Klaus looked at her in shock. "Excuse me, you're what?"

Vanessa giggled. "I'm pregnant, silly! Do you think we should just get married, or do you really care?"

Klaus shook his head. "We can't. I'm already married."

Vanessa scoffed. "I don't think so. Selina moved out a year ago. She's probably forgotten you completely and has a guy on the side."

Klaus sighed. "Look, I don't want to marry you, all right? Honestly, I don't even like you. We've had our fun, now you have to go."

Vanessa frowned. "What are you saying? Are you telling me that you used me and now that you've gotten what you want, you're just going to leave me out in the cold?"

Klaus smirked. "I don't understand why you think I'd consent to marry you in the first place. Have you forgotten our first deal? One of my three wishes that you granted me, told me that I could have free and clear, was that I'd never have to have a long standing attachment to any woman. Aren't you going against that by expecting me to marry you and raise a baby I didn't want in the first place?"

Vanessa opened her mouth, but no sound came out. "Fine," she said after a moment. "You're right. I'll be going now."

"Goodbye," Klaus said to her. "You have a nice life. I hope you're done with me."

Vanessa said nothing in response until she got out the door. "Oh, I'm not done with you yet. Definitely not." She began walking aimlessly around town until she spotted Selina and another man walking hand in hand out of a bookstore. She hurried over to them. "There you are!" She said to Selina. "We haven't seen one another forever! Can I have a moment?"

Selina glared at her bitterly. "No, you can't! Now get the hell away from me!"

"But in the interest of fairness, I feel I should tell you something," Vanessa called after her.

"Don't care!" Selina called. "I don't want to hear it!" She pulled out of the other young man's grip and made her way down the street. Vanessa hurried over to him. "Are you good friends with her?" She asked curiously. "If I told you something to tell her, would she listen?"

Damon nodded. "I suppose. Who are you?"

Vanessa shook her head. "That's not important who I am. The important thing is that she knows I'm pregnant and that Klaus is the father of my baby. Can you tell her that for me? Thanks!" She darted away before Damon could reply. He watched her go and then stood frozen on the sidewalk for a second, pulling his jacket tighter around himself. Then, he went down the street from the bookstore, grabbed a six pack of beer, and went back to the apartment to tell Selina what he'd been told.

When he got back, he found her sitting on the worn olive sofa, her hand clutching a throw pillow and pulling out the stuffing out of a small hole to throw it on the floor. "Who was that woman?" He asked. "Obviously someone you don't like very much from the looks of things."

"Well, I think I have a right not to like her," Selina replied. "For the past twenty years, she has stalked my family and tried to kill me and my children multiple times so she can have Klaus all to herself. I hate her friggin' guts!" She looked up at him. "Why?"

Damon sat down beside her, pulled a bottle of beer out, and handed it to her. "Drink that down before I tell you anything else," he said. "Otherwise things could get to a level of ugly that I don't even want to contemplate."

Selina nodded and gulped the beer down. When the bottle was empty, she wiped what remained off her lip and put the bottle on the coffee table. "So what is it?" She asked. "What's so bad that I can only hear it if I've got a drink in me?"

Damon took a deep breath. "She talked me after you left. She said to tell you that she was pregnant and Klaus was the father of her baby."

Selina's eyes widened. "What the hell? She's pregnant!" She gestured angrily at the beer. "Give me another one. I need it. I don't care if you don't approve, just fork it over!"

Damon nodded. "Here. And have I ever stopped you from drinking? What's my motto?"

Selina paused, the beer bottle at her lips. "If you have a problem, drink it away for the moment and deal with it later?"

Damon nodded. "Exactly. That's served me well over the years."

By the time the six pack was empty, Selina was having trouble standing up. She fell to the floor, giggling. "Isn't that funny? I can't even stand up, how about that?" She rolled over onto her back and looked up at him as he stood over her. "I need to go to bed, I think. But I don't feel like moving. Do you mind?"

Damon picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. "Set me down on the floor," she ordered. "I don't want to sleep in my clothes. I like how the sheets feel against my skin." And she began taking off her clothes right then and there, and when they were in a pile at the foot of the bed, she climbed in and gave him a look. "Want to come tuck me in?"

