They arrived in Mystic Falls the next afternoon, Mason having woken up in transition that morning. Klaus amused himself during the trip by continually snapping Stefan's neck every time he stirred. Rebekah and Josie just rolled their eyes at his temper.

"He was like that even as a human," said Rebekah as they watched Klaus snap Stefan's neck for the tenth time that day.

They were sitting on the airplane, drinking champagne.

"Is it just a werewolf thing or…?" asked Josie as Klaus stalked over to the front of the plane to check on the pilots.

"I don't know. It was always worse around the full moon," offered Rebekah.

Josie nodded. "My ex was the same way."

"Mason's nephew?" asked Rebekah, glancing over at Mason, who was sitting in a seat a few rows back.

"Yeah."

Josie smiled when Rebekah's gaze lingered on Mason.

"He's a nice guy," Josie offered.

Rebekah sighed. "I wouldn't get too attached. Knowing my brother I doubt he'll live past his transition."

"I'm going to try and convince him otherwise."

"If anyone can convince my bastard brother to spare him, it'd be you."

Josie frowned. "I was actually thinking you might try if I fail? You're his baby sister. Half the time I ask him to spare someone, he refuses."

"Which means half the time he does," countered Rebekah. "Trust me, that's 50 percent more than most people."

Josie shrugged. "I can be persuasive at times."

Rebekah looked at her with an odd expression. "You really don't see it, do you?"

"See what?"

Rebekah opened her mouth to reply when Klaus walked in.

"How unforgiving my brother is," she said. "The wolf's as good as dead."

Josie was sure that's not what Rebekah was going to say, but didn't push it. It was probably just another veiled innuendo about her and Klaus. Which was ridiculous. Josie was done denying there was a certain… attraction, but other than that, she was just the asset to his emperor.

Klaus and Josie were alone in the back of a chauffeur-driven car on the way to Mystic Falls when she broached the subject of Mason's fate.

"You said he was going to be the guinea pig," said Josie.

"I did," confirmed Klaus. "You're wondering my plans beyond that?"

Josie nodded.

"I need loyal soldiers, Josie," said Klaus.

Josie frowned. "He will be loyal."

"How can you be sure?"

Did Klaus not know about the sire bond? She didn't really want to tell him, but if it kept Mason alive…

"Because he'll be sired to you. All your hybrids will."

"Really?" smiled Klaus.

"Don't abuse your power!" warned Josie, looking warily at Klaus' self-satisfied grin. "Because there's a way to break the bond. In fact, I was thinking maybe you should offer werewolves a choice. You know some might actually want…"

"How do you break the bond?" Klaus cut in.

Josie frowned. "You don't want to hear my democratic, benevolent plan for world domination?"

"Later, my dear. Now, how can they break the bond?"

Josie explained they were sired to due gratefulness of not needing to turn and breaking the bond required turning over and over until there was no pain and they were no longer grateful.

"Interesting," said Klaus thoughtfully.

"So you should be fair in your leadership," said Josie. "Otherwise you'll lose them. Werewolves are stubborn, prideful. You need to treat them well. Not as slaves or servants."

Klaus didn't reply, but appeared to be thinking over her words. She remembered what had happened to the unsired hybrids and Carol Lockwood and wanted to avoid that if possible. Klaus was going to make hybrids either way. If he treated them well, rather than taking them for granted like he did in the original storyline, maybe it could end better for everyone.

For Josie, the closer they got to Mystic Falls, the more nervous she became. Klaus had confiscated her phone the previous night, so she wasn't tempted to warn anyone in Mystic Falls.

"What happens when we get there?" asked Josie, when she saw the sign appear for a neighboring town.

"We find Elena, get Mason through his transition, then go find more werewolves," answered Klaus.

"Are you planning on taking Elena or just her blood?"

"You know the answer to that."

"You only need her blood," argued Josie. "Elena will be safe in Mystic Falls. Don't take her out of her life."

"I'd had thought you'd be grateful for the companionship, love."

Josie shook her head. "Elena doesn't deserve this."

"And you do?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Josie just looked down, not saying anything.

"You really think you do, don't you?" he asked, a little amazed.

How could she answer that? Because she used her visions to protect the people she cared about and let other people die in the process? Because her hands were drenched in the blood of 150 werewolves and countless others? Sometimes she really did think she deserved to be stuck at Klaus' mercy. That this was her punishment for the choices she'd made.

