Thank you grapejuice101 and Brookeworm3 for all your help and the great ideas!

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Chapter 54

"Jane, are you listening?" Rebekah asked and the girl looked over at her with a sheepish expression. She gotten lost in her dream from last night.

"Sorry."

The Original rolled her eyes fondly. "I was asking if you wanted to get your hair done tomorrow?"

"Oh, I don't know."

"Are you trying to get out of it again?"

"No…" Rebekah sent her a look and she winced. "…Maybe."

"I told you, you could come with me and Matt."

"I don't want to interrupt."

"You told him to ask me."

"I didn't tell him. I suggested it. After his break up with Elena and his break up with Caroline, there's been a lot of bad in his life. You could be the good in it."

Rebekah looked at her. "Really?"

"His sister died and his mom just…Kelly wasn't ready to be a mother so she just went off a lot. Matt finally told her to not come back. He's not had it easy." Jane sighed. "I'm not trying to make you sympathize with him or feel pity or something. This isn't a pity date, but…I just think that you both need some good right now. You especially. I mean with everything you've been through and besides this is your first homecoming. One should go with someone like Matt. He's a gentleman and a very good friend. He's been there for me so often, even when he had things he'd rather be doing…"

"I highly doubt that he would think you a burden, Jane."

"Maybe…"

"And you don't?" Rebekah asked softly.

"Don't what?"

"Don't think you need good."

She snorted. "I don't have good luck with that. I've been thinking and I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be alone. Things work out better for me that way."

"You know you can just ask Damon if he'll take you. Men don't usually know what we want, we have to tell them. They are stupid things. Humans and vampires alike."

Jane giggled. "While that may be true, if doesn't want to ask me then I guess he doesn't want to go with me." Jane nodded to herself. "But that's not what I was talking about."

"I know what you meant. And I think you're wrong."

"I'll just go by myself, if I decide to go. I don't need a date."

"You are coming, stop trying to get out of it." Rebekah told her. "So hair done tomorrow, yes or no?"

"I think I'll just try to style it myself. I'm afraid it won't last nightfall."

"All right then." She laughed. "But we will do our hair for prom. That has to be spectacular."

"Deal." Jane stated, smiling and then Rebekah tapped the steering wheel.

"What happened this morning? Damon was in a tizzy."

"I snuck out before he woke up." Jane stated and Rebekah arched an eyebrow.

"Are you two dating again?"

"No. I just stupidly asked him to stay in the room last night because I was afraid of having nightmares about Luciana." Jane frowned, staring out the window.

"And did you have one?"

"Just a vision dream thing…which is why I woke up to find him all over me." Jane picked at the knee of her jeans, fiddling with the frayed hole there and making it worse. "And it felt nice, but at the same time I just wanted him to go away. I never felt so conflicted before. Then again I've never dated and taken a break from someone before either…What do I do?"

Rebekah tilted her head. "Well, why did you feel conflicted? Are you still angry because he hurt you?"

"I feel more…betrayed than hurt I guess I mean why hide it? I didn't hide that I kissed Klaus."

"About that. Why did you kiss my brother?"

"I don't know. I wasn't planning on it. It just happened." Jane was fidgeting more and more and Rebekah smacked her hand away from her jeans. "Bekah!"

"Don't or I'm buying you a new pair." She warned. "So what just happened?"

"He was…there and I was there and I don't know he just…leaned down and I just sat there." She said lamely. "I could have pulled away but I didn't…I guess that's what's bothering me. I'm angrier with myself than him I suppose."

Rebekah was about to say something, but she decided to just change the subject. Jane was getting upset. "So you snuck out?"

"Yeah, I had a dream about Luciana."

Luciana sucked in air and panicked looking around wildly. "Niklaus? Niklaus?!" She cried and sat up. She was inside Ayana's home. The witch herself, came in with a bowl in her hands.

"You must rest, child." She told her and gently pressed her back to the bedding. She wrung out a cloth and dabbed at her face.

"Ayana, what happened? Where is my Niklaus?"

"He's gone, child."

"Gone? My beloved…Mikael and Esther have killed him?"

Ayana hung her head and Luciana sobbed. "No…not my love…What of Elijah and Rebekah? Kol and Finn?" No response. She sobbed harder and then noticed her dress was stained with blood. "What…" It slowly came back to her and she gasped. "I…Esther…How am I alive? Why am I not with my beloved Nik?"

"You were cursed, Luciana, by Esther."

"How?"

"That necklace you wear holds the power of resurrection. When Esther killed you, it triggered it's powers."

"I am cursed to live forever?"

"No. Only to cheat death. But I warn you not to die too often. Dying and defying the gods will affect your body the more you use this stone."

Luciana touched the necklace gently. "Then how am I cursed?"

"Your bloodline is very old, Luciana. You are an elemental, but it was long dormant and hidden. However, Esther has triggered your bloodline into existence once more. You will now bear descendants that share your features. And they will continue until the curse Esther released is over."

"What curse is that?"

"The curse of a vampire/wolf."

"She had no idea that we were alive." Rebekah murmured. "And we had no idea that she had lived."

Jane sighed. "Ayana knew that she couldn't know or she'd never have children. She knew that one day Klaus' curse would be broken. She had to have descendants." Rebekah's phone buzzed. "It's Stefan." Jane read on the caller id. Rebekah rolled her eyes and took the phone from her.

"Stefan, have you finally decided to stop being an ass?"

Jane giggled.

"No." Stefan said dryly, hearing, Jane's giggles. "But you need to come back here right now. We have something to discuss."

"Fine. I'll be there later." She hung up on him and sighed. "Can you get someone else to drive you home?" She asked as she stopped in front of Jane's dance studio. "I hate to leave you here."

"I can get a ride. Just go see what Stefan wants."

"All right then. Call me if you need me. Stefan can wait."

Jane waved at her and hopped out of the car.


"Absolutely not." Rebekah snapped. "You are not going to put that poor girl through that." She scowled at Stefan. "Go with your original plan to make Elena do it." Elena frowned.

Stefan rolled his eyes. "As I've pointed out, Klaus' priority is Jane's safety and happiness. Therefore, it would be better to just use her."

"But do we really have to frighten her? She's been through a lot." She turned to Damon who sitting silently near the fireplace. "And what about you who claim to care about her so much? What's your opinion?"

"I don't like it either, but we don't have a choice. Klaus is more liable to come if he thinks Jane is in danger and more liable to check in on her first."

"Exactly." Elena pointed out. "If he sees her fear is real, the more this is going to work."

"Wait so we're still not telling her?" Damon scowled, getting up from his seat. "I thought we agreed to tell her."

"We can't, Damon." She told him. "If Klaus does go to her first and she slips up then this plan won't work and we'll all be dead."

"If you tell her what to say…Jane's not going to give us away."

"Yeah, I know," Elena told him. "And while that may be true, how do we even know that Klaus won't try to compel her?"

"Right. So here is the plan." Stefan spoke up. "Let's say that Mikael followed Jane in here. He grabs her so he can use her for bait."

Elena nodded. "And you, what, vervained him?"

Damon snorted. "No. We vervained him." He corrected. "Guy's an Original. If we're going to do this, then we need to make it realistic."

