Josie woke up to Klaus kissing her neck. She slowly woke up as his lips traveled down her body, first her chest, then stomach, then he spread her legs and settled himself between them. It wasn't too long before she was fully awake and dragging him up her body so she could reach completion the way she preferred- with his length buried inside her.

Afterwards, he softly kissed her as she caught her breath before slipping from within her and pulling her close to him.

A knock on the door interrupted them.

"Nik…" said Rebekah, breezing into the room.

"Rebekah!" scolded Klaus, making sure Josie was covered with the sheet.

Josie frowned. "Seriously, Rebekah. Uh, boundaries."

Rebekah just rolled her eyes. "We used to live in a two room house together."

Josie reached over and grabbed one of Klaus' shirts that was on the nearby dresser, putting it on.

"What do you want, Rebekah?" growled Klaus.

"Mother is insisting you join us for breakfast. Seeing as how you were absent yesterday. You too, Josie."

Josie rolled her eyes. Clearly, Esther was keeping up the mother dearest act since her linking spell from the day before had failed.

"Why do I have to go?" asked Josie.

"It was always our custom to have overnight guests share in the morning meal," Rebekah answered.

Josie sighed, knowing it was probably best to play along. The Bennetts were still working on disrupting their link to Esther, so it was a good idea to distract Esther and Finn as long as possible.

Before she could ponder more about Esther's breakfast, she had another thought.

"Is your whole family going to be there?" asked Josie, not really wanting to see Kol after he'd hit on her last night.

She wondered if Elijah had spoken to Klaus about it, like he said he would.

"Of course," replied Rebekah.

"Well, that's lovely," said Klaus, sarcastically. "Would you mind vacating my room so we can get dressed?"

"With pleasure," said Rebekah with a fake smile.

"Wait, Rebekah!" exclaimed Josie, who suddenly had an idea. "I just want to make sure… Just a second."

She leaned down to her purse and grabbed her knife.

"Trust me," she said, reaching for Klaus' palm.

Then she sliced it open.

"What the bloody… oh," said Klaus, turning to Rebekah.

Rebekah's palm wasn't cut. They had succeeded. The siblings weren't linked. All three of them smiled.

"See you downstairs," said Rebekah. "Breakfast is being served in 30 minutes."

She left the room and closed the door behind her.

Josie frowned, not wanting to get out of bed and certainly not wanting to have breakfast with Esther or Kol.

"It shouldn't take too long, love," said Klaus, giving her a kiss.

Josie nodded, still thinking about Kol.

"I spoke to Elijah," said Klaus, as if reading her thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not sure what game Kol is playing at, but rest assured he will find himself back in a box if he persists."

Josie rolled her eyes. "Isn't that why he's trying to get back at you in the first place?"

Klaus growled. "You'd prefer I let him have free reign to do as he pleases with you?"

"Do as he pleases with me?" she repeated. "He can't… wait a second." She looked into his eyes, curiously. "Are you… jealous?"

Klaus clenched his jaw. "Don't be absurd…"

Josie shook her head. "I don't think he's actually interested. He's just trying to piss you off."

"Is he?" asked Klaus. "This isn't his usual method of revenge. A hex or a bloodbath is more his style."

Josie bit her lip, knowing she had to tell Klaus about the weird feeling she got around Kol.

She grabbed her phone and turned on the white noise app so they couldn't be overheard as long as they didn't speak too loudly.

"What if someone put a hex on him?" she asked in a low voice. "Or rather, both of us?"

Klaus frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I get this strange feeling when I'm around him," she explained. "At first I thought I was just imagining it. It completely vanishes when he's gone. But if Kol's acting weird, maybe he's feeling it too."

"What type of feeling?" growled Klaus, clearly trying to keep calm.

Josie frowned. "It's not romantic or sexual, per say. It is… positive, though. Like it's telling me he's a friend. Someone who should be trusted, someone good, even when he acts like an asshole. Maybe if he's getting the same thing, but because he's a vampire, it's all heightened? Or maybe my necklace protects me a little. I don't know. I don't understand it."

Now Klaus looked concerned. "You think it could be a spell?"

"You tell me," said Josie, shrugging. "You've never heard of something like this?"

Klaus shook his head. "No. Neither of you can be compelled. But magic can be used as mind control, by a very skilled witch."

Josie raised her eyebrows, knowing what he was implying: Esther had done this.

"Why would your mother want to draw Kol and me together?" asked Josie. "How will that help her?"

"A distraction?" mused Klaus. "Even if she believes her censor spell on you is still intact, she knows her children are quite capable of stopping her on our own. This could be a means to divide us."

"Maybe," conceded Josie. "So what do we do?"

"First we must stop her," said Klaus, reluctantly. "Sever her link to the Bennett line. Then we can investigate this… situation."

Clearly Klaus didn't like the idea that something was pulling Kol and Josie together.

Josie nodded. "Right. I'll just stay away from Kol in the meantime."

"And I shall ensure he stays away from you," said Klaus, darkly.

Josie rolled her eyes, but nodded. It's not like she wanted to be around Kol, with that strange feeling lurking in the background.

