No Pairing

Mikaelson Mansion

Saturday, January 20, 2011

"Mama K.? That has a nice ring to it," Freya teased. She threw herself into Keelin's arms and closed her eyes. Freya felt like she could sleep a hundred years again.

"So does 'Mom.' I have to admit that I thought you were going to go soft on the girl. Then, I come back and her backside was almost smoking. Poor little thing-I have to admit, I was feeling for her. Hell, I was her about twenty years back," Keelin admitted.

"Twenty years, huh? Someday I want to hear all those bad things you did as a wild wolf. But as for our twin, I warned her not to fight me during a lickin' or she's getting a worse one. She had a lot of guilt, too, maybe about things that she could or couldn't control. I don't know. She and Rachael seem to bring out the worst brattiness out in each other sometimes," Freya mused. "Let's go look for Kai."

Freya and Keelin walked out into the wide hallway arm in arm.

"Twins. That can't be easy. Especially, with them looking exactly alike. There's Matt," Keelin said.

"Matthew, hi honey. Where's Kai?" Freya asked. She had a sixth sense that something wasn't right.

"Kai? He said he told you that he was...going out with another friend. Tyler, isn't that right?" Matt called. Tyler and Matt had been talking to Klaus in his room about their day.

"Yeah, but his friend was a lady. Not real old, but older. She had a weird dress on," Tyler admitted.

"A weird dress? Like an old-fashioned dress? Long skirt? Red bun?" Freya asked frantically. Matt and Tyler nodded.

Klaus came to the door, "What's wrong, Sister?"

"It's Kai. I think he went off with Lily Salvatore!" Freya gasped.

Lily's House

Mystic Falls, Virginia

Kai didn't think he would ever want to see Lily again. Just the sight of her reminded him of being in the 1903 prison world again. But when she had sent him the message, he had to meet her.

"I didn't know you knew how to leave a text message," Kai said to Lily as she ushered him into her new house. It was a foreclosure in an old neighborhood in Mystic Falls. One where neighbors would not ask questions.

"Yes, well, we do have to adapt to modern times. How are enjoying 2011, Malachai?" Lily said as she steering Kai into a living room. He remembered she always liked to have tea in the parlor.

"I like not being trapped, if that is what you are asking?" Kai retorted.

"No need to get smart, young man. I called you here because I have a deal that much help us both," Lily explained firmly.

"Could you get to the point, please? I actually have a real family now and I don't want them to know I am here, with you," Kai smirked.

"Fine. As you know, I just got back from that sad scene in New Orleans with your parents and your sister, Jo. One thing you may not know is that the prison world that your younger siblings are in is an important one to me," Lily stated. Beau came in and began serving tea.

"Hey, Beau! Still acting as Lily's butler, I see. Man, you can do better," Kai snarked. Beau ignored Kai and walked out of the room with a nod towards Lily. Kai could never understand their weird devotion to her.

"Kai, I am trying to retain my patience with your poor decorum. Now, please listen," Lily said with a tight smile.

"Or what? You can't send me to my room to think anymore! Oh wait, are you going to try to have Beau hold me down again so you can beat me with your giant hairbrush?" Kai ranted.

"Malachai, is this what you are upset about? That I had to punish you from time to time? I did that because I cared about you. I know you didn't like it, you weren't supposed to. If you would have behaved properly, you would not have gotten so many punishments," Lily implored him. She had tried to talk to Kai about this in New Orleans. She had thought they could move on, but the boy had always been a hot head. He reminded her that way of her oldest son, the vampire son she had just lost there, Malcolm.

"No, I'm mad because...,you know what? Forget it, just tell me what you want so I can leave," Kai exploded.

Lily took a breath, she did not do well when someone spoke to her in this rude fashion. It reminded her of how her husband used to talk to her, but Kai was right, he was out of her reach.

"Fine, Malachai. Here's the truth, once and for all. Your siblings are trapped in a prison world with...Julian! The love of my life. I need him out of there. I am assuming that you would like to see your siblings grow up in a normal world, right?" Lily said sweetly.

"What? I thought they were dead! How did they get in a prison world?" Kai said standing up to pace.

"How did you get in a prison world? Your parents. Your coven. Your sister sealed them in. They told me Julian wasn't in there, but he is. It's just that he is in there in a sort of relic, trapped. It's a bit hard to explain. The real question is how do we get them out," Lily spat.

"What do you want from me?" Kai asked blankly.

"We need to exchange them with your sister, Jo. She's the only one who can unlock the prison world," Lily lamented.

