Chapter 19: The Woeful State of Affairs.

Alaric woke with a start, when his cell phone started ringing. He blinked in the semi-dark of the parlour, where he had been asleep on the couch. He glanced at his watch; 5.28 in the morning. Who would call him this early on a Saturday?

He grabbed his phone from the coffee table and checked the caller ID, then answered: "Goodmorning, Jenna."

"I'm sorry, were you asleep?" She sounded strange, almost on the verge of hysteria.

"No, " he lied, "It's alright."

"We haven't been seeing much of each other lately, "she stated.

"I know, I'm sorry. I've been busy... Do you want me to come over today?"

"No. I mean yes ... I don't know."

He took a deep breath. "Jenna, what's the matter?"

"John is still here. He's been saying things. About Isobel. That her body was never found."

"That's true, but whether or not Isobel is truly dead, makes no difference for us, Jenna. She is just a memory to me now."

Jenna was quiet for a couple of seconds, then said: "Alaric, we need to talk ..."

(Break)

An hour later, Darwin and Kol faced each other in the parlour, both wearing chain mail armour and helmets. Kol held up his sword in a greeting and Darwin answered with his own. Then they snapped their visors shut and started circling each other.

Suddenly, Kol jumped forward, and Darwin moved back, bumping into an armchair. Kol lunged, but Darwin moved out of the way, and Kol's sword went through the armchair, almost splitting it in two. Kol ripped his sword free of the wreck, staggering backwards and crashing into a large mirror that shattered.

"Whoa, Kol, that's seven years of misfortune!" Darwin swung his own sword rather clumsily and knocked over a crystal vase that fell to the floor and shattered into hundreds of pieces. He managed to shallowly cut Kol's leg, blood dripping onto a rug. Not for long, though, as the wound quickly healed.

Then Kol spun around and hit Darwin over the head with his sword. Darwin fell backwards from the force of the blow and landed flat on his back.

Kol rested the tip of his sword against Darwin's collar bone. "That was truly pathetic, my fledgling. And to think your mother was a shield maiden."

"Dammit!" Darwin took of his helmet and threw it across the room in a rage. It hit the tv, splitting the screen. Two seconds later, the tv fell to the floor with a loud crash, breaking apart completely.

"You ruined the idiot box, "Kol observed.

"Congratulations, it's not even seven in the morning and you've already managed to tear the house apart, "an annoyed voice commented.

They turned their heads. Elijah was standing in the doorway, fully dressed and disapproving.

"You need to relax, "he continued, "A lot of people are staying at this house and you two are currently making it uninhabitable."

"Oh, come on, Elijah!" Kol pulled off his helmet, "You won't let us leave the house alone, because of Nik, and there's not much to do around here. We're bored senseless."

"And we can take care of ourselves, you know." Darwin added.

"Well, now you'll be even more bored." Elijah gestured toward the broken tv. "Besides, you just came in last night, Kol. How bored can you be?"

"Very much, "Kol insisted, "I have to get out."

"Well, Finn and I will take you out later. You and Rebekah need some new clothes."

"Can we also buy a new tv? "Darwin asked hopefully.

"I don't know, "Elijah said drily, "How much money have you got?"

"Why do I have to pay for it? The wealthiest percentage should always bear the greatest financial burdens, you know."

"Well, you just said that you can take care of yourself, North Star."

"That's not what I meant!"

"Fine, I'll buy the tv, "Elijah turned to leave, but paused, "And it's a general rule, you know; No one leaves the house alone. Not you, not Finn, nor I. We are not trying to imprison you."

"We should at least have a say in these house rules, "Darwin remarked, "That's all part of the normal democratic process."

"True, but unfortunately this is not a democracy. Now, I cannot force you to stay here, only ask you to mind the rules."

"I don't get it, "Kol plumped down in a chair, "Why don't we all just band together and pay Nik a surprise visit? He holds no sway over us."

"We have no idea how much power Niklaus draws on. He has powerful allies, including witches and warlocks. We cannot afford to make any mistakes. He's feeling betrayed and vengeful now, and you know how dangerous that makes him."

"But I have to go to work, and Stefan and Elena have school, "Darwin reminded him.

