Hello, my lovely readers. Wow. It has been a long time since this fic received and update. I hope you enjoy the new chapter and the twists I will be adding to S7 of TVD and TO S3. On with the show…
Chapter 9: Daddy Do-Right?
During the length of his life—all two-hundred and some odd years of it—Stefan Salvatore had spent very little time taking care of babies. It's not that he wouldn't have liked to babysit, or to even raise a child, it's the whole Ripper thing kind got in the way.
Now, he found that he'd volunteered to take care of Hope Mikaelson. Of all the babies, in all the world, he had to choose the child of his greatest frenemy to test out his nanny skills on. Yeah. Great idea, Stefan, he chided himself when Hope spit up on him.
Eying the deceptively innocent looking child in his arms, Stefan shook his head. "What have I gotten myself into this time?"
"Looks like baby spit to me," Cami's voice made Stefan turn. The blonde human looked amused as she pushed off the doorframe to Klaus' bedroom and made her way over to take Hope's hand.
Hope giggled and shook in Stefan's borrowed arms. When would he get used to being in Klaus' body? Hopefully, never. With any luck, Freya would switch them back, or maybe Bonnie knew by now, and would switch them. Either way, Stefan would be happy to be home, and back to being Stefan Salvatore, minus the millions of enemies and all of the problems of New Orleans.
Looking up at him, Hope seemed to know what he was thinking. Her eyes bored into his, and Stefan wondered if she could switch them back, then dismissed the thought. She might be super-powerful, but there was no way a baby could do that kind of magic.
"Earth to Klaus." Cami's pale hand waving in his face made Stefan glance at her.
"Yes?" Stefan replied.
"I just said 'Did you want me to take her; so you can change?" Cami looked amused, holding out her arms for Hope.
Klaus' eyebrows rose and Stefan felt the man's mouth contorting into one of his own looks of confusion—or brooding—if you asked Damon. "Change?" His thoughts were still on getting his life back, but he felt like Cami was referring to something else.
"Your shirt," Cami said, inclining her head toward the spit-covered article of clothing.
Glancing at the shirt, Stefan forced one of Klaus' smirks onto the Hybrid's face. "You're right. Thank you, Camille." Staring at Cami, he waited before she rolled her eyes.
"Right. I'll be back," Cami let out an awkward laugh and carried Hope out of the room.
Stefan ran a hand through the back of Klaus' curls, shaking it, ruefully. He wished Damon were here. Not that Damon would be able to help get him back into his old body, but he would make a joke, and they'd laugh, have a drink. His eyes fell on the open doorway. He crossed the room, and closed the heavy door, hearing the soft click as it shut.
Striding back across the room, Stefan removed Klaus' phone from the pair of over-priced jeans he wore. Leave it to Klaus to have the latest phone. Swiping the screen, Stefan looked through the list of contacts. Pausing, Stefan wondered how Klaus would feel if he knew that Stefan was looking at Klaus' long list of enemies, friends and servants. Klaus' paranoia would force him to compel away Stefan's memories.
Stefan sighed, and sat down on the bed. He skipped over the As and Bs, hesitating over Caroline's name. Poor Caroline, stuck with Klaus. He hoped that Klaus hadn't done anything to hurt her, or to missile her in some way. But Caroline was smart. She probably already figured out that Klaus was not Stefan. His finger hovered over her name.
No. Stefan decided that he would wait for Klaus to make a move. Hope that his sometimes friend, sometimes foe, would remember that taking care of Stefan's body and his friends would be in his best interests; if he wanted Stefan to return the favor.
Scrolling further down, Stefan saw Damon's name, and, again, he wanted to touch the screen, hear Damon's chuckle and see his smirk. Oh, little brother, look at the mess you're in the middle of this time.
No. He could not talk to Damon, yet. He'd have to wait for that, too.
Moving the list of names higher, Freya's name popped up. Freya Mikaelson. The mysterious sister, unknown for centuries. Pretty, smart, and as untrusting as Klaus. Possibly just as paranoid. And dangerous. Still. Stefan liked her. He did not understand why and had decided not to question it.
A light tap on the door made Stefan jump to his feet. "Klaus? Are you okay in there?" Cami's voice came from the other side of the door and Stefan could hear Hope jabbering away, talking in a baby language that he did not fully comprehend.