"I can't believe the lot of you!" Rebekah snapped. "Jane has enough problems with nightmares and here you are trying to frighten her with the man who watched his wife murder Luciana."

Damon frowned. "No, one is trying to hurt her, but if we want any chance of taking down your brother then we have to use her."

"Fine, but when she scared for her life, you better take responsibility for it. Call me when this is over. I won't listen to you scare the daylights out of her." With that, Rebekah stormed out of the room.

"Anyway," Stefan drawled before anyone could start in again. "We vervained him. And in the process discovered that he had a dagger."

Elena nodded. "Which he planned to use on Rebekah. But instead..."

"We drove it through his heart."

"And what happens when he asks to see Mikael's body?"

"Good point." Damon stated, narrowing his eyes at his brother. "You, my brother, have been compelled to do what Klaus says. So the idea is to lure him back here and kill him – last thing we need is you getting tripped up and tongue-tied."

"Well, don't look at me I am just in charge of getting him back here." Stefan replied.

Elena ran a hand through her hair. "Klaus is smart, if we tell him that Mikael is dead, he'll want proof. Other than Jane's fear, I mean."

"Then I shall be dead."

Everyone looked over as Mikael walked in. He was carrying a dagger and white oak ash in hand.

"What if he wants to see you in person?" Elena wondered as she, Stefan, and Damon moved over to the Original who was setting his things on a table.

"Well that means our plan is working. Klaus will absolutely want to see my body. You lure him here – and I will kill him." Mikael told her simply.

Stefan raised an eyebrow. "With what? Those daggers won't work on him."

"Oh, I'm in possession of a stake fashioned from the wood of the ancient white oak tree. The one that left these ashes when it burned down." He inspected the bottle of white oak ash that lay next to a dagger.

"Where is it?" Damon asked half-excited at having a weapon that would rid them of Klaus.

"Not here." Mikael answered him and Damon's excitement deflated. "The knowing of its location is my insurance policy."

"Against what?" Stefan inquired.

"You leaving this in my heart." Mikael stated, holding up the dagger that been dipped in the white oak ash. "You see; a vampire can't dagger an Original without dying." He looked down at Elena. "So – it falls on you." He handed the white oak ash dagger to her and she looked up in surprise.

"You want me to dagger you?" She asked unsurely.

"Klaus will leave nothing to chance – especially when it comes to trust."


"Damon?" She called as she came into the house. It was eerily silent. "Hello?" Jane wandered through the house, looking in a few rooms. "Damon, if this is some kind of joke, it's not funny." A rush of wind passed her and she whipped around to find a handsome older man with dark blond hair and piercing blue eyes. "Mikael." She whispered and he tilted his head.

"Well now, no one told me that you were a doppelganger." He stated, eyeing her and she backed up as Mikael took a few steps towards her.

"W-why are you here?"

"I'm looking for Niklaus. Have you seen him?"

"No and I wouldn't tell you if I had." She said, frowning.

He smirked. "No, need for that my dear." He zoomed up to her tangling his hand in her hair and keeping her still as he tilted her head back. "He'll come for you." Mikael ran his nose along the column of her throat and she jerked against him, trying to get away. "You look just like her, its uncanny."

"You just stood there while she died." She snapped.

"I had no choice. Klaus was an abomination. He needed to be taken care of." He countered, kissing her neck gently and she felt her skin crawl. He was slowly backing them towards a wall.

"It was cruel and unnecessary."

Mikael cupped her cheek. "My Luciana was beautiful and strong and she wasted her time on a boy, when she could have had a man." Jane breath hitched in fright as he pressed himself against her body, pinning her to the wall. Jane pushed at him.

"Get off me."

"But you're not exactly like her are you?" Jane felt for a stake she kept to her side and she jabbed it into his side. Mikael cried out and she pulled away from him, running down the hall.

She heard Mikael chuckling after her. "Perhaps you are just like her. A little minx."

Jane wrinkled her nose in disgust and looked around for another weapon in the library. Where was Damon and Stefan? Or even Rebekah? She found a golf club in the corner, taking a moment to wonder who played golf, before peering around the door. She felt something was off and whirled around, swinging the club at Mikael. He ducked it and smirked. She scowled and hit him in the legs with it, making he go down with a crack of his knee, before trying to run again. Jane yelped as he grabbed her ankles to keep her from fleeing him. While his leg was slowly healing, Jane spotted someone on the little table behind the couch. It was a dagger. One that would put down the Original. She managed to slide it up the sleeve of her jacket, before Mikael flipped her over.

"Let go of me!" She cried as he tugged her towards him and moved until he was above her, pinning her arms on either side of her head. She saw a look in his eyes that frightened her.

"Yes, I wanted Luciana. I wanted her for myself." Mikael leaned his head down and kissed her. Jane kneed him in the groin and he grunted, but didn't relent his grip on her.

"Get off me, you ass!" She snapped and tried to knee him again, but he was ready that time and caught her leg, moving it so that he was now slotted between her legs.

Mikael chuckled at her expression of fury. "You're a spirited little thing aren't you? I can see why Niklaus likes you so. So why don't you scream for me?" He asked. "I do enjoy the capture more than the chase. Perhaps I'll keep you around a while after finding Klaus." His hands slid down from her arms to grab her waist and she slipped the dagger out.

"Screw you!" She screamed, plunging it into his chest hard. Mikael gasped and then desiccation veins spread over his face as his body grayed. Jane shoved him off her and got up, grabbing the discarded golf club that now had a dent in it. Watching Mikael warily, she backed until she hit someone and she gasped, spinning around.

"Whoa, hey! Easy!" Damon stated and caught her mid swing. "It's just me." She dropped the club and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Where the hell were you?" She asked angrily, although her voice shook. "Where were you?" She tensed for a while longer and then relaxed, shuddering against him.

"I'm sorry." He apologized, pressing his face into her hair. "I didn't know he was in here. Stefan and I were outside."

"Where's Rebekah?"

"Here." Jane peered around Damon at the blond Original. "Did he come after you, Bekah? Are you okay?"

"No, darling. I'm all right." She told her, trying not to show her guilt at allowing this and she hugged Jane comfortingly, pulling her from Damon. She had however heard Mikael talking to her about Luciana and it sickened her. She hadn't realized that her father had coveted the girl. "You took down, Mikael. No one but a witch has tried before and you did it." She stated. "Remind me never to get on your bad side." Jane laughed slightly, but she was still a bit shaken.

Stefan and Damon dragged Mikael into the parlor.

"What are you doing?" Damon asked Stefan angrily.

"I have to tell Klaus that Mikael is daggered. I have too."

"Then he'll come racing back here." Damon snapped. "Do not call him."

"He has to know, Damon. I can't not tell him. Besides, he threatened Jane…Anything that pertains to her I have to tell him."

Damo scowled and looked away, hiding a smirk at his own acting skills. Stefan heard Klaus pick up.

"Portland is fantastic. Once you get over all the whiny music and healthy looking people it is literally a breeding ground for werewolves."

"Your father is dead." Stefan stated.

"What did you say to me?" Klaus asked lowly.

"Oh, my mistake. Not your actual father and not dead." Jane frowned at Stefan. "Mikael. Daggered. What do you want me to do with the body?"

"Well, first I want you to explain to me exactly what happened."