"Kol and Rebekah will stay at the Library with you, and Finn and I will take the others to school in the morning and pick them up again in the afternoon. And that means Caroline, Bonnie and Jeremy also."

"And for how long?"

"Until we have made sure that Niklaus cannot break the curse. Then we can all go whereever we want."

He left.

Kol and Darwin looked at each other.

Darwin called Elijah the worst name he could possibly think of: "Capitalist!"

(Break)

Damon woke early to the sounds of a fight. Being in no hurry to assess the damage, he turned on the tv in his room. Andie showed up on the screen, making an early report about something. She looked wonderful.

He really had to have her over again soon.

He got out of bed and walked toward his bathroom, but halted as Andie's report suddenly caught his attention.

"... the mangled bodies were found near Wickery Bridge. The victims have been identified as Dr. Jonas Martin and his 18-year-old son, Luka. Dr. Martin and Luka recently moved here from ..."

"Damn." Damon scratched his head. No need telling him, who was behind the murders. He went downstairs instead, looking for Alaric. He heard Elijah's voice coming from the parlour, but blocked it out and went into the kitchen. Then he halted in surprise.

Alaric made up quite an odd display. He was laying in the middle of the kitchen table in a fetal position, staring blindly off into space. He was hugging a half-empty bottle of bourbon to his chest.

Damon regarded him with suspicion. "Alright, what's wrong, Rick?"

"What makes you think something's wrong? "Alaric asked airily, his eyes remaining unfocused.

"Oh, I don't know, "Damon said sarcastically, "Call it a sudden hunch."

"Jenna called."

"She broke up with you?"

"No."

"She has given you gonorrhea?"

"Oh no, "Alaric shook his head slowly, "She's pregnant."

"Oh!" Damon needed a moment to process this information. "So what do you want? Congratulations or condolences?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe both."

"Then congratulations, you poor unlucky bastard."

"Thanks. What's new with you?"

"Well, my house is being torn apart and the Martins have been murdered, "Damon answered, then added, "Not to trivialise your problem."

Alaric grimaced and sat up slowly. "That is worse, but something I can deal with."

Elijah joined them. "What are you talking about?"

"Well, the Martins have been murdered, "Damon informed him, "I heard it on the news."

Elijah sighed tiredly. "That is most unfortunate. I wasn't expecting for Niklaus to retaliate so soon."

"This at least explains why we couldn't get in touch with them last night."

"Jenna's pregnant, "Alaric said, "how are we going to keep her safe?"

"Well, maybe it's time for you to tell her the truth, "Damon suggested.

(Break)

Kol was staring at his own reflection in the large store mirror. "These jeans look old and washed out. You're sure they are new?"

"Yes, "Elijah answered patiently, "They are supposed to look that way."

"What's the price?"

"200 dollars."

"200?!" Kol sounded absolutely scandalised, "That's completely mental!"

"Don't worry about it, Kol."

Kol had had several bank accounts in the beginning of the previous century, but had found out that none of them existed anymore and no one knew, what had happened to the money. He was completely reliant on Elijah right now. But so were Rebekah and Finn.

They were shopping in Charlottesville. Finn had quickly found what he wanted, Rebekah had taken hours going from store to store, going through make-up and trying on loads of clothes, but not buying much. And Kol proved to be nearly as difficult as his sister.

If there was one thing the Originals all had in common, it was vanity.

Kol pulled on a black, long sleeved t-shirt. The words 'Politically Incorrect' were printed across the chest. "I like this one."

"It's great, "Darwin agreed. He did not seem to have inherited the vanity. He was quite peculiarly dressed, wearing a blue hoodie, a multicoulered plaided kilt, and worn-out grey Dr. Martens boots that might have been white long ago. He turned to Elijah. "Finn, Rebekah and I will go buy the cell phones. We'll be back soon."

"I want one like yours, "Kol called after him. Then he pulled off the shirt and put it in the 'yes' pile, then tried on three more. He took his time, finally deciding he wanted two of them.

"Why didn't you ever tell me? "Elijah suddenly asked.

Kol frowned. "About what?"

"About Darwin."