"Why?" Kai asked afraid to hear the answer.

"Because she has the ascendent," Lily admitted with tears in her eyes.

Mikaelson Mansion

Kitchen

10:30pm

"You went where?" Freya yelled in horror.

"To Lily's new house," Kai answered.

Klaus cut in, "Kai, we didn't know where you were. You lied to the boys. Lily is a dangerous Heretic. They took you once."

Kai realized he had put himself in danger. "I'm sorry. She texted me that she could rescue my younger siblings if I met with her."

"Younger? I don't understand. I'm sorry but I thought they were dead," Freya asked.

"According to Lily, they are trapped in a prison world with her #1 lover, some dude named Julian. He must be quite a guy because she is willing to do almost anything to get him back," Kai confessed.

Klaus squeezed his eyes shut, "What does she want, Kai?"

"My twin, Jo. She claimed that Jo has the ascendent for that prison world and her blood is the only thing that can open it," Kai said slowly.

"But Jo took off and disappeared," Freya remarked. "Those poor kids."

Kai admitted, "I don't even really know them. I was even locked away or gone. The twins might know them better. I guess I did know Olivia and Lucas a bit. We called Olivia, 'Liv'...She was cute when she was a baby, she had curly blond hair and big blue eyes..."

Klaus' eyes met Freya's, "We'll help, of course. But I just wonder what this Julian did to get locked in a prison world. Your coven only hunted the worst of the worst vampires in the world. I fear for those children."

"Thanks. Lily said that Julian is locked inside some kind of relic or something so I'm not sure he is free in there. But the kids are still really young. I don't know who is taking care of them. If it is okay with you guys, I'd just like to go to bed," Kai said yawning.

Klaus opened his mouth and then shut it and put his hands up.

"I'm glad you are alright, Kai. But please, don't do this to us again," Klaus said as he kissed Kai on the forehead.

"Sorry, Uncle Klaus," Kai said softly.

"Don't forget to drink your blood before bed. Love you," Klaus said. He knew what he thought Freya needed to do, but he was going to stay out of it. She would deal with it as she saw fit. Klaus nodded at Freya and took his leave. He really felt the need for some wine himself, but he was abstaining, as were the rest of the adults. Klaus would never be the first to break. Surely, no one would fault him a few beers?

"Kai, I'm sorry but you are grounded until further notice. You can also hand over that phone, hon," Freya said holding out her hand.

"But what if she calls or texts?" Kai asked.

"Exactly, let the adults deal with it. You need to worry about drinking your blood on schedule and keeping even emotionally. Are you alright about seeing Lily?" Freya said as Kai handed her his cell phone.

"Not really. She is so smug and condescending. I feel like she wants to drag me by the ear into the corner and make me kneel on corn or something!" Kai growled.

"What? She did that to you?" Freya asked.

"No, but she did that to the girls when they were 'impudent' and I don't even know that that means. She just makes me really mad. Freya, I don't trust her," Kai said hotly. "I think she does care about me and maybe she tried to apologize in her own way, but I just don't trust her."

Freya put her arms around the newly made vampire.

"It's okay, Kai. You don't have to deal with her alone. Let's get you some blood and then you can go to bed. Honestly, I'm just glad you are back safe and sound," Freya said. She went to the fridge and handed him a blood bag.

Dana came into the kitchen, "Kai? Where were you?"

Kai drank from the blood bag and answered, "Ah, Lily's place. It's a long story."

Dana also grabbed a blood bag, "Any news on Jo? The other kids?"

Kai glanced at Freya, "Lily wants Jo to let out her lover from the ascendent. Like we know where Jo is!"

Dana laughed, "Yeah, is there any chance she can survive after 22 now? If Kai stays a vamp? I mean, she's not a siphon so she can't become a vampire herself. Plus, there's no coven to run..."

Freya bit her lip, "I don't think anyone knows. Kai, we need to be really careful that she doesn't try to feed you the cure somehow and then merge with you. I know this sounds crazy, but we need to be very careful that you are not slipped Penny's blood."

Dana nodded, "That's a good point."

Freya looked over Dana, "You good, hon?"

Dana smiled, "Getting there." The blood bag was helping her heal a little. She could feel it working as she drained the bag.

Freya hugged them both, "Okay, you two, get to bed. We'll talk more about this in the morning. Maybe we can do something fun tomorrow?"

"I thought I was grounded?" Kai asked glumly.

