Here's chapter 2! Thanks for all the follows, likes, and reviews so far!
Chapter 2
Dorian watched Jane out of the corner of his eye as he finished putting the new lamp together, feeling concerned. Whatever had made her so angry and so upset seemed to have disappeared from her completely. She was sitting on the new plush settee that Klaus had recently bought, eating a fresh apple from one of the trees in the backyard and her face completely devoid of any negative emotion. Truthfully, it was frightening. It was like waiting for a bomb to go off. A beautiful bomb that was reading a book as she ate.
Klaus strode into the living room, stopping to give Jane a loving smile to which she returned. But her eyes flashed black immediately after he had turned away from her. Dorian swallowed at that dark look and blinked when she turned her gaze on him. She raised an eyebrow at him before he realized that Klaus was speaking to him.
"Oh, um, sorry. I was thinking." He said and looked at Klaus who snorted at him. The Original had turned him but seemed content to let Jane ask him to do things.
"Come with me. There's something I need your assistance with." He said lightly, indicating with his expression that he wasn't to ask questions. At least not in front of Jane. He needn't have worried.
"And what exactly do you need help with? Can't you ask Elijah?" The girl asked him, tilting her head at him.
Klaus coughed. "Elijah is busy at the moment, sweetheart. Was he doing something for you?"
She smiled widely. Too widely. Dorian swallowed again. He had never felt Jane angry before, but it was terrifying. Let no one ever say that she wasn't intimidating. She may be human, but she was still part predator being an elemental.
"Yes, actually. I'm afraid. He was going to finish the crib for our baby." Klaus opened his mouth. "Of course, if you really need Dorian now. I'll wait for Elijah to get back. That's not a problem is it?"
It didn't take Dorian long to realize that she was testing Klaus for something. He must have upset her.
Klaus looked confused for a second. "Er, no. Of course not. I'll ask Elijah when he returns. It can wait."
"Great." Jane beamed and went back to her book.
Dorian stared at her a moment longer before looking at Klaus who looked awful guilty about something as he left the room.
They sat in silence for a moment before the study door closed in the next room. Jane slammed her book closed.
"Lying ass." She hissed.
"Um, what was that about?"
She turned to him, face softening. "I'm sorry, Dorian. It wasn't fair of me to involve you, but I had too."
"What did he do exactly?"
She shook her head. "Something I didn't think he'd ever do again. that he promised he would never do again."
Jane got her phone out and eyed Dorian.
"Go help him. It's probably poor Elijah he's trying to stow away."
She stood up and left the room, heading up the stairs.
"Where are you off too, love?" Klaus asked her, having her heard on the steps.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" She retorted and left him staring after her in confusion.
Klaus heard a loud thump from upstairs and went to investigate. Their bedroom door was shut and there were noises coming from inside.
"Love?" He knocked on the door. "What are you doing?"
He opened the door to find their room in disarray. Clothing was flung this way and that both hers and his and the trunks were empty and piled together. Frowning, he stepped further inside and blinked as a pair of her panties smacked him in the face.
He raised an eyebrow and turned to see her searching through one of her trunks from home. He cleared his throat and she looked over her shoulder at him.
"Have you lost something, my love? What is it that you're searching for?"
"Something I should have gotten rid of apparently." She said, narrowing her eyes and pushing her hair back behind her ear. "I'm sure you know where the rest of them are." She stood up slowly, almost loosing her balance from having sat on her knees for too long and clutched at the bed rather than take his hand.
He frowned. "What have I done to deserve your anger, sweetheart?"
"You know very well what." She snapped at him. "You went through my things!"
It came to him quick enough that he couldn't think of denying it. She knew about Elijah. Her questioning from earlier now made sense.
"They weren't exactly well hidden, love." He responded and she growled at him.
"That doesn't matter! You promised me that you wouldn't do that anymore and what do you do? You put a dagger into Elijah's chest for offering to help you!"
"How did you know?"
"I saw you do it." Jane said quietly. "Why would you do it? And then lie about to me about it! Do you think I'm stupid?"
Klaus scowled at being berated by her. "No, of course I don't. I have my reasons for doing what I did and I don't have to explain them to you."
"You don't?" She asked coolly and straightened up. "Alright fine. Then you can sleep elsewhere and I don't have to explain why!"
He heaved a sigh. "I know you don't understand, love. But it's for the best."
Jane shook her head. "Nothing like that is ever for the best, Niklaus."
"Jane, I am trying to keep you and the baby safe."
"By daggering our baby's uncle and sticking him in a coffin? No, I still don't see it." She said sassily and he growled at her.
"Don't give me attitude."
"It was unnecessary and ridiculous."