"He tried to use Jane against you. He followed her to our house and grabbed her, but Jane found a dagger on him and managed to take him down herself."

"I want to see him. I want to see his rotting body for myself."

"Well, he is here. Come by whenever." Stefan said casually.

"If you're lying to me, Stefan, your compulsion will expose you. So, answer with your life: is what you are saying the truth."

"It's true. I saw it with my own eyes, but if you don't believe me you can ask her yourself."

"Let me speak to her."

Stefan held out his phone to Jane. "He wants to talk to you." Damon turned around with a frown about to protest, but Stefan shook his head. Klaus had to know her fear was real. Jane took the cell phone.

"Klaus."

"Are you hurt, love? Did he hurt you?"

"No, he just…He just frightened me." She said and Rebekah stroked her hair. Klaus could hear the anxiety in her voice. "I got him though. He's gone." She sounded so genuine that he had to believe her, but all the same…

"Hand the phone back to Rebekah now, love." Jane handed the phone to her.

"Hello, Nik." She greeted, trying to sound happy.

"Rebekah, love. What's this I hear about Mikael's tragic run in with the dagger? And by Jane no less."

She swallowed once, putting on her acting skills. "It's true. He's finally out of our lives for good...He got what was coming to him." She paused for a moment and added for good measure: "I miss you. I'm miserable here."

"I'll be home soon." Klaus assured her.

"Good." Rebekah nodded once, as a signal that he had bought it. "I'll see you then, brother." She hung up and handed the cell back to Stefan. "He's coming home." She took Jane's shoulder. "Let's get you home, all right?"

"Okay." Jane murmured and Rebekah led her out of the room.

"Now – was that great acting or what?" Damon smirked. He couldn't help but be a bit happy. They had tricked Klaus! They were one step closer to ending him!

Elena came into the room and rolled her eyes, before kneeling down next to Mikael. "Let's just get this over with." She stated and jerked the dagger free.

"You're just jealous that she did it first."

"Well, you just better hope that Mikael doesn't extract revenge for that." She told him and he scowled.


"Getting a head start, huh?" Elena asked as Rebekah preened in front of the mirror.

She turned towards Elena. "Embarrassing truth? This is my first high school dance."

"Ever?" The girl asked, coming into the room.

"I never really had time for high school before. Nik and I were always moving around. Running." She looked down a moment. "Anyway – I didn't want to leave anything to chance. Have you heard anymore from him?" She asked quietly.

"No. But I'm sure that when he does return he'll do it with flair."

"And Damon and my father are all set with their plan?" Rebekah asked.

"Yes."

Rebekah smoothed down her dress. "Don't tell me." She said quickly. "I don't want to know, I just – I want to go to the dance and leave the rest to Mikael."

"I know it's really hard. So thank you for helping us get Klaus back into town."

"Just be careful. I've been running a thousand years for a reason. Mikael is not a good person and he definitely can't be trusted. No one in my family can." Tears filled her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Elena asked in concern.

"I've spent my whole life loving and hating my brother with equal measure. I never thought that I'd be the one to help drive a stake through his heart." She said sadly before trying to compose herself. "no tears, I don't want to ruin my makeup. I told Jane I'd call her when I was ready to go. She's going to meet Matt and I there."

"That's-that's nice." Elena nodded once.

"So how do I look?"

"You look amazing. But you're missing one thing."

She turned to see Elena dangling something from her fingers.

"My mother's necklace."

"You should wear it tonight. May I?" Elena asked her and she nodded. Elena slipped the necklace around Rebekah's neck.

"Thank you." She whispered and Elena nodded. "I should call Jane she'll chicken out on the dance if I don't." Elena plunged a dagger into her back, right through her heart.

"I'm so sorry, Rebekah. I can't leave anything to chance either. It's better if Jane's not there either."


"Oh…No, that's fine. I just wondered why she wasn't answering." Jane murmured and sat on the edge of the bed. She looked longingly at the cerulean blue dress hanging on her closet door and tried not to sigh. Rebekah was supposed to call her and tell her what time she and Matt were leaving so she could meet them there.

"Jane, you want me to come and get you?" Matt asked. "I don't think Rebekah would mind if you come with us."

"No, no. I don't want to get in the way."

"You wouldn't be in the way. Besides asking her was your idea."

"She's nice, Matt. You just have to get to know her and well, that might be hard if I'm with you."

"You are coming aren't you?" Matt questioned her. "I'd feel bad if you stay at home."

"I'll be fine. I just have to take back some things I got and, um, clean the house. Rob's coming home soon." She twisted her shirt as she spoke.

"Oh…Are you sure? That doesn't sound like fun."

"It'll be fine."

"Well, okay then. Call me if you change your mind."

Jane sat for about three minutes before hopping up and taking the dress off the door. If Damon couldn't be bothered to ask her, why should she stay home alone just because of it? She wanted to go dancing and be with her friends. So she'd go anyway.


Jane grabbed the shoes headed down the stairs. She wasn't about to try to walk in her heels on the slick wood stairs. She placed them by the door to slip on before she left and started back up to start on her hair when Felix let out a hiss, staring at the door.

She opened it, only to find someone on her porch with fist mid knock.

"Klaus?" Automatically, her face grew warm with the remembrance of her dream.

"Mikael. Did he hurt you? Are you hurt, love?" He demanded frantically, looking her up and down. He was still limited by not being invited in and it was killing him to stand so close to her and yet not be able to make sure she was all right. He had to see for himself even though he had spoken to her just last night. He took in her pretty cerulean blue dress that clung to her little curvy frame and accentuated her ample cleavage as he assessed her for damage. Jane flushed more at how his eyes looked her over from head to toe and darkened.

"What?" She said and cleared her throat when she thought she sounded breathless. And she mentally slapped herself for being dumb. "Oh, no. He just…frightened me." She said, frowning slightly at the reminder of being spooked by the vampire. He nodded, looking relieved and Jane blinked. Had he actually been worried about her? "I'm okay." She found herself saying and he nodded once, relaxing. Felix growled when he shifted on the porch and he looked down at him.

"Little beast." He greeted and the cat hissed, darting into the living room to perch on the couch to watch Klaus from the window. Jane giggled a bit. "So…going somewhere?" He smirked. Her cheeks were still pink and it amused him. He wanted to find out why. "Judging by your appearance, I assume you're going to homecoming?"

"Yes."

"Waiting for your date?"

"Um, no." She said and avoided looking at him. Klaus sensed that she was a little upset. Damon must have not even bothered to ask her. "Why are you here?"

"I thought that would be obvious." He stated and Jane noticed he looked a bit nervous now. She didn't remember seeing him like that before. "I came to see you."

"Well, you've seen me. So goodbye…" She started to shut the door.

Klaus shifted. "Please, love. Don't be angry."

"Well, I'm not inviting you in. You tried to take off with me."

"Mikael's dead. I have no reason to run now."

"Except to make Hybrids." She huffed and folded her arms across her chest. Klaus' eyes stayed on her face, though it was a hard struggle not to look down. "And I'm assuming that you're all out of blood?" She started to shut the door again.

"Wait, love. That's not why I'm here."

She waited a second and then opened the door all the way again. "Why did you lie to Rebekah about your mother's death?" She blurted suddenly.

