said.

"Before he just gave you some bullshit story about bringing back Ric, Lexi and Jenna." Damon scoffed. "He's lying."

"No he wasn't," Bella said. "I saw it in his eyes Damon he's telling the truth." Bella pulled out the envelope, "This could be the key to bringing them back."

"But at what cost?" Damon asked and grabbed the tops of her arms, "Your life? Your freedom? Your sanity? I'm not willing to pay that price!"

"This isn't your choice," Bella snapped and tried to wriggle out of his hold. "Let me go!"

"No," Damon said and pulled her flush against him, "I will never let you go do you understand me Bella? I will hold onto you forever and if I ever lose you I will find you no matter how long or what lengths I have to go to, to do it."

Bella struggled in his hold.

"Stop fighting me Bella," Damon growled.

"You can't stop me," Bella said glaring at him.

"I could," Damon replied his voice dangerously low. "I could turn you."

Bella tensed and paled in his arms. Damon immediately realized what he said and he too tensed.

"Bella," Damon started.

"You definitely don't get to make that choice for me," Bella said and used sending Damon flying out the door.

"Bella," Damon said the moment he landed. "It just came out."

"Sure," Bella said angrily and slammed the front door shut.

Damon ran up to the door to try to get in, but found he couldn't. He leaned his head against the door;

"Bella…I never would," He said, "You know I would never do that. Deep down I wouldn't ever do that."

When he didn't hear anything on the other side he sighed and walked back to his car and drove away.

.*.*.*.*.*.

Bella was sitting in her study the next morning overlooking the spell Klaus had given her and cross referencing it with everything she had. She had put last night's events at the back of her mind especially what had transpired with Damon. She needed to stay focused. Klaus had her backed into a corner and he knew it. She had to figure a way out.

"Bella," Rebekah called.

"Study," Bella replied.

Matt and Rebekah came in.

"Hey what's all this?" Matt asked.

Bella looked up and stared at Rebekah, "I need you to tell me if this spell is the real deal."

Rebekah furrowed her brows and walked over taking the piece of paper Bella held out. She looked at it and her eyes widened;

"I take that as a yes," Bella said and rubbed her temples.

"This is only part of it," Rebekah said, "Why did he give you this? What does he want?"

"Me to get the cure and to kill Silas," Bella said leaning back in her chair, "I do those things he gives me the rest."

"What's going on?" Matt asked.

"That's not all," Rebekah said, "Nik doesn't just ask for two things."

"HE wants me to consider joining him," Bella said, "IF I agree he leaves Mystic Falls…..forever."

"Well the answer is no," Matt said, "Tell him to shove whatever that spell is up his ass."

Bella looked at Matt, "It's a spell to bring back the dead Matt. Rick, Lexi, and Jenna."

"Vicki?" Matt asked.

Bella shook her head, "Vicki's already moved on. When I first got back I tried contacting her….she didn't answer. Last night I made contact with Lexi, Jenna, and Rick. They're still here."

"No," Matt said, "No it's still not worth your freedom."

"He has me backed into a corner Matt." Bella said standing up and slamming her hands on the desk. "And unless I find something he wants more I don't have a choice."

Matt started to say something, but Bella zoned out as Rebekah touched her hand.

*Vision*

"Beautiful," Rebekah said smiling and looking down at something.

"Thank god she looks like her mother," Kol chimed in.

"The eyes," Elijah said, "They are not her mothers."

"That's all me," Klaus said smiling and picked up a baby swaddled in a blanket, "you will never want for anything my beautiful girl."

*End Vision*

"Bella," Matt said.

Bella gasped and shook.

"Bella what's going on?" Rebekah asked.

"What did you see?" Matt asked.

"I don't know," Bella said and stood up, "You guys need to leave I need to focus."

"Bella," Matt said.

"Give me three hours." Bella said, "Please just go."

Matt and Rebekah relented and left.

Bella began getting ingredients together. She mixed everything in a pot and looked at the last two ingredients. She dropped the a few rue flower petals in and then dropped the sage. Smoke enveloped her vision and then the world around her faded away.

.*.*.*.*.*.*.

"Bella," Rebekah called as they walked back into the house. She looked at Matt.

"She may be in the kitchen," Bonnie said hanging up her coat.

"I'll go check it out," Matt said.

He headed for the kitchen and smelled an overly sweet smell. Matt reached the kitchen and saw Bella on the ground unconscious with blood coming out of her nose.

"Bella!" Matt yelled and bent down shaking her, "Bella! Why isn't she waking up?"

"What's going on?" Bonnie yelled as she ran into the kitchen.

Bella was lying on the floor unconscious.

"Oh my god," Rebekah said and removed herself from the kitchen the moment she smelled Bella's blood.

"She asked us to give her a couple hours and when we came back she was down," Matt said, "We need to get her to the hospital."

Bonnie quickly stood up and looked around the kitchen. She saw a pot on the stove and quickly took a look. She saw several ingredients, but the Rue flowers that still sat on the counter told her everything.

"Get her to the couch," Bonnie said.

"We need to take her to the hospital." Matt argued.

"They can't help her. Bella cast a spell to see the future more clearly. She'll be out until she's seen what she needs to see. All we can do is wait. If we take her to the hospital or try to wake her, her spirit could get lost between time and space. Gently take her to the couch." Bonnie explained.

Matt picked up Bella and laid her on the couch.

"Has anyone told Damon?" Rebekah asked handing Bonnie a wet rag.

"Yeah that's not happening," Bonnie said angrily as she wiped the blood from Bella's nose.

"What did he do now?" Matt asked.