"I know it must be confusing, love, but he would have gotten in the way. I know how you feel about the daggering. You've told me many times-"
"And apparently you still don't give a damn!" She shrieked. "How could you do that to your own brother?! All he wanted to do was help! He came here for you."
"Don't be naïve! He came for you!" Klaus snapped back. "But I'm perfectly capable of taking care of you myself!"
"Are you sure you'd even want too?" She scowled and he growled lowly at her question. "Because I'm pretty sure you said that love was weakness. That family is weakness. Do I mean so little to you? Does our baby?"
"You dare accuse me of not caring about our child?! Not caring about you?! I am doing everything to insure your safety!"
"How is this safe?" She demanded. "You daggered Elijah who was supposed to be helping you take down Marcel and stop the witches. You can't possibly do it all on your own! You didn't have to do it alone, but you chose it! it's just you, me, and Dorian! Not all that safe, Klaus!"
Klaus had enough. "What would you have me do!?" He snarled at her. "At least I am doing something for our child! I am in the process of creating a safe environment for it, but perhaps that's not good enough!"
"Don't pretend this was for the baby! This is about you!" Tears went down her cheeks and some of his anger went away. "I thought you'd stopped doing that to your family. But you went through my things and you lied..."
"I'm sorry, my love. It had to be done." He murmured. She was very upset, and his hands itched to comfort her, but he knew she'd reject him. He felt guilty for causing her to cry.
"Couldn't you have tried it his way?" She asked, sniffling. "He'd never do that to you."
Klaus didn't answer her, and she went past him, staying out of arm's reach as she entered the bathroom. He winced when she shut and locked the door behind her.
He murmured. "You have to trust me, sweetheart. You and our child mean everything to me. I promised you that our baby will have everything. Never want for anything. This city will be ours."
He debated telling her the whole truth, that Marcel had his brother's coffin, but she'd go looking for him. It wasn't beneficial to his overall plan. Her safety and the baby's safety came first whether she agreed or not. Helping the witches seemed to be the only way to ensure that she wasn't killed, and he had to play nice with Marcel for the moment. She'd just have to understand.
Four days later...
Klaus looked over at her. She was staring out the window, looking out into the trees. She had come into the study to find a new book to read, though she seemed preoccupied by something else.
"You have to talk to me sometime, my love." She stayed silent. "You've been giving me the silent treatment for several days now. And I do miss the sound of your beautiful voice. I am sorry."
She turned towards him, scowling. "Don't say things to make me feel better, Klaus." She snapped. "Either you mean it or you don't." She looked back at the window.
"I try, love, but you shoot me down with every word I say."
Jane frowned. "You won't give me a straight answer."
Klaus shut his book and pinched the bridge of his nose. "What do you want me to say?"
"How about the damn truth for once!?" She demanded, whirling around to face him. "Where is he?"
"I daggered him and put him away." He said sharply. "But you already know that. Hence the silent treatment."
"Why won't you tell me?"
He sighed. "Jane, I am trying to do what is best for our child. I told you I would give the both of you everything. And I will do so. Marcel has taken this town and I want it."
"Yeah, you want it, but at what cost? You've daggered one of your brothers, alienated the other two and your sister. You have a baby to think about now. Did you ever stop to think about what I want? I wanted our family together rather than a vendetta against Marcel." She looked away for moment. "And our baby may never meet their great uncle..."
He watched her trying to not to cry as she faced the window once more and he grimaced. "That's another reason to get this city under my control. The witches can be done with their hold on you."
"It won't stop there, Klaus. You know that and so do I. How do you know he's not plotting against you back? That the witches will let me go once Marcel is down?" She rubbed at her lower pain, stifling a yawn and he sighed.
"You're not sleeping well."
"No...And my back is killing me."
He moved out from behind the desk, coming up behind her. "Perhaps, if you'd let me-"
Jane shook her head. "Not until you undagger Elijah."
He growled. "This is ridiculous. You cannot ban me from my own bed."
"Oh, can't I? Well you claim that once this city is yours, you'll be the king. So that makes me the queen. And as such I can ban you from the bed as long as I want. You sleep on the couch until I say otherwise."
He knew she was very serious, but a smile still threatened to cross his face. She saw it and rolled her eyes.
"Do you like that, love?" He asked lowly, coming closer to her. His lips brushed her ear as he rested his hands on her hips. "Do you like giving orders my queen?" He moved his hands to her lower back, massaging her a bit of pressure. She sighed in relief, almost slumping against him.
"Klaus."
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him to stop. But it felt too good.
"Harder."
"As you command."