Confusion and then suspicion went across his face. "How did you-"

"Just answer the question, Klaus. Did you really kill her or not?"

"Yes." He answered bluntly and without remorse.

"Why?"

"Because I let my anger at her get the better of me. She forced my hand, love, plain and simple. She turned her back on me. On her own son!" He snapped.

"I don't understand how you could look Bekah in the eyes all these years and never tell the truth." She snapped back. "She is your sister! You didn't even tell your other siblings either!"

"Don't you?" He asked quietly, looking at her with a half-wary, half-vulnerable expression in his eyes. Another expression she had hardly seen on him before. Why was he being so open with her? "Don't you know why?" Of course she did, but that didn't make it okay.

Jane's slight ire at him slacked off slightly. "You didn't want her to leave you. You knew that if you told…she'd never forgive you and she'd leave. She and Elijah and all your siblings." He didn't answer, only looked away, unwilling to let his vulnerability show any more than he already had. "And she killed Luciana."

"So you know." He stated, watching her face.

"Yes. It was horrible what she did to the both of you, but even still…"

"You think I'm a monster."

"No…The werewolf gene brings aggression. Of course you couldn't help it. At least not fully. She turned her back on you, betrayed you by killing off the one person other than your siblings that you loved. In a way, you were avenging her. But I still don't fully understand how her death helped you cope. I think you felt sorry afterwards…didn't you?"

Klaus changed the subject. "What's happened here since I've been gone, love?" He asked. "Has Stefan been nice to you?" He already knew most of it of course, but he was willing to pretend not to know as long as she kept talking to him.

Jane scowled.

She told him about what happened with Stefan breaking her bike and throwing Rob, then about Vicki and he got angry all over again upon hearing what his mother had tried to do to her. Then she told him about the spell Bonnie did with the ghosts and about talking to Rebekah about how they had become vampires. His mouth had twitched at how she had insulted Mikael and how she had reprimanded Rebekah for compelling the cheerleaders and giving her the dress and shoes for free.

"I don't think she minded, love." He told her and she gave him a look.

"That's not the point."

"Well, you can't really tell my sister what to do."

"No…Not really." She agreed with him, smiling. He was glad that she had found a friend in his sister.

"Oh, I have something for you." He stated and handed her a large, fluffy stuffed bear from behind his back. It was brown and had black glassy eyes and a big red ribbon around its neck.

"Aww. It's adorable." She said, smiling and taking it from him. The fur was soft and fine and she hugged it. "Thank you." He held a bouquet of roses out for her. "That's for me too?"

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes fondly. "Of course, my love."

"They're beautiful. Thank you." She said, holding them gently.

"I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me to the dance, seeing as how Damon is scarce." He said, slightly nervous, he was expecting her to say no immediately. Not that he blamed her. He had been single-minded that night he had seen her…or that she had seen him rather. The other night when he was a wolf didn't count. He had been angry and non-caring. "And it's a perfect night for a dance under the stars." He had to add that. He wasn't sure why, but he thought it might help his case.

Jane looked up at him from smelling the roses. "Under the stars? I thought it was in the gym."

"The gym flooded, love. Tyler is graciously throwing the party at his house."

"Oh, okay." She frowned slightly and picked up her phone from the little table by the door. "Guess they forgot to tell me. I thought at least Bekah would call…"

Klaus' face darkened slightly. Why would they not tell her? He wiped the look from his face when she glanced back up at him. Perhaps it was better they hadn't.

"Why are you here? Shouldn't you be dealing with Mikael?"

"I will, love. Just not right now." Klaus countered with a smirk. That and I need to be doubly sure that he's been daggered so that I can kill him myself. "If you don't wish to go with me, I'll understand. I wasn't exactly nice the last time we were together."

Jane mulled it over a moment. She knew she shouldn't go with him, but…She really, really wanted to go the homecoming dance. All of her friends were there. and Klaus could be a gentleman when he wanted to be. But so could Damon and he apparently he didn't want to go with her. Klaus looked apologetic and he had brought her roses. It would be rude not to go…Right?

"Well, you went through all this trouble to ask me, it wouldn't be very nice not to accept." She smiled and he smiled back, brightly. "I just have to put this in water and finish my hair. You can come in and wait if you want." She ignored the warning in her head calling her an idiot. Klaus nodded, trying not to grin at the invitation. Not that he would come in unannounced, that would be distasteful, but she had given him permission to come inside. She was trusting him.

Klaus looked around her living room as she darted into the kitchen. It was simple and yet, he could tell things had been rearranged hastily, some empty spaces on the entertainment center and on the walls, where he assumed pictures or knickknacks should have been. He vaguely recalled Stefan mentioning she had not taken her parents deaths too well. Especially her mother's.

Felix growled when Klaus stepped too close to the couch and he darted off and up the stairs to peer through the bars at the Hybrid, eyes glittering from the darkened stair case. Klaus only rolled his eyes.

"Ouch."

He was in her kitchen and at her side in seconds. Jane jumped and turned from sticking the roses in the vase on her counter.

"All right, love?"

"Just pricked my finger." She told him. "I'm fine. I just need to get a-" She paused when he grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand up to examine her finger and she was pulled closer to him when he tugged her. Blood welled in the tiny cut and before she could speak, he was sucking her finger. He almost groaned at the sweet taste of her blood. It was addicting. Her breath caught in her throat as his tongue ran over the tiny cut and she gave a tiny whimper. His eyes flashed down to hers and released her finger slowly.

"Better?" He asked huskily and she nodded rapidly, she hadn't noticed until now how he was slightly supporting her body, his arm wrapped around her waist. She could feel the pressure of his arm strengthen as he held her close and she almost, almost closed her eyes… Jane pulled away with a flush of her cheeks.

"I-I'm going to f-fix my hair and then we can-we can go." She stuttered out and hurried away from his hypnotic, darkened eyes.


Klaus watched her go with half a mind to follow after her, but thought better of it. Perhaps it was best to let her go for now. He began to wonder if he had frightened her or disgusted her and thought to apologize when she came back down. He hadn't intended on tasting her blood and had initially had come in to see what had hurt her, but the sight and the smell of her blood overwhelmed him and he had lost control.

"I'm sorry, love. That was rude of me." He apologized when she came down the stairs. Her hair was done in a braided bun with a few curls framing her face.

"We should go." She said quietly, not wanting to discuss it. "Be good Felix."

The cat meowed in a sad way and she turned towards the stairs. "I'm sorry kitty, I'll be back." She told him and slipped into her shoes. "He gets lonely." She told Klaus as she stepped outside and closed the door, locking it behind her.

"Who's that?" Jane asked as they approached the dark SUV. A man was standing outside it, and Jane thought he resembled a footman preparing to open the carriage door for Cinderella. Klaus chuckled and she realized she had said it aloud. The man next to the door smirked too and she flushed red. "Sorry."

"Love, this is Tony. Tony, this is Jane Evans." Klaus introduced and the Hybrid, Jane knew by the way tingle she got by letting him take her hand, kissed the back of her knuckles.

"It's nice to meet you." He greeted her warmly and Jane smiled. At least he seemed nice. She had been hoping he was nice. He opened her door. "May I?" He offered his hand to her and she let him help her into the car. Klaus didn't wait for Tony to open his door and got inside, settling next to her.

