AN: Longest chapter so far. More drama, less comedy.
Chapter 17: Bringing Out the Dead.
Bonnie arrived in her car at 9 the next morning. Darwin threw Kol's sword, his crossbow, and a couple of stakes and blood bottles into the back of the car. They had been unable to formulate much of a plan, as there were no way they could anticipate what was awaiting them in Virginia Beach. But Bonnie seemed calm, much more calm than Darwin felt. She was talking to Stefan, who was looking quite grave, but then again, he almost always did.
He and Elijah had come outside to see them off, while Damon had stayed inside still annoyed by having to pluck his socks and shirt off the christmas tree that morning. He had had his lawyer come in at 8 with some papers to transfer ownership of the Boarding House to Elena, making it impossible for strange vampires to enter.
Darwin was chewing on his lower lip. He and Bonnie had an about three and a half hour ride ahead of them. They'd planned to drive through Charlottesville, Richmond and Hampton, which was the most direct way.
He glanced at Elijah, who was standing beside him with his arms crossed and looking even more gloomy than Stefan.
"Do you ever think that maybe it's time for all of us to die?" Darwin asked, not quite knowing where the question had come from.
Elijah sighed. "Almost daily, "he admitted.
"I'm vervain free."
"That is probably not a good idea."
Darwin shook his head, trying to find a tactful way of making his next request, but there was none. He decided to be blunt. "I want you to compel me."
Elijah finally looked at him, frowning. "To do what?"
"To kill, "he said, sounding as if he regretted his words the very second he spoke them, "If I have to do it without being compelled ... I may not be able to and that could be the end of Bonnie and I."
Elijah seemed to consider for a moment. "And you're sure this is not just to have someone else to blame for any killing you may have to do?"
"No, you would do it on my request. It is my own choice."
"Fine, "Darwin was grabbed around the neck and pulled to face him, but not forcibly; he could have broken free if he wanted to, "You will kill anyone, who gets in your way until you have freed our family. And you will remain calm."
Darwin saw Elijah's pupils dilate and after a second, he felt the compulsion sinking in and his will yielding. A false sense of calm washed over him.
It felt odd. He had no memory of ever being compelled before, though Kol had compelled him to do many ridiculous things in the past, and then taken away his memory of being compelled. Which was why he had started ingesting vervain a couple of centuries ago.
"And do come back in one piece, North Star."
The hand around his neck loosened its grip and for a moment, it just rested there.
(Break)
They'd only been on the road for a couple of minutes, when Darwin asked: "So what is this thing with you and Jeremy?"
He was drinking from a bottle of blood. His third that day.
Bonnie bit her lower lip, keeping her eyes on the road. "I'm not sure you would understand."
Darwin looked slightly annoyed. "I know what Damon says, but I'm not a complete imbecile, when it comes to love. I've actually been married."
"Really? For how long?"
"Well, "he said running a hand over his head, a habit he'd developed after having his hair cut, "The first time we were handfasted for 'a year and a day, 'and the second time 'for as long as love shall last.' So a couple of years later, we went our separate ways."
"That's some cynical wedding wows."
"Really?" He glanced at her. "It always sounded kind of romantic to me."
"I don't think so, "she said thoughtfully, "You should always believe that love lasts forever on your wedding day."
He smiled. "You may be right."
There was a pause.
"So, about you and Jeremy?"
Bonnie shrugged, feeling confused. "I don't know. When I'm with him it's like I definitely feel something, but when he's not there ... then I don't know what I feel."
"You were right, "Darwin said nodding slowly.
Bonnie frowned. "About what?"
"I don't understand."
Bonnie laughed.
"No, it's true, "Darwin said seriously, "to me love has always been very simple. It's either or. You can't love somebody partially or occasionally. If it's not ever present for as long as it lasts, then it's not worth your time."
"Well, I guess you do know a thing or two, "Bonnie admitted.
(Break)
They were standing by the large front door of Klaus' mansion.
"And tell me one more time: Why are you here?" Elijah sent Damon yet another annoyed glare. He'd been getting a lot of those that morning.
"For moral support, "Damon answered, thinking that was probably the last thing Elijah needed. In reality, him coming along was more of an expression of their lack of trust in each other.
Elijah shook his head and rang the doorbell. It was immediately swung open by a woman, dressed in a long black dress. Her dark hair was pulled into a bun at the back of her head. Damon almost snickered, realising she looked like Lillith, Frasier Crane's ex-wife.
God, he wished Alaric could have been there.
"Yes, "she looked from one to the other, suspicion written all over her face.
"Will you inform Niklaus that his brother is here and wishes to speak with him?" Elijah didn't sound entirely polite. He was too impatient.
"Just a moment, "the woman slammed the door in their faces, and they looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
Less then a minute later, she returned this time with a forced smile on her face. "Come on in."
Damon looked around the entrance hall, feeling a bit impressed. It was huge. A large stair case led to the second floor. Elijah didn't even bother looking around. He knew his brother and his need for opulent surroundings. He had seen it all before.
The woman led them into what had to be the living room, or one of many living rooms. The room was full of expensive furniture and art.
