Klaus didn't sleep well although he was exhausted. Nicole's screams seemed to echo through his head. When leader of that awful coven had contacted him, he didn't think she was trying to set him up. It wasn't until she wanted him to sacrifice the boys that he knew she was no better than they. Anyone who would threaten children like Nicole did was worthless to him. How did he not see it before? Perhaps her beauty and grace seduced him, after all he was still a man. The boys would miss the chocolate fondue she set out for Sunday brunches, and the salve. That reminded him that they would need a new housekeeper. He groaned and rolled out of bed.
Rebekah knocked and came in as his was putting on his robe.
"Ah, could you knock and then wait, Sister?" Klaus remarked as he put on his slippers.
"Sure, sorry. I just wanted to see if you heard from Elijah or Kol yet," Rebekah asked with anticipation.
"No news. I just checked my phone," Klaus said with a worried smile.
"Nik, I'm getting worried. What is going on down there?" Rebekah revealed twisting her blond hair in her fingers.
"Worry not. Elijah is there and he will bring Kol back kicking and screaming if he must," Klaus told her grasping her lightly by the shoulders.
"You two won't be too hard on him will you? Nicole is gone and that should be punishment enough," Rebekah pleaded.
"Oh, he's going to get the worst thrashing of his life. I cannot lie about that. From both of us, both we must find him first," Klaus said looking at his watch.
"Oh Nik, he was doing so well. I just don't want him to feel like he's not..." Rebekah started.
"Loved? Sister, I assure you, we'll take good care of him. Do you trust me?" Klaus said.
"Yes, Nik. I do. I just worry," Rebekah admitted.
"I know. It seems like so much is at stake. We've lost people before, but not without a fight. We won't lose anyone. I'll see to that," Klaus promised. Klaus thought of how they lost Marcel. He would never forgive himself for that. He never could go to the opera again.
"Okay. Oh, I made pancakes if anyone is hungry. Not bloody crepes like you-know-who made," Rebekah snarked.
"Thank you. I'll go see if anyone is up," Klaus said patting her arm gently.
Klaus made a stop in the study before he walked into his sons' room which was wide open. They must have sleep through the night because Tyler was unclothed and the other two were sporting pink backsides. He'd have to make sure they were properly clothed, especially with his little sister around. Klaus went over and noticed a few redder areas, but no bruises. He frowned. He had promised Jeremy a spanking this morning before breakfast. Klaus wasn't sure he had the heart to do it.
"Boys, wake up. I'm going to need your help today. Get dressed," Klaus said clapping his hands briskly.
"Oh, my ass," Tyler groaned.
"I'm going to let that one slide, young man," Klaus said as they all stirred.
"Sorry, but can we sit on pillows today?" Tyler asked grinning and rubbing his backside.
"Sure, Jeremy. Get dressed. We need to have a talk in the game room," Klaus said ruffling Matt's hair.
"And I think we're going to hit the mall today and get you all some new clothes and underwear. This 'going commando' isn't proper. I won't have my sons going out without the proper attire on," Klaus lectured.
"What? Are you going to make us wear tighty whities like they did in the olden days?" Matt joked.
"You know, that is not a bad idea. We'll get you proper underwear and some white undershirts. Perhaps Elijah can take you all to his tailor when he returns? However, be glad you don't have to wear garters with your socks, or suspenders all the time," Klaus recalled.
"Didn't you have belts and regular socks in the olden day?" Jeremy piped up coming out of the bathroom.
"Regular belts, like you have today, didn't exist until the 20s. If you wanted to keep your trousers up, you had to wear suspenders. Now much before that, men wore sword belts. I actually had one covered in jewels. It was a gift from a king, if I recall correctly. And elastic socks? I can't really pinpoint when those became popular. Now come, Jeremy. Matt, Tyler, go to breakfast. Rebekah made you pancakes," Klaus said pulling Jeremy along.
As they walked out, Matt said, "Don't hockey players wear socks like that? With the garters, I think that is what Max Hollard told me."
"I don't know, man. Come on, I'm hungry," Tyler prompted, pulling him down the steps.
Klaus indicted that Jeremy go in first to the game room.
"Let's sit here," Klaus said indicating a small leather couch.
"Ugh, sitting is the last thing I want to do," Jeremy groaned.