"There's something I think you need to know…About Luciana."

"What more is there?" He asked. "She died."

"Yes, but she came back to life."

Klaus stiffened. "What?"

Jane nodded. "The necklace you gave her. This one," She touched the emerald stone. "It brought her back. Ayana knew of its powers and brought her back to her hut in the woods. When Esther used Luciana's blood in the ritual to suppress your werewolf side, she triggered her necklace which had been suppressed for years before that apparently. And she also cursed her to bear descendants, doppelgangers of herself, until your curse was lifted." Klaus was silent. "She wanted to go to you, but Ayana knew that if she did, your curse would last and so she told her you and your siblings were dead."

Jane touched his arm gently. "I- I'm so sorry. I know that's a lot to take in. I shouldn't have told you right-" He cupped her cheek.

"No, love, it's all right. Thank you for telling me."

"Well, I just thought that if I loved someone as much as you loved her, I'd want someone to tell me." He nodded and let his hand fall reluctantly. Jane looked out the window for a moment before turning back to him.

"Did Mikael really hurt you?" She asked quietly. "Rebekah said he was…cruel. And I heard some of the awful things he said to you."

"Cruel is a kind word, love." Klaus said darkly. "He despised me."

"But before he knew you weren't his, he treated you awfully. Why?"

"Because he saw me as weak. Pathetic."

"That's not a reason to be cruel to you." Jane frowned. "And yet all you did was try to gain his approval."

"When Henrik died, Mikael became frantic. It was my fault my brother died and he made it his purpose to make sure I knew it."

"It was an accident. It could have happened to anyone." She pointed out. "Didn't your siblings stand up for you?"

"We were all afraid of Mikael by that time, but we comforted one another when we alone."

"Always and Forever."

Klaus' mouth twitched. "Yes."

She sighed and he looked at her. "I pretended to have a sibling once when I was six. I named her Sara." She mused and then scoffed. "It was dumb of me wasn't it?"

"No, love. You were lonely." He said quietly.

"I remember asking my mom to set an extra plate on the table, asking for another ice cream or a cookie, I probably drove her crazy asking double of everything, but…I don't think she really minded all that much." Klaus realized how far back her loneliness had gone. He placed his hand over hers.

"You don't have to be alone, love."

She heaved a sigh. "Yeah, I think I do actually. I seem to do better that way." She was quiet for a moment. "Do you think you could ever love someone like that again? I saw the way you cared for Luciana and she loved you so much.

"Perhaps." He said quietly. Are you asking about yourself, love? "She'd have to be special."

Jane nodded seriously. "Yep."

He was about to say something to her, but she suddenly gasped, looking out the window.

"Wow…That's a big party. Is that a band?" She asked excitedly. "How did he pull all of this off so fast? Caroline has got to be a little jealous of him. She can throw a party together fast, but this is…wow."

Klaus leaned closer to her. "Just between you and me, love. I may have helped a bit."

Jane turned around so that they were almost nose to nose, eyes narrowed. "What are you up too?"

"Can't I be nice and help my pal throw a party?" He asked her innocently and she snorted indignantly.

"Half of these people don't even go to our school. Where did they come from?" She demanded and he had a feeling if they were standing, she'd be tapping her foot on the ground like an irritated mother.

"I thought I'd just liven up the party, love."

"Mmhm."

He smiled at her charmingly as he got out of the car and helped her out onto the pavement. "You will dance with me, won't you?"

"Maybe." She said and he saw the teasing smile on her face. He smirked.

"Hey, Klaus. Hey…Janey?" Tyler blinked at her, but before he could ask why she was with the Hybrid, he smiled at her. "You look great."

"Thanks." She said shyly.

"Tyler, why don't you take Jane to get a drink? I have something to attend too."

"Yeah, sure. This way." He said to her, offering her his arm. Klaus smiled at her.

"I'll see you later, love."


Caroline stalked through the crowd and found "Elena" and Matt.

"Hey." The blonde hissed at them "Klaus is here."

"What?" Matt scowled.

"Yeah! Apparently our sired hybrid-friend Tyler thought it would be okay to let his master throw a party! Oh and he invited Jane no less. He probably compelled her or something."

"I expected more surprise." She said, looking at both of them. "Or concern that our friend is being manipulated by Klaus."

"I've learned to not be surprised by anything Klaus does." Elena answered her finally. "I'm sure Jane is just as clueless as ever to whatever Klaus wants. Wrong place, wrong time. It's probably better that she not know."

"Good point." Caroline stated. "Klaus would just try to hurt her or something." Elena sighed.

"I'm going to find Bonnie." She walked off and the vampire rounded on Matt.

"Okay, what's going on? And what are you two doing here together? Thought you were supposed to be here with Rebekah." Caroline mocked.

"Plan's changed." Matt replied shrugged. "I need a drink." She scowled as he walked off and turned around in a huff. What was going on?


"Feel free to warn your friends." He smirked at Tyler warningly and saw someone coming towards them. "Hello, my love." Klaus greeted, turning from Tyler. Jane smiled and came up the steps.

"Nice party, Ty."

"Thanks, Jane." He said suddenly feeling relieved that she felt that way.

"Dance with me, love?" Klaus asked.

"Okay." Jane said and smiled. He smiled back and linked arms with her.

"Excuse us, Tyler."


Jane gave a shriek of laughter as he spun her out quickly to the beat of the song. She didn't want to admit it, but she was having fun. Klaus smiled at her laughter and pulled her back in. The music changed to something a bit slower, but not ballad slow, meaning they didn't sway to the music they only danced up close. Klaus didn't mind, he had been unsure of where to set his hands at first, not wanting to press his luck, but she had set them on her hips, her own hands on his biceps. She was showing him what to do and he found himself mesmerized by her all over again.

He began to worry that perhaps she'd reject him if she learned of his intentions for tonight. While Mikael was a priority, he really had wanted her to come with him and felt warm all over when she was nearby. Warm like had felt that first time he and Luciana had kissed beneath the white oak tree. That was before the curses, of course, but he still remembered how it had felt to love someone wholly.

Jane knew he was watching her every move, but she didn't care. When she danced, she didn't have to worry about others, she didn't have to worry about anything really. It was liberating to just do whatever without a care. Okay, that wasn't completely true, she was dancing really close to him, closer than she probably should be, but that was how the dance went. You were close enough to brush bodies, but not close enough to hinder the dance.

His blue-green eyes were fixed on her, but it wasn't lust she saw. It was there, obviously, she was practically molding herself against him every once and awhile, but she saw something else…She saw…nervousness and confusion. Was he confused about her or about himself or…She wasn't sure. He was dancing just fine. She didn't see anything wrong with it. And then she suddenly knew why.

"Klaus? May I ask you a question?"

"Anything, love."

"Why me?"

"Hm?"

"You could have asked anyone to go with you, but you asked me. Why?"

"Are you not happy?"

"This is fun. It's the most fun I've had, being back here at home…But why me? There are plenty of other girls out there. Girls who are eyeing you right now." Klaus didn't look.

"Because I wanted to be around you, love." That seemed to be the wrong thing to say because her face fell and he fidgeted. "What's wrong?"

"Why did you want to be around me?"

