Freya had never been in so much pain. She felt a deep pressure in all her burned limbs. A small gust of air going over her body hurt. She moaned and begged for more blood and Rebekah fed her again at dinner time.

"My's dolls head looks weird. Did someone mess with it?" she heard Delphine giggle.

Freya's eye's popped open. No, that monster was still alive. She glanced around and saw Elijah talking to the little girl in the living room.

"Elijah!" she whispered. He only heard her with his vampire hearing and vamped over.

Delphine shrieked and said, "Oh my god!"

"Sorry, Marie, I'll explain later," Elijah called to the girl.

"Elijah, she's a monster...She killed Finn," Freya hyperventilated.

"No, my dear, Delphine seems to be gone. We had Bonnie here while you were resting and she assured us that this is the original occupant of this body. She seems like a normal little girl, perhaps a tad headstrong, kind of like a young Rebekah," Elijah said stroking her forehead.

"Thank god. Mother? Any sign of her?" Freya breathed.

"No sign of her. Are you up to telling me what happened?" Elijah inquired.

She told him everything up to what Dahlia whispered to her.

"So the ancestors were using the cursed Delphine in a powerful witch's body that they could control as a weapon? From Bonnie's digging, the girl's parents were kidnapped trying to protect her. The Regent was trying to save the life of her own secret son, but he was found sacrificed. The Regent is dead," he whispered so Marie did not overhear that he grand-mere, as she called her was murdered yesterday.

"That could have been Dahlia's doing to undo the cloaking spell. The ancestors wanted Mother dead and all of you dead. Delphine said something about all vampires dying," Freya rasped.

"Yes, well, we've been hearing disturbing reports all day that all of Finn's line has died off. All. The implications are horrific," Elijah uttered.

"I thought of something else," Freya started. "I think my magic is anchored with Dahlia's. She can track me and possibly control me through it. I'm sure that is how she found me. I'm so sorry. Unless I get membership in another coven, I can't practice anymore. I feel like this is my fault," Freya cried.

"I think my blood should be clean by now. Drink," Elijah bit into his wrist and gave her a mug of his blood.

"And Finn..." Freya gulped.

"I'm so sorry, Freya. I don't know how she got white oak ash. We destroyed it all," Elijah insisted.

"Did you still have his ashes?" Freya shivered.

"Of course," Elijah affirm pointing to the box on the table.

"Good, we are going to need them..."

"If what?" Elijah pressed.

"When," she corrected, "I bring him back."

"Sister, you're awake," Klaus boomed. "How are you feeling?"

"As if I was burned alive, but then got healed with vampire blood," Freya quipped.

Elijah started, "Freya has filled in all the gaps. We still don't know exactly how they got Delphine to body jump into Marie's body, but it seems that Mother was able to destroy Delphine's spirit or curse. We will still need to protect Marie in case the New Orlean's witches want her back."
"Well, now that her grandmother is dead. Would they care?" Klaus wondered.

"If she is really that powerful, she is still dangerous. As I was telling Elijah, I can't practice until I cut my ties with Dahlia. As long as I am anchored, she can sense my magic and find me. Same with Delphine or Marie, I mean," Freya explained. "You gave her the tea today, correct?"

They both nodded affirmatively. They didn't tell Freya how the child had fussed and spit it up until Klaus growled at her. Elijah was two seconds away from swatting her behind. Their nerves were frayed and they were exhausted by the previous "child."

"Couldn't you continue to dose, ah, Marie with the tea. Then, we'll work on your coven issue?" Klaus suggested carefully.

"Sure, except, there is one little problem," Elijah brought up.

"Dahlia told me that I had to bring Finn back from the dead or else she would claim all of our first born children," Freya quoted.

"Well, you are mortal and can have children, but the rest of us?" Klaus splayed his hands.

"She said, adopted or biological. She means to take all the children," Freya recalled.

"Do you think you could bring him back?" Elijah prompted.

"It would not be in his original body. He would be mortal. We could find a young man on the verge of death or ill, I could do the spell using his ashes, and then we could heal him," Freya said hopefully.

"And if it doesn't work?" Klaus said frightened.

"It has to work," Elijah finished.

"Now, can someone help me down from the dining room table? This is like the worst hospital bed ever," Freya complained trying to get up.

"Well, your skin was coming off and we didn't want you getting stuck to your bed," Klaus divulged dryly.

Freya made a face, "The next time I get lit up like a human torch, just take me to a hospital, okay?"

Elijah smiled, "Anything for you, Sister."

Klaus froze, "Did you just hear something break? I swear the next person who smashes something around here..."