"Klaus…" She took his hand and linked her fingers with his. "You know nothing would ever happen between Kol and me. I'm yours, remember?"

Klaus' eyes darkened and he rolled her over so he was on top of her, between her spread legs.

"I remember, my love," he growled, then leaned down to give her a searing kiss.

She was just about to remind him that they had breakfast in 30 minutes when she found herself on her hands and knees, him pushing inside her. He fucked her roughly, bending down to kiss the spot where he'd marked her.

"You're mine," he growled, running his hands over her. "All mine."

"Yes, Klaus…" Josie moaned. "Yours."

She bit her lip, feeling her orgasm coming, but trying to concentrate. Sure enough, just as she was climaxing, she felt his teeth sink into the back of her neck, all the pain cancelled out by the bliss that flooded her body. Klaus gave a few jerks before coming himself, collapsing on top of her, covering her body with his.

"We could just skip breakfast. Stay in bed all day," offered Josie as Klaus rolled to the side, pulling her back against his chest.

"I was thinking I could give you your first archery lesson today," said Klaus, nuzzling her neck.

Josie smiled and turned to face him.

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "I'll need to go home and change after breakfast though."

He gave her one more kiss before climbing out of bed and getting dressed. Josie followed suit and put on the outfit she'd worn the day before, though Klaus let her borrow one of his t-shirts to throw over her jeans. She took a few minutes to freshen up in the bathroom as well.

They were just leaving his room when Josie's phone rang. It was Jeremy.

"Hey, Jer," she answered.

"Hey, Jo."

"What's up? Everything okay?"

"Yeah," he responded. "I'm heading over to the Mikealsons' in a little while and was wondering if you wanted me to bring you anything."

Josie frowned. "Why are you coming over here?"

"Kol invited me," he answered.

"Kol?" Josie repeated, surprised.

"Yeah. Last night. We were talking and he said they have targets and crossbows in the backyard."

Josie sighed, knowing she wasn't the only Gilbert that wanted to learn to shoot a bow and arrow. Kol and Jeremy being friends though… She hoped it had nothing to do with Kol wanting to get back at Klaus.

"Kol is kind of dangerous," she said.

Jeremy just laughed. "You're dating the Original Hybrid, Jo. Isn't he the most dangerous one of them all?"

Josie laughed too. Jeremy had a point.

"Fine, can you have Elena pack me a bag? Oh, and can you bring over the stake that Alaric brought last night?"

"Sure," said Jeremy. "You know… Alaric told me you said the stake belonged to a famous hunter and that you got it this summer."

"Yeah," said Josie, frowning.

"But it's one of the stakes you and I whittled together in the spring." He paused. "It's white oak, isn't it?"

"Stop being so clever, Jer," she smiled, shaking her head. "Just bring it, okay? Klaus will take care of it."

"Sure. I'll see you in an hour."

Josie hung up and looked at Klaus who nodded, indicating he'd heard the stake talk. He bent down to kiss her before they headed downstairs to breakfast.

When they entered the dining room, everyone else was already there. Esther sat at the head of the table with Kol to her right. Next to Kol was Rebekah, then Elijah. To Esther's left was Finn and then two empty seats. Klaus took the seat next to Finn, steering Josie towards the chair at the end, as far away from both Esther and Kol as possible. The electricity with Kol was still there, but the table was sufficiently large enough that it was barely noticeable.

"Well, isn't this lovely?" said Esther, as a number of waiters came in with a bunch of breakfast dishes.

Josie personally thought it was a little silly, given Esther and Josie were the only ones that really needed to eat. She understood why Esther was going through this stupid charade, playing the doting mother and all, but it was still annoying.

They all talked for a little while about the ball the night before, the guests, the dancing, the champagne toast.

"Did everyone enjoy the champagne?" asked Esther, looking around.

"We were too worried about you, Mother," said Elijah, full of fake affection. "I think after you collapsed we quite forgot about the champagne."

"I see," sighed Esther. "Well, perhaps we can have some at dinner tonight. I really don't know what came over me."

"You were simply tired, I'm sure," said Finn, placing a hand on Esther's arm.

"It was not an easy journey from the Other Side," agreed Esther.

"Perhaps you'd like to rest after breakfast?" offered Rebekah. "We can have tea sent up."

Esther nodded.

After the plates had been cleared, everyone scattered except Josie, Klaus and Elijah. They talked about plans for the day, albeit in generalities so that if Esther or Finn were listening, they wouldn't know what exactly they were talking about.

"The deadline is at sundown today," said Klaus, firmly. "Then we go to Plan B."

By which, Josie and Elijah knew he meant that the Bennetts had until sunset tonight to disrupt the link, otherwise Abby would be turned.

"Agreed," said Elijah, sipping his coffee.

Josie nodded too. Sundown seemed reasonable, given the siblings weren't linked together.

"I am planning on visiting the mayor this morning to discuss town business," said Elijah.

Which of course meant he was going to be overseeing the Bennetts at the Lockwoods'.

"Klaus is going to teach me how to shoot," smiled Josie.

"Well it's a good thing Nik's indestructible," said Kol, coming into the room. "If he were a regular bloke, he'd be dead by midday."