"Who wouldn't? You are beautiful, kind, loyal-"

"No. I'm serious." She frowned at him. "Anyone could be those things. Why me?"

"I'm not sure what you're asking, love." He said, confused. "What is it you're looking for?"

"I'm sorry. It's my fault your acting this way."

"What are you talking about?"

"My blood." She said. "When witches use it, it enhances their magic, when vampires use it, it makes bonds. These feelings you have? The ones right now about me? They aren't real. Just like with Damon. It happened to him too. We blood shared, Klaus. Now what you're feeling is because of that. And you took more of my blood earlier. Didn't you wonder why you did?"

He frowned. "Love, what I feel has nothing to do with-"

"You don't understand." She said with a sigh. "When Damon and I blood shared, he could feel my emotions. So, I know you did too."

"Yes, I did, but does that have to do with anything?"

"It has to do with everything! Why did you come to me first and not your sister? Not to see Mikael? Why did you come to see me first?"

"Because I wanted to check on you, love. You daggered Mikael. Which still slightly shocks me, but then again you did dagger Elijah once."

Jane grimaced. "Don't remind me. that was awful. And I only got because I took him by surprise." She rolled her eyes. "Why?"

"I don't know." He snapped. "Is that what you wanted to hear? I don't know why I came to see you first thing. I don't know why I can't stop thinking about you."

"I am why!" She told him. "I am the reason you are so conflicted right now."

"My feelings for you haven't changed from this summer, love."

"Yes, they did. That's what I keep trying to tell you. A few weeks ago, I was just the girl who gave up everything for her boyfriend and you were just looking for Hybrids to make. Now you came rushing back here to see about Mikael and you came to my front step. It changed. You were driven by a goal, now you're aimlessly coming to me for no reason other than the fact that there is a lingering in your mind from our bond. That's it. That's all it is."

He took her chin. "Why are you saying these things, Jane? Why are you trying to push me away?"

"I told you. I do better alone." She started to walk away, but he grabbed her arm, spinning her around and tugging her flush against his body. She landed against his chest, her hands on his arms and caught her breath. She looked up at him breathlessly, her eyes sparkling from unshed tears.

"No, love. I don't believe that. Not for a moment." Klaus stroked her cheek, his thumb sweeping over her lower lip and he thought seriously about kissing her before spying Elena.

Jane's breath hitched when his thumb stroked her lip. She thought for a moment that he was going to kiss her and for a moment…For a moment she wanted him too. Very badly. Then he was pulling away from her, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles instead. She almost whimpered aloud.

"Excuse me, love. I have to see to something, but we will discuss this later."

She nodded and he disappeared through the crowd, getting lost in the sea of people.


Damon shoved Tyler into his father's office and the Hybrid hit the couch before turning around with a frown.

"As the host you should know these Hybrids don't make the best friend impressions." Damon told him and shut the door with a snap. He moved predatorily towards him and Tyler backed away.

"Did you know that Jane was here?"

Damon froze. "What?! What the hell is she doing here?"

"Being Klaus' date." Tyler responded with a shrug. "You didn't bother to ask her, so Klaus did. He's making moves on your girl, Damon."

"Shut up. I didn't ask her because I thought she'd decide not to go since Rebekah didn't call her. She was safe at home. Once again, she's in the damn middle of it!"

"Then maybe you should have told her what was going on." Tyler suggested. "Jane's been re-mourning her parents, Damon. Of course she'd want to be here."

"Don't lecture me." Damon snapped. "Dammit. Why is she always in the middle?"

"Whatever move you're making; Klaus is gonna be ready for you. He'll kill anyone at this party if he has to." Tyler warned him. "And that might include Jane."

"Tell someone who cares." Damon retorted and zoomed at Tyler, grabbing him by the throat. The Hybrid tried to bite him and Damon slammed him against the wall.

Suddenly both of them cried out, holding their heads. Once Tyler was unconscious, Bonnie stopped her spell.

Damon glared at him. "The hell is wrong with you? You weren't supposed to witchy migraine me!"

"You weren't supposed to kill Tyler!" Bonnie hissed at him.

"He tried to bite me!" Damon responded as if that made it okay. He tucked the stake into his jacket and Bonnie raised an eyebrow.

"What is that?"

"Nothing."

"Oh my God, is that the-"

"Shh!" Damon hissed, motioning around them. "They're everywhere!" He mouthed.

"Why do you have it?"

"Because I'm the only one who could get in the house. I'm going to find Jane and tell her to get the hell home before this goes down." He said and zoomed out of the room.


Jane touched her lip, still feeling his touch and then scowled at herself. What the hell was wrong with her? She gasped as something whirled her around.

"Damon." She gasped, face flushing immediately with guilt. She had just asked for a break from him and had just wished for Klaus to kiss her! She was really desperate. The thought was a bit depressing and she ended up looking away from him for a moment. She had been single for not even an entire week yet and already she was imagining kissing someone else. Really pathetic, Jane. And bond related, let's not forget that.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Damon demanded, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Dancing." She answered simply and he frowned.

"Where's Klaus?"

"I-I don't…"

He took her arm and hauled her out of the dancing crowd. He stopped near the stairs to the house. "Go home, Jane. It's not safe for you here. I mean it."

Jane frowned. "Damon, let me go."

"You shouldn't be here. Why are you here?"

"You didn't ask me." She said quietly and Damon paused. "I was hoping you'd ask me."

"Ah, Janey, I would have but it isn't safe." He told her gently, stroking her cheek.

"Safe? Why because Klaus is here?"

"Exactly…And what were you thinking coming here with him?" He snapped.

"Well, he asked me to come, which I was waiting for you to do. You said you wanted a chance to explain. To-to put trust between us again." She waved a hand.

He frowned. "And that's true, but not now."

"Why not now? Dance with me." She said to him, smiling. "Come on."

"You were dancing with Klaus." He said with narrowed eyes and she frowned back. "So Klaus asked you to go dancing and that was okay? That wasn't too smart."

"I'm not dumb, Damon." Jane scowled and he heaved an irritated sigh.

"That's not what I meant and you know it. I just meant that it was…unwise of you to talk to Klaus, to get in the car with Klaus, and everything to do with Klaus! He's threatened to kill all of us and kidnap you!"

"That's is saying the same thing, Damon. I know what he's done, but I'm not here for him. I'm here for me. I'm doing what I want to do. I wanted to dress up and go dancing. Even if all my friends are scarce and didn't tell me the party was moved."

Damon ran a hand through his hair. "Look, just go home. Out of the way."

"Out of the way of what?" She frowned and pushed her hair behind her ear.

"Nothing."

"Damon."

"Don't argue, I'm a little busy, Jane." He snapped. "You should have stayed home."

"Well, who did you come with? Elena?"

"This is not the time to play the jealousy card, Jane. I mean it."

"I thought you wanted to be with me. How is this being with me? You're just acting like a cryptic jerk. Are you hiding something from me, again?"

"We'll talk about it later. Just go in the house." He said and walked away. "Or better yet, find Lockwood or Donovan and tell them to take you home." Jane scowled and stomped towards the house.

"Stupid, jerk…I can go dancing if I want too. He didn't bother to ask me." Then again he hasn't blood bonded with you in a while either. That's the only reason Klaus asked you. Jane bit he lip. You should have stayed home. Tears of fury stung her eyes. Why would he say that to her unless he was up to something?

