Thank you all so, so much for reviewing. Following, or favouriting. There were calls for a speedy new chapter, I hope this delivers. I haven't slept for over 36 hours, but I think it's worth it.
So this will now follow my own plot completely, so no more bold. Unless it's bold and italics, which is them speaking Swedish.
I'm not sure if this is clear or not but I see this on a lot of fanfictions now so to be clear, this is all unbeta'd. All mistakes are my own. I do apologise for them!
Enjoy!
Chapter 7- The Downfall Of Us- Part II
The chair broke far too easily as it hit the wall in front of him, watching with little satisfaction as it broke apart, splinters flying about the darkened room. He reached for the table next, heavier in his hands but it too, flew into the air with ease, coming to crash with it's counterpart.
He turned away, staggering slowly toward nowhere, unable to avoid the wreckage he'd caused. The room was an utter disaster, as he heard the distinct snap of wood beneath his foot of one of his stools. He'd destroyed most of the black tables and chairs, there were upturned couches- he'd managed to break the entire bar itself, there were just piles of glass shattered on the floor, multicolored pools of liquor encroaching slowly- reaching for him in the darkness.
He lost his balance, and he instinctively reached for one of the only tables left standing. His legs collapsed against themselves, and he put his full weight on the edge. His hands wrapped around his head, feeling the stray tear of blood run down his cheek. Muffled voices, and distant music was pounding in his ears, as if he was five feet deep in water. He'd prefer drowning, to the way his throat was tightening, his blood lust screaming at him, his chest ablaze, as if he could not breathe.
His hand shook as it gripped the table, unable to keep himself up, and he fell into the last remaining chair.
"Eric?"
He raised his eyes to meet those of his progeny, actual concern painted on her usual cold, indifferent exterior.
He couldn't bring himself to form any words, and his head fell into his hands, running his fingers through his hair. He knew she was going on, but he couldn't make out any real words, all of it sounding like background characters in movies, muffled and incoherent.
The only thing that he could hear, sharp and clear was Damon's voice. Those words he'd spoken to him. They were just screaming at him, whispering to him, all of it intertwining into a horrifying mixtape.
He couldn't actually have met the true death? Could he?
"Eric?" Blue eyes met his own. "What's wrong with you?"
"I'm fine," He ran a hand through his hair as he surveyed the damage. "I'm sorry for the mess Pam. I'm going to be gone for a few days, do you think you can clean this up? And look after the bar when I'm gone?"
"You're sorry? What the fuck Eric? There is clearly something wrong. Look I don't give a shit about the bar, and I sure as shit am not cleaning this mess up. And you know that." Pam continued on, as she studied him. "You're a mess. What's wrong Eric? This about Damon? What that cocksucker do now? Cheat on you with that girl?"
He blinked, realizing his hands were now wrapped tightly around his progeny's neck, her eyes bulging out as she clawed at his hand. She was choking out his name, but his fury replaced it with Niklaus' smirking face and he crushed his windpipe. He wanted nothing more to rip the hybrid's heart out, watch him heal, and do it over, and over for centuries until he was satisfied enough to leave the vampire desiccating in some remote cave for the rest of eternity.
"Eric, let her go."
He turned his head, seeing his maker, Godric standing beside him now, and he looked back over to see his progeny. He gasped, his hand falling to his side as he collapsed, falling to his knees.
Damon I am so sorry.
There were arms coming to rest on either side of his shoulders, and he didn't need to know whose they were as he broke apart. There weren't any words to be spoken, or comfort that he could reach for, all there was the overwhelming fear that was enveloping him. He needed to be gone, he needed to run, he needed to be there, but all he could do was stay, sunk into the floor as the tears ran down his face with Godric's arms around him.
"Eric, what is wrong? Is this truly about Damon?"
He clung to the dirty, tile flooring, letting the anger wash away the darkness, needing a purpose. To keep it together long enough to see him. To avenge him.
"I need to leave." He answered, looking up at his maker. "I need to go to Mystic Falls, he's dying."
His jaw twitched as he heard Pam snort in the darkness, while Godric took a sharp intake of air, running his hand through his hair. "We'll have to call in a few favours."
"Are you insane!" Pam stood between them, her hand rubbing over her neck, the bruising fading away. "The sun will be up in less than 3 hours. There's no way you're getting there. He's not worth it Eric, your obsession with him has gone too far." She turned to Godric. "Come on, you can't support this?"
"Damon is every right Eric's, Pamela, and we have no say in this matter." Godric replied, placing his hand on his shoulder. "But she is right Eric. This will be difficult, and dangerous task, is he truly worth it?"
There were no doubts in his mind that he wasn't. "He's mine, and I promised him a while ago I'd always protect him."
Godric simply nodded at him. "Then we have a few phone calls to make."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(Whitmore College- 1955)
There was nothing left in Damon to scream, so he laid there, silent and unmoving. His throat was raw, and sore but it was an ache compared to the scalpel that was slicing open his abdomen, fingers roughly pulling his skin apart, clamping it, to keep it from healing itself.
Dr. Whitmore stood proudly over him as he examined his insides, though the only thing that he could focus on was a particular protruding vein from his neck.
He winced, startled as a bright light flashed in his right, then his left eye.
"You are still stable. Good. Now 21051, I shall be taking out your liver today to see if the scarring will appear in the new liver your body will regenerate. Did you drink heavily as a human?" Dr. Whitmore asked, standing over him now with a clipboard, and a pen.
"You could say I enjoyed a few drinks," He wheezed, each breath pure agony as he felt an actual breeze on his organs.
