Stay Away

For once, Klaus doesn't begin the day in his studio obsessively trying to finish the painting in time for her birthday. He's tempted, but the morning light shining on Elena's face keeps him in bed stroking her face until she wakes up. He's rewarded with a smile and a slender leg wrapping around his own pulling him closer to her. Her fingers twist the hair at the base of his neck sending tingles down his spine.

"Your hair is getting longer," she remarks and her tone is neutral enough that he's compelled to ask.

"Do you prefer it this way?"

She takes a moment to consider, long enough for him to worry. "I like it either way, but it curls so nicely when it gets longer."

"Well, how about this? I will let mine grow out if you do the same."

"You could have just told me you didn't like my haircut."

"That's not nearly as fun as making a deal with you, love." He shrouds her under the covers and with his kisses only letting them up for air once he's fully satisfied.

"You're happy today," she laughs into his chest.

"Why shouldn't I be? I have you, finally safe. I have my family. And today is the day we all sit down for a celebration dinner." She admires him as he gets dressed for the day. "Are you staying in bed?"

"For a little bit, yeah." He leaves and she sneaks out briefly for a visit to the store while Klaus is barking out orders to anyone who crosses his path. Today is the perfect day to tell him.

Their morning transitions to afternoon in a flurry of activity, cater waiters in all black setting up in the kitchen and a woman with a severe expression organizing the dining space in a way that would thrill Caroline. Elena is trying to sneak out of the kitchen with a plastic bag and a muffin when Klaus grabs her by the shoulder, spinning her around.

"You were the one who said Finn was to sit on your right?" His accusation holds more annoyance than true anger.

"I promised him, Klaus. To get him to even come to dinner. You wanted everyone here tonight, remember?"

"It shouldn't be him." In him, she has an image of the kind of tantrums their child might pitch.

"Then who?"

"Your brother would make more sense. Even Alaric."

"Klaus, this isn't a big deal."

"I'll have to rearrange the seating order," he mutters.

"I'm sorry to have caused you such grief." One of the waiters walks past them, expression empty and eyes vacant. "Please tell me you didn't compel the entire staff for tonight."

"Don't worry then. I won't tell you."

"Klaus!"

"I can't have humans in my home without it, love. They have to forget about anything they see here tonight."

"You're at least paying them right?"

"Of course, I'm not a monster." Klaus gets distracted by an offensive flower arrangement that isn't in theme for tonight and Elena bounds for the stairs to work on her surprise in private. Before she can make it though, she spots Finn sitting alone in the library. He's rolling a small, marble knight between his fingers and looking out the window.

"Elena," he looks up at her wistfully when she reaches out for his shoulder. "The house is certainly busy today."

"Overwhelmed?"

"Perhaps a bit. Would you care for a walk?"

"I can't right now." His face falls enough to get her to change her mind. "A little one?"

Getting out of the house seems to lift Finn's spirits a little, leaving Elena to wonder what lasting effects being daggered might have had on him. Sensory overload seems to be one of them.

"Are you certain I need to attend the dinner tonight? Niklaus barely tolerated me before and I have my doubts that he would even notice my absence tonight if I decided not to attend."

"You promised me."

"That I did." He hides his hands in his pocket, shrugging his shoulders back.

"Are you trying to break that promise?"

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"I saw the seating arrangement. We'll be next to each other and if you feel out of your depth, just look to your left okay? I'll be there. If you need a break, we can make up an excuse for a breather, okay?"

"You are truly lovely. I'm baffled as to what my brother did to inspire such loyalty in you."

"He gave me everything I ever wanted." She smiles, clutching the plastic bag tighter. When she parts with Finn and slips into her bedroom, she's confident that Klaus is too distracted with preparations to bother her right now.

She emerges from their room feeling accomplished with her gift wrapped and hidden under her bed. Klaus spots her and sighs, disappointed.

"You're not ready. Your family is here and you're still in jeans."