She made it to the side doors of the mansion and sighed before she felt someone grab her. A hand went over her mouth and she was hauled around the corner and out of sight. Jane was let go and she twirled around only to see Mikael.

"Well now, did my abomination of a son, finally leave you alone?"

"You…No, I daggered you." She stated and backed away as he stepped closer.

"Yes, but as you can see…I am no longer…"

Jane glared at the vampire. "What do you want?"

"Niklaus needs an incentive to come outside. And you'll do nicely."

"What? No. Leave me alone. I won't be part of this-this whatever this is."

He pinned her against the wall. "Oh, but I'm afraid you don't have a choice, my dear." He leaned closer to her. "You and I both know you are so much more. That you deserve a man rather than these boys that are after your affections. Neither one of them are good enough for a girl like you. And I'm going to show Niklaus exactly what he'll never have. Because I'm going to kill you right in front of him."


"Hello, Niklaus." Mikael greeted and Klaus narrowed his eyes.

"Hello, Mikael. Wont you come in?" He smirked. "Oh, that's right you can't. I forgot."

"Or you can come outside if you want." Mikael tugged on something and Jane stumbled forward, only to be trapped against him. "I think you might like to join us." Klaus jolted at the sight of Jane being held captive by his step-father. Jane was glaring at Mikael and she wasn't the least bit afraid of him which made Klaus worried she'd do something.

"She looks like Luciana doesn't she?" Mikael remarked. "Beautiful and fierce. You were never worth her time. She needed a real man." Klaus' eyes flashed yellow with anger. "I did admire such bravery she showed. Just like this one." Jane felt him stroke her cheek and she scowled.

"Let me go." She said, trying to elbow him and he only chuckled.

"Or I can watch my Hybrids tear you limb from limb." He countered, confident that his Hybrids could distract Mikael long enough for him to get Jane out of harm's way.

Mikael raised an eyebrow. "They can't kill me and you'd risk killing her."

"True, but it'd make a hell of a party game. All I have to do is rub these two fingers together," He indicated that all he had to do was snap his fingers. "And they'll pounce. They wouldn't dare harm her. I've ordered them not to lay a finger on her."

"The big bad wolf." Mikael mocked slowly. "You haven't changed. Still hiding behind your playthings like a coward. Oh and you forget. They may be sired by you, but they are still part vampire. And they can be compelled by me." Mikael had a fistful of Jane's hair and tilted the girl's head, exposing her neck "I wouldn't think you'd like to put her in harm's way." Klaus dug his nails into his palms with a snarl. How dare he threaten her!? Mikael smirked, tilting Jane's head back up.

"Leave her out of this."

"I think not. Come out and face me, Niklaus, or I'll kill her." He threatened. "And that girl too." He nodded as Mindy appeared with Elena.

"Go ahead, kill them." He shrugged and internally winced at the look of betrayal on Jane's face. She struggled against Mikael's hold.

"No, Klaus. He'll-he'll do it." Elena hissed.

"If they die, this lot," He nodded at the Hybrids behind him. "Will be the last of your abominations."

"I don't need them." Klaus hissed. "I just need to be rid of you."

"To what end, Niklaus? So you can live forever with no one at your side? Nobody cares about you anymore, boy! Who do you have other than those whose loyalty you've forced? No one. No one, but this one girl." Mikael tilted Jane's head up towards him. "This one insignificant little girl who seems to care about your pitiful existence." Katherine tilted her head slightly, watching Jane's cheeks redden just the slightest, but whether it was in anger or mortification she couldn't tell. Klaus was looking at Jane with a deep concern that she had never seen him show for anyone before. She had teased Damon about Klaus liking her, but had no idea to what extent.

"Stop it." Jane snapped at him, trying to hit him. "You only hate him because of what Esther did. And your stupid pride."

"He killed his own mother. My wife!"

"And she killed Luciana!" Jane retorted. "And you just stood by and watched! How does that make you any better?"

"He's a coward."

"And you're a bully."

"Quiet, girl." He said and wrenched her head back. She gasped and Klaus tensed just the slightest, but Mikael had seen it. "You're going to watch me kill her. You've taken from me and now I will take from you. I should have taken Luciana from you long ago. You didn't deserve her. she needed a man, not a boy." Klaus' eyes narrowed, though he was conflicted.

"What's the matter, boy?" Mikael spat mockingly. "Do you really think I would spare this one? That I wouldn't kill her? Won't you come to her rescue? Won't you be a man?" Klaus jaw clenched. Jane met his gaze and made a movement with her eyes, making him look down at her hand. She was gripping a little wooden stake tightly in her fist. A look of understanding went between them. She'd jab Mikael when he was distracted and then get away.

"I'm calling your bluff, father. Kill her."

Mikael looked at Klaus expectantly, he knew that he wouldn't let this one girl come to harm. "Come outside and fight me, you little coward, and I won't have too."

"My whole life you've underestimated me." Klaus hissed, his eyes swimming with tears of fury. Jane watched one fall and felt bad for him. "If you kill her, then you lose your leverage. So kill her. Go on old man, kill her. Kill her!" He demanded of Mikael chuckled in cruel amusement.

Mikael chuckled cruelly, hand in her hair not so tight now. "Your impulse, Klaus. It has and forever will be the one thing that keeps you from truly being great." Jane jerked around, her hair coming loose from the braid and she stabbed Mikael in the stomach, twisting hard.

He gasped in pain and stumbled back. Katherine's eyes widened in shock. Before anyone else could move, Damon tackled Klaus. They slammed into the tiled floor of the Lockwood's foyer.

Jane gasped as Damon stabbed him with the stake. "No, wait! Damon, don't!" She pleaded as Klaus cried out in agony the stake was shoved in further and then Jane saw Elena toss away the Hybrid restraining her.

"Katherine." Mikael hissed and she smirked at him and Jane before pulling out to wolfsbane grenades and pulling the keys out simultaneously.

"Kaboom." She said and tossed the two capsules. The grenades exploded and the Hybrids cried out in pain, dropping to the ground. Katherine took off soon after. Meanwhile, Stefan shoved Damon off of Klaus and tossed the dagger aside.

"What are you doing?!" Damon snarled at his brother.

Jane realized that it was just her and Mikael and he gripped the stake, beginning to tug it loose from his body. She ran from him and he growled in amusement.

She made it halfway down the steps only to be stopped by Mikael.

"I usually avoid feeding from innocents, but I can make an exception." Blood soaked the front of his suit. He began towards her, backing her down the brick stairs. "Especially for one so lovely. And I will enjoy it immensely. Though I do hate that I'll have to kill you." He flew at him and ripped into her neck savagely before she could retaliate. Jane screamed.


Klaus' head jerked up off the floor at Jane's scream of pain and Damon and Stefan paused in their fighting, hearing her scream.

"Jane…" Damon murmured. "Where the hell is Mikael?"

Klaus snarled at the fact that his step-father and Jane were out of sight. Listening hard, he located where they were. In a blur, he snatched the dismissed stake and zoomed outside, taking a flying leap and tackling Mikael away from Jane, who went limply to the ground.