"Yes, Camille. Be out in a moment," Stefan called back. He wanted to kick himself. Who was he kidding here? He hated lying. And this felt a lot like lying. He just had to remember that he was doing it to protect those he cared about.
"O-kay," Cami called back.
Moving rapidly, Stefan jerked off the soiled shirt and found a new one. One second later, he opened the door to find Cami, smile in place, bouncing Hope on her hip. "Hey, thought you'd decided to ditch us. Hope and I were about to go downstairs and play a rousing game of peek-a-boo."
Hope let out a cheer, and reached out for Stefan, who took her. He followed Cami down the hall and down to the living room. Cami took a seat on a high-backed chair and Stefan relaxed into an unfamiliar couch. Placing her hands over her face, Cami removed them and cried to Hope "Peek-a-boo!"
Stefan could not see Klaus sitting, patiently, while this human woman made what he would refer to as "insipid" noises at his child. Given Klaus' arrogance and belief that his intelligence out-ranked most anyone else's—Stefan figured that he believed his daughter must also share his gifts. Maybe there was more to Klaus than Stefan had given him credit for.
"Peek-a—Josh!" Cami cried, her eyes moving behind Stefan's borrowed shoulder.
Stefan turned Klaus' head to find a young man with black hair and a nervous grin, standing in the doorway. "Hey, Cami. Uh, Klaus. Baby Mikaelson." Josh waved at Hope who cooed at him. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, the young vampire looked uncomfortable. "What are we up to—baby games—I love baby games. Used to play all the time." His eyes flicked to Stefan who gave him a neutral look, having no idea what Klaus' relationship with him was.
"So…" Josh continued, looking around the room.
"You know what would really defuse the tension?" Cami asked, standing up and looking from Stefan to Josh. "Bourbon."
Hope glanced at her.
"None for her," Stefan said with a grin.
Cami's eyes widened and then she let out a laugh. "Right. No drinks for you until your twenty-first birthday, and then Auntie Cami will tell you all about her first drink and…" Cami stopped talking and blushed before waving to Josh. "We will be back."
The human and the young vampire left the room and Stefan sat back on the sofa. Hope looked at him, her eyes deep and full of unknown thoughts. For a moment, Stefan feared she might decide to give him another vision when Klaus' phone rang. Pulling it out from his borrowed pocket, he glanced at the screen. Freya.
"Hello?" Stefan called.
At first all he heard was labored breathing and Marcel's soft curse. "Freya?" Stefan called, feeling a sinking weight in his stomach. If something had gone wrong during the mission…
"Stefan," Freya sighed into the phone. "We've found her, and are on our way back. I need you to listen carefully." Freya outlined a list of ingredients she had in the kitchen of the Mikaelsons' home. Apparently they would speed up the healing process for a witch.
"Why not give her Marcel's blood?" Stefan replied.
Freya let out a dark chuckle. "Because our foe is too smart for that. Whatever they've done to her—vampire blood will not cure."
"Right. Okay. I'll go now." Freya did not wait before hanging up on him.
Standing up, Stefan shifted Hope to his hip and carried the heir to the Mikaelson family into the kitchen where Cami and Josh were laughing about something that Stefan did not register.
"Hey, so I think that someone drank all the bourbon— Klaus, what's going on?" Cami said, moving closer to him as Stefan opened cabinet doors, searching for the right ingredients for the spell.
Stefan shook his head. "Nothing to worry about, love. Why don't you and Josh take Hope into the living room, and continue with the game. I must meet Freya in the courtyard." Offering Cami a regretful smile, Stefan handed over Hope and returned to his search. Cami hesitated for a moment, her eyes on him before she led Josh out of the kitchen.
Refocusing on the task at hand, Stefan hoped he recalled what Freya asked for correctly. If not, Davina's life might be in danger. Hands full of small plastic bags and glass jars, Stefan made his way out of the kitchen and through the living room.
"Need any help?" Cami called, bouncing Hope on her knee.
"No, thank you." Stefan called back over his shoulder. Hurriedly, he moved down the side staircase and to the courtyard. Freya led Marcel forward. A small girl with a cascade of dark hair lay, motionless in a silent Marcel's arms. The vampire's dark expression spoke volumes as Stefan moved closer.