She couldn't help, but lean closer. It had been awhile since he had touched her like this, gentle and caring. It felt too nice for her to pull away, but she knew she needed too before things got out of hand. Already he was hard against her, his hands going lower down her back to grip at her bottom.
"Klaus..."
He smirked a bit, dropping hot kisses down her neck.
"I've missed you, love."
"Whose fault is that?" She gasped out as his hands went underneath her dress.
He nipped at her neck, stroking her thighs. "Jane..." Fingers dipped under the lace of her panties and she bit her lip as he stroked her hip.
"I'm still mad at you."
"I'm very aware, love." He murmured and nuzzled behind her ear.
"It's been a while."
He nodded against her neck, inhaling her scent and growling at her arousal. "Yes, too long." She whined as he slid her panties down just enough for a hand to slip inside. "I love how wet you get for me." He said huskily and her head fell back against his shoulder as his fingers slipped inside her. "If you would allow me...I can show you how much I've missed you. How much I crave you."
She wanted to give in. It was so tempting and his fingers felt so good...
"Klaus! Get out here and tell me what you've done with our brother, you narcissistic, back-stabbing wanker!"
He froze before sending Jane an angry look. She only jutted her chin out in defiance.
"I missed her." She said innocently and he scowled, withdrawing his hand from under her dress.
"I'm sure." He said dryly.
Dorian heard a car pull up and was halfway down the stairs when the front door burst open. A leggy blonde in a tight black dress, strode into the foyer, looking around until she saw him. Rebekah Mikaelson arched a perfectly elegant eyebrow at him.
"Oh, it's you. Right, the friendly Hybrid. My bags are in the car." She said simply, tossing her blonde hair over one shoulder. "First tell me where my egotistical brother is."
"Err...Klaus is in there."
Pursing her lips, she stormed in the direction he pointed. Dorian went out to get the bags from the car. He could spot trouble coming and wasn't in a particular hurry to get the bags inside.
"Klaus! Get out here and tell me what you've done with our brother, you narcissistic, back-stabbing wanker!" She yelled loudly, stepping into the parlor.
The doors to the study opened and Klaus came out with a smirk. "Enough with all the shouting. Little sister. I should have known. I assume the six dead vampires were your doing."
"They were very rude." Rebekah remarked with a hint of a smile. "Trying to victimize a poor defenseless girl just trying to find her way to the Quarter. So sorry, were they friends of yours?" She laughed slightly at her brother. "Oh, that's right. You don't have any friends."
"I do have friends." Klaus said, almost childishly. "I have Marcel." Rebekah looked uncomfortable. "You remember him, don't you? Yes, of course you do." He took delight in her expression. "Fancies himself, king of Quarter now. And he has these rules about killing vampires. It will be fun to see what sort of punishment he comes up with for you."
"I don't care about Marcel or his rules." Rebekah hissed. "Elijah wouldn't just up and leave."
An exhausted Jane ducked past Klaus.
"Bekah, you came!"
Klaus scowled at her words.
Rebekah turned and beamed. "Oh, there's the little mumsy. Come here, sweets." She hugged her as tight as she could with the little baby bump. "Are you feeling all right, darling?"
"I couldn't sleep." The girl admitted and Klaus felt guilt curl in his stomach once more. He had been spending a lot of time with Marcel, leaving her with Dorian and strict instructions to remain in the house. Though she banned him from the bedroom, it wasn't an excuse to leave her unable to sleep.
"I've missed you."
"I've missed you too, darling. You know I couldn't stay away for very long." She drew Jane back a bit and frowned. "Where is Elijah?"
Jane shook her head. "I don't know what he did with him. All I know is that he daggered him." She refused to look in his direction and he scowled.
Klaus fixed his sister with a stare. "Well go on, have a look. You remember this house as well as I do." He said bitingly to Rebekah and stomped off.
"Ignore him. You caught him in the act, didn't you?"
Jane sighed. "I didn't think he'd actually do it. He promised he wouldn't."
"Nik, you big idiot." She snapped loudly and took Jane's hand. "I'm sure he didn't mean to lie."
The girl snorted. "Right. Just like he didn't mean to go through my things and find the daggers to begin with. I've looked around here, but I couldn't find him and I'm not asking him again."
"Well, this house has a few secret rooms. I'll check them over."
Rebekah started for the hallway with Jane behind her.
"I want to go-"
"I don't want you going into dark dusty places. You need rest."
"But-"
She shook her head. "No. Go sit down."
Jane scowled as she went off without and she stomped to the kitchen.
Klaus found Jane washing the dishes.
"Why aren't you resting?"
"You expect me to sleep after all this excitement?" She quipped and he relaxed slightly. She wasn't as angry with him anymore.
"I'm going out again. Marcel wants to have another drink."