"Opened his mouth and inserted his foot," Bonnie said, "He came back to the boarding house last night and I heard him and Elena talking. He said he could remove the issue of Bella being used by Klaus by turning her."

"Oh dear God," Rebekah said "I think all his drinking has officially damaged what little brain cells he has."

.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Five hours later and Bella was still unconscious.

"Bonnie," Matt said. "Is it supposed to take this long?"

"I've only read about this spell Matt I've never done it or seen it done." Bonnie replied.

"Her vitals are okay," Meredith said after taking them once again.

Everyone had come to the house and while most were inside Damon, Elena and Stefan sat outside.

Damon pulled out his flask and took another swig.

"That a good idea?" Stefan asked.

"Not now little brother," Damon growled.

"Both of you please stop," Elena said.

Suddenly they heard a gasp from inside and all three stood up. Elena opened the door and went in with Stefan while Damon stood at the doorways trying to see inside.

"Easy," Meredith said, "You get up too quick you'll pass out."

"I'm okay," Bella said shakily. "I'm okay."

"What did you see?" Bonnie asked, "Where the hell did you go?"

Damon could hear the smile in Bella's voice as she said;

"I found my way out of that damn corner,"

.*.*.*.*.*.*.

Klaus and Kol were sitting inside the house when the front door opened and Bella came walking in with Rebekah, Elena, Stefan, and Damon.

"Well this is quite the show," Klaus said, "Decide to take my offer."

"Partially," Bella said.

Klaus and Kol tensed as Connor made his way to stand by Bella.

"What's this?" Kol asked, "A double cross."

"No," Bella said, "You see I made a deal with Connor before I had dinner with you. I also made a deal with Rebekah and Elijah."

"Elijah would never go against me," Klaus said.

"Don't count on that," Elijah said appearing on the other side of Bella, "Miss Swan made quite the argument."

Bella sat down across from Kol and Klaus.

"So you here to intimidate me?" Klaus asked.

"NO," Bella said, "I'm here to counter your offer. You see Klaus initially I was planning on getting the cure and ending Silas. Only I was going to force you to take the cure and hand you over to Liz."

Klaus tensed.

"But then you one upped me and gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. The chance to bring back 3 people I care dearly about." Bella said, "But I don't like to break promises I already made, but I was going to, for them. That was until Rebekah touched my hand and I saw something…..a glimpse of your futures."

"Were you there?" Kol asked.

"No," Bella said smiling. "Like I said it was only a glimpse so I decided to use a spell and take a more in depth look. You said for you to leave Mystic Falls I had to go with you well I'm declining."

"Then I won't leave," Klaus said.

"Oh I think you will," Bella said and leaned forward, "I saw your future Klaus," Bella's glanced at each of the Miakelson's, "All of yours and none of you were here. In fact you were a long ways from here and in that future there's something you'll want more than me."

"What might that be?" Klaus asked.

"A child," Bella said. "You have a child Klaus. One that is growing within it's mother's womb as we speak."

Klaus laughed, "You're bluffing."

Bella stuck out her hand, "Come touch and I'll give you a glimpse."

Klaus narrowed his eyes at Bella, but rose and reached for her hand. One image seered into his mind of a baby whose eyes reflected his own.

"Impossible," Klaus said released Bella's hand.

"No," Bella said leaning back. "Very possible in fact. You see Klaus I know every detail of your child, I know when it will born, I know where it is right now, and I know who the mother is."

"You lie," Kol spat.

"Oh I saw your future too Kol both of them. If you stay here you will die," Bella said, "There's no way around it, but if you leave and go with Klaus….I saw that future and between the two the second one is the best."

"Elijah," Klaus asked.

"I've seen bits," Elijah said. "She tells the truth."

"I could just kill your friends to get the information." Klaus threatened.

"You do that and I'll take what I've seen to my grave." Bella replied glaring and stood up, "So here's my counter offer Klaus. You give me the other half of that spell. You come with us to get the cure and to take down Silas and when we all come back here safe and sound will I give you everything I have. I will even throw in a sweetner. You get one freebie from me. One time you can call on me and ask for anything provided it isn't I join you permanently nor does it involve my friends."

"One," Klaus said growling.

"One," Bella replied, "But make sure when you use it it's worth it. I'll give you some time to think this over."

Bella started to walk out, but Klaus' voice stopped her.

"I don't need time to think it over." Klaus said, "You have a deal Miss Swan."

Bella turned around and smiled.

A/N: Hello everyone I know I know it has been 1 year and almost 5 month since my last update, but I swear I have good reasons as to why I disappeared.

Last time I updated I told you I was swamped with my last semester of school well I graduated with honors and on my graduation day I found out I was pregnant with my second child. Well this pregnancy kicked my butt and I was very sick, on bedrest and just drained. On top of that my husband's grandfather passed away so we had to go out of state for the funeral and when we came back my health went down some more. Then we bought a house and the move was the final straw that made me spiral. I couldn't eat anything other than fruits or vegetables and even then it was very small portions so I was put in the hospital for a bit. Thankfully though August of last year I had my daughter and she is perfectly healthy, but having a baby around leaves very little time to write so I've been writing here and there when I can. I apologize for the long wait, but it is what it is.

Now normally I would sit here and say I'll update on this day, but like I said with a baby who is about to crawl (she's scooting around) I'm gonna have my hands full. I have mainly been writing at midnight a paragraph here and there after I get everything done in my daily life. So please be patient, but I am hoping that it will not be a year before I update.

Thank you for those of you who have stuck around I appreciate it and I hope you understand.

Review if you feel like it!