In an armchair by the fireplace sat a young man. A book lay open in his lap. There was nothing menacing about him. He was about average height with short light-brown hair, and he was smiling slightly. If Damon had met him on the street he would have walked right past him, without giving him a second look. But he knew from his encounter with Elijah at the Lockwood's that the Originals contained a power far beyond his own.
"Elijah, "Klaus said pleasantly, "what a surprise."
He didn't sound surprised at all, though.
"Niklaus, "Elijah acknowledged, then nodded toward Damon, "this is Damon Salvatore."
Klaus turned his attention to Damon, who suddenly didn't feel so safe anymore. There was something burning in the other man's eyes and he couldn't figure out if it was animalism or insanity. "I've heard about you. You have quite a reputation."
"So do you, "Damon managed to keep his sudden fear out of his voice.
"Well, that's without comparison, "Klaus shrugged, then turned his attention back to his brother, "you haven't brought your Devil spawn along?"
"No, "Elijah leaned casually against the wall, but Damon remained alert, ready to flee at any moment, "he is not exactly in a hurry to reacquaint himself with you."
"As he shouldn't be, "Klaus shut the book and put it on the floor, "why are you here?"
"To ask you that exact same question."
"Well, that's an easy one, "Klaus said, "the next fullmoon is New Years Eve. I want the doppelgänger by then and no one will be hurt. If you resist, your entire posse will be killed, including the hippie, and I'll have the doppelgänger, anyway."
"And there is no way you'll consider looking for a way for the doppelgänger to be spared?"
"No, "Klaus folded his hands still keeping that half smile on his face, "the doppelgänger has to die in the sacrifice. Those are your only two options."
"That's typical of you, Niklaus, "Elijah remarked drily, "You always seem to be offering peace with one hand and war with the other. And nothing in between."
(Break)
2424 Castleton Commerce Way. Bonnie and Darwin was standing across the street from the warehouse behind a car, trying to assess what they were up against. Three men were standing at the entrance, talking quietly.
Bonnie was shivering, but Darwin knew it wasn't from the cold. The Virginian winter wasn't nearly as cruel as the Scandinavian. She was holding Kol's sword.
He ignored her and focused on the men's conversation.
"... have the spells removed, before we move the caskets."
"Maddox put those up, not me. But he should be here any minute."
Apparently, they had arrived not a minute too soon.
"He better. We've been standing here since last night. We seriously need to feed."
Ah, so the middle one was a warlock and the other two vampires. Darwin still felt that false sense of calm, as he lifted the crossbow, took aim and let the bolt fly. It went into the warlocks neck and he went down without a sound. He was amazed at how easy the kill had been.
"Nice shot, "Bonnie whispered.
"Not really, I was aiming at his chest, "Darwin mumbled.
The two vampires were looking around in alarm, taking up similar fighting stances. They quickly detected Darwin and Bonnie.
"Take them down, "Darwing said, throwing the crossbow aside and grabbing Kol's sword from her hands, "I'll take care of the rest."
"Hurry, "She mumbled.
He started to cross the street, holding the sword rather awkwardly, as he had no idea how to handle it. He felt the compulsion kick in again and let it guide him.
One of the vampires jumped forward to attack him, but fell to his knees and held his head, screaming in pain. Two seconds later, the other went down as well.
Darwin ran the sword through the middle of the first one. Then he quickly pulled it back out and grabbed the man's hair and pulled off his head. Blood spattered his hand and jacket.
He threw head and sword aside and pulled the other vampire's head off as well. This one he put down gently. Then he gestured for Bonnie to join him. She looked slightly disgusted by the blood bath, trying not to look at the bloody corpses.
They entered the warehouse side by side. Darwin looked around, while he absentmindedly licked the blood off his fingers. There was a door at the other end of the large empty room and a flight of stairs led up to a ledge that apparently led to nowhere.
"I know you better than that," he mumbled and went straight for the stairs, "Wonder if you've placed any traps?"
Bonnie followed close behind him, as he walked up the stairs. They then followed the ledge until it came to an end.
"There's something here, "she told him and he flatted himself against the wall to let her past.
She let her finger tips wander over the wall at the end of the ledge, her eyes closed, and she was mumbling words he didn't understand.
A door appeared and she drew back, looking exhausted. "It was a strong spell."
"I'll go on alone, "he told her and opened the door.
He went inside, and blinked in the dark. His eyes quickly adjusted, though, and he was able to make out the four caskets that were placed around the room, even with his poor night vision.
He walked over to one and opened it. The body of a man lay inside, arms by its sides and a dagger sticking out of its chest. The man had long dark hair. Darwin didn't recognise him, but knew he had to be Finn.
He grabbed the hilt of the dagger with both hands.
"The curse must not be broken, "he mumbled and pulled out the dagger.
He threw it aside and went to the next casket. He used all his considerable strength, but couldn't open it. He finally gave up, thinking it had to be spelled shut. Perhaps Bonnie could do something about that later.