"Oh." She said quietly. "Well, I won't wait up. Have fun."
"Jane," He took her elbow, pausing her from grabbing another dish to dry. "It was wrong of me to lie to you that way. I know that and I'm sorry. As I've said many times, I'm doing this for you and for our baby."
"Always and Forever, Klaus. That's the vow this family took and it's been forgotten and swept under a rug for too long. Why do you keep pushing them away?"
"Love-"
"I need them. And so does our baby. They are my family too and our baby's. Please, Klaus. Bring Elijah back."
He cupped her cheek. "You'll see, love. This will work out." He kissed her forehead. "I'll see you later. Try to sleep."
"I can't sleep." She said hesitantly. "I keep seeing the same thing." He paused and turned around, frowning.
"A vision?"
She nodded and he moved back over to her. "Why haven't you said anything?"
"Because I thought it would go away...but it hasn't."
She was nervous and unsure which made Klaus more frustrated. This fight was making them hide things. She was hiding things from him. He hated it.
"Tell me." He insisted softly.
She showed him instead.
Her hand fell away when it was over and Klaus was staring at her, a troubled look in his eyes.
"Marcel would never harm you, Jane. Perhaps there was another reason."
Jane sighed. "Well, we'll see won't we?" She said softly. "I don't want to think badly of Marcel. But I can't ignore how he killed Jane-Anne. And I can't ignore my vision. Now do you see why I'm worried about you being alone?"
Klaus sighed and stroked her cheek tenderly with his thumb, smiling as her eyes fluttered shut.
"Can I go into town tomorrow? Please? I'll take Dorian."
"No." He said sharply. "Stay here where it's safe."
"You can't keep me here all the time. I want to go exploring." She frowned. "I want to go out."
"Not until it's safe. If you have need of things, I'll send someone to get them."
Jane shook her head, tears prickling her eyes. "That's not fair."
"I'm not arguing about it anymore."
"Elijah said he wouldn't keep me here. That I'd be free to come and go as long as someone was with me."
"Well, he's not around is he?" He asked acidly before he could stop himself. Jane gaped at him. "Love, I didn't mean-"
"You're an asshole!" She flung the cup in her hands at his head and he ducked as it shattered behind him.
"Love." He said warningly. "Don't do that again."
"Just leave, Klaus. I can't believe you!"
Growling, he sped away, slamming the front door shut.
She kicked the cabinet angrily and then cussed as pain shot through her foot.
"Jerk!"
Rebekah looked up when Jane came into the kitchen the following morning.
"What happened to the cup?"
She had noticed the broken pieces by the wall and had swept them up so no one would step on the them.
"I threw it at your brother last night for being an ass."
The Original snorted and sipped her tea.
"I'm going out soon. Do you need anything?"
Jane shifted. "Take me with you. I want to go."
She sighed. "Jane-"
"Please, Bekah. I haven't left the house in days. Please."
Rebekah frowned. "You haven't been out?"
Jane shook her head.
"He's not taken you anywhere since you've been here?"
"Not since he daggered Elijah. He leaves and won't take me with him. Or let me go anywhere with Dorian."
The Original scowled. "Well, then let's go."
Jane beamed. "Thank you, Bekah!"
"You're the witch that's linked to Jane."
Sophie shrieked, whirling around. She caught sight of the Original and then of the girl who was watching curiously from the doorway to her kitchen.
"Yes." She said calmly. "What do you want?"
"We need to talk."
Sophie nodded and let them out of the bar.
"You knew my uncle."
"Rob? Yeah. He's a good guy." She looked at Jane. "You tried to leave town a few days ago. We should have explained. Our link is here in the city. If either of us try to leave it stretches it too far."
"Oh." Jane said quietly. "But why link us at all?"
"Honestly, I didn't know you were Rob's niece at first. But even if you weren't...Being linked to me is keeping you safe. Trust me, Jane. It wasn't something that I wanted to do, but I had too. Klaus wasn't listening."
The girl snorted. "Yeah."
Sophie lead them into a cemetery and Jane gasped as she stepped through the gate.
"Sweets?" Rebekah frowned.
"It's so much magic here." The girl said in awe, reaching out to the air as if she was touching something. "The air is humming with it."
Sophie tilted her head. "As the elemental you can feel the pull of magic. Ancestral magic is particularly strong." She turned to Rebekah. "What did you want?"
"So Elijah has a dagger in his chest. It's a magical artifact. You're a witch. Do a locator spell."
"She can't." Jane answered before the witch could. "Marcel knows when they do magic. He killed her sister for casting a spell."
Rebekah frowned. "That puts a damper on things. How is he doing it? He wasn't that powerful a hundred years ago."