"It would appear it was a bit more than few. From my initial observations, you may have developed cirrhosis if you had continued to drink so heavily. The scarring is quite pronounced."
"Well doc, what can I say? Booze was cheap and easily accessible during my time. Easier to drink alcohol than water. Good thing I'm a vampire, or I'd be long dead of alcohol poisoning."
"Hm that would be an interesting experiment 21051. Maybe tomorrow we shall test your body's endurance to alcohol." Dr. Whitmore replied, as he put down his clipboard and pen, replacing it with a scalpel from the tray.
"That's an experiment I'd happily participate in." He smirked, hiding the grimace behind it. "Bring on the bourbon."
"Then stay still and behave 21051. And maybe I'll consider it further." Dr. Whitmore replied, as he moved closer to his abdomen, scalpel in hand.
He closed his eyes, fingers clenching as his nails dug into his palm. Nothing ever prepared him for the excruciating pain that was about to be done to him. To Dr. Whitmore he was nothing more than a test subject. Filth.
He'd given up months ago that anyone would ever find him. He'd considered perhaps his brother, but they spoke so infrequently, it would take a decade from him to even notice his disappearance.
Then there was Eric. Their relationship wasn't especially conventional. In fact it was sinful. Not that he was religious but he'd been taught as a child that being a sodomist was shameful. Criminal in fact. And he'd always shared those opinions because he'd never been sexually attracted to a man before. Until Eric.
His entire life changed when he met the viking. He'd been swiftly thrown into a world of two species of vampires. He'd been exposed to the prejudice of the original vampire species, and how organized they were all around the world as he and Eric had travelled the earth together, searching for the equivalent of a daylight ring for his species. He wasn't even sure how many witches he'd meet over the three decades they'd been together, but it had been a whirlwind. Every moment he'd spent with the blond was a blur of wine, blood, and women.
And Eric enjoyed taking away his innocence. In more ways than one. First it was teaching how to revel in the kill. To feast from humans without any remorse, but to also not become a ripper. He'd shown him the extravagant lifestyle a vampire could have, from compelling themselves into the most amazing parties, to quickly accumulating wealth. The 30's had just been a series of lavish parties, beautiful woman hanging from their arms, and blood. They had a stunt in France that lasted two years, and an extensive police investigation. It was the same time they'd slept together the first time. The only time during the 30s.
He'd been high on the blood. On the music. And on Eric. The room was littered with dead bodies, blood painted the ugly deco-flower wallpaper and it was just him, and Eric. The rest was a blur of clothes, teeth and flesh. Beautiful, ivory skin. Eric always knew how to touch, but that night was absolute bliss. It was sinful.
Over the last two decades, he'd been more willing. Until he'd been kidnapped by some mad doctor spouting the benefits of vampirism for humans. The only benefit vampirism could have on humans, is to become vampires but the nice Dr. Whitmore didn't see it that way.
He wished Eric could be here to meet him. To rip out his spine. But him and Eric had never discussed their, relationship of sorts. If that's what it could be called. He was a convenience for Eric, nothing more. And since he'd shared all his knowledge on daylight rings, and how little they were able to gather on the subject, he knew he wasn't valuable to Eric anymore. He'd been only an amusement to the thousand year old vampire. And when he'd left to go back home, Eric hadn't protested. Hadn't objected. Hadn't even really cared. Would he even see Eric again.
"Can I at least see Damon?"
Elena uncrossed her legs as she sat across from Klaus who was currently slipping his phone back into his pocket. She'd come here to beg for not only her brother's life, but Damon's too. She wasn't going to be intimidated by the hybrid, or fall for his threats. But her brother was currently hiding out in their house with Matt and she wasn't sure what they were going to do. Bonnie had offered to take down Klaus, Caroline agreed to help. While Stefan seduced Rebecca for her dagger. But this didn't seem enough. They were almost powerless against the Originals, and she couldn't live with herself if Damon was a casualty in this war. But she couldn't sacrifice her brother either.
But they also had the matter of Kol to deal with and from the phone call she'd just witnessed with him and Klaus, it didn't seem the Original was going to falter on his plans to kill her brother. Even with threats from his own immortal brother.
"Don't see the point love, he's just dying up there. Your time would be better spent
getting me your brother. Tick tock," Klaus teased, making her wonder what in the world Caroline ever saw in this psychopath.
"Please, just a few minutes. I want to make sure he's still alive," She continued, not bothering to care about manners any longer as she just made her way out of his living room, and continued toward the grand staircase. "Or you'll never see my brother. Or the dagger."
"You think you have an leverage over Stefan? As you continue to court Damon? He's a heartbroken man, and a dangerous one. I'd be more worried about what he'll do once he acquires the dagger for me than your precious Damon Salvatore." Klaus called out, appearing beside the banister, ever so smug. "But feel free to see him. He's started to hallucinate, so don't expect any coherence. It's the last room on the left. You may have 5 minutes, don't touch his bindings. "
Her heart seized in her chest as she ran up the stairs, down the long stretch of hallway until she made her way to the last door on the left. She opened the double french doors, her attention immediately drawn to the king size bed across from her. Her legs were unsteady as she made her way toward the bed, taking in a familiar picture. She'd seen Damon inflicted with a werewolf bite before, but it didn't prepare her for how broken the man appeared.
He was remarkably pale, sweat dripping down his face as his eyes were glassy, there was no recognition in them whatsoever. His arms were been held on either side of his head by thick chains that were linked to the headboard, but at this point it seemed just a formality. Damon wouldn't be able to move himself enough to do much at all.
