Pairing: Alaric/Jeremy, hand, references
Geneva, Switzerland
CERN
"It is ironic that I must grovel to my greatest failure, the Strix, to help destroy the evil that I abandoned them to, our father," Elijah said to Klaus in the sterile boardroom situated in the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva. The Strix had a lab here at Cern and this is the only place where they said the meeting could take place.
"Elijah, if Mikael hadn't gotten so close that time, you could have guided them more to your vision. Instead, Tristan warped them to his sick vision of power. But Brother, today we need that power. Mikael's become stronger than we knew," Klaus admitted.
"All I wanted to do was assemble minds curious about the world and eager to improve it. We had the time and circumstance. Yet today my 'elite brotherhood' is a legion of ego-maniacal sociopaths. And here we are, begging their help and protection," Elijah scoffed.
A door opened with a whoosh sound.
"Elijah, Klaus, how kind of you to join us. It has been a long time, has it not?" Tristan de Martal drawled in his upper class accent in his impeccable suit. Though, not as impeccable as his sire, Elijah's.
"Tristan, good of you to make time for us. We can see that you have become quite busy and important here at CERN. If I may ask, exactly what do you do here?" Elijah replied smoothly.
"Many, many things, sire. On the surface, we use the particle accelerator here to study how particles interact and collide on a subatomic level. In secret, we are trying to synthesize the secrets of our immortality. How do our cells regenerate? Why do we need blood to live? How do we heal? We are studying the science of the magic that binds us," Tristan answered smugly.
"Intriguing, indeed. When we spoke on the phone, you said you knew where our father was. I know you had some dealings with him some years back," Klaus commented wryly.
"As you fooled my noble father 1000 years ago, I, too, was forced to fool your father. He very nearly slayed us many times. He's a clever warrior and a ruthless killer. It pains me that my own sire would abandon me and the organization we created together and leave me for dead, so he could run like a coward," Tristan drawled glaring at Elijah.
"How dare you speak to me that way! I made you and I will end you despite how important and protected you think you are. Now either help us or quit wasting our time. We have many things to attend to," Elijah shouted standing up quickly.
Klaus was surprised that Elijah lost his temper or appeared to do so. Then, he remembered how Tristan was a bully who had to be bullied to cooperate.
"Forgive me, my sire. It would be my honor to assist you in your quest. In fact allow me to present you with your father, Mikael, the vampire who hunts vampires. Or used to anyway," Tristan finished hitting a buzzer.
Klaus and Elijah froze. They had little protection. Klaus had one stake, but would that be enough. What folly was this? Of course, Tristan would betray them.
The door buzzed open again and Mikael Mikaelson walked in.
Mystic Falls, Virginia
Gilbert House
"Boy, are you out of your fool mind?" Alaric yelled at Jeremy.
Although Alaric had been tempted to give Jeremy a few good whacks before he even asked him what happened, he didn't. Alaric calmed himself down and listened to Jeremy's story. Jeremy told him that he had been passing by the living room when Alaric's phone beeped. He went to give it to Alaric to wake him up in case it was important and 'happened' to see Damon's message that he was stopping by. Jeremy said that his hunter mentality kicked in and he fished the keys out of Alaric's pocket and broke into the weapon cache. He laid in wait for Damon and used the vervain bolts to overpower him and drag him to the basement.
"Jeremy, let's say I totally believed your story, which I don't, by the way, WHY would you think this is okay?" Alaric pressed.
Jeremy whined, "These vampires have my sister. Did you notice she's never around because she's always with them. She can't even come home, but sends a vampire? Are you fucking kidding me? I'm going to kill them both. You can't stop me, so don't bother!"
"That's it!" Alaric grabbed Jeremy and pushed him down on his bed. He yanked down his pants and underwear to his knees. He brought his hand down hard across both of Jeremy's squirming cheeks. Crack.
Jeremy cried out in shock and pain.
"Ric, no!" Jeremy wailed, flailing and trying to flip back over. He was surprised by the sudden powerful whack.