"The how isn't relevant." Sophie muttered and Jane tilted her head.
The Original huffed. "I'll tell you what's bloody relevant. A coven of witches that can't do magic. Why don't you move?"
"It's ancestral magic, Bekah." Jane said softly. "This is where their magic is. They'd be leaving their family."
"Well, family is overrated."
"Thanks, Rebekah."
"Not you, darling. But even you have to admit that this family is hopeless. You've tried to many times to put us together. And to what end? Klaus daggered Elijah and alienated the rest of us."
"That doesn't mean to stop. You came here."
"For Elijah. Once he's found I'll leave."
Jane felt sad to know that Rebekah would leave again, but she couldn't exactly blame her.
"Jane...I didn't mean it like that." Rebekah stated, moving towards the girl. "I just meant-"
"I know. I'm not mad at you. I'd just hoped you'd stay here."
The Original hugged Jane to her. "I might change my mind, sweets. But this city holds too many heartaches for me. We'll see. And you," She said to Sophie. "Were foolish enough to think that Elijah could convince Klaus to go against Marcel. Everyone knows they have a history."
"He sired Marcel."
"No, he's not just some guy that Klaus turned into a vampire. Klaus loved him like a son." Rebekah looked away in thought. "I was there the day that they met. We were burying Emil, the governor's only son. Or so we thought. Turns out the governor had another son from a mother that he owned." She went on to explain how Klaus saw something in Marcel, who was being whipped at the time, that reminded him of himself.
"Mikael." Jane whispered and the Original nodded.
"Yes. And that is why your plan will fail." She said to Sophie. "Without Elijah in between them who knows what they will do. You've brought back together two lost souls."
They left Sophie to contemplate what Rebekah had told her and were now headed down past the shops.
"Here. Find something to eat and go shopping for a bit. I'll be back. I'm going to find Marcel."
Jane took the money from her, frowning. "But I want to go too."
"We don't have time to argue. Go explore while you have the chance." She kissed the girl's forehead. "Go on now. Call me if you need me. And be careful out in the sun, you're beginning to pinken." She turned and disappeared into the crowd. Jane scowled and went towards the shops.
A sunhat and a pair of sunglasses, later and she was admiring the dresses through one of the store windows.
"Well, hello there. I wasn't expecting to see you without your Hybrid body guards."
Tensing, she turned her head to see Laurent leaning against the wall next to the shop window.
"Who says I need them?" She said, smiling at him and showing off her fangs.
The man laughed. "You might be right, my dear. Tell me, are the New Orleans coven keeping you safe? I'm sure being linked to Sophie Deveraux is not a problem."
Jane hesitated. "What do you know about it?"
"We wouldn't have done that to you. I prefer my people to be free to do as they wish." He lifted her chin with a finger. "To go where they'd like. Just so long as they come to me when I ask. To give me what I ask of them. A drop or two of blood, a hair," He played with a lock of her hair and she swallowed nervously. "Then they can be on their merry way. Free to go back to a little cabin in the woods, perhaps? Away from the noise and bustle of a city that is well underway to becoming a war zone."
Jane stepped back from him. How had he known about the cabin? "Sophie said you'd kill me. That you'd harm me and my baby."
"Kill you or the baby? No, no. Something as beautiful and special as yourself should be coveted and worshiped. As should your miracle child. Tell me, Jane, when was the last time your husband-to-be lavished you with attention since coming to this city? After all he's been spending all his time with Marcel lately. When was the last time he asked you what you wanted? What you and your baby need? Asked for your opinion about anything?"
Jane couldn't help the tears the stung her eyes at his words. The truth hurt more than lies.
"Our coven would never do such a thing to you. We would offer you anything you desired. Even a way to stop Marcel, allow Klaus to win and become King. To break Sophie Deveraux's link to you and to stop your vision from ever occurring." Jane gasped and he smiled knowingly. "All we'd ask in return was a few drops of blood a week, a hair or two..." He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "To bring your family together once and for all. Can't you see it? All of Klaus' siblings together here in the city. No more fighting, no more separation...It's what you want most...After all you lost your poor parents"
She pulled her hand free, trembling slightly. "H-how did you know that?"
"I know many things about you, dear."
"Get away from her Desmond." A voice said sharply. "You're frightening her." Jane turned to see a young woman standing there, a frown on her face.
He bowed to her. "Very well." He moved his hand as a magician might and a card appeared between his fingers. "Here. Do call if you change your mind. And you will once the witches' plans go underway. Good day, little one." He turned and vanished into the crowd.
Jane stood for a long time, unsure of what to do. He had promised a lot of things, but she knew better than to trust him outright.