"Not from family outings, okay? Sweetheart, I promise you that I will never leave this house and leave you here alone even if you run off with 100 crazy old vampires," Freya laughed.

Kai tried not to tear up in front of them, but failed. That made Freya cry a little, too. Freya pulled both teens into a hug and held them a few moments silently.

"I'll ride up to say goodnight to Rachael with you, Dana," Freya said.

"I'm going to take the stairs," Kai said wiping his eyes.

"Night, Kai," Freya said.

In the elevator, Dana said, "That was nice of you, what you said to Kai. About not leaving him alone. He was locked away for a long time."

"Well, he did put himself in danger tonight by going off with Lily, but I understand why he did it. If it's possible, he wants to help your younger siblings. I know the lengths I go for my siblings and would go for you guys," Freya admitted wryly.

"Liv and Lucas are the other set of twins...then little Joey, his real name is Joseph, and then baby Rosalind, or Rosy. I guess they would all be older now by three years at least," Dana surmised.

"Oh Dana, what happened to your family is a real tragedy, your coven really. Did they ever say how it started? The merge?" Freya inquired.

"No one talked about it. My grandmother said it was a curse one time, but she was getting senile and my dad just laughed it off. Do you think it could be a curse? Can't curses be lifted?" Dana wondered.

"I think it depends," Freya said, letting Dana get off the elevator first at the fourth floor.

They walked down to the entrance to the girls' quarters. On weekends, the kids could stay up until 11pm.

"What are the chances that anyone is actually in bed?" Freya smiled.

"Probably only Penny and maybe Bonnie, she's kind of a rule follower," Dana announced.

"At least someone is," Freya said.

They found Davina, Rachael, and Bonnie on the couches and the floor watching a movie.

"Hi girls, anything good on?" Freya asked.

"Nah, not really," Davina said yawning.

"It's almost bedtime. Why don't you girls go brush and wash your faces? I need to talk to Rachael a minute," Freya said.

"Am I in more trouble?" Rachael asked defensively.

"No, honey. I just wanted to share some stuff before you heard it from someone else," Freya said softly. She filled in Rachael on the possibility that if they found Jo, they could rescue the other kids.

"But if the kids get out of the prison world, will they have to merge someday? Will this continue the coven? A part of me thinks it is just better off ended. We always knew that Dana and I were just back up twins in case something went wrong with Jo and Kai. Then, when they found out that we were siphons, they had another set of twins. I never wanted to live my life like that," Rachael spat. "Just having kids for the wrong reasons."

"Of course not, I know this is all really awful to deal with. I wish that all you guys had on your mind was school and boys and friends. Now, you are vampires, in addition to being witches, and new to this family. But I want you to know that I am here for you, so is Keelin. We love you, Rachael. I just need you to know that, okay?" Freya said.

Rachael looked down, "You don't have to say that."

"Say what? Honey, it's true! I know I didn't carry you in my body or get to be with you for the previous 14 years, but I want to be here for you in the future. I know today didn't start off that great, but it didn't end too badly, did it?" Freya prodded.

"I guess we deserved it, we did steal booze two nights in a row. But yeah, shopping was cool," Rachael recalled.

"It was, wasn't it. I grew up without my family. It was lonely and I still get angry when I think about how I was taken and kept from them. But I feel like every time we have a good time or are together, I'm winning. That is what life is about, being together with the people you love. And Rachael, you are one of those people," Freya said emphatically.

Rachael nodded, but didn't say anything.

"You don't have to say anything. Hug?" Freya asked. Rachael nodded slightly and let Freya embrace her for a moment.

"Freya?" Bonnie called still holding her toothbrush in one hand and her cell phone in the other.

"Yes, Bonnie?" Freya said letting go of Rachael.

"My dad is calling. I think he came home early!" Bonnie said her voice wavering.

Sunday, January 21, 2011

8:06am

Freya had spoken to Bonnie's dad and assured him that Bonnie was fine and well-taken care of. He was upset and angry about her getting suspended. Freya promised to take Bonnie home early and discuss it.

After spending Saturday afternoon with Jeremy playing laser tag, Bonnie wanted to say goodbye in person. Bonnie tiptoed into the boys' quarters. She had been in here to hang out and watch tv, but she had never been in the bedroom area. Bonnie was relieved that it didn't smell like sweat or none of them were naked. She wasn't quite sure what she expected.

She cracked open the door, "Jeremy."

Damn, she was going to have to go in. She found Tyler sleeping on his stomach without a shirt on, Connor face down with a pillow over his head, Erik on his back, and Matt snoring loudly like an old man...but no Jeremy.

