Klaus had been searching for Katerina Petrova for 500 years. He had caught a lead that she was headed back to Mystic Falls again. Was Elijah protecting Katerina, or Katherine, as she now called herself? He laughed aloud as the absurdity of it was too much to bear. His noble brother now plotting against him as the others had done and failed to do so for centuries. Klaus' network of spies and witches had told him that Elijah wished for him to be dead. So he was in Mystic Falls, or as they used to call it "home." Dead! The brother that had protected him and saved his life a thousand times wanted him dead because he thought he threw the family coffins in the ocean? He laughed this time until he wanted to weep.
Klaus did not think that Elijah could find the coffins where he hid Finn, Kol, Rebekah, and of course, Mother. Surely, Elijah would not end his miserable existence without first finding the rest of the family. Klaus had the location well-hidden and cloaked by not one, but two covens of witches. To think though, that anyone would think he would let go of his beloved family by tossing them in the sea? It was absurd. Klaus was protecting his family from Mikael, who would never stop hunting them.
Some nights after a murderous feast of draining innocent souls, Klaus would fall into a stupor. He would dream of his Marcellus, the boy he rescued and brought up so long ago...Mikael had ended him in New Orleans almost a century ago. Now Marcel was gone for good, as perhaps they all were. He was truly alone. Klaus wipes a tear away. What was happening to him?
With his enhanced Original vampire senses, Klaus heard an ambulance, as he strolled around in a quiet neighborhood. Curiosity led him to vamp nearer to the sound. In front of a white house on 2104 Maple Street, Klaus saw a man being wheeled out in a stretcher. His hand was bandaged and he seemed out of it. About to move on, a light breeze brought the scent of Katerina Petrova. She was here, or had been here. Klaus smiled. He would find her, break the curse, and make himself an army of hybrids. He would never be alone again.
Then, something else caught his ear. It sounded like yelling.
Klaus vamped up to an open window on the second floor to be able to look in the window.
Klaus' eyes widened. Was that Stefan? The Ripper of Monterey himself? He hadn't seen him since he compelled him in the 1920s in Chicago. What in the devil was he doing here? Stefan was grabbing the face of a young teen and looking very sternly at him.
"I am very sorry about Anna, but it's very important that you listen to me right now. With every passing moment, Anna's blood is leaving your system. If you try to kill yourself right now, you could really die," Stefan emphasized.
The boy looked away.
Stefan yelled, "Hey!" as he slapped the boy's face lightly. "Do you understand me?"
A girl with long brown hair said, "Stefan..." It seemed that she cared about this boy. My god, she looked like Katerina! But she did not have her scent.
The boy muttered, "Yeah, I understand."
Stefan said, "Good."
He then stood next to the woman after getting up. Klaus did not think this was Katherine at all. Her whole affect, posture, and accent were all different. Yes, that face was so similar.
The young woman then asked Stefan, "What about the pills that he took?"
Stefan told her, "He didn't take enough to die so Anna's blood actually healed him of that."
Someone knocked on the door and said, "Miss Gilbert?"
Stefan seemed to alerted that someone was near. Klaus vamped down to the street, intrigued and confused. Was this another doppleganger? Maybe it didn't matter anymore.
Klaus went to feed and then to sleep. He dreamt of having a family of his own. Maybe an army of hybrids wasn't the way to go anymore?
The next night, Klaus found himself watching the same white house. He sensed another vampire near with the Power. This time, Klaus watched from a bit further away on a telephone pole. He saw some kind of lover's quarrel.
Klaus heard, "You want to shut out the pain? It's the easiest thing in the world. The part of you that cares just goes away, all you have to do is flip the switch and snap!"
Then, he saw a dark haired vampire snap the boy from last night's neck. The boy seemed to fall down dead.
The "Miss Gilbert" from last night cried out, "Damon! NO!"
Klaus saw the other vampire quickly flee and he vamped closer to the window.
The girl seemed relieved that the boy was wearing a large ring. He could hear her heartbeat slow. She left the room for a moment. Something about this boy tugged at his long dead heart. Did the boy remind him of Marcel? Kol? He wasn't sure, but he felt an urge to help this human.
Since Klaus hadn't been invited, he could not enter the house. He decided to make some preparations for the future.
The next morning Jeremy woke up with a terrible headache.