"Hey." The woman spoke up again and she jumped. "Are you all right?"
"Um." She felt confused and little faint.
"Come, it's okay. I'm Katie. I was about to close my shop, but I can keep it open a little longer. Come on in." She took her arm gently and steered Jane towards a shop that was dark inside. The sign read: Jardin Gris Voodoo Shop.
The little bell chimed over their heads as they entered, and Katie lead her around the back of the cashier's desk.
"Sit right there. I have just the thing to calm your nerves." She pointed at a chair behind the counter and Jane sat down, taking off her hat and sunglasses. Katie picked up a few vials of herbs and shook a few into a cup before disappearing into the back and coming back minutes later with a warmed cup of tea.
"Drink this."
Jane eyed it warily and Katie laughed.
"I'm not going to hurt you, Jane. I'm a friend of Sophie's."
"Oh." The girl murmured and sipped at the tea. "It's good."
The witch took the empty cup back. "Better?"
Jane nodded. "What was it?"
"A few calming herbs. Things you find in relaxing teas from a store. Only much better. It's much safer for a pregnant woman as well."
"Oh...Well, thank you."
"My pleasure. I wouldn't want you to upset yourself or the baby, because that can happen. Stress can cause miscarriages or premature labor. Not to mention what damage it does to you. I saw Laurent talking to you."
Jane nodded. "He's...creepy."
Katie nodded. "Desmond used to be a good man. Our covens were once friends, but then came the prophesy of the elemental. Our covens became enemies in our haste to find the elemental first. One of the witches from his coven put himself in a man's body. A man who we discovered was once part of a supernatural collecting group. He at the time had quit because he fell in love with one of our own. Jane-Anne." Jane's breath caught.
"Rob?" She whispered.
Katie nodded. "Yes, how-"
"He's my uncle."
"Oh, my god. You're Rob's niece? So they knew who you were?"
Jane shook her head. "No, Rodney waited until Rob found me. Since Rob's job was to find this vampire and it all ended up back at me,"
"Oh, that's terrible."
"So, Desmond's coven did that? He put that horrible man into my uncle. Rodney."
The witch handed her a tissue. Jane hadn't realized she had tears again.
"Oh. Sorry."
Katie shook her head. "It's all right. The up and down emotions will calm down soon."
The door opened and Dorian sighed with relief.
"There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you. You're upset." He paused seeing a few herbs on a nearby shelf and swallowed. "Uh, come on."
"What's wrong?" Jane frowned.
"Nothing. I just don't like it in here." He took Jane's hand after the girl grabbed her things.
"Thank you, Katie." She said over her shoulder.
"No problem, Jane." She said and watched Dorian tug Jane up the street. She went over to the shelf that the guy had been eyeing nervously and smirked to herself. The crushed aconite flowers sitting prettily in their box. Getting her phone out she pressed the familiar number.
"Hey, wanna gain some points? Tell Marcel there's a werewolf in the Quarter."
"Oh, are you all right?" Jane asked the elderly woman who had been pushed aside roughly by a man walking by. The girl glared at the man's back before facing the woman again.
"Just fine, dear." The woman paused, tilting her head as she examined Jane.
"Is something wrong?"
"You...You're the little elemental."
Jane frowned lightly. "How'd you know that?"
The woman merely smiled.
"Here. This is for you, dear." She placed a vial of clear liquid into her hand.
"Why would you give this to me? What is it?" Jane asked in confusion.
The woman gave her a sympathetic look. "Listen, child." The woman gripped her arms tightly. "The baby you carry is a devil's spawn. A bad omen. Fathered by a demon. It is pure evil."
"My baby is not evil." Jane glared at the woman. "And neither is it's father. Who are you?"
"All the same." The woman made her fingers curl around the bottle. "Keep this with you. Drink it. You'll need it. Because things will only get worse."
The girl narrowed her eyes. "Are you threatening me?"
"No...I'm trying to help you. You seem like a sweet girl. Drink the bottle. Free yourself from this town."
Jane looked over at Dorian who was buying her a pretzel at the nearby stand.
"But what is it?" She asked again and turned her head. The woman was gone.
"Jane, right?"
She turned around to see one of Marcel's vampires.
"Yes...Is something wrong?" Jane looked around and spotted another guy nearby waiting for something. An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach.
"You're friend there. He a werewolf?" He nodded at Dorian who was making his way back.
She frowned. "Why? What does it matter?"
"Because werewolves aren't allowed in the Quarter."
"Because Marcel says so?" She snapped.
The vampire narrowed his eyes. "Yes. So, answer the question. Is he a werewolf?"
"No."
"We got a tip there was a werewolf around. Marcel wants him brought in."