Alaric spanked him hard five more times all over before speaking again.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Do you understand you could have been killed tonight?" Crack! CRACK!
"I'm a hunter! I could have gotten him," Jeremy screamed back kicking and trying to free himself.
Whack! Whack! Whack1
"Damon is my friend, my best friend. Your other guardians are vampires. I don't see how you can think this is okay," Alaric asked swatting his thighs once each.
Jeremy's backside was bright red in some spots, in other spots Alaric thought he could see handprints. He pulled Jeremy's pants back up.
"Jeremy, you have to get some control over this. If you actually kill a vampire, your map will grow and your need will get stronger. This will be your life and newsflash, hunters don't live long," Alaric said patting him on the back.
Jeremy was sobbing into the crook of his elbow, snot was pouring out of his nose and his hair was a mess.
"Just get the hell out and leave me alone! I fucking hate you," Jeremy screamed.
"Jeremy, you stay in your room. I'm going to talk to Matt. I'll be back when you have calmed down. If you can't get it together tonight, your backside can get a little hotter tonight. So I suggest you use this time to think about how you should have behaved differently," Alaric said firmly shutting the door behind him.
Not even one week and he was a failure as a dad. Alaric rubbed his face as he headed down to Matt's room.
New Orleans, French Quarter
When Father Kieran finally told them where and when the ritual was, it was almost too late. Three girls had their throats slashed already and there was only one left to save. Marcel, practically flew across the cemetery, slaughtering the elders. His guys and Rebekah helped. Some he beheaded, some he slashed their throats, and some got crushed. He grabbed the only surviving Harvest girl and they rushed her to St. Anne's Church.
"Oh Marcel, she's lovely. Please tell me that's not her blood!" Rebekah hoped, wiping a smear of blood off the girl's face with her handkerchief.
Davina came to a little.
"That wasn't my blood. It was my mother's. She wanted them to cut my throat. The French Quarter Coven can burn in hell for all I care!" Davina ranted as Marcel set her on her feet in her new attic home. Her traitorous mother was dead now, as well the rest of the coven.
"I'm Marcel and this is Rebekah. And this is your new, ah, home. Don't worry, we'll find a better place for you, but for now, you will be safe here in this attic of St. Anne's," Marcel promised.
"Thank you both. I can't believe they lied to us. They killed my friends. If it wasn't for you, I'd be dead, too," Davina trembled. The room trembled all around them.
"Hey, hey, it's going to be okay. We're here for you," Marcel assured her.
"My name is Davina. Davina Claire. It's nice to meet you," Davina smiled and felt that maybe things would be okay.
Marcel asked, "What do you like to do? We'll get you all set up here."
"I guess I used to like to draw and paint," Davina recalled.
"You got it," Marcel smiled his most charming smile.
"I'll get you some new clothes. You have the most beautiful skin, dear," Rebekah said touching her face, now cleansed of blood.
Mystic Falls, Virginia
Mikaelson Mansion
Tyler woke up still cuddled up with Kol on the couch in that soft blanket. The television was still on blaring some infomercial. For a second, he just enjoyed the feeling of being held and close to someone who loved him. Thank god no one was around to see this, he thought to himself. Then, he moved and felt the deep ache of his recently smacked bottom. Damn, that salve must really help. It would be embarrassing, but if his rear stung this much tomorrow, he was going to ask for some.
Realizing he didn't have pants on, caused Tyler to get up carefully and slip on his shorts. He left his underwear off because the thought of pulling them on was horrifying. He grabbed them and was about to go up to his room to shower when he thought he heard something.
"Aunt Freya? Hello?" Tyler called out softly. It was coming from the basement door. Tyler opened it as sometimes Freya was carrying stuff and needed help.
"We're hungry," a dark haired boy said. He was covered in a white bed sheet.
"Finn?" Tyler asked confused.
"Yes, oh, I think I remember you. It's all a bit blurry," Finn said looking around.
"Are you coming up or...?" Tyler asked. Finn didn't answer but wandered back to the elevator.
