Chapter 2: The Phone Call.

" ... So Elena made a deal with Elijah that she would stay out of trouble and he would keep everyone she cared about safe."

Darwin and Stefan were sitting in the parlour, each with a cup of blood in front of them. Stefan had told him to make himself at home, so he'd taken of his boots and socks and was sitting cross-legged on the couch, wriggling his toes. Stefan were sitting on the couch opposit him.

"If Klaus are after you, I doubt that even Elijah will be able to keep you safe, "he remarked.

"You know Klaus?"

"Not well, "Darwin admitted, "I met him briefly in Denmark almost a century ago, so I know what he looks like. I've never met Elijah."

Stefan regarded him for a moment. "Why are you here?"

"I'm looking for a friend, "he said, "his name is Kol. Maybe you've seen him or heard of him?"

"No, sorry, I haven't, "Stefan shook his head.

"Well, all I know is that he was born in this area a long time ago, "Darwin said, subdued, "It bothers me that I haven't heard from him in a century. Or heard of him. He never was one to keep a low profile."

"I'll tell you, if I hear anything, "Stefan assured him.

"Thank you."

They sat in silence for awhile. Darwin was trying to process the things Stefan had told him. He figured that since there obviously were Orignals in town, Kol might not be that far away.

"Your not wearing a Lapis ring, "Stefan observed.

It was still daylight outside, Darwin knew. It had only been three in the afternoon, when he arrived.

"Well, actually ... "Darwin hesitated for a few seconds, " ... I have Lapis Lazuli in my navel piercing."

Stefan had been taking a sip of his blood and snorted into the cup. He quickly put it down on the coffee table. "I don't really know you, but somehow I believe it fits you."

"Oh, yeah?" Darwin smiled wryly, "You should have seen the Witch I asked to spell it. She thought I was mad ... I do have a regular ring, though."

"Don't tell Damon about the piercing, "Stefan advised, "Otherwise, you'd never hear the end of it."

"I'll keep that in mind, "Darwin got up and stretched, "I'll go find me a room. Thanks for letting me stay. It's very generous of you, considering your current situation."

Stefan nodded, and Darwin picked up his computers and backpack. He went up the stairs and tried to remember what Stefan had told him. First door Damon and third Stefan. He opened the door to the second room.

It was not a large room. There was a desk with a chair, an armchair by one of the windows, a bed, a nightstand, and an empty bookcase. The furniture was well-kept and old, adding some character to the room. In the other end of the room were two doors.

He went into the room and opened the one on the left. A small bathroom. Then he opened the one on the right. A walk-in closet that strangely enough was bigger than the bath room. There were lots of shelves and a bar for hangers.

Good enough.

He put his backpack on one of the shelves and went back into the room. He had to make sure that the rest of his things were messengered over tomorrow.

He took his computers out of their bags and placed them on the desk. Then plugged them into their adapters, before turning on the power.

He checked for wireless internet connections, but there were none. Didn't matter, though, he had a dongle.

Suddenly, his phone started ringing and he jumped. He had just purchased it, when he arrived in Virginia. Only two people had his number. One of them was Stefan, whom he had just given his number to, but he doubt that he would call him from the parlour. The other was Carol Lockwood. Maybe she was checking in on him?

He answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, Darwin. Long time no see, "a voice said in a British accent.

"Niklaus, "He almost dropped the phone in surprise, "how did you get this number?"

"I looked you up on the internet, of course, "Niklaus said pleasantly, "I need you to do something for me."

"And what is that? "He asked suspiciously.

"I know you are in Mystic Falls, and I know Elijah is there as well. I need you to keep Damon Salvatore from interfering with Elijah."

"And why is that?"

"My reasons are my own."

"Look, Niklaus, I know what you are planning, and I will not participate in your murderous schemes, "Darwin said firmly, "Find someone else."

There was a short pause, then: "I thought you might react this way. I'm hanging up now. Check your phone in a minute."

He lowered the phone. What the Hell was happening? There was the sound of an incoming message. It was a photo. Frowning, he opened the file, and then froze.

It was Kol; Dead in a casket with a dagger in his chest.

He quickly saved the number under the name; NIKLAUS, and a new message came in.

NIKLAUS said: I think you will do as I tell you. If you ever want to see Kol alive again, that is.

He quickly wrote back.

I said: I'll do whatever you want.

NIKLAUS said: Fine. Then keep Damon away from Elijah. And make sure Elijah doesn't find out, who you are, or the deal is off.

I said: Ok.