"Jer, Jer, are you okay?" Elena inquired.
"Ow, my neck. Yeah, I am alive, I guess," Jeremy grimaced. He had been hoping for death or to be a vampire right now. Anna had given him her blood, but that didn't work out so well. He was pretty sure if Elena hadn't been there, Stefan would have put him back over his knee-again. That dude had anger issues. He was always so serious, but at least he didn't try to kill him like Damon did.
"What do you remember?" Elena asked with a worried frown.
"Elena, it's all kind of a blur. The blood, the pills, Stefan yelling at me, then Damon yelling at you and blam! I was out like a light," Jeremy admitted.
"Damon snapped your neck. The ring John gave you saved your life. I was terrified that you would still end up a vampire," Elena admitted.
"No, Elena. I feel okay. What else is wrong? You look like you haven't slept?" Jeremy said with concern.
"Mayor Lockwood's funeral service is today. We have to go over to the Lockwood mansion. Damon might be there, wear this bracelet, okay?" Elena said carefully clasping the vervain bracelet around his wrist.
"That's fine. We should go to the house to pay our respects," Jeremy said.
"I thought you were fighting with Tyler," Elena blurted out.
"We haven't always seen eye to eye, but he likes some of my artwork. Plus, I feel bad for the guy, losing his dad and not having any siblings. I was lucky to have you," Jeremy admitted.
"Me, too, Jer. I'm just so glad you are alright. I'm going to kill Damon when I see him," Elena said with fury.
"No worries, Elena. Don't give Damon the satisfaction," Jeremy said plainly hugging Elena tightly.
"I'll meet you in the car in 20 minutes. I'm going to call Stefan before we leave for the Lockwood thing. I made coffee," Elena said pulling out her mobile phone. Elena laced the coffee with vervain. If she couldn't keep her brother safe from vampires, then what use was anything?
Klaus felt something like hope. This boy who tried to kill himself or turn himself into a vampire needed him. And Klaus...He needed an heir again. This time he would make it work, no matter what.
As soon as Jeremy left the house to leave, Klaus vamped over to him.
"Hello," Klaus said gazing in his eyes.
"Ah, hi, can I help you with something?" Jeremy said politely. What had this guy come from?
"I want you to follow me into my car. You will not yell or scream. You will do what I tell you until I get into the car," Klaus compelled him.
"What? Who the fuck are you, man? I'm calling the cops!" Jeremy screamed.
It was only then that Klaus saw the bracelet. It must be vervain.
Without a thought, Klaus vamped the boy into the waiting truck. He would have a son no matter what. He put him into a headlock until the boy passed out cold.
Elena came out a few minutes later and yelled Jeremy's name. However, there was no responses.
A few hours later, Jeremy woke up in a large bedroom. He few dizzy and disoriented. Where was he?
There was a tray of sandwiches on a small table in front of a large screen tv. The windows were locked and there was some coating so he couldn't make out what was outside. Jeremy ran to the door only to find it was locked.
"Let me out of here, you freak! Or I'm going to break down this freaking door," Jeremy screamed pounding on the door. He felt his pocket for his phone. Gone.
Jeremy heard a click and as he was about to kick it, it opened.
Klaus stepped into the room to see the furious boy.
"Normally, I would welcome you to my home. Yet I see we are still in a state of angst," Klaus laughed.
"Angst? What the fuck are you talking about, you dick? What is going on? Who are you and why did you kidnap me? Are you some kind of pervert?" Jeremy spluttered.
"Oh my, what a salty tongue you have, young man. That will not do. I have known pirates who did not dare speak with such disrespect to me," Klaus mused. This might be a tad more difficult than he anticipated.
"Fuck off. Let me go now, I know vampires...and werewolves. You will be dead if you don't let me go, you prick!" Jeremy spat.
"Oh dear, I see that a more direct introduction is in order. My name is Niklaus Mikaelson. You mentioned vampires and werewolves. Well, son, I am the hybrid. For a millenia, my family has reigned supreme over all other supernatural creatures. And I have chosen you, my boy, to be my heir. You should be grateful." Klaus said with total confidence.
"Son? I'm not your damn son. A hybird? I never heard of such a thing. I think you are out of your damn mind. An heir, to what? Just take me home now and I won't have you arrested," Jeremy pleaded.
