New And Old Problems

Klaus awoke. Panic struck him. He jumped to his feet and tried to study his surroundings. However, this failed, as there was little light around him and everything seemed to blend in with the darkness. Eliza. His first thoughts were of her; whether she was hurt, what the witches had done to her and what they were going to do to her. His second thoughts were of saving her. Losing her again was out of question.

A slight movement interrupted his thoughts. " Good. You're awake." A growl escaped Klaus' lips. He remembered that voice clearly - it was the last one he'd heard before he'd fallen unconscious. It was the voice of the witch who'd injected him with vervain.

" Where is she?!" Klaus snapped, anger rising in him already. The vervain in his system had all but disappeared now - he was back at his full strength.

" You'll see her soon enough." Was all the witch replied with. Suddenly, all the candles around the room flickered on and the tomb was filled with light.

" I will kill every last one of you. Now tell me where she is!" Klaus threatened, his teeth gritted.

" Has nobody told you that patience is a virtue?" An arm caught Klaus' wrist as he was about to attack the witch in front of him. The witch had medium length brown hair, stiff brown eyes and a thin figure.

" Niklaus. Please calm down." Klaus ripped his arm out of Elijah's grip and glared at him.

" Please tell me you kept her safe, because if-" Klaus began and Elijah stopped him.

" Eliza is safe, Niklaus. The witches have explained to me what has happened and they are willing to strike a deal. Trust me when I say that you want this deal." Klaus let out a sarcastic laugh and looked between the witch and his brother.

" A deal?" An angered smirk formed on Klaus' lips. " I don't trust them. I don't trust anyone. I will kill every last one of them if they don't give her to me! How foolish of you, Elijah, to trust these witches who've allowed themselves to be controlled by Marcellus!"

" That's the problem and part of the deal that we're willing to make. Marcel controls us. We don't want that anymore." The witch spoke up and Klaus chuckled in response.

" Well I'm sorry, love, but I've had trouble with witches in the past, so personally I'd rather you were controlled." The witch didn't like the sound of this so she stood, indicating something to the witches.

" Klaus!" Klaus eye's snapped around to meet Eliza's as she called his name. Two other witches entered with Eliza in their grasp. What Klaus couldn't understand was why she wasn't struggling to free herself. Klaus had given her the strength to escape even Original vampires never mind pathetic witches.

" Eliza, sweetheart." Klaus breathed an inaudible sigh of relief. " Let her go." He growled at the witches.

" Niklaus, listen to them." Elijah ordered. Again, Klaus threw a frustrated glare in his direction.

" You should really listen to your brother. He's right, you know. This is a deal you can't refuse." The witch spoke again.

" Let me guess... You're Sophie Devereux, sister of the witch Marcel has just killed." Klaus remembered Marcel mentioning something about Sophie earlier. Putting two and two together wasn't exactly hard for him.

" How did you know?" Sophie didn't seem phased by this, her expression stayed the same.

" Call it a lucky guess."

" Okay then. So now that you know me, are you willing to listen?" Sophie asked. Another chuckle escaped Klaus' lips.

" I'm sorry, love, but I think I've already worked out your offer. In exchange for Eliza's life you want me to kill Marcel and whatever weapon he has over you because he killed your sister and you want revenge. Sorry, love, but no deal." This time it was Sophie's turn to laugh.

" Unfortunately I'm not that predictable, and the offer we're giving you will soon expire."

" Then I might as well just kill you all now. It will save Marcel a job." Klaus threatened.

" Klaus will you just listen to me!" Klaus' angered expression turned to a frown as Eliza shouted at him. Turning on the spot, he faced her with a confused expression. He hadn't noticed before that she had tear stained cheeks and that her eyes were red from crying.

" What is all of this, Eliza?" Klaus questioned, his voice much softer as he spoke to her. " What are you doing to me?" He said this much quieter - only Elijah heard.

" I'm pregnant Klaus..." Eliza answered. " I'm pregnant." The second time she said it in a stronger tone and a smile formed on her face, brightening her eyes. Hope seemed to flash through Klaus as she told him this. For years after he'd thought she was dead, he'd pictured what their family could have been like and what house they could have lived in. But at the time it was all impossible. How were his dreams only coming true now?