She crawled on to the bed, her fingers running through his sweat soaked raven hair. "Damon, it's Elena."
There was no response and her heart utterly broke as she cupped his face, sliding her body closer to his. "Damon, please answer me."
His head fell to the side as he couldn't muster any more strength, feeling the familiar pleasure of fainting in and out of unconsciousness. But when he met the pale blue eyes in the shadows he for once in over a year honestly smiled. And it turned into snort, then full blown laughter causing the hands inside of him to pause, calculating eyes peering over him.
"What 21051? I would suggest staying still for the remainder of this operation." Dr. Whitmore explained, clearly irritated with him.
But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore. Not when his eyes were locked with his, sweeping him away from reality on a tidal wave of emotion. Like always.
"You found me."
"You found me."
It may have been a rasp, but she heard those three words as clear as day, and her heart surged, her smile growing as she reached for a cloth from the bedside table. She lightly dabbed his forehead, trying to make him more comfortable.
"It wasn't hard. I promise we are doing all we can to get the cure from Klaus. We won't let you die." She urged, needing Damon to know they were doing all they could.
He wasn't going to die. He couldn't die. Not now. Not when there was so much left to say. Left to do.
"Who are you talking to?" Dr. Whitmore asked, as he turned around, but the shadows weren't occupied anymore. "Hm. Hallucinations are a new side effect. 51051, what do you see?"
"He's going to kill you."
"He's going to kill you."
She felt her cheeks flush, as she looked away, biting her lip. He was worried about her. That meant the world, especially with the week they had been having. It was nice to know on his deathbed, Damon still cared deeply for her. "Don't worry about me Damon. I can look after myself. We'll figure this out. Soon it'll be like this never happened. I promise."
"Who's going to-"
The doctor wasn't able to finish as a hand reached over the operating table. The doctor's eyes went wide, as he stared back at his heart that was now clutched in the intruder's hands, and he fell back, a spout of blood following suit as he hit the floor.
He watched as his saviour tossed away the offending appendage, as he assessed him for a moment. Then, ever so carefully the man took each clamp off, bringing his flesh back together. Then, he bit down onto his wrist, dripping blood onto his wound before shoving it into his mouth.
He drank greedily, having only been able fed from a small cup of blood a day in order to cease from desiccating.
"I didn't know. About any of this. Or else I would have come sooner." Eric pleaded with him, as he ran a hand through his hair.
He couldn't even begin to fathom how appalling he must appear. But at this moment it didn't matter, he'd been found.
"I didn't think you'd come for me."
"I didn't think you'd come for me."
Her eyes searched his, as she ran her fingers over his chin, grazing over his parched lips. "Of course Damon, there is no where else I'd rather be."
"Of course Damon. I expected to see you a year ago in Italy, and when you didn't arrive, or respond to my letters, or phone calls, I came to Mystic Falls. I found all my unopened letters, and the recent passing of your relative to vampire-like circumstances I knew something was amiss. It took me awhile to find this institution, and their experimentation. It's despicable. You filled the description of one of their Augustine vampires. I am glad it's you." Eric answered, as he snapped off his bindings with pathetic ease it made him feel inferior.
He winced as he sat up, noticing his chest was healed completely, only his caked on blood evidence of what had just transpired moments ago.
"You sure this is real? I've hallucinated this moment before."
"You sure this is real? I've hallucinated this moment before."
She giggled, bringing herself even closer to Damon, until their lips touched, savouring the moment before pulling apart. "Does that prove anything?"
Eric gave him a sad look, before leaping, and he found himself laying back onto the hard, metal table as Eric towered over him, before grabbing each side of his skull firmly, before diving down, colliding their lips into a violent kiss. His fingers threaded themselves into Eric's long blond hair, as he felt the viking ran his own in his raven locks.
"I missed this." He whispered into Eric's lips.
"I missed this." Damon whispered.
"I missed this too." She replied, her hand finding its way back to his face, running her fingers along his cheekbones. "When this is over, maybe we can talk about us."
Eric pulled away from him, enough just so that their lips weren't touching each others as he stared down at him. A smile twitched at the sides of his face, as he ran his fingers along his cheek. "I missed you too Damon. I can't begin to apologize for not finding you sooner. I promise you, as long as we are together, I will protect you with my life."
He felt foolish as tears brimmed in his eyes, but he realized when he'd seen Eric in the shadows, there was no one else in his life he'd wanted to see more than the viking. "I'd like that."
"I'd like that." Damon replied, his voice hoarse but she was able to understand him clearly enough.
Enough to know she'd been right all along. "Good."
"How romantic."
She flinched, narrowing her eyes as she found Klaus leaning against the doorframe, smirking at her. "What?"
"It's been five minutes. And it's time for you to go." Klaus simply replied, motioning with a hand toward the hallway. "I'll be sure to look after him real well until you return with your brother."
She sighed, turning back toward Damon who was still staring at her, his eyes still glassy but she knew he could see her. She felt the tears fall as she brought their lips together again, "I promise I'll be back for you. I love you Damon, please hold on." She whispered into his lips before moving off the bed, and toward the exit.
Klaus just grinned devilishly at her as she passed, forcing her to hold herself together as she made her way out, wanting nothing more to attack Klaus, steal his blood and escape with Damon but she knew she wasn't strong enough.