The next casket contained the body of a young, blonde woman in a long white dress. Rebekah. He hesitated for a second, before pulling out the dagger in her chest. He knew she at least initially would be cross with Klaus, but he also knew that the anger would wear off pretty quickly, if she were anything like Kol and himself; Their anger was violent, but short lived.
He went to the fourth and last casket and opened it. "Kol, "he whispered.
He looked exactly like the last time, Darwin had seen him. He believed, he was even wearing the same clothes. His hands shook a bit, as he pulled out the dagger. Then he sat down beside the casket, waiting.
(Break)
They had been talking back and forth for an hour not really getting anywhere, and Klaus was rapidly losing his patience now. The conversation centered around the life of the doppelgänger, but strangely enough neither of his guests seemed in a hurry to make a deal. And even then, Damon Salvatore seemed to be growing more and more restless, glacing at his watch every minute.
What was this?
His phone recieved a text message, and he pulled it out of his pocket.
Maddox said: Caskets' location compromised. Guards dead. What next?
I said: Kill any intruders. Move caskets now.
He put the phone on the small table beside the chair and jumped to his feet, feeling an uncontrollable rage rising within him. "What the Hell are you doing?!"
"Excuse me? "Elijah said, seeming innocent, but still straightening up and preparing for a fight.
"You know what I am talking about, Elijah!"
"Perhaps I do."
In a fit of rage, Klaus moved forward, intending to end Damon Salvatore's miserable life, but Elijah anticipated his move and intercepted him, grabbing him by the throat and slamming him against the wall.
"Damon, run, "Elijah said calmly, "I can't hold him for long."
Damon disappeared in a sudden blur, leaving the brothers alone.
"What are you doing?" Klaus hissed again, his eyes were red and he words distorted by his fangs.
"Merely taking back what is mine, "Elijah let go of his brother, almost throwing him to one side and stepping back, just in case Klaus had a dagger on him, "
Klaus was stronger, but they both knew that Elijah could hold his own in a fight, especially with him being calm and Klaus in a rage. And without the dagger, which was still in a drawer upstairs, there was nothing Klaus could do.
They stared at each other for a long time, neither willing to make the first move. Klaus features returned to normal, and his rage slowly drained out of him.
There was much animosity between the two of them, but also many other things; honour, respect, and familial obligation. Maybe also some loyalty, but it was buried under years of mistrust.
At that moment they both knew, there was no way Klaus would ever kill Elijah or any other member of his family permanently, not even Darwin no matter what he said.
And Elijah doubted he would ever have been able to kill Klaus, whatever his plans used to be.
Then there was the rest of them. Did either of them truly care about any of them, Klaus wondered.
"Get out! "Klaus finally spat, turning his back to his brother.
"It didn't have to be this way, Niklaus. You made your own decisions."
"So did you."
(Break)
What was that?
Darwin had been half asleep beside the casket for almost an hour and nothing had happened so far. But there definitely was some sounds coming fom the other side of the door.
What was it that warlock and those vampires had said?
'Maddox put those up, not me. But he should be here any minute.'
Darwin jumped to his feet. They had been expecting another warlock! How could he have forgotten?
He heard Bonnie scream 'no!' and flinched, grabbing one of the daggers. It sounded like a body hit the ground below. And then footsteps, sounding like thunder in his sensitive ears.
The door flew open and off its hinges, then flew across the room. A pale man with short dark hair entered, wearing a sober expression on his face. He reeked of a dark power.
Darwin stepped back, at first waiting for the compulsion to kick in, but then realised that it wouldn't; He had completed his goal when he removed the daggers. Without the compulsion, he didn't know what to do.
Maddox reached a hand towards him, nowhere near touching, but it still sent Darwin flying through the air like the door. He crashed into the back wall, feeling several bones break; Ribs and an arm.
He was breathing hard and uselessly as he didn't need it. He got up on his knees, seeing Maddox step toward him. Then the warlock paused, putting his fingers to his temples, and Darwin closed his eyes, expecting pain to rip through his head.
There was a thump and the sound of something rolling on the floor. Darwin opened his eyes, seeing the warlock's body in front of him, still standing, but now headless. The body keeled over and fell to the floor.
Right behind it stood the tall figure of Finn, with a strange look on his face as if he had just woken up in Narnia.
He blinked confusedly at Darwin. "Elijah?"
"Jesus Christ! "Darwin exclaimed, rising to his feet.
"Ah! Finn?!" Rebekah sat up in her casket, rubbing her neck.
And less than five seconds later, Kol stirred violently, falling out of his casket and onto the floor. "What the Hell?! Rebekah?! Finn?!"
Finn looked at his younger siblings. "Kol?! Rebekah?!"
"Kol! Finn..." Rebekah stopped rubbing her neck and started rubbing her eyes instead.
"Oh God!" Darwin instantly regretted not waking them up one at a time. He kneeled down beside Kol, "Are you alright?"
Kol looked at him for a minute then a grin spread over his face. "Thorstar! What the Hell happened? You look like crap."
Darwin blinked back tears. He wanted to embrace Kol, but didn't, knowing that he wouldn't appreciate it. "Oh, it's a long story."