Marcel laid the girl down on a couch, pressing his hands over her limp, right hand. "Come on, D," he whispered. "Do not do this to me, again."
Freya turned to Stefan, her gaze burning into him. "Did you bring me what I asked for?" her low voice sounded like a roar even though she never raised it an octave. Her entire body was rigid with tension.
"Yeah. I think so," Stefan said, setting the ingredients down on the table near Davina.
"You think?" Marcel growled, his teeth bared in a snarl of rage. "And I thought I'd never say this when it came to Davina—I wish Klaus were here."
"Marcel, enough," Freya snapped. Her fingers moved over the things that Stefan brought her. Her eyes flicked over them, a quick nod making her blonde locks fly as she named each of them under her breath. "Yes. That is all of them," she said, relief in her tone.
Marcel glanced up at Stefan but did not offer an apology before his eyes moved back to Davina. Stefan did not detect a heartbeat coming from the girl or any sign that she was even breathing. "Come on, D," Marcel cried, moving forward and pressing his lips to her hair. "Do not do this."
Freya began by grabbing a bowl and a pestal stone that Stefan had grabbed—as an afterthought—on his way out of the kitchen. The witch began to pour bits of this and that together before smashing them together. Removing a lighter from her pocket, she set the potion of fire while chanting in Latin.
"Are you done yet?" Marcel snapped.
Freya ignored him before she blew out the flame and pressed her fingers into the paste. "Lift her shirt," she commanded Marcel who gave her a look before lifting Davina's shirt to reveal her stomach. "Now, hold her down, this might be painful." Placing a finger on Davina's stomach, Freya began to make a design of sorts, wide circles, ending in smaller and smaller loops.
"What is that?" Marcel questioned her.
Freya sighed. "It represents the circles of our lifespans. We, like trees, are left with marks for each of our lives. Davina has yet to live to complete every circle of life."
"Great," Marcel groaned. "And this is going to hurt her why?"
Not bothering to answer him, Freya pressed both of her hands to Davina's stomach and began to chant. Davina's legs suddenly shot outward, kicking in the air, her back arching, her arms flaying.
"Stop!" Marcel cried out. "Freya!"
"I can't!" Freya shouted back as wind began to blow. "If I do, she'll die!"
"What is going on?" Cami's voice made Stefan look to the stairs.
Josh sped to Davina's other side. He knelt, taking her hand. "Davina?"
The girl's eyes opened and she let out a scream that made Hope let out a howl, pressing her hands over her ears, her cheeks turning rosy and her hands shaking in the air.
Davina's body fell to the couch and she let out a sob. "Marcel?" she cried out, her eyes moving to Marcel who hugged her tightly.
"Hey, kid," Marcel said, rubbing her back.
Josh let out a relieved laugh. "Wow. And I thought I had nothing to do on a Friday night."
Davina turned to Josh. "Josh," she cried, hugging him and laughing. "You will never believe what happened to me."
"Oh, I can believe a lot," Josh said, hugging the girl who was apparently his friend. Again, Stefan thought about Caroline with a pang. He hoped she was okay with the leftover Heretics on the loose.
"Does anyone want to explain what is going on?" Cami asked, coming down to join them. She rubbed Hope's back. The baby buried her face in Cami's shirt.
"Long story," Marcel said, helping Davina to her feet.
"Uh-huh," Cami said, shaking her head and giving the rest of the group a suspicious look.
Right when things seemed to be settling down a loud shout made them turn in the direction of the gate. "KLAUS!" a woman's furious shout echoed off the walls.
Stefan glanced at Freya who looked back at him, her lips pursed in a scowl, her fingers curling. He gave a barely perceptible shake of his head and her fingers fell to her side.
"KLAUS!" the shout came again and then a woman came into view. Stefan recalled Hayley Marshall at the same moment that she came stomping toward him, her eyes yellow and her fangs on display. "I am going to—"
"Hayley," Elijah's voice made Hayley pause and her eyes moved to Cami and Hope.
"Hope," Hayley's voice came out with a slight wobble. "Oh, my God." Holding out her arms, she moved to collect her child.
Elijah's eyes moved to Stefan, offering him a warning and Stefan kept Klaus' mouth clamped shut. "It looks as if we have just arrived in time to avoid another drama. Shall we?" He indicated the house with a wave of his hand.