" Impossible." Klaus shook his head, his eyes filled with hurt as he saw how happy Eliza was. The only possible answer was that the witches had tricked Eliza into thinking this, and now she was believing in something that Klaus couldn't give her.

" I know it's impossible, but it's true. You have to help me. You have to help the witches." Another wave of hurt formed in Klaus' face as he thought of another possible explanation - the only possible explanation if it was true that Eliza was carrying a child.

" Have you been with someone else?" Klaus' voice was low and quiet as he asked. He sounded very cautious and worried. In shock, Eliza's mouth hung agape a little as she stared at him in disbelief.

" Do you really think that little of me? Do you really think I would stoop as low as you did!?" Eliza shouted this time, her face contorting in anger.

" Niklaus, listen to the heartbeats!" Klaus did as he was told and everyone fell silent. Closing his eyes, Klaus listened to the sound of two small, rapid heartbeats that sounded as if it was coming from inside of Eliza. Again, Klaus shook his head.

" No. It's impossible. Vampires cannot procreate." He protested. He'd now brought it upon himself to avoid Eliza's hurt filled eyes. It couldn't be possible that his dreams were coming true. That never happened and it never would.

" But werewolves can. Magic made you a vampire, but you were born a werewolf. You're the original hybrid. You're one of a kind and this is one of natures loopholes." After Sophie had said this, Klaus thought about it more carefully. He was going to have two babies. There were two heartbeats. Heartbeats of his and Eliza's child.

" Klaus' they're our children. Our twins." A smile formed on Eliza's face again as she looked up at Klaus. The same smile didn't form on Klaus' face but Elia could tell he was happy on this inside. Now, Klaus was worried about Eliza and their children and what the witches had in store for them.

" My sister gave her life to perform the spell she needed to confirm this pregnancy. Because of Jane-Anne's sacrifice, the lives of this girl and her babies are now controlled by us. If you don't help us take down Marcel, so help me, Eliza won't live long enough to see her first maternity dress." Sophie threatened, interrupting the moment between Klaus and Eliza.

" What!?" Eliza protested as another growl escaped Klaus' lips.

" Enough of this." Elijah stepped in, gripping his brothers arm again so that he couldn't attack Sophie. " If you want Marcel dead, then he's dead. I'll do it myself."

" No, we can't. Not yet. We have a clear plan to follow and we have to stick to the rules."

" How dare you command me." Klaus' voice was low and it echoed around the room as he threw the two witches away from Eliza and stood in front of her protectively. " Threaten me with what you wrongfully perceive to be two babies! I've had enough of your lies!" The sheer rage and loudness of Klaus' voice caused Eliza to flinch slightly. However, Sophie still looked unharmed. " Eliza we're leaving."

" No, Nik, we're not." Nik. Eliza hadn't called him that in what felt like an eternity.

" Fine. If you don't believe us, then leave. But do know that we've injected Eliza with a special witch serum that my sister brewed that will kill Eliza after childbirth. I have the only cure and I'm willing to die for this. Either you can comply, or you can leave and watch what happens to her. Forget the threat about the maternity dress, I'll be kind enough to let her live for 9 months." Klaus' face fell and a look of horror took over Eliza's expression.

" No... I won't abandon my children, not again." Eliza whispered, low enough only for Klaus to hear. It hurt him to hear Eliza say this, but what hurt him more was the thought of Eliza being dead. Again.

" I think you've forgotten that Eliza is no longer a vampire, Niklaus can change her." Elijah stated while Klaus looked smug.

" The serum works on the supernatural as well. I've already said, there's only one cure. Now will you listen?" Sophie asked.

" What do you need me to do?" Klaus finally gave in. Whatever it was that Sophie needed him to do, it was worth it to save Eliza. He'd do anything to save her. If it meant killing Marcel - who was like a son to him - then so be it. But there will probably be other ways of being able to find this cure. Marcel, after all, had control over the witches. For now, however, Klaus would comply.

" Marcel has had control of us for as long as I can remember. He won't allow us to perform any magic and we can't leave since our source of power is from our ancestors in this graveyard. We want you to kill him. But you have to follow the plan that we have in place." Sophie explained.