"Consider it part of your punishment then. Now, I want to know what's going on with you. You said a terrible thing to Matt, took off to that cave without telling anyone-almost getting yourselves killed, and then hide the paddle and put it in the recycling? Jeremy, I expect more from you. Now talk," Klaus said firmly.
Jeremy blew out his breath quickly, "I guess I'm trying to go along with the other guys. I mean, I'm younger and I wasn't really friends with them before so I'm trying to make them think that I can hang and I'm not afraid of getting in trouble. Matt was my sister's boyfriend and sees me as a kid. Tyler tried to kick my butt. He's nice now, it's just...I don't know how to say it..."
"Jeremy, you can tell me," Klaus prompted gently.
"I guess sometimes I get a little jealous because in the Bahamas and at first it was just us, now you know, you're busy. I'm happy Tyler and Matt are here, but sometimes I liked being the only child," Jeremy said ashamed.
"Hey, Son, you have nothing to be ashamed about. I promise you that we will spend some time together just you and me, painting or fishing, when things settle down. But I want you to stand up for yourself and do what you know is right, not go along with the crowd. That's not you, okay?" Klaus said carefully.
"Okay. Sorry about hiding the paddle. That was childish. The new one was a lot worse, so you got us there," Jeremy smiled wryly rubbing his backside a little.
"Now, we have a little business to take care of. Bend over the desk here and then you can go eat," Klaus said quietly.
Jeremy opened his mouth to complain and then shut it. He could tell this was hard for Klaus.
Jeremy bent over putting his hands on the desk.
"No, grip the edge. Yes, that's better," Klaus directed, pulling a ruler from his robe pocket and holding down Jeremy with his left hand.
"You're getting ten with the ruler. I'll be quick," Klaus said lining the ruler up with Jeremy's sit spots.
Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack! Whack!
Klaus was cracking the ruler down lower as to not overlap with Jeremy's already sore backside. Jeremy was wearing nylon basketball shorts and the ruler didn't make much of an impact.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"That's it," Klaus said slipping the ruler back in his robe.
Jeremy was relieved. If he hadn't been spanked so thoroughly last night he would have barely felt that. He wondered what the hell else Klaus had in that pocket. The man was prepared for any battle at any time.
"Give your old dad here a hug," Klaus said pulling the boy to him. "Next time, I want you to talk to me, okay? No matter what."
"I will," Jeremy promised.
Klaus sent him off with a smack.
"Owww. Now that hurt!" Jeremy laughed, rubbing out the sting with one hand.
Klaus' phone rang. Klaus told Jeremy to go on to breakfast and answer the call.
"Elijah, is all well?" Klaus asked anxiously.
"Niklaus, you won't believe what I have to tell you," Elijah said on the other end of the phone.
12 hours earlier
"So tell me more about the Fauline cottage situation. I mean, I remember Astrid and Mary Alice," Marcel laughed, "I'm sorry, man, but I remember you got one hell of a lickin' because of that girl."
"I wouldn't laugh too hard, mate, cause I remember you running away from a switching for watching me get it with Mary Alice. Then, getting it almost as bad, didn't we have to go get you at Astrids'?' Kol challenged.
"Oh yeah, I guess I did block out that part," Marcel admitted.
"So basically, I'm trying to get the girls out of that prison," Kol shared.
"Why?" Marcel said taking a bottle and pouring them both another shot.
"Because it's my fault, and yours, that they are in there," Kol hissed.
"Kol, I know you. What is really going on?" Marcel implored him.
Slightly drunk and tired from a day and night of partying, Kol told Marcel the whole story.
"Boy, you a dumb ass. Klaus is going clean your clock. I bet your little witch girlfriend is either dead or betrayed you to Klaus. Think man, what girl would pick you over 'the hybrid.' He's one of a kind and the strongest creature on earth. He's smarter than all of us, all. I mean it. Come on, think," Marcel said leaning forward to try to convince Kol to forget his plan.
Kol get up and snarled, "Nicole would never betray me."
"Yet she already had, Brother. It's over. Klaus knows all and sent me to fetch you," Elijah said patiently.
"Elijah, long time, no see," Marcel said flippantly, standing.
"Marcel? it can't be. How is this possible? What is going on?" Elijah said in shock.
