As the truck bounced down the highway, Klaus Mikaelson couldn't keep a devilish grin from spreading across his lips as he looked over at the brunette girl sleeping between himself and his sister. Finally he had everything he'd been battling for the last millennia. Now not only was his wolf side free from his mother's curse, but he had his first hybrid riding in the back and the key to it all snugly nestled next to him. It was all just as he'd hoped. Shifting, one arm slid across the seat back, chuckling lowly as Elena began to stir.
The girl moaned softly, her head still fuzzy from the sedatives. As such she didn't immediately take in the fact that she was in a moving vehicle. Indeed it wasn't until Klaus' British voice filled her ears that she remembered the events leading up to this particular moment.
"It's about time, love," he teased, smirk evident in the words. "You've been dead to the world for hours." An ominous statement especially given how the previous night had ended. It was a miracle only two of her classmates were dead.
Inhaling sharply, Elena stiffened, heart racing. Senior prank night, Stefan compelled to shut his humanity off, Elena waking in the hospital and the nurse advising her that she needed to rest… Fear-filled eyes shot open, looking up to the man she rested against. In an instant Elena pushed herself up, intent on moving away, ignoring the pain in her neck and the thick bandage there.
As she jostled the Original to her other side, Rebekah had no compunction about nudging back, a bit more roughly, sending Elena pressed back against Klaus.
"Easy pet," he grinned, eyes glinting maliciously. "Rebekah can get a bit testy on these lengthy trips."
"Ass," came the response from his sister, her lips pursed in a pout. "It's only because you wouldn't let me stop for a snack." Blue eyes left the road long enough to meet Elena's, smirking at the discomfort therein. The human was quite aware of just how sharp her teeth were.
"What's going on?" Elena's gaze darted from Klaus to Rebekah and then back again. "Where are we?"
"About twenty minutes outside a magical little town," Klaus answered. "The jewel of Louisiana, best jazz music in the world. New Orleans."
Her heart stopped at those words, Elena shaking her head. "No."
"Yes," came the cool answer, Klaus gleeful in the face of her terror. "Don't worry, love. You're not alone. Stefan is in the back, as is your mate Tyler. The beginnings of our own little family."
"You're crazy." Words were soft, eyes full of anxiety, but they didn't avoid his gaze.
"Quite sane actually. Your blood, little doppelganger, is the key to making hybrids. And so I couldn't just leave you in Mystic Falls. Life expectancy there is not very high." No, better to take her and his hybrid and get out of that town. "And, now that Stefan is back to his old self, perhaps I'll no longer have any reason to question his loyalty. I'm sure Rebekah here is eager to test that theory."
On the other side of the cab, Rebekah snorted slightly. "Not bloody likely."
"She's just a bit hurt at the moment," Klaus confided, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially in Elena's ear, noting with more than a little satisfaction the way she flinched. All of his touches, his glances, the closeness… It wasn't that he'd been won over by Elena Gilbert as so many before him had been. It was rather that he enjoyed playing with her, toying with her. It was the predator coming out in him.
"Give the man a break, Rebekah. You were daggered for ninety years."
"And you compelled him to forget me," she returned. "He honestly thought I wouldn't be able to tell he was lying? It was written all over that kiss." Klaus wasn't the only one enjoying the digs.
Her brother's grin didn't diminish. "I'm sure you two lovebirds will be snuggled back together in no time. What do you say, Elena? Shall we make a wager?"
The truck came to a stop before Elena could be forced to reply. And for a moment, the cab was silent as the three looked up to take in the sight of the beautiful antebellum plantation house looming before them.
"Well here we are." Klaus was the first to break the silence. "Home sweet home. Rebekah, love, why don't you go get Stefan and Tyler. I'll show Elena around." Neither was given the option to refuse. Opening the passenger side door, Klaus grabbed Elena's arm, pulling her with him as he slid out. He barely waited for her feet to be on the ground before the door was shut behind them, Klaus striding forward and taking Elena with him.
Moving inside, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dark interior. The rooms were dusty, furniture covered in sheets to protect it. Klaus didn't slow though, little gasps escaping Elena's lips as he tugged her through the rooms.
"The foyer, the parlor," he gestured as they moved. "The kitchen will be fully stocked for your use. I do expect you will be able to feed yourself." Though perhaps that was asking a lot of her. "The library… Help yourself though do be careful. Elijah is so protective of his first editions."