"No!" Jane snapped again. "Tell Marcel to mind his own business."
"This is his business."
"Take me to him. I want to talk to him."
"Give up the werewolf."
"Listen, you hurt him, and I will hurt you. Rules or no rules."
"You?" The vampire chuckled.
"I'm more capable than you think." She stated and bared her fangs. Two more showed up and the third moved closer to her.
"Don't give us any trouble. Marcel won't like that you're harboring werewolves here. Even if you are the Original's girl."
"Get away from her." Dorian snarled and went for one. Jane punched one that came to close to her, and it grabbed her arm.
"Let me go!"'
The vampire slung her away and she landed on the pavement.
There was a thud and Jane turned her head again. Rebekah held a heart in her hand, ripped from a chest, while Dorian was snapping the necks of the others.
"That is no way to treat a pregnant lady." She said and kicked one of the downed vampires.
Wiping blood from his chin, Dorian ran over to Jane, helping her to her feet.
"Are you right? Did you break anything?" He frowned, spotting the blood on her knee. "You're bleeding. Klaus is going to kill me." He panicked and Jane sighed.
"It's just a scrapped knee, Dorian. I'm fine."
"What in the bloody hell is going on?" Rebekah demanded.
"Who was that old lady?" Dorian added.
"That vampire asked if Dorian was a werewolf and said they were going to take him to Marcel." Jane looked down at the bottle in her hands. "I don't know who the woman was...She just said that..."
"Said what?"
"That my baby was a devil child. Something evil."
Rebekah frowned. "That's ridiculous. Come on, let's get you home. That's enough excitement for one day."
"I'll say."
They turned to see Klaus. He was toeing one of the vampires who groaned in pain.
"Anyone care to explain this?"
"This is why I told you to be cautious." Klaus snapped as he tossed the other body on top of the rest. "We are keeping a low profile."
Dorian sighed. "Sorry, I still don't know how they-"
Rebekah heard one of the vampires groaning and started to go over, but Klaus snarled.
"Leave him! Don't you think you've done enough? Leaving a trail of bodies like a roadmap to my door? Taking Jane out of the safety of the house? What were you thinking?!"
"If I hadn't heard about a werewolf spotting, then those vampires could of very well have killed Jane as well as Dorian." Rebekah hissed back. "And she is pregnant for God's sake! Or have you forgotten?"
"Yes about that." He said coolly and turned to the girl who had stepped out of the house. "You put my whole plan into peril with your little stroll of freedom, sweetheart! What if they discovered another Hybrid? They'd want to get rid of him or start asking question about how he became that way which would then be traced back to you!"
Jane scowled and stomped over to him.
"I don't care. I wanted to go looking around and if you just let me-"
"I have plan, love. Killing off his bad-mannered vampires puts a kink in that."
"I don't care about your plan!" She yelled back. "You're keeping me trapped in here!"
"It's not safe out there! You are connected to Sophie Deveraux and there are other people who would hurt you."
Jane shook her head. "Don't pretend this is about me and the baby! Since you've daggered Elijah, you've been following Marcel, partying with Marcel, and who the hell knows what else with freaking Marcel!"
"If you had just stayed here, then this wouldn't have occurred!" He snapped back. "Now I have to spend more time with him so he doesn't become suspicious!"
"Fine! Blame me! It's all my fault for being the stupid elemental! I'm so sorry that I'm ruining everything for you and that everyone thinks we're having a devil baby!" She screamed at him and stomped up the stairs, leaving him and Rebekah to stare at each other.
"You are so rude to her. How does she stand you?" She demanded.
Klaus frowned. "I said what I had too."
"Don't give me that crap about having a plan! You've had all the time in the world to execute a plan and no one's seen you do a damn thing." The siblings glared at one another as Rebekah spoke. "Elijah believed that your child could actually save you from your selfish, rotten self! But I have not seen a change in you yet! Poor Jane is forced to stay in a house where her needs are ignored, and you've done nothing for her! She needs the outside, Niklaus! You've kept her inside for days! Have you actually looked at her? She's not sleeping well and probably not eating well either."
Klaus glanced towards the house. He started to reply and then felt guilty. "I know. I need to do better."
She huffed at him. "You think? Well to make matters worse some woman frightened her. Talking about evil babies." She sighed. "If you really have a plan, I'd like to hear it."
Klaus launched into his explanation.
Klaus went into their bedroom to see her sitting in the middle of the bed. Her sleeveless nightgown riding up her thighs as she crossed her legs. Pushing her damp hair out of the way, she held a bottle to her nose, sniffing at its contents. Frowning in confusion, she turned to him.
"I don't know what this is." She said and offered the vial to him. "I don't smell anything."