She didn't say anything to Klaus though, just looked out the window and thankfully, he didn't press her further.

When they arrived in Mystic Falls, they didn't find anyone in the Gilbert House. No one was at the Grill. Klaus was getting really frustrated until he overheard some students talking about Senior Prank Night at the high school.

So, Klaus, Mason, Josie and Rebekah walked into the school and found an empty classroom. It didn't take long for Klaus to return with Elena in tow.

Elena ran over to Josie and enveloped her in a big hug as soon as she was free of Klaus.

"Oh god, Josie," she said, squeezing Josie hard. "Are you okay?"

Josie squeezed back. It was good to be home.

"I'm fine," she said. "And I'm sorry Elena."

"Right, well, as touching as this little reunion is, down to business," said Klaus, grabbing Elena. "I'm going to be needing a donation, I'm afraid."

He held up Elena's arm and bit into it, ignoring her cry of pain.

Then he dragged Elena over to Mason and said, "Drink."

Mason hesitated.

"Come on," said Klaus, pushing Elena's arm in Mason's face. "Drink!"

Mason looked like he was really trying to control himself, but even in-transition vampires have a hard time resisting blood, so it didn't take long before Mason dove forward and began drinking blood from Elena's arm.

"That's enough," said Klaus, shoving Mason off and releasing Elena.

"Elena, what's going on here?" asked Bonnie, who had just walked in. "Josie, you're back!"

Bonnie ran over and examined the wound on Elena's arm.

"What's going on?" she repeated.

Josie explained how Elena's blood was the key to making hybrids.

"Case in point," said Josie, gesturing at Mason.

Mason was groaning on the ground as he went through his transition. A few more seconds and his eyes glowed with that hybrid tinge and his fangs descended.

"I'd call that a successful test," said Klaus, smiling. "How do you feel?"

"I feel great," smiled Mason. "Hungry."

"Rebekah, why don't you take him and find him something to eat?" suggested Klaus.

Rebekah eyed Mason appreciatively, grabbed his arm and led him out of the classroom.

"Don't kill anyone!" yelled Josie, though she was probably just wasting her breath. "Please…"

"Come along now," said Klaus, grabbing Elena who tried to fight him off. "Josie."

"No, you're not taking them!" shouted Bonnie.

Bonnie held her hand aloft, trying to subdue Klaus through magic, but she only succeeded in pissing him off.

"I've had my bloody fill of witches for one summer," growled Klaus, pushing her against the wall.

"Klaus!" exclaimed Josie.

Klaus sighed and released Bonnie. Then he grabbed Elena, much more roughly this time, so she cried out, and made to leave. He was stopped by Stefan, who threw him off Elena.

"Stop, Stefan!" commanded Klaus.

Stefan immediately stilled, though it was clear he was straining to move and help Elena.

"What did you do to him?" asked Elena, helping Bonnie up and putting a protective arm around Josie.

"He's compelled to do whatever Klaus says," explained Josie.

"Your boyfriend was plotting my death, sweetheart," said Klaus. "He's lucky his head's still attached to his body."

"So you made him kill all those people this summer?" asked Elena in disgust.

Klaus smiled. "Oh, don't be so dramatic. I compelled him yesterday. This summer was all him. I may have given him a little nudge, of course."

Elena shook her head. "You made him a monster."

"I just invited him to the party," countered Klaus. "He's the one dancing on the table. Isn't that right, Stefan?"

Stefan just stayed silent.

"Don't be a jerk, Klaus," said Josie.

"I'm just trying to enlighten, love," said Klaus. He turned to Elena. "The real problem is you don't know the man you fell in love with." He turned to Stefan. "Be honest now. How many people did you kill this summer, at a guess?"

"Around 40," answered Stefan.

"How many did you enjoy?"

"All of them."

Elena and Bonnie looked shocked.

"You see," said Klaus, smiling. "Now, Stefan. Which one of this lot's blood would you like the most? Elena, right? I might let you have just a little."

"Josie's," answered Stefan, still compelled to tell the truth. "There was something different about her blood when I fed on her. Something I liked."

Josie's eyes went wide and Elena looked horrified that Stefan had fed on Josie.

Klaus looked annoyed. "We had this conversation, Stefan."

