Chapter 30: Playing My Game

"I ... I really.., "Jenna paused, shaking her head. "It's a lot to take in, Alaric."

He reached out and grabbed her hands, which seemed to startle her a bit. "I just want you to know that even though Isobel isn't what you would call completely dead, I don't ..."

"Oh, I get that, "she interrupted. "Don't worry. I just can't believe no one told me, or that I didn't find out on my own. I mean, Elena and Jeremy ... and you."

He sighed. "We were trying to protect you ..."

"I don't need you to protect me, "she spoke very carefully, gripping his hands tightly. "Elena and Jeremy are my responsibility. And I want you to think of me as an equal in every way. Otherwise, this is never going to work, Rick."

"So ... "he looked down at their hands. "You want this to work?"

"Yes, I do, "she answered without hesitation.

"Even with everything, I've just told you?"

"Yes, "she reached up and touched his face lightly, "even if it changes everything, it changes nothing between us. Except it may finally make me able to trust you."

"I didn't expect you to be so cool about this, "he said, sounding amazed.

"Well, if everything you've told me is true, we have Elijah to thank for that, "she said drily.

"Yeah, that's right."

She inhaled deeply. "As for your question ... I don't want to marry you."

"Oh." He didn't know what else to say. He didn't even know if he was disappointed or relieved. Maybe a bit of both. He started to pull back, but she tightened her grip on his hands.

"Wait, "she hurried on. "I didn't say that I never want to marry you. I just think we should try to live together first and then decide where we want to go from there."

He nodded. "That sounds reasonable."

"After everything you've just told me, I realize we have to focus on Elena and Jeremy right now. On keeping them safe."

He smiled sadly. "That's what we're all trying to do. For our various reasons."

"Excuse me."

They turned their heads at the sound of the cultured voice. Elijah was standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression on his face. He had his cell phone in his hand.

"Stefan called, and I'm afraid I will have to go."

Alaric frowned. "What has happened?"

Elijah sighed. "Apparently, Kol has walked off in anger and Darwin has trashed his room."

"Well, "Alaric shrugged. "Those two were a disaster waiting to happen."

Elijah didn't comment, but his nod said that he agreed. "Finn will take you home later."

"No, why don't you both go, "Alaric said. "I'll stay here with Jenna tonight."

Elijah looked down at Alaric and Jenna's entwined hands. "I'm glad you have come to an understanding."

"We still have a lot to talk about, "Jenna said, sending Elijah a wary, but not unkind look.

"Of course." Elijah gave them a nod and disappeared.

Alaric smiled. Let Elijah deal with all the drama. For now, he wanted to revel in the fact that he might get everything he had ever wanted, ready for it or not.

"So, when are we going to tell them?"

Alaric blinked. "Tell who what?"

"Elena and Jeremy, "Jenna elaborated. "About the baby?"

Alaric groaned. "I guess, we have to ..."

She gave a short laugh. "That we do."

(Break)

When Finn and Elijah entered the Boarding House a violent wave of emotions hit them, making them stumble backwards a bit.

Anger. Anxiety. Despair.

Elijah sent his brother a doubtful look. "I think we may actually need a psychiatrist this time."

Finn blinked as if his eyes hurt. "More like an exorcist!"

"Thank God you're here!" Stefan came into the hall from the parlour, panting as if he'd been running a marathon. "I thought it might actually kill me."

"Calm down." Elijah grabbed him by the upper arms. "Where's Damon?"

Stefan shook his head violently. "He made a hasty retreat to the GrilI, saying he didn't even want to deal with his own emotional crap, let alone Darwin's ... It just kept growing and growing and I couldn't leave him like this."

"Right, "Elijah let go of him, and made his way up the stairs to Darwin's room. The door was wide open, revealing the destruction inside.

The bed had been broken and the pillows torn, feathers and pieces of wood spread out over the floor along with Darwin's possessions. The window was broken, the cool air creeping into the room and ruffling the curtains.

Stefan came up behind him. "Unbelievable, huh?"

"I'll pay for the damages, "Elijah offered, but Stefan shook his head.

"Don't worry about it. Just get him to calm down."

"Right. Where is he?"

Stefan inclined his head toward the stairs. "In the kitchen."

"Good." Elijah went back down the stairs and entered the kitchen warily, not really sure what to expect.

Darwin was sitting at the table, wide-eyed with his hands hidden from sight.

Elijah gave him a suspicious look. "What are you doing?"

Darwin shrugged. "Nothing. Just eating."

"What? Not special brownies, I hope."

"No." But he still looked slightly guilty.

Elijah frowned. "North Star ..."

"Fine!" Darwin set his hands hard on the table in exasperation.

Elijah blinked. "You're eating a hotdog?"

"So what?" Darwin said defensively. "People eat millions of hotdogs every day."

"People; yes, "Elijah conceded. "But you; no."

Darwin looked down, swallowing.

Elijah took a seat across from him. "Tell me what happened, "he urged.

"Kol left, "the boy said simply. "He thinks I don't need him, anymore."

The emotional tension in the room intensified for a moment, then deflated to an almost bearable point.

"You know how Kol is, "Elijah said softly. "He'll be back soon enough."