" And what makes you think that your plans are any better than my own?" Klaus questioned.

" I don't know that. But right now, if you want that girl to live, then you follow by my rules."

" Fine." Klaus agreed through gritted teeth, his eyes locked on Eliza as he said this. Seeing her reminded him to keep himself calm. He had 9 months to find this cure for Eliza; it was definitely long enough. How he was going to get it was the only problem. " What's the first step in this master plan of your's, love?"

" Nothing, at the moment. You're all free to go." Klaus' eyes narrowed as he watched Sophie warily for a moment. Grabbing Eliza's hand, Klaus followed Elijah out of the tomb, bringing Eliza with him. Eliza's breathing was still extremely heavy and it sounded as if she was close to hyperventilating.

As soon as they were out of the graveyard, Eliza paused and leaned against the wall for a moment to rest. Sighing, Klaus and Elijah both stopped and Klaus watched Eliza worriedly.

" Are you okay?" Klaus was the first to speak and his voice projected his worry for her.

" No, of course I'm not. Who would be after they've been injected with a stupid witch potion that will kill them after giving birth to a child!?" Eliza snapped.

" I will get that cure. Don't underestimate me."

" Then don't underestimate the witches. Sophie and the others are nothing like Bonnie and Gloria. These witches are out for revenge, Klaus, and they don't have any leverage. Marcel has killed half of their population, and nothing will stop him from killing more." Eliza stated, standing her ground firmly against Klaus.

" If we want this cure, Niklaus, we're going to have to comply. There is no other choice." Elijah said. Klaus scoffed at this.

" No other choice, brother? Marcel has a weapon against these witches. They've fooled you into believing that we can't find this cure without them. Sophie Devereux is not the only witch in this town. It shouldn't take us long to find it or make another one, then we're all going home."

" Home? Back to Mystic Falls we're everyone hates you? I'm not going back there and nobody can force me. Once we're done here, I'll go somewhere else."

" Fine." Klaus said through gritted teeth. " Now come, you need your rest."

" Back to the Hotel?" Eliza asked.

" No. Elijah will take you to the plantation house while I have a word with Marcel." Klaus was about to walk off to calm his rising anger down before Eliza caught his arm.

" I'm coming with you." Klaus' eyebrows furrowed as she said this.

" Niklaus, do not go back on your deal with the witches, otherwise I'll complete their task myself." Elijah warned him. Rage simmered within Klaus as he still hadn't forgotten about the fact that Elijah had kissed Eliza, meaning Klaus' jealousy was only growing.

" Go with Elijah to the house." Klaus' voice was low and controlled as he spoke to Eliza, but still Eliza shook her head.

" No. A lot has changed since I left Klaus... Unlucky for you, I don't take orders anymore." Eliza crossed her arms over her chest.

" Fine." Klaus snapped back, taking Eliza into his arms and running of, leaving Elijah behind. It had now come to the point where Klaus was that frustrated and impatient that he didn't care what he did anymore. He had to keep Eliza safe. He'd worry about getting his second chance once he knew she was alive. Then he'd have the babies to worry about... their babies. Mikael had never been a great father, and Klaus didn't want to follow in Mikael's footsteps. But right now, he still hadn't fully comprehended that he was going to be a father. The thought was foreign and still impossible in his mind.

" Hey, man. Where'd you run off to?" Marcel greeted Klaus as Klaus walked through the door, Eliza following behind him. Taking her hand into his and protectively keeping her close, Klaus eyed the many vampires who danced to the music playing and drank alcohol. A smirk formed on Marcel's face as he spotted Eliza.

" You mean you're minions aren't still documenting my every move?" Eliza could sense the anger still within Klaus. Instinctively, she squeezed his hand - like she use too - to try and calm him down.

" Someone put you in a mood. I'm surprised, since you clearly got your girl back." Marcel smirked at the surprise that formed on Klaus' face. Clearly Klaus had believed that he'd managed to effectively compel Marcel. " And clearly you didn't know that I drink vervain."

" Well today has been full of surprises." Klaus said, his eyes hardening as he forced a smile.