Eric strolled into the Mystic Grill, his eyes taking in the sight, remembering Damon's particular fondness of the establishment. It was just as he'd imagined, so typical of a small town bar, one that functioned as a restaurant, and a bar. It was pleasant enough, with simple dark, wooden tables, and chairs, with a matching wooden bar, with a granite countertop at the center of the room.
He'd almost expected something more grand, from Damon's admiration, but the younger vampire did just love bourbon. And he could imagine the man was drunk for most of the time he spent here.
He felt an unusual pain in his chest, again at the thought of Damon but he pushed the grief away, needing to focus on his mission.
He'd arrived to Mystic Falls as the sun was setting, and he'd asked to be taken directly to the Salvatore Boarding House. He'd gotten a flight out of Baton Rouge at 10:15 am, to Charleston, which was a three hour flight, four if you included the time difference. They'd arrived around 2:40pm, and he was on his way to Mystic Falls from there. He had to call in few favours, and surprisingly Queen Sophie Ann was quite willing to help him, and she knew some powerful connections within the human community and was able to secure his safe passage.
Apparently she was quite fond of Damon, which didn't surprise him in the least, the two of them were rather childish and coy with each other. He almost worried as she was rather beautiful, but she seemed more qeen on knowing their sex life, than actually doing it with either of them. Also as she remarked quite playfully with him- it made him more interesting, the fact that he had another species of vampire as a lover, which was considered taboo in their culture.
It was clear that when he arrived, she too had influence with the King of West Virginia himself, as he was ushered out of the plane, and into a limousine, with tinted windows to block out the sun's rays. It was nice to escape the coffin, as it hadn't been properly fitted for his body, and he'd been trapped in it during the entire flight. The King himself left him a note requesting his summons once his escapade in Mystic Falls had concluded. He wished to speak about his extensive knowledge on the breed of other vampires. Leaving him with some vervain in case he ran into trouble.
It was surprisingly thoughtful considering what he'd heard of the King, being a cold, calculating psychopath at best. But he appreciated the sentiment, having a King as an ally could come in handy one day.
He scanned the room as he approached the bar, no one present fit any of the broad descriptions Damon had given him of his friends. He felt foolish for not knowing where Klaus lived, and he needed an address, soon. He'd hoped his brother Stefan would have been home, but the Boarding House had been empty when he arrived, so he'd taken Damon's camaro and headed to the next best place, Mystic Grill.
His fingers absentmindedly ran over a few chairs, wondering where Damon's usual spot was. He knew he had one. He wondered too where his friend Ric sat. Obviously next to Damon he supposed. Damon spoke highly of the hunter when he'd first came to Fangtasia. Spoke of him often too, mostly while drunk. He knew the man meant a lot, and seeing him die was a painful experience for Damon. Death often was for vampires, even though it was a frequent occurrence as they watched those age and die around them.
Though watching a fellow vampire meet true death was all that more.
"Can I help you?"
His smile turn malicious as he caught the eyes of the bartender. "Yes actually." He said, watching as his glamour took effect. "I'm looking for Klaus Mikkelsen, do you know where he lives?"
"No." The man answered, hypnotic.
He cursed inwardly. How the hell was he going to find that bastard?
Wait, of course. Niklaus would no doubt be after his prized hunter.
"Alright, do you know where I can find Jeremy Gilbert?" He asked.
"Sure, he lives over on Chelsea. White house, wrap around porch, can't miss it."
Now that wasn't so hard. "Thank you. Have a good evening."
He'd found the house easy enough, it happened to be the largest on the street. He stepped out of the Camaro, admiring the vehicle for a moment, before closing the door carefully- he knew how much the car meant to Damon. After all, it was one of the many gifts he'd given him over the years.
He took a deep breath, although not needing it, before moving to the front door in a single moment. He felt for the white oak stake in his leather jacket as he rang the doorbell, wondering if he should stake Elena too while he was in the neighbourhood. Though he supposed that wouldn't go well if Damon ended up being alive.
If.
The door swung open fast, quicker than he'd expected, a bewildered, and scared kid appeared, disheveled brown hair and a small drip of sweat ran down his temple as he stood there. "Bonnie thank god. We need-" The kid paused then, giving him a slow once over, obviously puzzled. "Who are you?"
"Eric." He extended his hand. "Eric Northman. You must be Jeremy Gilbert, Damon has told me so much of you."
"Damon?" The kid leaned against the door, still confused. Damon wasn't joking about his intellectual prowess. "Wait, you're his friend from Louisiana."
"Yes, I am. I'm in need of-" He paused as he noticed the kid went three shades whiter and he realized they were not alone.
He turned only to come face to face, so to speak with none other than Kol Mikaelson. His anger ran hot as his hand twitched, knowing the very vampire was one of the very reasons his Damon may be currently in a shallow grave. He didn't let it show however, keeping his composure.
"Eric Northman!" Kol exclaimed, gripping one of his arms in a tight squeeze. "It's good to see you mate. How long has it been? Six hundreds years at least."
"At least." He fathomed for customary sake alone. He knew exactly the last time he'd seen the Original. It was 1435.
"You two know each other?!" Jeremy exclaimed, taking a step away from the door.
"Of course mate, we're old friends. One could say we know each other quite, intimately, in fact." Kol jested, winking at him.
He faked a smile, wanting nothing more for this pointless encounter to end. He'd been rather fond of the blond centuries ago. He was enjoyable company, and knew a thing or two in the bed chambers. But he'd been a means to an end really, he'd only wanted to learn more about the despicable scum that was the lesser, bastard species of their kind. Kol had been enlightening, he'd learned much of his siblings, their father, what weakness they possessed. And their annoying immortal status. Funny how now he possessed the one weapon that could destroy them all.