"I thought I still had time."

"You did! They arrived early." She stifles a giggle in a fake yawn behind her hand. He manages to make this tiny social faux pas sound like a burden. "Would you please go change?"

Normally, this request would ruffle her feathers, but Klaus has been preparing for this dinner for days. For some reason, this meal stresses him out more than fighting the Travelers did. "I'll be back down in a second."

She picks out the brown satin wrap he loves her in, and walks into the library hiding the tiny silver-wrapped box behind her back. Kol is delighted with Alaric's knowledge of occult history and the two men are chatting excitedly on the couch over drinks. Jeremy and Elijah are whispering in the corner again, confusing Elena with their sudden friendship. She's curious and about to join them when Rebekah pulls her aside, Grace in her arms.

"Your father or step-father or whatever gave her to me as soon as Kol mentioned some ancient witch artifact. She's your niece?"

"Yes, Grace." She tries to shoot Ric a disapproving glare, dropping off his child with the first woman he saw in favor of having drinks and talking shop. He's too engrossed with Kol to pay her attention so she holds out her arms for Grace instead.

"No, it's okay. I like holding her. She's sweet." Rebekah swings the baby closer to her chest.

"She really is." Elena strokes the fine, almost white hair on her niece's head.

"So," Rebekah starts in a conspiratorial tone. "When are you planning on telling my brother he's about to have one of these clinging around your hip?"

"I was thinking before dinner? That way we can announce it to the family together if he wanted." She hides her lack of alcohol in a glass of cranberry juice and continues to make the rounds before dinner. She slips the gift under the couch cushions when Klaus comes down later with Finn in tow looking sheepish.

"You said nothing of drinks before dinner being mandatory."

"I figured it was implied, Finn."

Klaus lights up and easily takes his place as the center of the conversation. Elena enjoys the stories the siblings take turns telling, particular the ones before they became what they are now. Jeremy seems especially invested when they recount the first time they meet the Brotherhood of the Five. Just when dinner is ready and everyone is filing out towards the dining room, Elena keeps Klaus back with a growing grin on her face.

"I have a present for you. Well, I suppose for us, really." She tries hard to suppress a smile, but her poker face is broken and she doesn't mind. Klaus undoes her sloppy bow and tears into the wrapping paper with ease. He flicks off the lid and stares at a framed photo of them with an empty space next to their faces and puffy paint writing across the top. We made this! He looks up at her, confused and finds the positive pregnancy test underneath, a little bow obscuring the results.

"Elena…what is this?"

"You have to open it to find out. That's the point of a present." Her anticipation builds in her chest, threatening to burst like a bird that's grown too big for its cage.

He unties the bow to the eight letter word that he refuses to believe. "Is this some kind of joke?"

"What? No! Why would I do that?" She's normally comfortable with silence between them, but the way he looks at her makes her skin itch. "I wouldn't joke about this, Klaus."

"Did something happen with the Travelers? Something you haven't wanted to share?"

"

What! No! Klaus. Nothing like…that."

"Have you been with another man?" She almost wishes he'd yell at her, show some emotion, because the detached way he looks at her is more unsettling.

"No, of course not." She holds herself so it isn't as obvious to him how much she's shaking and she's fairly certain that there is a finger sandwich lodged in her throat because what else can it be?

It's Kol who interrupts them. "Are you actually planning on coming to the dinner you've coerced us all into attending? Or was this some sort of ruse?" Klaus brushes past his brother who lays a gentle hand on Elena's back to guide her into the dining room. "Are you alright?"

She nods, turning her head to the side to wipe her cheek.

The salad comes out first, something fancy with a ridiculous fried wedge of honeyed goat cheese, and Klaus keeps staring at her, unblinking. Everyone is busy deep in their own conversations and Elena feels like the world between her and Klaus has ceased to exist. Finn breaks the tension when he passes her a roll and compliments her efforts at learning chess.