"I didn't mean to," Marie whined.

"You could have killed yourself. Why were you climbing on the bookshelf?" Elijah thundered.

"I was bored," Marie admitted.

"Marie, do you remember anything from when you first got here?" Elijah wondered.

"Nope, I was with grand-mere at home in the Garden District and then boom! I was here," Marie confessed.

Elijah sat on the bed. The wooden bookshelf had flipped and everything on it was broken or on the floor.

"Did you grandmother let you climb on the furniture?" Elijah asked.

"No, but what was she going to do? Her hands were twisted and she was pretty busy with witch business. She got me a nanny, but she was afraid of me," Marie admitted with a giggle.

"Marie, you didn't break your violin on your nanny did you?" Elijah asked with his eyes pressed closed.

Marie was shocked, "How did you know that? Are you a seer?"

"Sort of. I think you are long overdue for some discipline, young lady," Elijah said calmly.

"But it was an accident!" Marie shouted.

"No, it wasn't. You were misbehaving and you put yourself in danger. In this house, that means a spanking," Elijah said grabbing her and bending her over his right knee.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

"I feel like I just did this," Elijah muttered to himself.

Marie yelled out and covered her backside in shock.

"You spanked me?" she yelped in surprise as she rubbed and hopped a little.

He grabbed her again and applied to more hard spanks to the center of her behind. Crack! Crack!

"Yes, I did. Now, I'm going to lift this and we are going to clean this up together. Then, we are going to see if Freya will switch bedrooms with you so your room would be beside mine. I think you are going to need a lot more supervision," Elijah said firmly.

"But.." Marie said confused.

"Marie, do you want another spanking? Because that next one is going to make the first one look like a tickle," Elijah warned picking up the bookshelf.

"No, I-I'll h-help," she spit out rubbing and picking up book quickly.

Klaus smiled to Freya, "I think someone just got a 'first' spanking."
"Oh my, I hope it wasn't Elijah. Are you sure you gave her enough tea?" Freya laughed.

"I hope so. Can I help you get situated? I remembered I have a naughty young man to deal with myself. He might even be glad to get this over with. Maybe not? Did you ever finish that salve?" Klaus asked.

"Yes, on your dresser," Freya said carefully walking upstairs.

Kol came down as Klaus was going to get the paddle out of the drawer. He was tempted to use the heavier one, but ended up choosing the lighter paddleball model, though it was not so light it didn't make an impression.

"For young Matthew, I presume?" Kol blurted.

"Yes, did he tell you what he did?" Klaus asked swatting the paddle against his own leg.

"Nik, he feels pretty bad. I know you have to punish him, but..." Kol drifted off, feeling sympathy for Matt.

"Take care of him after? Don't I take care of you?" Klaus said suddenly

hugging Kol. "Freya said there's a decent chance she could bring back

Finn. I know how you feel. I feel it, too. We'll do better the next time."

"Really! That's actually great news," Kol hugged him tighter. "I guess we have to do better. In a way, it'd be hard to do...worse."

Klaus laughed and swatted him once on each cheek. "Watch it!"

"Oh, Nik, bugger off. But yes, you take care of me," Kol said backing away.

"Love you," Klaus said, swatting him again and vamping up to Matt's room.

Tyler was in the weight room and Jeremy was in bed reading. Klaus tucked the paddle into his waistband.

"Hi guys, how's it going in here?"

"Hey Dad, pretty good. How's Freya?"
"She is much better, thank you."

Matt was sitting there watching tv. He turned it off.

"Guys, I did something yesterday that I'm not proud of," Klaus started.

"Really?" Matt said surprised. He assumed adults had it all together, except for people like his mom.

"Yes, Jeremy, I was a little concerned about your sister. I wanted to check to see if the Salvatores were protecting her. I know she thinks she can protect herself, but as you saw yesterday, things can turn dangerous quickly. I ended up calling Damon and leaving him a message to step things up," Klaus admitted.

"Okay, thanks. I mean, Damon would do anything for my sister, so that was a good idea," Jeremy concluded.

"Yes, but what I am not proud of is that I saw you at the Grill and I overheard some of your conversation," Klaus poured out.

"Dad, you freaking eavesdropped on us? That's not creepy. Jesus christ," Matt exploded.

"Matt, you weren't even supposed to be there," Jeremy chided.

"Matt is right. I apologize," Klaus said heavily.

"Did you hear...?" Matt drifted off, not wanting to know the answer.

"How you tried to blackmail me into lying for you because of the porn? If he didn't yesterday, he does now," Jeremy smirked at Matt.