"What are you doing here Kol?" He asked, stirring the conversation to something more pressing. He supposed Kol could take him to his brother all the same.
"To kill Jeremy. Or at least rip his arms off. Long story." Kol said, shrugging his shoulders, almost bored as in comparison Jeremy stood, clearly too stunned to move. "I do hope you didn't want anything with the kid. You aren't after the cure?"
"Still believe those old wives tales." He tisked, noticing from the corner of his eye that Jeremy had disappeared. "No, I was looking for your brother, Niklaus. We have some business to discuss."
"You are smarter than I thought Eric. Coming for his precious hunter for leverage. Ingenous." Kol complemented, clearly not worried about the Gilbert boy. "I can take you to Klaus if you'd like. If you'd kill Jeremy for me."
"I can't, I haven't been invited inside."
"Oh that's too bad. I have." Kol said, taking a step into the house. "His sister invited me in earlier. A trap I imagine that fell through. Oh well, if he manages to slip past do-"
He wasn't able to finish as a well aimed arrow struck his heart, pinning him against the wall next to the door. He peaked inside, impressed at the accuracy. Clearly Damon's training had been effective to the boy.
He straightened up as he noticed Jeremy stared at him, then Kol, his eyes widening as the Original grunted, and like that the kid was up the stairs.
Really? Upstairs.
Maybe he hadn't learned enough after all.
Should he save the kid, or not?
What would Damon have him do?
It was easy enough to wager a guess where the kid would go, his own room and he found himself floating by the window, watching as the Gilbert boy ran through a bathroom, closing the door quietly behind him.
He shook his head as he tapped against the glass, making the kid jump, but he surprisingly came to the window, opening it.
"How in the hell-"
"We have no time. Invite me in Jeremy, I am your only chance at surviving Kol. That arrow in his heart won't slow him down for long." He said quickly, able to hear Kol coming back to himself.
"How do I trust you? You're friends with Damon, and Kol. Who both incidentally, want to kill me. This could all be a trick," Jeremy snarled.
He felt an eye roll coming on. "Die then. Your life matters little to me."
The kid's eyes widened, mouth agape until suddenly he was pulled away, thrown with ease across the room, and into the nearest wall. Kol twirled the arrow in his fingers, winking at him again. "Thanks for the distraction mate."
Kol then lunged at the boy, hearing them tumble into what he imagined was stairs as the sound almost echoed. It was then, he could hear his name faintly from Jeremy. And a clear invitation into the house.
It didn't take him a second to pry Kol's arm off Jeremy's, who had Jeremy now on the landing of the stairs, his arm in an odd angle behind his back. He threw the Origional against the wall, his head going into the plaster, as paintings rained down around them. His hand wrapped around his throat and with a quick snap, he managed to break Kol's neck before he was able to retaliate.
He let the Original simply fall, watching in slight amusement as his head slammed against the edge of the stairs, and he slid down a few steps, like a ragdoll would.
"You-" Jeremy sat on the floor, nursing his arm as he admired his handiwork. "How did you do that?"
"Age. Skill. Strength." He mused, offering a hand to the kid. He accepted and he helped him back to his feet. "I do hope you know where Klaus is, or I will let Kol take your arms."
"Why do you want to see Klaus?" Jeremy asked, as he descended the steps, picking up Kol with ease. He glanced around the foyer, deciding on the kitchen table for an appropriate place to put Kol for the meantime. He could be a useful pawn. Actually both men in the room could be.
"He has Damon," He replied, tossing the body onto the wooden surface. "Can you be of use, or not?"
"Yes, I know exactly where he is. My sister talked to him a few hours ago. She's been trying to negotiate with Klaus for his blood. We're supposed to dagger Kol and offer a trade for Damon but Stefan and Matt have been unsuccessful in finding Rebekah's dagger and Bonnie was supposed to be here helping us subdue Kol, but I guess we won't be needing that." Jeremy went on as he stood on the other side of the table, examining the vampire in front of him.
"Damon's alive?" He asked, calmly not to attract just how relieved he felt. His entire body unclenched itself, as he felt an overwhelming smile overtake his entire face.
"For now, but my sister says he's not doing great. He's apparently hallucinating but he was coherent enough to speak to her for a few minutes."
He jaw twitched at the very thought of the doppleganger whore anywhere near his Damon but his jealousy would have to wait until Damon was safe.
"So what do you want to do with him?" Jeremy asked, gesturing to the unconscious body in front of him.
"What would YOU like to do to him?" He asked, strolling slowly toward the hunter. "I'd imagine you'd enjoy seeing him die?"
"Sure, sort of. If only to complete my hunter's mark. But I don't have the white oak stake, and that's the only way this bastard dies." Jeremy spat.
He reached into his jacket pocket, producing the white oak stake and he passed it to the kid. "Would you care to do the honours? I need to make a phone call."
Jeremy hesitated for a moment, staring down at the stake and back to him but he took it, feeling the weight. He turned toward Kol, patting down his jacket, then his pockets until he found what he was looking for. The Originals cellphone. He swiped it open, breezing through his contacts. "But isn't he your friend?"
"Hm." He looked up, and back down at Kol. "We were friends. Centuries ago. But he's outlived his usefulness to me. Look I can do it myself, but I would imagine you'd like to complete your hunter's mark. Or do you wish for Damon or Stefan or your sister to kill multiple humans for you? It is your choice."
Jeremy seemed decided from that, as he gripped the white oak stake, taking a turn around the table, looking for the best angle perhaps. He supposed the human would be squeamish, it was in their natures.