"Just stop it, Klaus," said Josie, getting in front of him. "You made your point. Stefan's a blood junkie. Can we just go?"

Klaus looked at her with the same expression he had when dealing with those two guys in the bar near the motel. He wasn't done making his point.

"Stefan, why don't you take a bite out of the witch?" said Klaus.

"Klaus, no!" exclaimed Josie.

Stefan was clearly trying to control himself as Bonnie was his friend and Elena was standing right there.

Klaus looked surprised as his self-restraint. "Impressive… don't want to feed on your friend? Lose yourself in front of your girl?"

Josie knew what Klaus was going to do before he even said the words. Maybe because she had seen him do it to Lexi or maybe because, sometimes, no matter what she changed, it seemed like some things were just going to happen.

The three girls could only watch as Klaus forced Stefan to turn off his humanity.

The result was immediate. Stefan sped towards Bonnie and bit her. Josie knew from this summer that Stefan had a hard time controlling himself when his humanity was on. Now, there was no hope. This was clearly Stefan's punishment for his betrayal.

"Klaus!" she cried, trying to pull Stefan off Bonnie.

Klaus raised an eyebrow. "I said a bite. He can stop anytime he wants."

Cursing Klaus, Josie quickly took out the knife from her purse, cut her arm and shoved it in Stefan's face. Stefan immediately dropped Bonnie and lunged for Josie. He managed to get his teeth into her for a split second before he was torn away by Klaus, who threw him across the room.

"What is wrong with you?" shouted Klaus, grabbing Josie.

"He was going to kill Bonnie!" she exclaimed.

"She was far from dead," said Klaus, dismissively.

Josie rolled her eyes. "You are unbelievable."

Klaus didn't respond, just bit into his wrist with the intention of healing her.

"No, I'm fine," said Josie, pushing his arm away.

The cut on her arm wasn't life threatening after all. She was too angry to let him heal her.

"I don't recall you having a choice," Klaus said angrily as his wounds sealed themselves.

He was clearly pissed that she'd intervened in the first place. He bit into his wrist again and grabbed her with his other hand.

"Klaus, no," she said, trying to push him away.

"How dare you," came a voice from the doorway of the classroom.

Everyone whipped their heads around to see Elijah standing there. Josie realized how this must look. Klaus, with a bloody mouth, standing over her with a savage bite mark on her arm.

"Brother," breathed Klaus, shocked to see Elijah awake.

Elijah didn't waste any time on pleasantries. He sped over to Klaus and grabbed him, sending them both hurtling through the window of the classroom.

"So, I woke Elijah," explained Josie, walking over to Bonnie and Elena. "You alright?" she asked Bonnie.

Bonnie nodded, holding a towel to her neck. "I'll be okay."

"I'm so sorry, you guys," said Josie as she and Elena helped Bonnie to her feet.

There was a crash from outside and the three girls looked out the window to see Klaus and Elijah pummeling each other.

"Guess they're working out their issues," said Josie, frowning.

"Makes me grateful I'm an only child," said Bonnie, shaking her head.

They watched as the blurs that were Klaus and Elijah left the area outside the classroom and zoomed around the corner.

"Come on," said Elena, turning away from the window. "We should find a first aid kit."

"Why would you want to do that?" asked Stefan, who was standing in front of the three girls all of a sudden. "Waste all that blood?"

All three girls tensed.

"Klaus doesn't want you to hurt us," said Josie, taking an unconscious step back.

Stefan shrugged. "Klaus didn't give me a direct order. As far as I'm concerned, if I can't kill him, killing his precious Oracle is the next best thing."

"Stefan, no!" exclaimed Elena. "This isn't you."

Stefan just growled and lunged for Josie. She felt pain explode on her neck as Stefan bit her. She screamed and tried to push him away, but his iron grip didn't falter.

A few seconds passed and Stefan's grip suddenly lessened. He grabbed his head in pain and Josie realized that Bonnie was using her anti-vampire spell on him. It was much more effective than it had been against Klaus. But Bonnie was still hurt and it was a spell that had to be continuously maintained to work.

Josie scrambled for her purse and found the stake within. She used all her strength to stab Stefan in the gut. He howled in pain.

"Run!" yelled Josie.

The three girls sprinted out of the classroom and down the hallway. It wasn't long before they ran into a bunch of students. Josie said the first thing that came to mind.