Damon stepped back a little. "I don't know if this is such a good idea. You're married and you're drunk now, and maybe-"

Selina frowned. "Maybe I need this! Look, I haven't had any sex in a year, all right? And now I just found out that the most horrible woman on the planet is expecting my husband's baby. Is it too much to ask for just a little support? Come here!" She watched him until he hesitantly came to her and put his arms around her. Then, she kissed him. Despite the fact that he could still smell the beer on her breath, it was a good kiss. Then, she began pulling at his shirt until that was off too, and pretty soon, he was as dressed as she was and they began rolling around under the covers. He touched all over her body and planted kisses on her stomach and down her thigh before going inside her with his tongue. She moaned and ran her fingers through his hair. She ran her other hand down his abs and then, for a moment, he pulled out of her before shifting position and driving into her deeply. She shrieked with joy and clutched him so hard her nails dug into his back, drawing blood. Then she pulled her hand away and sucked on her fingers. She smiled. "Do it again," she said. "I can handle it."

Panting, he drove into her again, causing a flurry of giggles. Finally, they were both worn out and fell asleep draped over one another.

Two days later, Selina turned on the news and gasped. The top story showed what seemed to be the body of a woman. She'd been murdered and her body had been pulled inside out. The body of her baby, or rather, what would have been her baby, was found nearby. It had taken a lot of work, but the body had been identified as supermodel Vanessa.

"Damon, come in here!" Selina cried. "Vanessa's been murdered...horribly!"

Damon strode in. "Oh, yeah? How did you do it? I want details!"

"No!" Selina shook her head earnestly. "It wasn't me, I swear! Her body was like, pulled inside out after somebody slit her throat!"

Damon grimaced when he saw the picture of the body. "Somebody was very thorough, weren't they?"

"Yeah," Selina nodded. "But who in the world do you think would want to murder her besides me?"

Damon shrugged. "I don't know. Are you going to try and find out?"

Selina nodded. "I should probably call Klaus and tell him the news."

"Maybe he already knows," Damon said. "Maybe he did it."

Selina shrugged. "I don't know." She gulped down her orange juice. "I think I'll go walk around," she said. "See if I can find anything else out about this."

"Good luck," Damon called after her. "Don't forget to call back here if you're going to be gone long!"

"I won't!" Selina called back.

She just made it out the door when someone came from the side of the house and grabbed her, throwing her in the back of an open car. They didn't tie her up, however, and as the car drove away from the apartment building, she was able to sit up and see her captor.

"Elissavetta! What is it that you want?"

Elissavetta turned around to look at her from the passenger's seat. "I've decided to take matters into my own hands," she said. "I dislike this current arrangement."

Selina frowned. "What arrangement?"

"The one where you, my son, and my granddaughter are all living in separate locations," Elissavetta clarified. "I think it's time the three of you got back together. I've already taken care of the first problem. You can start thanking me anytime."

"First problem? Was it you who did that to Vanessa?"

"Of course," Elissavetta said easily. "She and Niklaus parted ways a few days ago, but I figured that being as stubborn as you are, you wouldn't return to him until there was proof that that woman was dead."

Selina didn't know what to say. She sat silently in the car for several minutes before saying, "Well, thank you, I guess. But you didn't need to go that far!"

Elissavetta nodded. "I believe I did. Now, I did something for you, and you have to return the favor."

Selina rolled her eyes. "Let me guess: you want me to make up with Klaus."

"Yes," Elissavetta replied. "And I want you to mean it. He's been through enough hell without you making it worse, so you have two options: either you can choose to genuninely make up with him on your own, or I can compel you to do it. Now because I like you, I don't want to take away your free will, but if you become impudent, I will."

Selina nodded. "I understand that you want me and Klaus to get back together, but that's not something you can just make happen because you want it to. He still has yet to apologize for this whole debacle, and frankly, I refuse to have anything to do with him until he does."

"Ah," Elissavetta nodded. "So you want to do it the hard way, then?"

"Yes," Selina said defiantly. "I do." A few minutes later, she was in a much more cheerful frame of mind as Elissavetta ordered her driver to take the two of them to the mall so they could go lingerie shopping.