Matt was fuming. He was ashamed, angry, and frustrated. He wanted to hit something.

"Jeremy, $500 is a lot of money and we don't approve of lewd pornography. I think your Uncle Elijah is going to have a talk with you about that which should be punishment enough. However, I agreed that a week without television is also going to start now," Klaus mentioned causally.

"He doesn't even like to watch tv, unless he's jerking off to it!" Matt screamed.

"Matthew, you do not decide the punishments around here, mister. Just out of curiosity, what do you think your punishment should be for not doing your studies, leaving without permission, taking a car, lying, blackmailing your brother, trying to use a fake id to buy beer, cursing...Is there anything I left out?" Klaus asked starting to pull pajamas from Matt's drawers and a pair of clean briefs. He didn't think he needed socks, but he pulled a pair out of Matt's drawer anyway.

"I guess we can add disrespect," Klaus went on.

Matt's face was crimson.

"I don't know," Matt said now scared that he had gone too far.

"Jeremy, I'm going to take Matthew with me. Remember, no tv or your grounding will end up turning into a spanking," Klaus tousled his hair and left with Matt.

Klaus indicted that Matt go ahead of him. He was expected a swat or two, but Klaus just walked calmly which made Matt feel worse.

"Can you just yell at me already?" Matt said when they were almost to the room.

Klaus opened the door to his suite and put the clothes on the dresser.

"Come here," Klaus said pulling Matt to him. He held him and rubbed his back for a minute and then pulled him away at arm's length.

"Even when I am disappointed in your behavior, that doesn't make me love you any less. You can act up all much as possible and I'm not going to let you go. Do you understand?" Klaus asked sternly.

Matt nodded and said, "I never had a dad before. I don't deserve you."

Klaus smiled and said, "I'm not sure you are going to think that when I am spanking your behind in a short while, mister. You know you have a lot to answer for. Now, I want you to go take a shower and brush your teeth in my bathroom. You will be brushing your teeth with soap for the 'jerking off' comment. Then, you're getting the paddle and you're going to bed in here."

"Do I really have to get my mouth washed out with soap?" Matt whined.

"Yes, and you are going to apologize to him about that, too. That was really mean of you," Klaus lectured.

"I'm sorry, it was. I kept trying to embarrass him. I acted like a jerk," Matt lamented.

"Yes, you did and when your behind is stinging and red it will remind you to behave like the kind, sweet, young man, we know you can be," Klaus said pushing his shoulders towards the shower.

"Sweet?" Matt groaned.

"Yes, sweet," Klaus confirmed. "Now, don't be in the shower all day like Jeremy. Five minutes."
"Can I have my clothes, please?" Matt asked hopefully.

"Sure, after I paddle you," Klaus smiled. "Go."

Klaus set the paddle down on the night table and went to find the salve. He was so relieved Freya was okay. With her injured, he realized how much they had all come to depend on her. He would have to do everything possible for her to get into a new coven, though covens were ancient and secretive.

Klaus heard the water shut off. He gave Jeremy a minute to dry himself off.

"Jeremy, are you decent?" Klaus called.

"Yeah, Dad, come in," Matt said politely.

Matt had a towel tied firmly around his waist. Klaus got the toothbrush and got a new cake of soap. He lathered the soap and rubbed the brush in it.

"What's this for?"
"Being disrespectful, mean, and I guess, cursing," Matt lamented.

"Brush and think about speaking carefully and like a man of honor."

Matt started gagging immediately. Klaus told him to do his tongue for a while. The whole thing was painful to watch. He really hoped this was the last time he had to do this.

"Okay, rinse."

"I'll give you a new toothbrush," Klaus said tossing the soaped on in the garbage.

Matt was grimacing and couldn't get the taste out.

"I know. The aftertaste is unpleasant, but that is the point. Filthy words and phrases pollute the mouth," Klaus said leading Matt to the bed.

Klaus didn't want to do this. His anger at Matt had faded, but he knew he had to continue for the boy's sake.

Klaus sat and held Matt in between his legs for a minute.

"I would like to think this is the last time you will need a spanking for sneaking out. When you get grounded, you need to obey that. You know I was tempted to give you a licking yesterday, but instead I gave you a different punishment and now here we are anyway. Do you know why I didn't just tan your naughty behind yesterday?" Klaus asked.

"No, I'm sorry, I don't," Matt said.

"Because I didn't want to embarrass you in front of Tyler and Jeremy. I also thought that you could correct your behavior if given the chance after we had a talk. Did you?" Klaus demanded.

"No, I got worse and just did what I wanted," Matt blurted out.