"There's a gunman," she said. "Get out of here!"

The students dropped what they were doing and ran.

"We have to find Elijah or Klaus," said Josie, trying to ignore the intense pain of her still-bleeding neck. "I'll go out the gym entrance, you guys try the front."

"I'm not leaving you, Jo!" exclaimed Elena.

Josie rolled her eyes. "If we split up, we're more likely to find them. They all have vampire speed. Once Stefan heals, it won't matter."

"You guys go to the gym," said Bonnie. "I'll take the front."

Elena nodded, grabbed Josie and started running towards the gym. They had almost made it when they were cut off by Stefan.

"Two Gilbert girls for the price of one," said Stefan, veins appearing under his eyes. "His doppelganger and his Oracle."

"Stefan, no…" Elena began.

Stefan lunged for Elena this time. Josie tried in vain to get him off her, but without a weapon, it was useless. She hit him as hard as she could, but he just kept feeding.

"Help!" she screamed, continuing to beat on Stefan's back. "Help!"

Strong arms ripped Stefan away from Elena and threw him against a bank of lockers.

Josie cried out in relief.

"Elijah!"

Elijah caught Elena as she swayed wildly.

"There, my dear," said Elijah. "I've got you."

"Please help her," said Josie, nervously looking at Elena's bite mark.

Elijah nodded and bit his wrist, feeding Elena his blood. Elena started to cough, gagging a bit.

"You're alright," said Elijah, smiling down at her.

He helped Elena get to her feet.

"Jo, are you okay?" asked Elena, looking at Josie's own wound.

Josie nodded. "I'll live. How are you?"

"Much better," said Elena, smiling a little. "Thank you, Elijah."

Elijah sighed. "Don't thank me, Elena."

Josie frowned, knowing he must to referring to the fact that Klaus needed Elena's blood for his hybrids.

"Klaus told you," said Josie, rolling her eyes. "Where is that jerk?"

"You might want to keep your tongue in check considering this entire affair is your fault," growled Klaus from behind her.

Josie whipped around just in time to see Klaus snapping Stefan's neck for the 100th time that day.

"My fault?" exclaimed Josie, backing away from Klaus.

"You saw fit to remove that dagger from my brother's chest without so much as an explanation. Is it any wonder he came upon us and assumed the worst?"

"Yeah, because a thousand years of knowing you wouldn't make him assume the worst," Josie shot back.

Despite her confident words, her heart was pounding in her chest. What was he going to do to her for waking Elijah? He was just standing there.

"Elijah, would you take my doppelganger outside? There's an ambulance and a nurse waiting. I'd like to speak to Josie."

"She's in no condition to give blood, Klaus," frowned Josie.

"Let the nurse be the judge of that," snapped Klaus, stepping closer. "Elijah?"

Josie gasped. "You can't leave me with him, Elijah."

"Stay away from my sister, Klaus," said Elena, angrily.

"Niklaus gave me his word he would not harm you for awakening me," said Elijah.

"And you believed him?" asked Josie, incredulously.

"Oddly enough, I do," he answered, looking at Klaus with a strange expression.

"I won't be far away, my dear," said Elijah, smiling at Josie. "It is good to see you. And thank you."

With that, Elijah disappeared with Elena, leaving Josie alone with Klaus.

"First things first," he said, biting his wrist and shoving it in her mouth.

She swallowed a few sips before pushing his arm away. The wounds on her neck and arm sealed themselves.

Once done, Klaus didn't waste any more time. Before she knew it, the world was a blur and a minute later, she was in a patch of woods. She wiggled out of his arms and stumbled back, away from him.

"What are you doing?" she asked, eyeing him warily.

He looked at her with an unreadable expression.

"Just wanted some privacy, love."

"Why?" asked Josie, trying to calm her breathing. "What are you going to do to me?"

A/N: Sorry for the confusing note about love triangles. I meant that I would not put Josie in a triangle (or any other shape) because I didn't like the Elena/Salvatore triangle in canon. The Elena/Salvatore triangle is already happening in this story, as I haven't done anything to prevent it.

I am tempted to change it as I did actually like Elena's character in the first few seasons, but after the tug-of-war she went through with the Salvatores, plus her becoming a vampire, I wasn't really a fan of her anymore and I think there may be an opportunity to fix that here…