Klaus heard the front door open and looked up. He'd seen what had happened to Vanessa. Only his mother killed like that. But it wasn't his mother on the other side of the door. It was Adrian. He hadn't shaved in several days, or washed or brushed his hair. His eyes were bloodshot.

"Where have you been?" Klaus asked. "Sit down. You look like hell!"

Adrian put his head down on the table. "Dad, do you understand women?"

Klaus sighed. "As well as any other man. Does this have to do with your current appearance?"

Adrian blinked. "I spent last night in the cemetery. Helene's been hanging out there with some guy. He used to be dead, and now he's not. Just like her."

"I don't see why that's a bad thing," Klaus said. "You've moved on and she's moved on."

"Yeah," Adrian got up and grabbed a beer from the fridge, popped it open and took a gulp. "But she moved on in my girlfriend's body, so I've got no one now!"

"Who is she with now?" Klaus asked.

Adrian took another swig. "Some stupid looking guy. His name is Hanz. Isn't that the stupidest name you've ever heard? And he looks just like that guy that mom moved in with. I've seen him. They were pretty cozy at the grocery store last week."

Klaus' eyes widened. "Your mother moved in with another man? I thought she was living with Anna!"

Adrian turned. "And you didn't find it the least bit suspicious that Aunt Anna said Mom was always 'out of town' whenever you came to visit?" He chortled. "Don't you feel like a sucker!"

Klaus' eyes narrowed and he stood up and grabbed his coat. "But not for long!"

"Good luck with that," Adrian called after him, the twinkle still in his eye. But when Klaus reached the door, it opened and his mother strode in, followed by Selina, whose arms were full of shopping bags. "Are you going somewhere?" She asked chirpily. "I hope not. Then you'll miss my surprise."

She sauntered off toward their bedroom and Klaus stared after her, open-mouthed. He turned to his mother. "What is she...? How...?"

Elissavetta grinned. "Never mind that, dear. Just enjoy." She gave him a hug and headed out the door.

It took awhile for Klaus to recover from the shock, but when he could finally move again, he went to his bedroom. He'd gotten a new bed, and when he opened the door, what he saw made him grin. Selina had pulled the sheets aside and was lying in bed, completely naked and rubbing the silk sheets against her cheek. When she saw him, she grinned and pulled the sheet off her face. "I just love silk on my skin. Would you like to come and feel?"

He grinned and pulled off his clothes, then went to join her. She handed him the sheet but he shook his head, order her to lie back down again. He ran his hand over her stomach, planting a kiss just below her naval. Then, he started at her ankle and kissd up her leg to the inside of her thigh before slipping his tongue in her silky folds. She moaned. He cupped one hand around her bottom and the other he used to stroke the silky skin of her midsection. She whimpered contentedly.

A little while later, Adrian decided to leave the house. His parents' bedroom door was closed. They wouldn't miss him for quite awhile.

Klaus and Selina's good moods continued for several days. Selina finally decided after a week that she should invite Alistair and Elijah over to show them how well they'd been getting along without any help whatsoever. "I think it will be good," she said chirpily. "They never think we can handle any problems without their help, but we're doing really well, aren't we?" She pulled an apron out from one of the drawers under the oven and turned to him. "Would you tie this for me?"

He did as she asked and gave her a playful spanking afterwards. She started a little. "Hey!" She cried. "Stop being so naughty!" He turned her, grinning. "Oh, yes? Make me!" He pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. When they pulled apart again, she cleared her throat and turned back to the stove to start putting ingriedients for things in various bowls. When she felt Klaus sneak up behind her and put his hands around her waist, she turned. "I'm serious! I need to concentrate on this or else the whole house will catch on fire!" Then, they both looked up and grinned, saying at the same time, "Fire extinguisher's under the sink!"

They both burst out laughing and then Selina said, "Alistair would be so happy we remembered that. Do you think if we tell him, he'll be proud of us?"

He hugged her. "I'm proud of us."

Selina kissed him. "Me too."

After that, they worked to get the meal together, then got in their nicest clothes for when Alistair and Elijah showed up that night. At five minutes til the guests were about to arrive, Klaus gave Selina a look. "We still have some time," he said, hiking an eyebrow. "And you know we never answer the door on the first ring."