"Y'all left me to die. Then, y'all just never came back. Once I recovered I ended up running things after the fire. You people aren't easy to find. What was I supposed to do, send out word that I was alive so Mikael could use me as a lure. I created a safe haven here for vampires. I am getting the wolves under control and putting the witches in their place. It's a full time job. How is my friend Klaus?"
"Your 'friend' is just fine. However, your father has been heartbroken. We never stopped mourning you, Marcellus. I feel as if I'm seeing a ghost before me," Elijah said stepping forward looking the boy he once taught Shakespeare to up and down.
"I guess I always assumed you would come back for me, but you never did," Marcel said in a whisper.
"Ah, isn't this sweet. Say, Elijah, you were never this happy to see me when I came out of the box. Guess Nik will be happy that you found his 'real' son and you can forget you found me," Kol offered downing another shot.
"Do not be petulant, Brother. You will be coming with me one way or another," Elijah patted his coat pocket where he had the white oak stake they pulled out of Rebekah. The other two were still missing and with Nicole gone, they may never find them.
"Well, Marcel, it's been grand. Perhaps we can catch a show later? I remember how you always liked Hamlet," Kol smirked referring to the grotesque performance he set up for Marcel when he was a boy with living actors he compelled to really slaughter each other.
"No, Kol. I'll pass. I have a city to run here. You go off and play. Give Klaus, and Rebekah my regards. Of course, this was your house. Y'all are welcomed at any time," Marcel said unable to hide his pain on saying Rebekah's name.
"'When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions'," Elijah quipped.
"What do you mean by that?" Marcel asked with caution. He glanced back at the balcony and around the courtyard to see if his guys were still alert. He knew if he wanted to Elijah and Kol could slaughter them all and there wasn't a damn thing any of them could do to stop it.
"It means that you are coming back to Virginia with us. You have 12 hours to pack and get your affairs in order. Put someone you trust in charge. It seems like you have things well in hand here. Did I make my self clear?" Elijah asked politely, raising his eyebrows.
"Yeah," Marcel said pouting.
"Try again," Elijah prompted.
"Yes, Uncle Elijah, I'll be ready," Marcel spat out, embarrassed at being called on the carpet in front of his subordinates.
"I'll look forward to it," Elijah said. "Twelve hours."
Kol was still slumped over one of the tables in the courtyard. So Nik knew about his treachery? And Nicole, he wasn't surprised really. He guessed now Mary Alice and Astrid were doomed to be trapped in that cottage for eternity.
"Kol, come, we have much to discuss," Elijah said to his younger, drunker brother.
"Thanks for the drink, Marcel," Kol said taking the entire bottle and following his brother.
Elijah told Kol back to the Plantation house. He had owned it on paper since Marcel's biological father and master, the governor of New Orleans at the time, had died.
Elijah managed to fill Kol in on the Nicole situation that best that he could in the car ride over.
"How angry is Nik?" Kol choked out.
"He's more worried about you. He took care of the Nicole situation. I know you both were fooled by her. She was a beautiful witch and quite frankly, I will miss her Toulouse Cassoulet, which was superb. My head is still spinning that Marcel was here the whole time. He is stronger than I thought to have survived Mikael and that fire. Brother, I know you feel like you missed much while you were daggered, but this is something that I hope you never have to experience..." Elijah drifted off as they arrived at the mansion.
"Yeah, I guess with Marcel back, I don't have to worry about what Klaus will do to me. I'll be invisible again," Kol went on, trying to hide his tears.
"Brother, I grow weary of this jealously already. Now, go in and take a shower. I'm going to give you a few hours to sober up and then I'm going to have a word with you myself. And I don't want to hear a word complaining about it. You know you have it coming, young man," Elijah saw sternly, giving out of the sedan.
Kol glumly got out and went into the house dragging his feet. Elijah wondered if he shouldn't go cut a switch from one of these old trees to use on Kol. He knew how jealous Kol always was of Marcel. At times, he even agreed that Marcel was treated more like family than Kol. It pained him to think that, but they could change that now for the future. Elijah wandered around, thinking of the soiree they attended here in the 1820s. Rebekah had fallen in love with the governor's son and then Klaus murdered him at the party. Threw him right over the bannister to his death. Emil, was it? But of course, that wasn't the governor's only son, just the only one he claimed...The orchards here still produced loads of apples.
Elijah called Klaus from outside and told him the news.
Marcellus, the boy Klaus saved from slavery and adopted, was coming home.