"Arrested? Ha, you really don't believe me do you? I supposed I'll have to prove it to you. Nicole, love, come here," Klaus called out to the hallway.
A small woman with dark, curly hair appeared.
"Yes, master?" she replied quietly.
"I am hungry," Klaus said simply.
The woman bared her slim, brown neck and walked towards Klaus.
With a look at Jeremy, his eyes flashed yellow and his fangs appeared. Klaus sunk them into the woman's neck and drank deeply for a moment.
Jeremy was stunned for a moment. Shit! It was true. His fight or flight instincts kicked in and Jeremy immediately ran for the open door.
He made it out to a long hallway.
Klaus stopped drinking and thanked Nicole, dismissing her back to her work. He vamped to Jeremy as he reached the long double staircase of the mansion.
Klaus grabbed him as gently as possible and whispered into his ear, "You are my son now. You will not flee. Do you understand? If you do, there will be consequences."
"If you are going to kill me, do it now!" Jeremy panted, trying to break out of Klaus' iron grip.
"Would a father kill a son for running away? Nay, but I might have to give you a good hiding and sent you to your room," Klaus laughed.
"Hiding? You are going to skin me? Oh jesus, just let me out of here," Jeremy cried horrified as his imagination ran away with him.
"No, I shall not flay you, my son. But I will spank you if needed to teach you some manners and how to respect your elders. This is something I fear your generation has failed to learn. I will also take care of you and teach you how to run a kingdom. I heard you say you wanted to be vampire. If you still want to be a vampire when you are 30, I will turn you. No sooner though," Klaus seemed to be talking to himself. He was remembering Marcel and how he had begged for immortality.
"Spank me? What the hell is it with you vampires? I'm in fucking high school, not a baby. Also, I don't want to run a kingdom. I am an artist. I want to draw and go to art school, for fuck's sake!" Jeremy shouted.
"An artist? Is this true? I am also a bit of an artist. When you can calm down, I'll show you my studio. Right now, I want you to settle down and eat something. I know this has all been a shock. I will let this little episode slide, but the next time I will not be so lenient with you," Klaus said pushing the boy back into the bedroom with a resounding smack on the seat of his pants.
"Ouch!" Jeremy whined as his hands shot back to protect his backside. That one swat from Klaus seemed to sting more than the whole spanking he got from Stefan a few weeks back for fighting. Jeremy felt a tinge of respect for this ancient creature.
Klaus chuckled,"Oh son, I feel like this was meant to be. Now tell me your name."
Jeremy went to say something sarcastic but he saw Klaus arch his eyebrow and the sting in his rear made him think twice. Klaus guided him to sit on the bed.
"Jeremy Gilbert," Jeremy said in a more respectful tone, wincing at the sting as he sat carefully.
"Tell me about yourself, Jeremy," Klaus said in an even tone.
Jeremy told Klaus about his parents' accident, his sister, his Aunt Jenna, and a little about Vicky. Once the words started, he found it easier. Klaus seemed to be interested.
"Well, son, I appreciate you telling me these things and being honest. Now, eat your lunch and get some rest. There are books and a television here. I'll have Nicole bring you some sketchbooks and art supplies later," Klaus said looking kindly at the boy.
"Can I ask you a question?" Jeremy asked quietly.
"You may," Klaus nodded.
"If you are a vampire, or hybrid, why don't you just compel me?" Jeremy wondered.
Klaus laughed at the boy's cleverness. "I tried, dear boy. It seems you have ingested vervain or wear it on your person. Or both. I think your sister may have tried to protect you with the issues going on in Mystic Falls right now. That was smart of her."
"Oh," Jeremy said, tearing up at mention of his sister.
"Worry not, your sister will get word soon that you are safe. Much safer than you have been without my protection," Klaus smiled, patting the boy on the shoulder.
"Thanks, I guess," Jeremy muttered.
"I will promise you that I will never compel you. As my son, I also never lie to you. I know that you are not ready to make me the same promise, but I hope you will in the future. Now eat and rest, we shall talk later," Klaus said, locking the door behind him.
Jeremy almost wanted to call the vampire back for a second. Jeremy's head was spinning. This hybrid wanted to make him a son, a king, a vampire? It was a lot to take in. He had to admit that a part of him felt a little less empty. He hadn't felt this way since before Vicky died. Jeremy flipped to his stomach and fell into a deep sleep.