He felt the phone in his hand vibrate, and he answered it immediately, clearly he didn't need to go through his contacts after all. He put it on speaker phone, wanting his new found companion to hear the conversation too.
"Kol, you bastard. Finally. You better not be after my hunter. I may not have your dagger but I can make your life miserable. So you better-"
"Kol can't come to the phone right now. I'd ask if you'd like to leave a message but your brother will be dead by the end of this phone call." He resided from memory.
How could he ever forget those words?
"You-"
"Me."
"You better be joking mate." Klaus snarled, a clear threat behind that statement but he simply chuckled.
"I'm afraid not Niklaus. In fact I have him right here with me, and your precious hunter. Say hello Jeremy, and do confirm we have his brother." He stretched out his hand to point the phone closer to Jeremy.
The kid just stared at him, his mouth falling open. "Are you insane?"
He brought the phone back closer, though he knew it was unnecessary but it was for show. "I think that was sufficient enough for you."
"My brother cannot die you imbecile." It was clear Niklaus was trying to sound brave, but he could feel the fear just underneath.
"True, unless one possesses the white oak stake. Which I do. Which our dear friend Jeremy is about to use on your brother. Care to hear." He could hear a commotion in the background but he ignored it, coming closer to the Gilbert boy, gesturing toward Kol. "Please Jeremy go ahead, he's stirring."
The kid paled, taking notice that the Original was infact twitching slightly. It would take a minute or two for the vampire to come back to himself, but Jeremy didn't need to know that.
"Don't you dare. What the hell do you want?" Klaus snarled as he came back to his phone.
"What do you think? I want Damon Salvatore. And your blood." He said simply.
He heard the hybrid snort. "Fine, fine. Can we meet? I have Damon at my house. I can be there shortly, say an hour?"
"I don't know Niklaus, why should I make deals with you? How can I possibly trust you? We've never met." He bemused.
"You have my word." Klaus's voice sharp and clear.
It almost sounded like he meant it.
"See your words means nothing to me Niklaus, because I know you. And where would the fun be if I let you win." He simply held out the cellular device as he watched Kol lunge at the kid, seeing the stake go right through his friend's heart. Good reflexes. A pity perhaps, but he enjoyed the theatrical screams from Kol, only for Niklaus' benefit. Maybe a little too for Damon.
"I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did," He said, taking the white oak stake out of Jeremy's hand as he watched the Original go up into flames. "Come find me Niklaus Mikaelson, or run like the pathetic bastard we both know you to be"
And he hung up. It felt good, but not as enjoyable as ripping that hybrid's head off, and plunging the stake into his heart.
"Turn here."
He took the next sharp left, noticing they were coming to the outskirts of Mystic Falls, where the larger mansions were located. He glanced over at his companion, who was clutching the door for dear life as he stared out the window. "Klaus' house is just on the top of this hill. Could you slow down?"
"No,"
"So what are you planning?" Jeremy asked. "You do have a plan right?"
"Of course. Niklaus will no doubt come back to his house as he knows my intentions towards Damon. He'll want to kill him, out of revenge. He could be there already. Let's hope not, for I'd like to have the element of surprise. Then, I plan on taking his blood, and killing him. No objections I imagine."
"You can't kill Klaus." Jeremy exclaimed, as he pulled the car into a dense set of trees, hoping to camouflage the car.
"And why not? Do not tell me you care for the hybrid?"
"Of course not, but he's the sire line of my sister. My friends. Damon. He dies, they all die. Didn't Damon tell you that?"
"I did not know that Klaus was his sire." His anger resurfaced, why did that bastard deserve to live? But he supposed he could just rip him to pieces and scatter them across the globe. He suspected the man couldn't regenerate without a head. "Then we better hope that Damon is alive,"
The two of them stepped out of the car, and he took a moment to cover the car with some underbrush and some small trees he ripped from the ground. He'd have to clean the car after this, he knew how Damon was about cleanliness. Especially towards his cars.
"Why are you doing this? I didn't know Damon had friends who cared enough about him. Maybe my sister. Or his girlfriend. Where is she anyway?" Jeremy asked as he came toward him.
"Who?"
"Damon's girlfriend? Caroline told Matt that he showed her some picture of a woman. And we heard him on the phone. He was all sappy. Pam I think her name was." Jeremy said, it took every part of him not to burst out laughing. Pam and Damon? "I hear she lives in Louisiana with you. Yeah, you were in this picture too."
"She's my progeny," He said as they made their way up the driveway, toward the extensive house in front of them. It was regal, in white with beautiful pillars at the front, with a large pavilion in the center of the driveway, with a fountain and a few trees in it. The windows were massive, and square and blocked out with curtains from what he could see. There was no car anywhere to be seen, or any lights turned on. Though this was not certain the hybrid wasn't skulking about, waiting for them. "We own a bar together."
"Why didn't she come?" Jeremy questioned.
He wondered if he should lie or straighten this mistake out but this could turn out to be amusing for him later on. A game perhaps. "I needed her to tend to our establishment while I was away, both of us cannot leave. And she requested that I save her beloved, as she is not strong, or old enough to take on an Original on her own. Besides I consider Damon a dear friend."
"Might want to choose better friends." Jeremy snorted as they finally were close to the front door. What a pointless, endless driveway.