The two of them rolled further down the steps and landed hard. Klaus managed to get on top of Mikael and brought the stake down into the vampire's chest with a hard thrust. Mikael cried out as the stake was lodged into his chest. The stake caused him to desiccate and he burst into flames, still crying out.

Klaus wasted in time moving Jane away from Mikael and cradling her on the steps, wiping his face clear of the tears the man had made him shed earlier. They watched him burn for a moment before he looked down to attend to her. She met his eyes with a small moan, her eyes slightly glassy.

"Let me see, my love." He told her and gently tilted her head. It was still bleeding badly and he needed to heal it.

"He's wrong…" She gasped for air, reaching a trembling and bloody hand up to wipe away the tear he had missed. "Not a monster." He nuzzled her palm.

"Shh, my love." He quietened her. "Here." He bit into his wrist, holding her head up so she could drink from him and she latched on weakly. "That's a good girl." A few pulls of blood and then he helped her sit up gently, while she healed completely. She'd be sore tomorrow he was sure.

"Are you all right, love?" He asked the shaking girl and she nodded a little, rubbing her neck gingerly. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and helped slide her arms into it. She leaned on him weakly, hardly able to sit up on her own at the moment.

"Are you?" She questioned quietly, genuinely. It had been a long time since someone had ever asked him that. Mikael's verbal abuse had reawakened some of his old feelings of self-worthlessness and being weak.

He brushed his lips across her forehead, nosing her hair. "I'm fine, love." He told her. She thought he was upset about the night's events and felt the need to sooth him. So she hugged herself to him, stroking his back comfortingly.

"It's okay. He's gone now." She whispered to him soothingly and he nodded, his face still in her hair, inhaling the sweet smell of coconuts. "He can't hurt you or anyone else ever again. He's gone." Klaus nodded again, enjoying her closeness and her stroking his back.

"Damn it, Stefan. Get off." Damon snarled at his brother.

"Klaus saved her. Get her out of here." Stefan said lowly. "Now before something else happens."

"What did you do?!" He demanded of him as Klaus came into the mansion with Jane in his arms and he set her down gently. Still feeling a little weak, she held onto the doorframe.

"He's earned his freedom." Klaus said and Stefan faced him. Damon glowered at all of them before taking hold of Jane and zooming off with her.


"I don't need you lecturing me, Damon!" She yelled as he carried her into her living room and set her down. She stumbled and took hold of the couch arm before Damon could steady her.

"You weren't supposed to be there, Jane!"

"He asked me to go. What? Was I supposed to refuse?!"

"Don't act like you weren't overjoyed that he asked you to come dancing with him." Damon snapped. "You weren't exactly held against your will."

Jane sighed. "What do you want me to say?"

"You said "Give me a break!" so I did! And what do you do? You go talk to Klaus!"

"It…Damon, please try to understand! He-" Jane shook her head. "No, you know what?! You don't deserve an explanation! You didn't even ask me to go! You really didn't think I'd like to be with my friends?!"

"Klaus likes you, Jane! It isn't friendship he's after! I wouldn't have taken you to the dance because I wanted you safe. Like you were supposed to be! But that's a long shot!"

Jane scowled. "What is that supposed to mean!?"

"You're an accident prone girl, who's got her head twisted one too many times by Klaus. How can you stay out of it? I mean look at you!"

"Twisted?! Well who's angry at me because their stupid plan failed. And this," She gestured at her ruined dress. "Is from Mikael your so called Klaus destroyer! All he was, was a giant bully who lived to terrorize Klaus because he hated him! He was constantly degrading him-"

"It wasn't stupid, Jane! It would have worked if Stefan hadn't ruined it. Unless…" He trailed off and frowned at her. "You wanted him to live. You distracted Mikael!"

"I don't want either of you to die, Damon. And I wouldn't sabotage your plans. Plans that I wasn't even entirely aware of. You didn't even tell me why you were doing all of this! And I think you need to stop while you're ahead there, buddy! I didn't want to be near that jerk! He attacked me!"

"That's not good enough." He hissed. "You took Klaus' blood!"'

"I was dying while you were wrestling with a crazy Stefan! Excuse me next time I'll bleed out all over the ground."

"You would have come back." He retorted before he realized what he had said.

Jane glared at him. Tears welled in her eyes. "You're an ass."

"Jane, I didn't mean-"

"You made it perfectly clear what you think about me. Just go away."

Damon sighed. "Janey, I didn't mean that. I just don't think you should be getting so close to Klaus."

"Look, all he wants is not be lonely, Damon. His mother rejected him. And yes, it was wrong to kill her, but she's the one who suppressed his werewolf side. If someone denied you part of who you are, wouldn't that upset you too?"

"He's the enemy, Jane! Stop trying to sympathize with him! He didn't have to come in terrorizing and killing everyone because of what he wanted."

"Oh, you're such a saint? You wanted Katherine so badly that you were almost as bad as Klaus has been. Neither of you value people's lives like you should."

Damon scowled. "Don't compare me to him." He hissed. "I am nothing like Klaus."

"Did you know that Mikael was undaggered?"

"Janey…"

"Did you?"

"Yes. Elena undaggered him."

Jane felt tears sting her eyes. "Did Rebekah? Was that whole thing…Was it faked?" Damon's silence told her what she dreaded. "Oh, god…"

"Jane, I-"

"No!" She smacked him in the chest. "Go away! Just get the hell out!"

"Have you fallen for him? Are you in love with him?" Damon demanded suddenly.

"What?"

"Answer me, damn it!" He shook her angrily.

"No! He's just being a friend." She yelled at him, feeling cornered. "A better friend than the rest of you!"

"A friend you kissed while you were away from me." Damon snarled. "How do I know you won't do it again! Don't think I haven't noticed how you seem to let him give you things." He held up the bear and waved it at her.

"Damon, you can't be jealous." She snapped. "Because you've never bought me anything impulsively." She tried to get the bear back from him, but he held it out of her reach. "I had to beg you to do something normal with me and-"

"We were attacked by werewolves, Jane."

"What about after that? The times before that? I just want to know that you care. That you still care for me. But so far all I've seen is jealousy and anger from you. Where is the vampire I fell in love with? The fun Damon. The caring Damon."

"That was before my girlfriend decided to run off with a mad Hybrid, leaving everything she cared about behind."

"I did it for you."

"I didn't ask you too, Jane! I didn't want you too. I just wanted you and you were gone. When are you going to start caring about yourself? You could have said no. You could have walked away, but you walked right in there and you made a deal with him. You left me here to care for your stupid cat. You left me here to worry about you and feeling guilty for causing you to turn to Klaus for help."

"Damon-"

"Well, I'm done feeling guilty. I'm done wallowing. I almost had him tonight, Jane, and nothing is going to stop me from eliminating him. I will kill him. And you won't stand in my way. You better decide who's side you are on."

"Stop being an ass." She hissed and jerked the bear from him. "Don't come in here and try to be possessive and all heroic, because it's stupid. He doesn't have to be the enemy, but you keep trying to kill him!"

"I heard you, Jane. Pleading me not to end his life. He's got you in some kind of hold and I'm going to end it." He took her face in his hands. "I'm going to free you, Janey. He can't manipulate you or bond with you if he's dead." He guaranteed and then zoomed off, slamming the door shut behind him. Jane could only bite her lip. Now what did she do?


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