He took it from her and smelled of it. Eyes narrowing, he dipped a finger into the liquid and tasted of it, immediately spitting it out as it double burned his tongue.
"Wolfsbane and Vervain." He hissed and examined the vial in his hand. "Where did you get it?"
He looked up to see her looking at the bottle in horror, hands over her mouth. His anger deflated.
"You didn't know."
She shook her head. "This-this woman handed it to me. She said...She said that our baby is evil and I needed to drink...I didn't know what it was." He came to sit down next to her when tears went down her cheeks. "I didn't know she wanted to hurt the baby...oh no." She sobbed into her hands and he hugged her to his chest. "I'm a horrible mother."
"No, my love. You're not." He murmured reassuringly as he pulled her into his lap, stroking her hair. She continued to sob. "It's all right. You didn't know, sweetheart. You had no way of knowing what was in it. You're not a bad mother." He sighed. "I've been a neglectful father." He kissed her head. "I'm sorry, my love."
"Why do they hate our baby?" She sniffled, calming down a little.
He frowned. "Because its mine." He stated lowly and rubbed her back gently.
"Don't let me go."
"Never." He promised and held her closer.
"I spoke to a witch today. She told me about Desmond's coven. Klaus, he's the one who put Rodney into Rob." The Original stiffened. "All because they were looking for me. And, um, I ran into Laurent."
He pulled back to frown down at her.
"What he did he want? Did he harm you? Where was Dorian?"
She told him about the conversation, and he tightened his grip on her.
"I won't leave anymore." She said quietly.
He shook his head. "No, love. Rebekah was correct in saying that you needed to be outside. I'll not take that from you. As long as you are with me, Rebekah, or Dorian you can go where you'd like." He took her chin, tilting her face up towards him. "I am sorry, my love. I've been neglectful to you and our child since we arrived here. I'll try to do better."
She nodded and he began to pull away. "You should sleep."
She took his hand. "Stay. Please. I don't want to be alone. I can't sleep without you." She admitted.
Smiling softly, he turned the lamp off and tucked them both under the blanket.
Jane curled against him and was soon asleep, exhaustion overtaking her as he stroked her hair.
Klaus stroked Jane's stomach softly, his thumb caressing her skin. He froze for a moment when he felt a little movement within her. Glancing up at her, Jane was fast asleep, exhausted from the day's events. She couldn't feel the movements yet.
Stroking her again with a small smile, little movements thumped beneath his fingers. He moved to press his ear to her belly, listening to the tiny heartbeat.
Jane stirred. "Mm, Klaus?"
"Go back to sleep, love."
"Wrong?" She asked sleepily, not fully awake.
He shook his head. "Nothing, sweetheart. Close your eyes."
"Can't. Hot in here."
He rolled out of bed and opened the window, letting in the cool air.
"Better?"
She nodded, sighing at the breeze against her skin and laid on top of the blanket. Klaus rolled back into bed and wrapped an arm around her lightly to keep her against him. His face went back into the crook of her neck and he ran his hand over her waist soothingly.
"I'll talk to some people about air conditioning tomorrow." He murmured, but she was already drifting back off.
She suddenly stiffened and jerked upright, looking with a frightened expression.
"Love?"
"Did you hear that?" She asked, looking around wildly.
He smiled in amusement. "Hear what, my love? You've been sleeping."
"The talking…Someone was whispering."
Klaus frowned and listened hard.
"I don't hear anything, sweetheart. You were dreaming."
"Oh...I thought I heard something."
He pressed his lips to her head.
"What if Sophie and the witches are lying too, Klaus? I don't want anything to happen to the baby." She attached herself to him. She was trembling and he knew she wasn't merely confused. She had heard something whether in the dream or not.
"There, there, my love. No one is going to lay a finger on you or our child, that I promise you."
"I'm scared." She admitted. "Especially now that I know about Rodney." Klaus frowned and stroked her spine. She was on edge.
"Try to go back to sleep, love." He cupped her cheek. "It's all right."
She shook her head. "There is something scary about this town, Klaus. I can feel it."
Klaus held Jane the rest of the night, keeping her close. She slept fitfully, wiggling restlessly, dreaming things of nightmarish context. The images flashing through Klaus' mind until he could no longer take it and tried to soothe her with nice dreams.
"Shh..." He murmured in her ear. The last nightmare had been about Mikael and that had sent a chill down his own spine. She finally quieted down when he sent her a nice dream of their cabin in the woods and she slept peacefully the rest of the night.
Klaus frowned in the dark. If there was one thing to be sure of, it was when Jane started having nightmares it generally meant she was predicting something. He only hoped to decipher it before it got out of hand.
Review?