"I'd hold your tongue hunter. Damon is here because of you. You failed in killing those humans in the first place. In fact, you'd be currently dead if it wasn't for the man." He snarled, throwing the door open a bit more violently than he needed to. "Look, there's a balcony on the second floor. Find it. And keep a look out. Tell me if you see anything. I'm going to find Damon,"
And with that, he sped around the house, first to check the house for Klaus but he hadn't picked up any sound, or scent of the hybrid.
He did however, smell the putrid scent of rotting flesh as he made he was back toward the one room he hadn't opened. He bit his lip, as he trudged toward the door, his feet feeling as though they were made of led. His eyes danced along the walls, towards every corner except the door itself. He couldn't hear any breathing, or coughing or anything, It was silent, except the accelerated heart rate of the hunter a few rooms down from him. He fidgeted for a moment at the doorway, his hands weak as they clutched the doorknob.
He closed his eyes, as he opened the door, feeling like a damn frightened human. He'd been dreading this moment- was he alive or dead.
Would he be able to handle either?
He opened his eyes, taking in the darkened room, only moonlight to illuminate the room, to Damon, unmoving, chained to the headboard of a king sized bed. He felt physically ill as he dragged himself closer to his Damon. To his Sol. His sun.
Damon's eyes were open, unblinking as his mouth too was slightly agape. His skin was deathly white, sweat stuck to every visible orphis of his body. And there it was, on his neck, the nasty bite that started it all. It was massive, veins were protruding out of it, as it was covered in pus and blood.
He ripped apart the chains, watching Damon's arms fall to his side, not stirring him in the least. He carefully put them to his sides, tucking in his Sol. He hadn't noticed until he reached out to stroke Damon's cheek that his hand was shaking, his other wiping away the blood from his eyes.
He leaned forward, bring his lips to those of Damon's whose were cracked beyond relief but it didn't matter.
He was too late.
But then, he felt a twitch. It was so slight he almost missed it but he threw himself away from Damon's lips, to watch the man blink, his mouth close and open again and then a horrid cough escaped those chapped lips.
He was alive.
"Damon, it's Eric. Look you have to promise you'll hold on. Just awhile longer. I know you can do this for me. You're stronger than you ever let yourself realize. And you're braver than anyone I know. Please." The eyes didn't move, or register him but he hoped, if any part of Damon was in there, that he could hear him. "Hold on for me Damon. I can't lose you. Besides I promised I'd always protect you, and it's a promise I intend on keeping."
"He's here." Jeremy called out to him. "Or at least his car is pulling up."
"Thank you, wait by the door. I'll be there in a moment." He answered, watching as the kid left before he kissed Damon again. "I love you Damon. I'm not going to lose you today. Not for at least a thousand years."
He didn't turn back as he made his way out, not needing to see it again. He would always have this image of Damon imprinted in the back of his mind for the rest of eternity.
"So what's the plan?" Jeremy asked he fell into step beside him as they made their way down the stairs. "You're bleeding by the way,"
"Right. Thank you." He said, as he wiped the blood from his eyes away with the sleeve of his jacket. "Attack, what else is there."
"Klaus is strong." Jeremy pointed out he motioned toward the hunter to take a seat. The kid did what he was told but it was clear he was beginning to worry. "Shouldn't we be hiding?"
"We?" He snorted, as he took a seat next to the boy, so close their knees were touching. "I only needed directions dear boy. You are merely here as a courtesy. And perhaps a distraction. It depends how much stronger he is than his brothers."
Jeremy didn't get to respond to him, as they both turned to hear the door slam open, Klaus storming in, look of pure madness following as he came toward them, a stake in hand. Jeremy stiffened next to him, and he slid an arm over the boy, staying put as he smirked at Klaus who clearly had murder on his mind.
"Niklaus, so glad of you to join us. It's disrespectful to arrive after your guests." He said, tutting as ran his fingers through Jeremy's hair. "I've been getting to know your hunter. Quite a boy. Skilled too. His mark should be completed anytime."
"You fucking bastard." Klaus seethed, throwing the couch across from them, to the other side of the room, his eyes solely focused on him.
"What? Did you think you were going to go on, forever living the way you do? You must have expected one day that someone would oppose you. Though I hear your siblings do that quite often. I suppose I'm the first to actually pose a real threat." He went on as he took out the white oak stake, rolling it between his hand on his thigh. "Actually no. That would be your father. Not your true father, Kol once told me you're a bastard child. Is that true?"
He knew this was a raw nerve for the Original, and he didn't have to wait for Klaus' next move as he could see the man move toward him with vampire-like speed, and he too took aim at the hybrid, meeting him in midair, and throwing the man across the room, going right through the living room wall, and into the foyer.
"Stay here," He warned to Jeremy who just nodded blindly at him as he threw his leather jacket onto the couch, throwing the stake into the hunter's lap.
It didn't take long for Klaus to recover and he felt himself be thrown into the nearby window of the foyer, hearing the glass shatter behind him, feeling shards of it dig into his back. He grinned murderously as he lunged, the hybrid too slow for him as he grabbed ahold of his shirt, throwing him into the stairs, and he ripped one of the bannisters from the floor, thrusting it into the hybrid's chest.
Klaus panted, his eyes wide as his hand scrambled over the large, white pole sticking out of his chest. "Don't tell me this is all the great Niklaus Mikaelson can take? I thought you a better fighter?"
He admired Klaus for a moment as he ripped the wood from his chest with one pull. He wanted the hybrid to fight. What was the fun with just defeating him? Besides, if he couldn't kill the bastard, he'd enjoy towing with him.
But he needed to end this soon.