Josie scoffed. "What does that mean? You think I can't be a good shot because I'm a girl?"

"Of course not, darling. Nik's just a crap teacher. I've always been better with my bow. I always hit the mark." Kol smiled wolfishly. "I'd love to show you."

Josie gritted her teeth against the stupid electricity feeling, giving her warm feelings for Kol even when his words and actions made him an asshole.

"That's enough, Kol," said Elijah, eyeing Klaus' angry face.

But Kol went on undeterred. "I would have shown you last night if we hadn't been so rudely interrupted. Perhaps later…"

At that, Klaus growled and leapt up. Elijah intervened and placed himself between Kol and Klaus.

"Stay away from her!" Klaus threatened. "Just because I've decided not to punish you for last night does not give you permission to do it again."

"We are family," said Elijah, looking hard at Kol. "This type of behavior is unacceptable."

"Yet keeping me in a box for a century is perfectly fine?" asked Kol, angrily.

"Given how averse you are to that box, one would think you'd stop behaving in a way that will earn you a one way ticket back to it," returned Klaus.

"I'd like to see you…" Kol began.

"Stop it!" shouted Josie, getting up from her chair. "Both of you! You're brothers!" She turned to Klaus. "You have to stop threatening to dagger him, Klaus. I would think now that you know how it feels to be daggered yourself, you'd stop it."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, but Josie just continued, turning to Kol. "And you, stop involving me in your plan to irritate your brother. I don't want any part of it. I don't care if some weirdo spell has been put on us. You…"

"You feel it too?" cut in Kol, clearly surprised. "This connection…"

Josie stepped away from Kol and walked over to Klaus, grabbing his hand in a blatant show of their relationship. Given Klaus' reaction and his history, she knew it was important to reinforce her loyalty and affection for him.

"I do," said Josie, tightly. "But it's obviously not natural. So I suggest we just ignore it until we have time to fix it."

Kol narrowed his eyes. "How do you know it's magic?"

Because it has to be, Josie thought. She looked up at Klaus and squeezed his hand.

"I just know," she said, not even looking at Kol.

Elijah cleared his throat. "Sundown cannot come soon enough."

Josie secretly agreed. She didn't want Abby to die, but they needed to kill Esther and hopefully get Bonnie fix her and Kol.

"Hey, Jo," said Jeremy, suddenly appearing in the doorway. "Everything okay, here? Finn let me in."

"Yeah," Josie said, forcing a smile.

"Here's your stuff," he said, handing her a duffel bag.

"Thanks."

She gave Klaus the bag, not wanting to take the white oak stake out until Klaus had a fire going to burn it.

"Can you bring this upstairs when you're finished?" she asked Klaus. "I want to take a shower before our lesson."

"Alright," answered Klaus.

"Lesson?" asked Jeremy, eyebrow raised.

Josie smiled. "You're not the only one who's going to be shooting arrows today."

"Cool," returned Jeremy, smiling.

"Come on, mate," said Kol. "The archery range is this way."

Jeremy and Kol started to go through a set of double doors.

"Wait," said Josie. "Kol?"

"Yes?"

"You hurt my brother I'll dagger you myself," she said, eyes narrowed.

"Jo…" said Jeremy, rolling his eyes.

"And I'll happily hold you down," said Klaus.

Kol just shook his head and led Jeremy out the back door.

After saying goodbye to Elijah, Josie headed up the stairs to Klaus' room and made a beeline for the bathroom. She took an extra long shower and was just getting out when Klaus came into his room.

"All done?" she asked.

He nodded. "Done."

Phew. The last of the white oak was gone.

"Everything okay?" she asked, wondering if he was still upset about Kol.

Klaus sighed, wrapping his arms around her towel-clad body.

"You share some inexplicable connection to my brother."

"It's not real," said Josie, running a hand up his chest. "Us. My feelings for you. That's real. Nothing's changed." She frowned. "At least, I mean, not for me."

"You're still mine, my love," smiled Klaus, grabbing the back of her head and running his hand over the fresh bite mark he'd put there this morning.

"Right," she smiled, hoping Klaus didn't notice it was a little forced.

She didn't mind that Klaus was possessive. She accepted it as part of who and what he was (mainly his werewolf side). But she'd admitted the day before in the woods how much she cared about him and all she got in return was the reaffirmation that she was his 'territory'.

She knew Klaus wasn't one to emote easily and that, due to his horrible, broken past, he never would be, but she was afraid she was the only one emotionally invested in this relationship. She wished she knew what he was thinking, rather than having to read into his actions and words all the time.

She was just afraid of being hurt. How could she not be? As much as she'd tried to keep her feelings in check and under control, she knew the truth- she was falling in love with him. Could he, would he ever return her feelings?

"Are you alright?" asked Klaus, peering with concern into her face.

She nodded, going for a genuine smile before quickly turning around.

"I'm fine. Just want this whole situation fixed."

She could see his frown out of the corner of her eye, but just grabbed the bag Jeremy had brought and started to get dressed.

A/N: There is a point (a pretty important one, actually) to what's going on with Kol and Josie, I promise. It's not just drama for the sake of drama.