" Sorry I didn't get to introduce myself left time we met. Eliza, right? Eliza Petrova?" Marcel turned his attention to Eliza and Klaus pulled her closer to him. After receiving a nod from Eliza, Marcel continued, " I'm Marcel Gerard. It's an honour to meet Klaus' girl."

" Actually I'm not his anymore, but it's great to meet you too. I'm surprised at how much I've heard about you already."

" Well, there's always trouble in paradise." Klaus' jaw clenched as Marcel said this. " Now what can I do for you both?"

" What you can do is tell me what this thing is that you have with the witches." Klaus demanded.

" Oh, so we're back to that?" Marcel let out an annoyed sigh and Eliza watched him carefully. It seemed that Marcel really was like a miniature version of Klaus, just like Sophie had told her.

" Yeah, we're back to that." Marcel took another threatening step closer towards Klaus and widened his stance to look more intimidating. From first glance. Marcel would look like the strongest out of them both. However, Eliza knew better. She knew that if Marcel pushed Klaus too far today, then Klaus was going to lash out. This was the only reason why she was here. Stupidly enough, she still loved him. But now she had to, for her children's sake and not just her own.

" You know I owe you everything I got, but I'm afraid I have to draw the line on this one. This is my business. I control the witches in my town. Let's just leave it at that." Marcel stated. Eliza was surprised at the new icy tone that Marcel had used. It was rare that someone had the courage to stand up against Klaus. It was usually only Eliza who was allowed to disobey him.

" Your town?" Klaus scoffed and chuckled. It was a fake one - sarcastic. One that was beginning to worry Eliza. It wouldn't be long before he attacked...

" Damn, straight."

" That's funny, because when I left 100 years ago, you were just a pathetic little scrapper still trembling from the lashes of the whips of those who would keep you down, and now look at you. Master of your domain. Prince of the city," The music stopped as Klaus spoke and Eliza placed her free hand on Klaus' shoulder. This was out of fear of the hundreds of vampires that stood around and also an attempt to calm him down. " I'd like to know how."

" Why? Jealous? Hey, man, I get it. Three hundred years ago, you helped build a backwater penal colony into something. You started it, but then you left. Actually, you ran from it. I saw it through. Look around. Vampires rule this city now. We don't have to live in the shadows like rats. The locals know their place. They look the other way. I got rid of the werewolves. I even found a way to shut down the witches. The blood never stops flowing and the party never ends. You wanna pass on through? You wanna stay a while? Great. What's mine is yours, but it is mine. My home, my family, my rules."

" And if someone breaks those rules?" Oh no, we're Eliza's first thoughts. Eliza let out a sigh of frustration as she gripped onto Klaus harder, reminding him that she was still there. However, it was obviously too late.

" They die. Mercy is for the weak. You taught me that, too. And I'm not the prince of the Quarter, friend. I'm the king! Show me some respect." Marcel practically spat in Klaus' face.

" Stop this, Marcel. Don't get into a fight that you can't win!" Eliza shouted to him. She could sense the rage radiating from Klaus and Eliza knew that the only thing holding Klaus back was herself.

" Honey, you need to learn when to keep your mouth shut." Marcel's threat to Eliza sent Klaus over the edge. In mere moments, Klaus had hold of one of Marcel's most loyal followers. Klaus' eyes turned a demonic yellow and the veins appeared under his eyes as he bit down in the man's neck. The man screamed and dropped to the floor as Klaus let him go.

" Your friend will be dead by the weekend, which means I've broken one of your rules. And yet I cannot be killed. I am immortal. Who has the power now, friend?" Blood dripped from the corners of Klaus' mouth as he smirked smugly.

" You're immortal. But she can be killed." As soon as Marcel announced this, a vampire sped to attack Eliza. Klaus instantly reacted, and was about to intervene before she snapped the vampires neck herself.

" I'm stronger than I look. You're not the first person to try and kill me to get back at Klaus. In fact, it's kind of getting a little old." Eliza stated, glaring at Marcel as Klaus joined her side again, making sure he was close to her.

" I warned you about what happened when people threaten her. Don't make me hurt anymore of your minions."