Tyler was surprised Finn even knew how to work the elevator. He seemed so out of it. Tyler was walking stiffly and felt a deep throbbing in his backside that was very uncomfortable. Maybe he could find that salve himself, now that he was down here?
Finn led him to where Freya kept the foods she was giving them. Tyler realized that they were getting canned Ensue, like elderly people.
"Dude, I mean, Finn, can't you eat regular food?" Tyler prompted thinking how gross this stuff might be.
"I do not know. There is a lot I cannot recall, but it is coming back. I had a dog Sage. One of you shot me with a bolt, that hurt," Finn rambled drinking the ensure with a straw.
"Yeah, that was a couple of months ago. How do we feel Henrik?" Tyler asked Finn.
Finn shrugged. Henrik was still sleeping and Tyler went to wake him. His skin was pasty and he felt cold. Something seemed wrong.
Despite the burning in his backside, Tyler ran and got Freya. He was afraid Henrik was dying.
Mystic Falls, Virginia
Gilbert House
Alaric knocked on Matt's door. There was a mumble to come in. Alaric looked at his phone, Jenna was going out with friends. He was relieved, but also a little irritated. Her nephew was going through a crisis and he was here dealing with it when she partied.
"Matt, I don't know if you heard..." Alaric said embarrassed. He could tell Matt looked indignant.
"Sir, pardon my french, but I'm not freakin' deaf," Matt made clear. Matt heard Tyler yelling and crying. It was pretty clear that Alaric had spanked him and Jeremy resisted.
"Understood," Alaric replied.
"So are you going to whale on me like you apparently did to Jeremy?" Matt asked plainly.
"No, of course not. Matt, I don't like doing things like that, but I won't apologize for trying to keep Jeremy alive. He's not thinking clearly with the mark clouding his judgment. If it was any other vampire, Jeremy could be dead now. I know Damon can come off as a... dick, but overall, he's a good guy," Alaric explained.
"So am I going to get punished for disobeying you?" Matt choked out.
"What would you father do?" Alaric asked sitting on the edge of Matt's bed.
Matt's face colored but he remembered that he and Marcel had already disciplined Jeremy and him for endangering their lives. Alaric probably already knew what their father would do, but he just wanted him to say it.
"For this? Bust out the paddle and wear me out with it until I was a sobbing, hurtin' mess," Matt admitted.
"Would you have disobeyed him like this if he told you to stay?" Alaric asked softly.
"No, sir. I'm not afraid of him, but I'm afraid to..." Matt drifted off, realizing it was true.
"Disappoint him?" Alaric finished.
"Yeah, how did you know?" Matt wondered.
"Hey, I've been there. Matt, I'm going to be honest. This might not be the right thing to do, but I'm giving you a pass this time. As we all get to know each other better and spend more time together, I hope you will grow to trust me. I guess I was a little overzealous to just expect you to blindly obey me," Alaric shared.
Matt flushed completely.
"Sir, I appreciate that, but you do have authority over us. I want to be a police officer someday, maybe join the military. I shouldn't have disobeyed you. That's insubordination. But, thanks for the second chance. If I earn another butt whupping, I swear I won't argue with you on it. I swear," Matt promised sincerely.
"You're a good kid, Matthew G. Donovan! Don't worry, we won't let you get court martialed," Alaric leaned over and patted his shoulder.
"Thanks. Are you going to talk to Jer?" Matt asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I don't know if he's ready to talk, but I'm gonna try," Alaric answered.
"He really misses everybody, especially Ty. I know he feels bad about the mark, but that's not his fault, right?" Matt said pulling his covers up.
"No, son, it's not. Love you. Go to bed," Alaric said turning off the light.
Back at Tyler's door, Alaric found himself praying to a god he wasn't sure he believed in for strength.
Alaric knocked softly and found the door locked. He felt about the door frame and sure enough, there was a universal key. He slipped it in and cracked the locked.
As he walked in, Alaric felt movement to his right and moved quickly pivoting to the side.