Selina started toward him. "No, we don't..." They reached each other and put their arms around one another tightly, kissing each other until neither of them could breathe. Klaus kept one arm around Selina's waist and opened the closet door with the other. Once the door was closed, he ran his hand up her thigh and then let her panties fall down around her ankles. Giggling madly, she unzipped him. They were making love so furiously that they didn't hear the doorbell ring...at all. It was the knocking on the closet door that finally brought them to their senses.

They pulled apart and took deep breaths. "Just a minute," Selina called. "Sorry about that. We were busy."

"We know," Alistair called back. "We heard. "Now get your clothes on and come out here to tell us why we came."

When they exited the closet, Alistair was standing across from them with a knowing look. "Where should I put my coat?" He asked. "I would prefer somewere other than that closet."

"Try the sofa," Elijah called. "I don't think they have sex there."

Alistair headed to the living room and threw his coat on the sofa, then Selina and Klaus situated themselves on the loveseat and Alistair and Elijah took seats in individual chairs and eyed them curiously. "So," Elijah finally asked, "Why are we here?"

"Oh, that," Selina grinned. "We just wanted to let you know that we're getting along better now and that all the bad stuff is behind us. It was all my fault, really. I should have been here at home instead of gallivanting around with those gigolos like I did."

When Alistair heard that, he frowned. "Selina, dear, may I speak with you?"

Selina stood up, attempting to smooth the wrinkles out of her dress. "Of course, why? Is something wrong?"

Alistair shook his head. "We just need to talk in private. It won't take long." Confusedly, Selina followed him to the bedroom and shut the door. "Are you all right? You aren't acting like yourself."

"Yeah," Selina nodded. "I'm fine. Why?"

Alistair shook his head. "It's just that at one point you were so mad at Klaus for what happened with Vanessa and now you're blaming it on yourself and using phrases like 'gallivanting around with those gigolos'? That doesn't sound like you, so what's going on?"

Selina shrugged. "I don't know. But this arrangement is much better for both of us. Elissavetta says-"

"Wait!" Alistair cried. "Stop right there!"

"Why?" Selina asked.

"Elissavetta," Alistair said. "I think she did something to you. Can I check?"

Selina nodded. "Sure, but make it quick. I have to take dinner out of the oven in five minutes."

Alistair nodded and looked her over, asking her several questions, none of which she answered in her typical fashion. Finally, he had to tell her. "Selina, I think you've been compelled."

Selina shook her head. "No, I haven't! What are you-"

He muttered some words and she blinked. It all came back to her. The thing with Vanessa wasn't her fault! It was Klaus'! Elissavetta had...Oh! She frowned and stomped out of the bedroom.

Klaus came to meet her. "It's time to get dinner out of the oven."

"Fine," Selina said. "I'll get dinner out of the oven, you lying, cheating..." She pushed him away and went into the kitchen, pulling dinner out and dumping it all over him before grabbing her coat and leaving the house. Klaus turned, his nice suit covered in goo, and glared at Alistair, who was looking sheepish. "I hate you," he said.

Not long after that debacle, Adrian opened the front door, surprised to see a very angry Helene stomp across the threshold. "What is your problem?" She asked.

Adrian frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I thought you'd be able to deal with me having a new boyfriend, but apparently, you're so petty, immature and stupid that you can't! You can't stand having any competition at all!"

"Wait a minute," Adrian said. "What are you talking about?"

Helene looked at him in disgust. She'd used magic to get her old appearance back. Her dark eyes were angry. "Don't be stupid," she snapped. "I know you had something to do with it! When I woke up this morning, Hanz wasn't in bed with me. He'd gone out last night and not come back. I turned on the news and there was a story that said somebody found him at the edge of the cemetery with bite marks in his neck! They thought he was dead! He's walking around now of course, but he's a vampire! How could you do that?"

Adrian frowned. "Why would I make my human competition for you as fast and powerful as me? What do you think I am, stupid?"

Helene looked disconcerted now. "You really didn't do it?"

Adrian shook his head. "I think someone owes me an apology."

Helene nodded slowly. "I'm sorry. But if you didn't do that to Hanz, then who did?"