Marcel gave Elijah a long look before helping Davina toward the stairs. Hayley walked with Cami. Josh moved behind them, leaving Elijah and Stefan in the courtyard below.
"I presume that nothing unexpected has crept into any conversations between you and any of our guests while I was gone, brother," Elijah inquired, a smile on his face that reminded Stefan of the Elijah Milaeson who hunted down Elena.
"Your secret is safe," Stefan muttered.
"Good. Good. Then we shall join the rest of the family," Elijah said, nodding toward the house.
Stefan nodded and then he felt Klaus' phone ring in his pocket. Removing the ringing phone, Stefan glanced at the screen.
"Expecting a call?" Elijah inquired, his tone light.
Stefan shook his head. "No," he replied. "I think it's a telemarketer." Slipping the phone back into Klaus' pants, Stefan followed Elijah into the house.
When they arrived in the living room Davina was staring at her stomach. "Freya, did you give me a tattoo?"
Freya inhaled. "I'm sorry to say that, yes, the spell I did, to save you will leave a mark until you die."
"At least it's a cool tattoo. Not like someone's name that you have to have removed because he was a total jackass," Josh suddenly looked up at the others. "Who wants another drink? Me!" Cami poured Josh another drink, shooting Stefan a grin before turning to watch Hayley playing with Hope.
Stefan observed the Mikaelson family and their friends for the better part of an hour—all the while being keenly aware of the unanswered call logged on Klaus' phone.
"Good night, brother," Elijah called to him. Hayley stood by his side, Hope on her hip. She refused to look at Klaus. "I'm taking Hayley back to the bayou."
"Be safe, brother," Freya called after them.
"Looks like it's time to go," Marcel said. Davina and Josh joined him. "Night, Klaus." A small smirk thrown in Stefan's direction made him feel his stomach flip.
Freya moved to stand beside Stefan. She eyed Marcel, her arm folded over her chest. "Good night, Marcellus," she called.
Cami was the last to leave. "Night, Klaus," she hesitated, before offering him a wan smile and walking away.
"Is there something I should know there?" Stefan asked Freya who had turned toward the glasses on the table, picking up two and moving toward the kitchen.
Pausing, Freya cocked her head to the side. "Whatever Cami is feeling for my brother is the least of our problems." For a moment her face had softened, a smile twitching on her lips and then it was gone. Stefan would like to see her smile more often but he had a call to return.
"Well, its been kind of a long day and I'm going to head to bed," Stefan said, yawning and stretching.
"Good night, Stefan," Freya called, her head down as she stepped into the kitchen.
Moving to the stairs, Stefan hurried to Klaus' room. Once the door was closed, he withdrew Klaus' phone and hit redial. The phone rang once, twice and then: "Hello, brother."
"Damon," Stefan felt relief wash over him.
"Enjoying your own, personal version of Freaky Friday?" Damon inquired. "Makes sense in a twisted way, Klaus' being our sire and all. Think of what it would be like if you'd switched lives with Mom. I shudder." Chuckling, Damon continued. "How is New Orleans treating you?"
Opening his mouth to reply, Stefan heard Damon let out a grunt and what sounded like a loud thump. "Damon?" Stefan cried out.
"I'm sorry, Stefan, Damon cannot be reached at this time. But I will be happy to leave a message," his own voice retorted and Stefan stiffened.
"What did you do to Damon, Klaus?" Stefan snapped.
"Nothing. Yet. Now, tell me, Stefan, how is my daughter?" Klaus replied smoothly.
"Fine," Stefan retorted. He was not about to admit that Hope was with her mother.
"Good," Klaus replied. "Make sure she stays that way or I will begin killing your useless friends. Maybe I will start with your mother. You know how I loathe them."
"Klaus," Stefan ground out.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I believe Caroline is looking for me. Do, be a dear and keep an eye on Freya and Elijah for me as well, or I will make your death—in your own body—most spectacular." With that the line went dead and Stefan sank down to Klaus' bed. The urge to book a flight home and to rip Klaus' head off dissipated with the knowledge that it would still result in his, his brother's and all of their friends' deaths, thanks to the sire bond. If only there were a way to be free.
Little note: I forgot about the plot where Davina became a regent—so we will be ignoring that plotline and giving her something else to do in this fic.
Thank you for reading, faving, following and reviewing.
Peace,
Jessica