Chapter 5:

The next few days passed easily enough. The group spent most of it in the house watching movies or playing video games. Ric convinced them to go out every night for dinner. Though after the second night at the Grill he demanded they eat somewhere else. It was nice, and as for a distraction it was working. For the most part, but the truth was it was the daily text messages from Klaus and Elijah that kept both him and Kol from stealing a car and chasing after the other two.

But then yesterday, neither him nor Kol had heard from Klaus or Elijah. Jeremy spent most of the day on edge with his phone in his hand. Kol wasn't much better. The vampire wouldn't sit still. He was everywhere and Jeremy knew they were starting to irritate the others. Twice over the course of the day, he was tempted to tamp into the bond. He wanted to make sure they were okay. But Kol told him to hold off that they were probably busy dealing with what it was and hadn't had the time to message them back. He wasn't sure if he believed that but he held onto the hope for the rest of the day.

It was morning now. He was sitting on the bed with his back against the headboard. Kol was in the shower. For what he could tell the rest of the house was still asleep. He was rolling his phone between his hands. Still no new messages. He knew Kol didn't want him using the bond, and he was pretty sure it was more worry about what he would feel. If the two were hurt, Jeremy would feel their pain. If they were dead... No they weren't dead he would know. He was positive that him and Kol would have felt it immediately if they were dead. Surely the bond would have snapped or something.

So without Kol in the room, he closed his eyes and searched for the brilliant blue web that connected them all. He breathed a little easier with there was still three out reaching threads. He reached for the one he associated with Elijah.

Anger was the first thing he felt. He couldn't see the vampire but he was pretty sure the man was moving. Not running, Jeremy could feel frustration, so he was betting Elijah was pacing. Not something the older original was prone to do. He released Elijah's thread and reached for Klaus. The hybrid wasn't angry he was pissed. It was that scary calm that radiated death to whoever it was aimed at. He took a breath and released the thread.

When he opened his eyes, Kol was standing in front of him dressed, arms over his chest and a raised brow.

"They're okay. Mad, but I didn't feel any pain or anything." Kol nodded, but there was frown on his face.

Jeremy wondered if it was because he had used the bond when the vampire hadn't wanted him too.

"I can't do this." Kol said, and Jeremy's stomach dropped.

"Can't do what?" He croaked out.

Kol must have realized Jeremy's head was going someplace dark because he sat on the bed and pulled Jeremy close.

"Idiot." The vampire whispered. "I can't just sit here."

Jeremy relaxed. "I don't think Ric and the others are going to let us just take off."

Kol frowned again.

"I don't care what Ric wants." The vampire growled. " They should not have bloody left us here."

"I know." Jeremy said, wrapping his arms around Kol's waist.

"We talk to them," he said, he felt Kol huff. He looked at Kol's face meeting his eyes. "We talk to them. It doesn't matter if they agree with us, we are going. But this way they know what we are doing. Hell maybe we can get them to come with us. More people as backup." He kissed Kol. It was soft and fast.

Then he pulled away, "Pack. Either way we leave tonight." Kol gave him a grin and Jeremy got off the bed and headed for the room Ric was staying in.

He knocked on the door.

He could hear Ric moving through the room and then the door opened.

Ric took one look at him, "What's wrong?"

Jeremy gave him a tight smile, "Can we get everyone in the living room?" He asked.

"You're leaving." The man said, not even a hint of a question.

Jeremy nodded.

"I'll meet you downstairs." Ric said and went back into his room.

Jeremy didn't bother knocking on anything other door. He was sure Caroline and Tyler would have woken up to his knocking on the hunters door and he knew someone would grab Matt. So he walked down the stairs and sat on the couch waiting for the others to join him.

He felt so nervous as he sat there waiting, he knew Elijah and Klaus would be mad when him and Kol showed up. The two had been adamant they stay behind but this waiting was driving him nuts. He stood by his original argument that separating was stupid. They were stronger as a group.

Caroline sat down next to him on the couch and took his hand. He smiled at her.

He could see Matt and Tyler moving to stand behind them. Kol and Ric were the last to enter. Kol with pleased expression. It seemed telling the original that no matter what they were leaving tonight have lifted his mood. Ric on the other hand didn't look happy.

"You know they don't want you two to go there?" Ric said heading straight for the bar.

"They're morons." Kol muttered landing on the couch next to Jeremy.

The older hunter rolled his eyes. "They have a good reason." the man said, " New Orleans is unknown. We have no idea what they walked into or what you two will once you get there."

Jeremy sighed, "Ric, you aren't going to change our minds."

"I know." The man said, "I was just hoping to point it out."

"What's your plan?" Matt asked from behind him.

"As of now?" Jeremy said, "Without them messaging us. We don't know where they are or what they have learned." He sat back, " So, for now we got in and look around. Try and keep a low profile see if we can learn anything about the witches there. Hopefully we hear from Klaus and Elijah before we get there and we have some kind of information about what we are walking into."

"When do we leave?" Caroline asked.

He smiled at her. "I'm not asking you guys to come." The blonde vampire opened her mouth. He held up his hand to stop her, " Don't get me wrong, having you there with us would be amazing. But I don't want you guys to come unless you are really sure. We don't know how dangerous is will be."

Matt laughed, "Trust us Jer, we are coming."

He gave each of them a smile and looked at Ric.

"What about you?" he asked, feeling uneasy. He wanted the man to come but he didn't want to leave his aunt here alone.

"I'm coming." The man said with a sigh, "I'll have to call Jenna."

After that they scattered. He was sure Caroline was calling her mom to tell her what was going on. While Tyler and Matt packed. Him and Kol found an old cooler in the kitchen and started packing drinks and munchies for the long drive.

About an hour later, they were all piling in to one of the SUV's. Jeremy checked his phone from the backseat as Kol moved in next to him and Ric and Matt took the front seats. In the seat behind them Caroline was leaning in to Tyler, already reading a book she had brought along. He still had no new messages. With a sigh he put it in his pocket and shifted so he could rest against Kol.