Klaus came after him but he moved out of the way. Again, and again as they sped about the first floor, from the foyer, to the living room, to the kitchen, to a nice room overlooking the porch to the backyard, to the living room again.
Once there Klaus lunged at him again, but this time he ran straight into the attack, kicking the stake out of his hand as he shot up, gripping Klaus' short dirty blond hair, and tugging, hearing the distinct sound of flesh tearing from itself, and then the cracking and faint break of bone- blood just spraying him- and he stood back onto the ground with Klaus' severed head in his hands, as he took notice of the audience on the couch, staring at him in awe.
"You-" Jeremy stuttered, looking at the now dismembered body on the floor, to the head in his hands. "You literally ripped his head off." The kid got off the couch, bringing his jacket and stake to him. "Wow. Who are you?"
He assumed the question wasn't meant to be answered as he took the stake, putting it in his back pocket. "I'm going to feed this blood to Damon, and bring him downstairs. Do you think you could bring the car around? We should leave. I would hate for one of his other siblings to appear. The keys are in the pocket of my jacket."
Jeremy just nodded, clearly still in shock as he made his way out of the house. He fled up the stairs, and back into Damon's room with Klaus' severed head in tow. He gently pried Damon's mouth opened, letting the hybrid's blood drip into his mouth. He closed it, dribbling some of the blood on the wound for good measure. He watched, fascinated for a moment as Damon swallowed, the wound itself beginning to already appear to heal, his skin noticeably less deathly looking.
He sighed, realizing he'd been holding onto a breath he didn't need as he saw Damon coming back to himself. He was going to survive.
He gathered his Damon into his arms, carrying him that which one would carry a bride, making his way down the stairs, seeing Jeremy had returned. The kid crouched over laughing, bewildering him.
"What?"
"Oh if only Damon was conscious. He'd kill you himself if he knew." Jeremy snickered, making him smile as well. It was true, Damon didn't like him to coddle him. Or treat him like a woman. But he didn't think he'd mind now.
"Well we shall keep this our secret then." He said, as he made his way toward the front door. "Would you please put Niklaus' body in the trunk?"
He didn't bother to see if the kid had answered, as he took Damon to the car, putting him in the back seat. He then put Klaus' head underneath the passenger's seat. Jeremy came up behind him, and threw the headless corpse into the trunk. He studied Damon for a moment, he'd closed his eyes now, and seemed to be asleep, the bite on his neck still healing itself away.
He took the driver's seat, Jeremy already in the passenger seat and he drove off, and toward Mystic Falls once more.
"Would you like me to drop you off at your house? Or would it be alright if I leave you at the Boarding House?" He asked.
"Damon's house is fine. Actually apparently we're all meeting there. My sister's request. I informed my friends of what happened. She wishes to thank you in person." He hissed as Jeremy looked over at him. "Stefan too. I hope that's okay."
"Of course," He gritted out, wanting nothing less to meet Elena Gilbert, and plunge a stake through her heart. "How is the mark? From here I can actually see the black ink,"
"You can!" Jeremy exclaimed, making him falter for a moment as he took off his shirt, revealing his inked arm, and chest. "I think it's completed. But we'll know more when we see Professor Shane and Bonnie."
"Who?" He wasn't able to get a response as he lost his concentration- the car swerving as he was completely shocked as a now, obviously awake Damon sunk his fangs into Jeremy's naked shoulder, drinking greedily. He could see the human was fainting, and he grasped Damon's neck, hearing it snap as he fell back into the seat, feeling guilt rise inside of him. He wouldn't let the kid die now.
Jeremy's eyes were blinking slowly, as his heart rate steadily declined, his breathing accelerating. He shook his head, needing to deal with another of Damon's messes, as he bit into his wrist, shoving it into the hunter's mouth as he kept the other hand on the steering wheel. The kid immediately took to it as he pulled into the Salvatore boarding house.
He yanked his wrist back, satisfied the kid got enough. His blood was potent for his age. As he gave Jeremy another once over, his wound was already healed. Go figure.
"You okay?" He asked, as he stepped out of the car, reaching over to haul Damon out of the car. He would be unconscious for awhile now- but as he inspected closely- he was back to normal. The bite healed completely.
"Yeah," He kid murmured.
"Good, I'm going to put Damon to bed." He said, throwing the man over his shoulder, making his way toward the door.
"What do we do with Klaus' body?"
"Bring the head inside, leave the body there. I'm sure you all can figure out what you'd like to do to the man whose tormented you. I'm sure you can think of something creative." He answered, turning back around for a moment. "Oh, Jeremy just so you are aware, my blood is different from Damon's or any of their species. You will feel high, as if on drugs. And you'll have heightened senses, and abilities. My blood is powerful, so it could take a day or so for the effects to pass."
"Okay. Thank you, by the way. For everything." Jeremy said genuinely. He just nodded at the kid before making his way into the familiar house, up the stairs and into Damon's room.
It was the same as he remembered, except the bathroom was clearly remodelled. He stripped Damon of his soiled clothes, putting him a fresh pair of boxer shorts, before tucking him into bed. He leaned down, kissing his forehead softly.
"I promised I'd always protect you my Sol"
… And that's it. I could leave this whole story here, but I'm not. More to come.
I thought I'd leave the last part with a bit of fluff. You've gone through enough grief. For now. This isn't an angst fic for nothing. So what did you think? Eric is finally in Mystic Falls, I wonder what mayhem will ensue. Well I suppose I know, but I'd love to hear what you think! Did you like it? Hate it? Love it? Let me know! I do looooooove reviews. But what writer doesn't?
'till next time :)