"…Elijah is here?" She couldn't help the question. Not that any of the Original siblings were exactly warm and comforting but at least Elijah was an honorable man. A courteous man, even if he had double-crossed them.
"In a manner of speaking." The twinkling, teasing smile was back. Elena's confusion at his comment only served to amuse Klaus all the more. "All of my siblings are."
"In coffins," Stefan clarified as he stepped into the library, nonchalantly taking a seat. The discomfort in the air grew palpably as he did so. And, though Stefan's eyes never left Elena's, his gaze was devoid of the warmth that had always been there. He wasn't her Stefan, wasn't the man she'd fallen in love with.
"He carts them around from place to place. Daggered. I don't think they're actually dead but…I always thought it was a bit creepy."
"They're not dead," Klaus agreed, not letting go of Elena's arm. "Just in a bit of a time-out."
At that comment, Elena had to look back to him, her eyes confused. "You're punishing them?" And if he would do that to his own siblings, what would he do to her? Or Tyler?
"They angered me," Klaus replied simply. "Elijah betrayed me, Kol always was the problem child and Finn… So very boring. I wouldn't worry, little doppelganger. They won't be walking around any time during your brief lifetime." But if Elena had any questions, Klaus didn't give her the opportunity to ask, instead looking to his erstwhile friend.
"I trust the fact that you're here means everything is under control?" Otherwise, Klaus was certain there were more important things he could be turning his attention to.
"Things are being unloaded and your sister is focusing on Tyler," Stefan nodded.
"I told you she'd move on eventually," Klaus answered. "Not to say 'I told you so, mate' but… I did give you fair warning. "
"Well then it's a good thing I don't have any emotions at the moment," he returned, pragmatically enough. "But if you had other things to be doing, I can take over doppelganger duty."
The Original paused, hesitating as he studied Stefan, gauging him. He wouldn't have thought twice about questioning him before but events of the past few days had shaken that confidence to the core. Still, now that he had compelled his loyalty…
Klaus nodded, releasing Elena's arm finally. "I'll leave you in capable hands then, love." As he started to walk away, he paused a moment, seeming to remember something. "No drinking on the job." He was smiling as he said it but the words served both to unnerve Elena all the more and also to keep Stefan in line.
She watched him leave, wondering if this could possibly be her chance to reach out to Stefan. He'd fought the compulsion before. Maybe…without Klaus around, with just the two of them, she could get through to him again. But, lost in thought, she didn't hear Stefan get up.
"Now…what should we get up to?" His voice at her side made her jump, Elena's head whirling back to look at Stefan.
"You don't have to do this, Stefan," she advised, voice soft, her eyes desperately searching for anything that would indicate she was actually getting through to him. "You fought the compulsion before…you can do it again. I know you're still in there." He had to be. She couldn't have lost him forever.
"Elena…" Voice trailed off as he let his hand rise. Gentle fingers ran along her cheek, caressing the soft skin. For a moment hope shone in her eyes. Had it all been an act? Some sort of ruse to fool Klaus? Could hurting her have been the only way to save her?
He leaned in, lips almost brushing hers before he veered to one side, lips settling by her ear. "You're pathetic."
She stiffened at the words, ready to step away until Stefan's hand shot out, catching her. "Let go, Stefan," she gritted, jerking her arm in an attempt to shake his grasp. He was too strong for that, though.
Keeping her close, Stefan pulled back enough to look down at her. "Why, Elena? I thought this was what you wanted. " The words were slightly taunting, a smirk spreading instead of his normal gentle smile.
"I want you back," she corrected. "The real you."
"This is the real me. I'm a vampire. The Stefan you knew? That was me running away from my true nature."
Elena shook her head. Unable or unwilling to accept that he was truly gone forever, she'd deny it as long as she could. But even as she shook her head, Stefan nodded, confirming his words. His free hand rose, running over her bandaged neck with just enough pressure against the wound that she winced.
"The sooner you accept that, the better for you," he advised. "Now…we should get you settled in." Finally he let her arm drop, Elena hesitating a moment before she stepped back. "Let's find you a room." He wouldn't give her a chance to refuse. Klaus had left him in charge of the human blood bag and he had to ensure her safety, if not her comfort. This would be fun.