She does her best from then on to participate in the conversation, but Klaus is like a steady stream of smoke that threatens to blaze into a forest fire. If she ignores him for too long, he'll burn them all.

"So, anyway, that's why Elijah and I think it's for the best if we leave without finding the fifth member. We really don't think it will matter either way and I'd like to complete this as soon as possible." Jeremy's voice breaks her out of the void and Elena realizes she'd only been half-paying attention to everyone that evening.

"Is that what you two have been talking about?"

"Yes, Jeremy and I have been working out a plan and doing some research. As well as discussing other things."

"It seems you two have been going behind our back to work this out." Klaus sneers and it's the first time he's spoken all night, right before dessert.

"You two are going to go against Silas? Do you have any idea what sort of destruction he is capable of?" Kol interjects, more worried about the first immortal than his simmering brother.

"That's what the Brotherhood was made for Kol. We have to kill him. And it won't just be me and Elijah. Basically everyone has agreed to come."

"Don't be an idiot, Elijah. Silas has been left undisturbed for how long? And the world has kept turning. Pleasantly so. Why try to kill him now? Why mess with any of that?"

"Kol, I have every faith in Jeremy. And if I didn't, I have every faith in myself. I've given the young Gilbert my vow. I am honor bound now to assist him. Perhaps if you came?"

"You want me to come kill the oldest living being? Oh sure, absolutely. Why not? Just a casual stroll to end the only true immortal's life. You have gone mad."

"A lot of madness going on in this house, lately." Klaus's hiss is like venom, scalding her skin and she shoots him a pleading look to drop this until later.

"What if we all went?" Eyes dart to Finn, who shrinks a little at the attention. "Between the Brotherhood and the Originals, wouldn't we gain better odds, Kol?"

He seems to be considering this when Klaus's silverware crash into his empty plate. "What is wrong with you, Niklaus?"

"Nothing, Elijah. I'm just curious about odds. Like say, what are the odds of an immaculate conception? Have you ever wondered that? I certainly hadn't until today."

Ric and Jeremy both give Elena questioning glances that she waves off, trying to pretend like everything is okay.

"That's enough, Nik." It's Rebekah who stands up, eye to eye with her brother. Her expression lightens and she looks to Elijah. "You've prepared this extravagant dinner for us and yet no one has bothered with a toast yet. Elijah?"

"Certainly." He stands up, holding out his glass to the rest of the table. "To Klaus for organizing this wonderful evening. To family and the bonds the bind us all."

"What would you say is this important quality about family, Elijah? Loyalty?"

"I suppose so, Niklaus. Loyalty. Respect. Trust."

"Trust! Trust in words and actions. Respect for one another." He clinks his glass with Elena's water. "Respect for oneself."

"I think I'm going to go to bed. I'm a little tired." She tries to excuse herself, but Klaus holds her in place with a hand encircling her wrist. A hand she normally enjoys on her body, but now that touch sends a different kind of shiver up her arm.

"Tired from what exactly? Or who, should I ask?"

"Klaus…"

"Indulge my curiosity."

"What the fuck is going on?" Ric's chair falls back when he stands up.

"Oh, you didn't know? Did you fancy that we'd announce the news together over dinner, love? Elena is pregnant!"

"Pregnant?" "How?" "What?!" The questions come all at once and all she wants to do in this moment is hide.

"Yes, Kol. Exactly. How? When a mortal man and a mortal woman meet and fall in love, they screw and betray the mortal woman's immortal lover."

"Elena?" Jeremy looks at her and all she can manage is a weak shake of her head.

"She wouldn't do that to you." Finn stands up, placing a hand on her shrinking shoulder. "Her greatest fault is her association with you. I don't claim to understand it, but she wouldn't betray you for another man."

"You?! You hardly know her you sanctimonious prick."

"No, maybe he doesn't, but I do. I've known her longer and I agree with Finn. I have no idea how this may have happened, but I know Elena and she wouldn't do what you are attempting so callously to accuse her of." Elijah moves around the table, coming to stand next to Finn.