Kol pulled on a red sweater and turned back to the mirror. "Oh, it wasn't just you. I didn't tell anyone."

"You told Niklaus."

Kol shook his head. "No, he found out on his own. It's practically impossible for him to stay out of other people's business."

"Why keep him secret? He had the right to know his family."

"I know, "Kol exhaled slowly, "You wouldn't understand."

"Why not?"

"Because you, Klaus, and Rebekah had each other, "Kol finally turned around to look at his brother, "Always and forever, right? Thorstar was mine; My partner in crime, my brother. He needed me, and no one else did."

Elijah wanted to tell him that it wasn't so, but he couldn't. "Things are different now, "he said instead.

Kol shrugged and turned back to his reflection. "This one is too small."

"Oh, look what Finn got me! "came Rebekah's excited voice.

Elijah looked a bit despondent as he took in the small, furry and rust-coulered creature in Rebekah's arms. "A kitten, really?"

Finn was holding a cat carrier, looking slightly apologetic. "We walked past a pet store ... Not entirely sure how the rest happened."

"First I'll name him 'Claws', "Rebekah smiled fondly at the small animal, "And then I'll have him neutered."

(Break)

Alaric knocked on the door to the Gilbert house. Damon and Stefan were close by, but out of sight. Going out without acouple of Originals for company was hazardous, but he could not wait until they returned; He had to see Jenna now.

She opened the door, looking subdued.

"Can I come in? "he asked, "I need to talk to you."

She gave him a wobbly smile. "Of course you can. You're always welcome, you know that."

They went into the living room and sat down. Alaric looked around suspiciously. "Is John here?"

"No, "she said firmly, "And I don't care where he is."

"No, neither do I." Alaric paused. "What do you suggest we do?"

"Well, "she suddenly sounded close to tears, "I'm not that far along. Only seven weeks. It's not too late for ... you know."

"No, "he answered automatically, surprising himself more than her, "We can do this! It's not a catastrophy, Jenna ..."

On an impulse, he reached out and grabbed her hands. "I want you to marry me."

"What?" Her eyes widened in disbelief, "Rick, we've barely known each other five months!"

"And so what? I know that I love you and I want to have this child with you. It's not going to be easy, I know that too, but nothing ever is. We are both strong, we can do this."

She gave a small smile. "I love you too."

"So will you? "he asked, "Marry me?"

(Break)

It was late, before the Originals arrived back at the Boarding House. Alaric had decided to spent the night at Jennas, and Stefan and Damon had locked themseves in their rooms with their respective girls, leaving the Originals alone in the parlour.

Rebekah was setting up a litter box and food and water bowls for Claws in the kitchen, Elijah was reading the paper, and Finn was watching an episode of 'The Young Ones' on the new tv, frowning in concentration.

"What is that Vyvyan-person doing now? "he asked.

Darwin looked up from Desdemona. He was transfering music from the computer to Kol's new Iphone. "He's eating the television."

"Oh."

"I don't like this one, "Kol said, listening to the song Darwin was playing; 'Breathe' by Prodigy, "But I liked the one you played before."

"Robbie Williams?"

"Yes."

"And what is Vyvyan doing now? "Finn asked.

Darwin looked up again, then smiled. "He's jumping on Special Patrol Group, because he plugged in the tv."

"But Vyvyan just ate the tv."

"Yes, that's why he's so upset."

"Maybe you should watch something else, Finn, "Elijah suggested, "Maybe alternative comedy isn't the right place to start."

"No no, it's fine, "Finn assured him, "I'm quite enjoying this."

"Who wouldn't enjoy some violent slapstick?" Darwin asked.

"I think we've had enough of that around the house today, "Elijah remarked.

Kol rolled his eyes at Elijah's tone of voice. "Right."

Then Rebekah voice came screeching in from the hall. "Claws! You did not just pee on the carpet, filthy beast!"

Everybody in the parlour, except Finn, looked up in alarm. A long silence followed the scream, the only sound coming from the tv: " ... Hey, didn't you kill my brother? No? Must've been me then, sorry, anyway. .."

"The cat, "Finn reminded them.

AN: Finn is watching 1x04 of The Young Ones, called 'Bomb.'