Jeremy swing the bat hard at Alaric's ribs and missed as he jumped back. The bat clanked uselessly to the floor. Alaric had Jeremy's arm pinned behind his back.
"Hey, hey, I'm not your enemy here. None of are," Alaric said turning Jeremy so he could look at him. He held his arms and looked in his eyes, seeing only pain.
"I'm sorry," Jeremy cried slumping to the floor.
Alaric slid down with him and held him as he cried on Alaric's shoulder in ragged sobs. Tears and mucus left wet marks on his shoulder, but Alaric didn't care as he finally felt the tension drain out of his body.
"Jeremy, I know it doesn't feel like it now, but it's going to be okay. We'll find you help. I know you miss your dad, your family, and Elena, but killing Damon will not help anything," Alaric whispered.
"I know. I'm sorry. I'll tell Damon that tomorrow. I didn't want to hurt him but I was so mad that I couldn't see straight. I wonder if I cut this damn mark off if it will help!" Jeremy threatened.
Alaric reached down and smacked the back of Jeremy's thigh. Crack!
"Stop talking like that or I will finish the spanking I started before. Do you understand?" Alaric cautioned.
"You hit hard, Alaric. I don't want another one," Jeremy whined rubbing the sore spot.
"Then, you are going to apologize sincerely to Damon tomorrow. You are also going to write,'I realize if I touch weapons again without permission I will get a worse spanking on my bare backside" 100 times," Alaric added.
"No, Alaric, that's too embarrassing!" Jeremy cried and Alaric swatted the back of his other thigh.
"Want to make it 200 times?" Alaric threatened.
"Okay, okay. Sorry, my butt aches already," Jeremy said rubbing out that sting.
"Let me see. I don't want to embarrass you, but I was swatting you pretty hard. I want to make sure I didn't leave you black and blue," Alaric said gently slipping down Jeremy's pants on one side.
"A little pink in two spots, but it looks fine. Jeremy, you realize that you need a lot of training to hunt. A lot," Alaric pressed.
Jeremy shook his head, "I really don't know anything about it."
Alaric admitted, "After my wife died, I thought she was killed by a vampire and I became a hunter. I trained for years and studied. Those weapons you almost killed Damon with were designed by me. Yet, to a full-power vampire, they are child's play."
"I don't want to be a hunter. I don't want to kill anyone. I swear. I just can't fight these feelings," Jeremy replied.
"We'll help you. You might have to learn how to be around vamps without acting on your impulses. Staying away from vamps, may just prolong things. This means you need to tell us when you are thinking crazy. We can't have you grabbing a stake and trying to kill Stefan at dinner one night," Alaric cautioned.
"I know. I can't let my emotions get the better of me. I guess this is a fraction of what vampires feel. This intensity?" Jeremy mused, rubbing his behind a little as he shifted slightly.
"Are you feeling better?" Alaric asked, still on the floor rubbing Jeremy's back.
"I am, thanks. You know, aside from this stinging butt. Do you think Damon hates me? Is he going to tell Elena what I did?" Jeremy whispered, rubbing the tattoo on his arm slowly now, wishing it would disappear.
"No, but if he wants to give you a few smacks tomorrow or another punishment, I'm not going to stop him. I think in Damon's day, they'd take naughty boys out to the woodshed for a taste of the strap, or have them cut their own switch to welt the backs of their legs, so what you're feeling now is nothing compared to that. Now with those happy thoughts on your mind, let's give you to bed," Alaric said getting up.
Jeremy nodded sadly, worried about facing Damon tomorrow. He gulped thinking of Damon going old school on him. Jeremy knew he was a bit of a baby and couldn't take a real punishment. Even the thought of it, turned his blood cold.
Alaric was touched that Jeremy was so concerned what the vampire that he tried to kill earlier thinks about him. A typical teen, but with a hunter's mark that he never chose to have. Alaric vowed to find a way to break this foul magic that threatened to destroy Jeremy.