" You should never have come. Marcel knows my only weakness..." Klaus seemed anxious as he and Eliza arrived back at the plantation house. Elijah was nowhere to be seen, meaning that they were alone. Now in a sour mood, Eliza dropped herself onto the sofa and crossed her arms over her chest. Already her pregnancy hormones were raging.

" Well it's not just me you need to worry about anymore, is it?" Eliza had been curious to how Klaus would react to the fact that she was pregnant ever since she'd first been told. In the back of her mind, she worried that he'd hate her for it and leave. But so far this had been proved wrong, but he didn't seem to be jumping for joy inside like she had been. Then again, this was Eliza's second chance at being a good mother. Klaus had never been a father before and had probably never planned on it. " Or do you not want to worry about them?"

" Being a father wasn't exactly on my list of things to do recently." Klaus snapped. This hurt Eliza.

" Right... that explains everything then." Eliza stood while hiding the pain this caused her. She was about to leave the room before Klaus stopped her.

" If you've been with someone else-"

" I can't believe you've just asked me that again! Don't you think I would have confessed, if I had, since I was locked away for a day for housing magical miracle babies!? I could have so easily been with someone else over this past month, but I never did! I could have done exactly what you did when we'd first supposedly broken up! Do you know why I didn't? Because I can't bring myself to do that to you! It's crossed my mind so many times! But I just can't do it, because it hurts me to think of ever doing that to you! So how dare you even suggest such a thing!" Though Klaus was sympathetic towards what Eliza was saying, the thought of Eliza planning on sleeping with someone else quelled the rage in him.

" Hayley was a-" Klaus began, but Eliza again interrupted.

" Don't you dare mention her! Don't you dare say she was a mistake! Because you've made so many mistakes Klaus, and this one hurt me the most!" Eliza shouted. " You hurt me so much, and you don't even realise how much! Just imagine if I'd arrived in New Orleans and slept with someone like Marcel. How angry and hurt would you feel then? Think of that every time you say that Hayley was a mistake!"

" I never wanted this." Klaus stated in a low tone, his face contorted in rage.

" Never wanted what? Me? This life?" Eliza questioned.

" I never wanted you to leave! I never wanted you to come here! I never wanted you to get pregnant! I never wanted Elijah to care for you more than a sister!" Klaus snarled, throwing a vase across the room so it smashed against a wall.

" I guess you're so far turning out to be as great a father as Mikael was. Congratulations, Niklaus." And with that, Eliza stormed off to a random bedroom leaving Klaus in a pool of rage and hurt.

After what felt like a few hours of continually staring at a wall in a random bedroom, Eliza was interrupted by someone opening the door. All she'd done during the time that had passed, was sit and hold back all the sadness and hurt she felt from what Klaus had said. She hated it. She hated everything he'd said. Yet, somehow, she couldn't manage to make herself hate him.

" Is everything alright?" Elijah asked worriedly, closing the door behind him and taking a seat beside her on the bed. For a few moments, Eliza didn't reply and turned away from Elijah. It seemed that Elijah brought out all the emotions that she chose to hide; somehow they shared a bond where they couldn't hide anything from each other. This had formed after he'd taken care of her during those first few weeks after she left.

" No." Tears were now streaming from Eliza's eyes as she turned back to face Elijah. His eyes were filled with concern as the first sob escaped Eliza's throat. " He doesn't want his own children... He doesn't want me... He hates them already! And I want to hate him, too... but I can't... I can't!" Wrapping her in a comforting hug, Elijah held Eliza against his chest as she began to sob uncontrollably.

Throughout the time that she cried herself to sleep in Elijah's arms, Klaus listened from downstairs and drowned himself in alcohol. The pool of hurt, sadness and rage had not yet disappeared. Now jealousy had been added too.

I'm sorry it was so dramatic. There was literally no fluffy moments in this chapter! I promise there will be a least one next chapter since Rebekah will arrive! I hope you're liking the new Eliza and hopefully the plot will quieten down a little soon. So far Klaus is having very mixed reactions to having not one, but two kids! Yep. I kept that a secret ;)

Anyway, please review and tell me what you think! Thank you for all the support.

- DareToDream