"Okay, you can give me the towel," Klaus said taking it and putting it over his lap. He moved back on the bed. Matt quickly tried to get on his lap to protect his modesty. Klaus thought to himself that that was easy.

Klaus put his left hand on the small of Matt's back and started spanking both of Matt's cheeks with his large hand.

Klaus knew Matt's behind was probably more sensitive from the shower and brought down his hand a little lighter than he normally started out. He went from cheek to cheek for the first two minutes to build up the fire slowly. Matt was resting his head over his folded arms and starting to bounce his calves a little.

Klaus started whacking harder and targeting Matt's sit spots for the next minute. All Klaus heard was the steady, "Whap, WhaP, Whap, Whap, Whap."

Then, Matt began to struggle a little. His hands were itching to protect his rear from the assault. He started to rock from side to side to avoid the constant swats.

Klaus paused a moment to apply the salve. He was alway concerned about bruising and he thought this would help protect Matt's skin. Klaus rubbed the salve into Tyler's thighs and rump area brisky. Matt was starting to wiggle more, but hadn't said a word. Klaus was patting Matt's bottom lightly and tapping his tights.

"I'm going to let that soak in a minute before picking up the paddle. You are going right to bed after your smacking and I don't want to hear a moment of backtalk about it. I'm getting to the point where I'm going to start marking down the cursing and talking back and tally them at the end of the week. If every offense was a paddle swat, would that help you behave better?" Klaus asked still tapping Matt, but with a little more wrist action.

"No, sir," Matt gasped.

"Oh, maybe each offense should be two swats? Maybe three? I think we would have some awfully sore, but well-behaved children on our hands," Klaus offered. He wondered if this would work for the family. He wasn't happy with the type of language he heard when they thought he wasn't around and sometimes when they knew he was.

"I mean, y-yes," Matt changed his response, not knowing the answer.

"Okay, Matt. No reaching back and try to keep still," Klaus warned picking up the paddle.

Crack! Crack!

Klaus swatted firmly in a random pattern. Whack! Whack! Whack!

Matt stiffened and his legs straightened. Red blotches bloomed and Matt feel a blaze of sting on each cheek. Klaus increased the intensity of the paddle swats and waited a few seconds before bringing down the next crack.
Pop! Pop! Pop!

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Matt seemed to anticipate the next swat and stiffen each time. Klaus paddled him a bit softer, but faster for the next minute until Matt threw back a hand.

"I'm sorry. Please, no more. S-sorry," Matt moaned.

Klaus just started swatting Matt's thighs until the hand crept back up. Matt was not crying but breathing hard and kicking his legs up and down.

Klaus decided to finish this with a flurry of hard smacks covering Matt's entire bottom. He lifted his left knee a little to gain more access and let loose. Klaus tightened his arm around Matt's waist so he couldn't wiggle off his lap with his kicking and pushing up.

Klaus swatted Matt's sit spots hard enough to almost launch Matt forward, if he wasn't holding him. This finally caused Matt to start crying and wailing. Klaus immediately stopped as his backside was red and shiny.

"Are you going to start doing your school work on time?" Klaus said patting his behind.

"YES, I w-will, please don't paddle me any m-more," Matt sobbed.

"Shh, Matt, it's done. You still have an apology to make to Jeremy and maybe even Tyler, I don't know. I want you to treat people nicely, the nasty side is not good. And if I hear anymore of that, you will get a swat with the paddle no matter who is around. Would that be a good deterrent, mister? Because if we have to go with public spanking and tally marks to get you all to be the people I know you can be, we'll do it," Klaus promised.

"Okay, let's get your pants on," Klaus said, standing him up gently. Matt hopped from foot to foot and rubbed quickly.

Matt wailed, "It's going to hurt. That paddle really stings!"

"Only for a moment. Let me help," Klaus said getting Matt's clothes.

He helped him step into his briefs. Matt whined and hissed. Then, Klaus put Matt's undershirt on him and helped him with his sleep pants.

"Socks?"

"No, thanks," Matt sniffed.

"Let me wipe your face," Klaus said getting a wet rag. Klaus wiped his face and smoothed back Matt's blond hair. He pulled Matt on his lap and was rocking him and patting his back.

"I'm sorry, Dad. I don't mean to be such a brat and a baby," Matt admitted.

"I'm proud of you and all is forgiven. No, putting yourself down," Klaus said giving Matt's outer thigh a little swat as a reminder.

"Can I go talk to the guys now? I want to tell them that I'm sorry," Matt asked with big eyes.

"How about," Klaus said thinking,"I go get them and you can all sleep in here tonight? Sound good?"

Matt smiled. He finally felt better.