He sat down in the chair by the desk and stared straight ahead without really seeing anything. At least he now knew what had happened to Kol.

(Break)

Damon returned home in a foul mood. He and Alaric hadn't been able to formulate a plan at all, especially not since they rapidly had become more and more drunk. In the end, Alaric had begun suggesting things like sulphuric acid and nuclear bombs, and Damon knew it was time to leave.

He entered the hall and immediately caught the scent of cigarette smoke. It made him feel nauseous.

"Stefan!" He yelled.

Stefan came out of the parlour, an inquireing look on his face. "What?"

"When the Hell did you start smoking? If you do that in the house again, I'll make you eat a cigar!"

"I don't smoke. It must be Darwin."

"And who's Darwin?"

"The college student Carol Lockwood sent over."

Damon groaned exaperatedly. "I'd forgotten about him."

"He's a vampire, "Stefan told him.

"Really? I guess that'll make this livin arrangement easier."

Stefan hesitated for a minute, then added: "I told him about our situation. With Elena. And with Elijah and Klaus."

"Do you think that's wise? "Damon asked, "He could be working for one them."

"Then I haven't told him anything, he wouldn't already know, "Stefan said dismissively. "I'll go tell him not to smoke in the house."

"No, I'll do that, "Damon said, already on his way up the stairs. He knocked hard on the second door, knowing that the smell was defenitely coming from that room.

"Yes? "a voice aswered and he swung the door open. Then did a double take. A younger, smaller, and long-haired version of Elijah was looking at him, and at first he didn't know, what to say. Then he remembered why his was there. "Er ... I'd appreciate it, if you didn't smoke in the house."

"Oh, "He answered, sounding more guilty than what was really nessecary, "I forgot to ask about it." He put out the cigarette.

"We don't have a lot of house rules, "Damon told him, "Except no smoke, everyone minds their own business, and don't drink all our blood."

"You don't have to worry about blood, "Darwin assured him, "I have my own suppliers back in Denmark, they send me some every month."

"Wouldn't it be easier to find new suppliers here?"

"It's a bit complicated, "Darwin admitted, "I only drink blood from humans, who are on a purely organic diet."

Damon stared at him for a minute. "Well, if you run out, there is an organic farm right outside town. You can feed on the cows, "he said sarcastically.

"Thank you, "Darwin actually answered.

Damon finally noticed the three laptops on the desk. "How many computers do you need?"

"Well, Daedealus is for assignments and research, "Darwin explained pointing to one and then another, "Diefenbaker is for films, and Desdemona is for music and photos."

"Desdemona? "Damon asked, nonplussed, "as in Othello's wife?

"Exactly."

Who else than a computer could be called Desdemona? No living woman could. 'Hi, my name is Desdemona.' No one said that.

"What an odd, little person, you are, "Damon mumbled leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

He went straight back down and into the parlour, where Stefan was sitting, reading a book. He looked up, as Damon entered.

"Are you out of your mind? "Damon demanded.

"What now? "Damon's bad mood was beginning to rub off on Stefan and he sounded a bit annoyed.

"What now? "Damon repeated, disbelievingly, "did you not see, who he looks like?"

"He looks a bit like Elijah, I know..."

"A bit?! They could be twins born fifteen years apart!"

"Well, you were the one, who told Carol Lockwood he could stay here, "Stefan snapped, finally losing his patience, "But I don't think, he's dangerous."

"No, just stark raving mad!"

"He said that he is here looking for a friend and that he has never even met Elijah. I believe him."

"Yes, and you also once believed elephants could fly, "Damon reminded him.

"Only because you told me so!"

"Alright, he can stay, "Damon sighed, "but if he turns out to be a maniac, it's on you head."

"You're the only maniac in this house, "Stefan muttered.

"Yes! And I would like to keep it that way! "Damon yelled on his way out.

(Break)

Darwin sat in his room, brooding. His senses were keen and he had easily been able to hear the Salvatore brothers' conversation. Just an hour ago, he would have agreed with Stefan. Now he mostly agreed with Damon.

Not that he would ever try to hurt any of them or their friends, but it wasn't a good start to betray his hosts.

He received another message on his phone. He was afraid that it might be Niklaus again, making more demands, but it was from a number, he did not know. He opened the message and read it:

'Hi, Darwin. This is Jenna Sommers. I'm the one keeping the archives. I thought, we could meet at my place tomorrow and I'll tell you about your job in more detail. Would that be alright?'

'Sure, "he texted back.

'See you tomorrow then. I'll text you the adress.'