"Even if she had cheated on you, it would make me like her more," Kol chimes in.

"Have you all have no loyalty? Does family matter so little to you?"

"Family matters a great deal, Niklaus. If Elena is with child then my only conclusion is that the child is yours. Which make it ours as well."

In the face of his brothers' defiance, Klaus breaks and seeks out Rebekah. "Fine. Let the traitors have this house. Rebekah and I will find a better home. Somewhere not built on top of a den of snakes."

"Nik…" Despite everything, this bond is the hardest one for her to sever. "I believe her too."

"She shows you the tiniest kindness and all of a sudden, you trust her? Is your allegiance so easily bought?"

"Nik, she loves you. Look at her. Why do you refuse to believe her? An impossible pregnancy for an impossible family."

"Stop living in a fantasy, Rebekah. We don't get this kind of happy ending. This won't happen to any of us. Not even you no matter how badly you want it." He looks so wolfish now, backed into a corner with his hackles raised. His eyes bleed between green and yellow as they dart between his family and Elena. "I can't say I'm surprised, but I am disappointed by how easily you all seem to have fallen into the Petrova trap."

"Klaus."

"What, Elena? What? What other bomb do you want to drop on this evening? Are you ready to reveal who you've been cheating on me with?"

"I haven't!"

"Liar!

"I'm not lying to you!"

"I think the lady protests too much. Or should I say whore." She rears back to slap him, but he grabs her roughly by the forearm before she can get close. "I told you never to do that again."

"And I told you to never call me that again."

"I guess we both break promises then."

He leaves them with that inhuman speed of his and even though she knows it's useless, she still runs after him crying his name. She collapses in the front yard, surrounded by tiny solar lights and her own tears. It's Jeremy who holds her into his chest until her sobs quiet down and she can stand again. He lets her lean against him as he brings her back to the house. Elijah stands at the front door and they transfer her between them

"I should go after him."

"No, Jeremy. You won't find my brother now unless he wants to be found. Best to let him blow off his steam. Stay."

She clings to Elijah's lapels like if she holds on hard enough she can turn back time to before she told Klaus. Maybe before she even knew Klaus. Holding on to Elijah like this, she can almost imagine she's back in her flat in Palermo the night he warned her not to take Klaus so lightly. In the depths of this moment, she wishes she had listened.

Klaus stalks through the empty streets of Mystic Falls, this sad town that shuts down at nightfall. He's fuming at his family, most of all Rebekah who he had figured would always take his side. He'd expected Finn and Kol and perhaps Elijah to betray him, but least of all Rebekah. He can't believe they would all so easily believe her lies. What she was suggesting was an unthinkable dream for him.

The Originals can only ask for so much happiness. To want more was foolish and greedy. They should all know that by now. He wants so desperately for a name. Anyone would do, but a name of who she sought out to have this child with because it certainly wasn't him. Whose child was she trying to pass off as his?

At the height of his desperation, he runs into Caroline and Stefan walking through town. He closes the distance with the help of her trusting smile. Holding on to his shoulder's, Klaus looks into Stefan's eyes. With a simple word – remember – he pulls the pin and leaves the grenade behind him to explode. If Rebekah wanted to stab him in the back then the least he could do was give her this tainted present in the form of her ex-boyfriend, spoken for and in love with another woman.

He'd have to ruminate on a worthwhile punishment for Elena.

A/N: She finally told him! And yikes. I already have the next chapter fleshed out, but since it is such a heavy chapter I want to spend a little more time editing to get it right. Still, I should probably be able to post it sooner than later. I can't help myself though - I love all things sad and melancholy. That said, if you are interested in something less melodramatic and a bit darker, check out my recent one-shot, Writing on the Wall. My self-indulgent take on a relationship between Elena/Klaus/Stefan. As always, thanks for reading!