"Bonnie! Up here," Jeremy hissed.

"What the hell?" Bonnie giggled. She climbed up to the loft that she had never noticed before in the dark. Jeremy was up here, also shirtless, beside a large sketchbook. There was fur blankets and pillows that were really soft. It felt like a hidden cave up here. There were tiny strings of Christmas lights around the top of the loft to provide a soft white light.

"It's easier to sketch up here," Jeremy explained.

"This is so cool, though," Bonnie said. Jeremy popped on a small overheard light that only lit up the loft area.

"I come up here to work and I feel like I have some privacy, but I'm not alone. Bon. Hey, what are you doing up here?" Jeremy smiled.

"Ah, no, not for that. I just came to say bye. My dad came home early and heard the answering machine message so...," Bonnie pursed her lips.

"So grounded forever? And I'll never see you again?" Jeremy groaned softly. They had had a great time playing laser tag yesterday and then making out in a dark corner of Fun Town.

"Pretty much," Bonnie frowned.

"Can't you tell him you already got punished? I mean, you did, didn't you?" Jeremy asked flushing.

"Yeah, Freya, um, did, you know," Bonnie laughed nervously.

"Bonnie, you don't have to be embarrassed, not in front of me. You know Erik and I got it twice. I just wish there was something I could do so you didn't get like double jeopardied," Jeremy scoffed.

"Besides having your dad compel my dad, I'm screwed. Well, Freya is going to talk to him. She might need me to help do a locator spell on Kai and the twins' evil sister Jo later today. That's a long story. But other than that, I'll be stuck at home being lectured about responsibility and,-" Bonnie said as Jeremy cut her off with a kiss.

"I think I love you, Bon," Jeremey whispered.

"Jer, your sister is my best friend," Bonnie repeated.

"My sister, who we hardly ever see anymore? Bonnie, I'm here. Elena is with her boyfriends, Stefan and Damon," Jeremy interjected.

"Jeremy, that is mean, you know Elena is with Stefan. Damon is just a friend," Bonnie said pulling away. No one criticized Elena in front of Bonnie, not even her own brother.

"I'm sorry, Bonnie. I just don't see what Elena has to do with us," Jeremy said.

"It's okay, Jeremy. I guess things have changed. You are different, I'm different and Elena is...different," Bonnie admitted, kissing him back.

"Different can be good, right?" Jeremy laughed.

Bonnie agreed, "I have to go. Don't text me in case my dad takes my phone."

"Oh, good point. I'll miss you. Would it help if I explained to your dad how we pressured you into going to the cave with us?" Jeremy offered.

"No, it would not. He hates magic and thinks it is the root of all the bad crap that has happened to our family. Plus, have you met my dad? He may not be a vampire or wolf like your dad, but he was in the Marine Corps. And Jeremy, he will kill you if he even thinks you like me, just a little," Bonnie smirked.

"Semper Fi," Jeremy groaned falling back into the fur blankets.

"Yeah, well, good luck with that," Bonnie laughed at she climbed down from the loft. She did a quick spell to turn off Jeremy's lights.

"Go back to sleep," she said as she shut the door softly.

Erik laughed, "Jeremy's got a girlfriend!"

Tyler made some kissing noises into his pillow, "Oh Bonnie!" Connor laughed and turned back over to go back to sleep. Kai smiled and took out a blood bag out of his mini-fridge.

"I thought you were gonna get lucky up there for a minute," Kai added.

Erik grabbed some condoms from his bedside table, "Dad, doesn't want anymore grandkids yet. Use them, Jeremy!"

Tyler growled and jumped on Erik in bed and put him in a headlock and gave him a half-nelson.

"I yield, I yield," Erik yelped as Tyler then pinned him to his bed laughing.

Tyler smiled, "I used to play three varsity sports when I was a freshman, little man. And that's when I was still human. I can whup your ass in my sleep."

Erik growled and flipped Tyler over,"Oh really? Looks like you're getting weak, old man!"

Connor and Kai laughed as Tyler struggled to get out of Erik's grasp. Erik let him go with a slight push. He had learned his fighting skills on the streets of Louisiana, not on some high school wrestling mat wearing tights. Tyler patted Erik on the arm to show him there were no hard feelings, but he had to admit he had a new respect for the younger hybrid.

"Shut up, guys," Jeremy laughed, but he knew he would never live this down. At least Matt was still snoring loudly in his bed. He had slept through the whole thing.