"I don't know, "Darwin's eyes filled with tears. "He has never left me like this before."

Elijah smiled. "He has me."

Darwin looked up at him in surprise. "Really?"

"Oh yes, many times, "Elijah confirmed. "And he has always come back."

Darwin bit his lip, nodding but not looking completely convinced. The emotional tension lessened a bit more, though.

"Kol has been gone from the world for a long time, "Elijah told him, calmly. "He needs to find his own way, and we have to let him."

"Yes, you are right." Darwin exhaled slowly, wiping his eyes.

"Come on, "Elijah stood, motioning for Darwin to do the same. "I'll help you move to another room."

(Break)

Klaus was enjoying a quiet afternoon in his office. He was standing by his easel, putting the finishing touches on a painting of Henrik and Rebekah.

A door opened and closed and light foot-steps wandered down the hall and into his office, coming to a halt a couple of feet behind him. He smiled as Caroline's coconutty scent washed over him. "Good afternoon, love."

"Oh hi." He could hear her take in a breath. "That's not a bad painting at all. So you do have other talents than spewing out bullshit."

"Yes, I ..." He turned around, then almost dropped his paintbrush.

She was standing there in nothing but lacy, black underwear and high, black boots. Nothing could have surprised him more. Not even if Mikael had stopped by and asked him to join him in family therapy.

"What?" Caroline stretched lazily. "Just had a great nap. I dreamt about you again."

"Eh ..." His mind had stopped working and when it finally got back into gear, it was definitely rotating in the wrong direction.

"Claws got your tongue?" She put her hands on her hips, making up quite an imposing figure.

He shut his mouth, finally realizing it had been hanging open. "What are you doing, Caroline?"

She smiled at him, put a foot up on the deskchair and ran her hands down her leg to the boot, tying the shoelaces. He stared at her leg, where the black leather met with flawless, milky skin.

"Just showing my displeasure with the wardrobe, you bought me." She fingered the bra, "These are all too small."

"I may have something that fits you, "Rebekah came up behind her, giving her an appraising look. "Or I found this red, lace teddy in your drawer, that ..."

Caroline looked at him with an elegant eyebrow raised. "You bought me a teddy?"

"Stop it!" Klaus grabbed the sides of his head.

"What size is that bra?" Rebekah asked, ignoring him.

"I don't know, "Caroline put her hands behind her back. "Let me just give it to you ..."

"GET OUT!" Klaus pointed at the door, shaking his head vehemently.

Caroline blinked at him for a second, then let out a gleeful laugh. "Way too easy, Wolfboy!"

She left, briefly putting a hand on Rebekah's shoulder, as she walked past her.

"That meant you too, "Klaus said irritably, as Rebekah remained in his office looking very indecisive.

She went to the door. But instead of leaving, she closed it, turned around and sent him a wary look. "I have something you want."

"Is that so?" He put the paintbrush and palette down. "And what is that?"

"Before I give it to you, I want you to promise me something, "she said hurriedly.

"Yes?" He could only think of one thing that he wanted, and she looked more than conflicted about giving it to him. He had to agree with her. At least for now.

"I want you to stop this silly feud with Elijah. I want us to be friends again."

"I wasn't the one, who started the fight, "Klaus said, choosing his words carefully. "That was his choice and his alone."

"Yes, "Rebekah sent him a dark glare. "Because of what you did to us; your family."

Klaus sighed, realizing he was losing her. "Alright, I will try."

"That's all I ask, "she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small object, setting it down on his desk. "I just want us to be a family again."

Klaus stared at the moonstone, mesmerized, as she left, closing the door quietly behind her. Then he shook his head.

'Bad move, sister. It will be centuries before Elijah forgives you for this. If he ever does.'

Then he shrugged and turned back to his painting, leaving the moonstone where it was.

(Break)

Hanna watched Kol sleep on the couch in her living room for a minute. Like with his brother, she had never really liked him. Elijah had been too proper to her, too interested in doing the right thing and Kol was too ruthless; he enjoyed destruction just for the sake of destruction.

Hanna never did anything that didn't serve a real purpose.

And still, she had always seen her son in both of them, even if she refused to see any of them in her son. And that was the only reason why Kol was currently sleeping on her couch.

"Don't stare at me."

She looked up from where she had started folding her laundry. "I'm not."

"Well, someone is!"

She shook her head, smiling. "Not me."

Kol opened his eyes, then let out a surprised yelp at the huge brown eyes and lolling, red tongue that filled his vision. There was an answering whine and a big sloppy, good-morning kiss.

Hanna laughed, as he wiped his face indignantly.

"Come here, Arnora. Give our guest some time to wake up properly, "she said in an amused voice.

The large, white dog huffed, then walked off, wagging its tail excitedly.

Kol sat up, running a hand through his tousled hair. "At least that explains the obscene breathing. I thought you just really liked to watch me sleep."

He sighed, getting to his feet and stretching. "So, what are we doing tonight?"

Hanna's smile turned wry. "What do you say to 'murder on the dancefloor'?"

He smiled back. "One of my favourites."

AN: So, is Jenna and Alaric's baby a boy or a girl? What do you think?