Jeremy got into bed on his stomach and Alaric tucked him in. He ruffled his brown hair and kissed him, and turned off the lights.
"Love you, Jer."
After Alaric got out of the shower, Jenna was bad. He could tell she was slightly tipsy.
"How was everything? Any problems?" she asked kissing him on the lips and tugging at the towel wrapped around his waist.
"Yeah, actually. Give me a sec. We should probably talk," Alaric replied putting on flannel pants and a white undershirt. He helped Jenna take off her dress and she put on a nightgown.
After they were in bed, he started, "Jeremy got into my hunting weapons. He almost killed Damon."
"What? Why would he do that? Oh my god, why didn't you call me?" Jenna gasped, guilty that she had left Ric to deal with this mess.
"Hon, it's okay. We had a long talk and I took care of it. I'll take Jeremy over to Damon's tomorrow to apologize. Jeremy got pretty out of sorts," Alaric admitted stroking her arm.
"I hope you had it out with him. He knows better. Did you ground him? Because if you didn't, I'm going to tomorrow," Jenna promised sternly.
"No, I didn't ground him. But I..." Alaric wanted to be honest with her. If their relationship had any hope of surviving, she needed to know who he was. Alaric had been trying to think of ways to break it to her about the vampires and werewolves, but he wasn't sure the time was right. But she also needed to know how he felt about discipline. Screaming at , swearing at, and isolating a kid like Jeremy would seem more abusive and cruel to him, then the smacking he had subjected Jeremy to.
"What? Ric, did you hit him? You know Grayson and my sister never so much as smacked that boy's hand," Jenna explained.
"Jenna, he was completely out of control and I took him to his room and spanked his bare butt. I used my hand and smacked him like ten times pretty hard, I admit. He was angry, I gave him so time. Then, we had another talk, he apologized, and went to bed," Alaric said calmly.
"Wow, I can't believe this. I mean, isn't he like way too old for that sort of thing?" Jenna said stunned.
"Jenna, I'm sorry. I just felt he needed it. Honestly, he probably could have done with a good amount more, but I needed to get his attention before we could talk about what he did. Believe me, hon, he's not too old at all," Alaric reported looking over at her.
"Okay, Ric, I trust you. If you say he needed a spanking, he did. God knows, I couldn't control him when he lived here with just me. He was doing drugs, skipping school, talking back, and always sullen. At times, he was downright cruel to Elena. There were a few times I wanted to slap him across the face, but I never considered tanning his hide," Jenna confided. It never occurred to her that the Mikaelson's, Jeremy's other guardians, had resorted to such methods with her nephew.
"I don't think it would have been a good idea for you to try. I had to hold him down and he fought like a wildcat. He's going through some shit, Jenna. But in the end, he's going to be fine," Alaric said as Jenna scooted closer.
"You're sure he's okay. Should I go check on him?" Jenna asked starting to get up.
"Hon, I was with him holding him for a long time. He cried it out. I tucked him in on his stomach and he's going to sleep well with a warm ass," Alaric promised.
"You seem to know a lot about this kind of stuff for someone who need had another kids," Jenna inquired.
"Hon, I was on the other side a good many times. My dad, my uncles, my granddaddy all took me in hand plenty of times. And believe you me, I didn't ever get too old, hell, if I sassed now, granddaddy would rise out of his grave and light me up good. I would never do to someone else, what wasn't done to me a hundred times. Including hugging them after, even when they want to hate you, and..." Alaric paused feeling like maybe he was oversharing.
"What? It's okay. You can tell me," Jenna announced.
"...and always telling them you love them. Because I don't think kids, or people really, can hear that enough," Ric said, his voice rough with emotion.
"You're a good daddy, Ric. Speaking of, I love you," Jenna smiled kissing him hard.
"Thank you, Hon. I love you, too. Thank you for supporting me and believing in me. I'm sorry we didn't discuss this all before to get on the same page before we all moved in together," Alaric finished, kissing her all over.
Alaric finally forgot about all of his problems for a little while.