Chapter 32: Coming And Going

(Tuesday the 15th of December 2009)

" ... So we'll be staying at the Boarding House for awhile, "Elena finished her tale, looking through one grimoire after the other, all coming from the late Martins' house. "They all think it's safer for me with everything that's been going on. And now that Jenna knows, she's insisting that her and Jeremy come with me ... She won't let me stay with Stefan in his room, though, "she added, sounding slightly irritated.

"You've given up on that?" Bonnie asked. "You never were one to walk away from an argument."

"No, "she huffed. "But she's got pregnancy hormones and there are stakes and butcher knives all over the house. I tell you; insanity is never far away."

"Oh, "Bonnie said, distractedly. "Yes, she's pregnant. You know what that means, right?"

"Yes, "Elena sighed. "Yet another person to worry about."

"No, "Bonnie shook her head, smiling slightly. "They are actually having sex ..."

Elena gasped. "Bonnie! Don't be gross."

"I'm not ..." Bonnie frowned at the text in the book she was reading. "There may be something here. Disabling a Containing Spell ... Yes, here it is!"

Elena put down her own book, glancing at the pages. Not much of it made any sense.

"I don't get why it's so difficult, "Elena remarked. "You spelled Darwin in the Boarding House, and you removed the spell again. Isn't this the same?"

"No, "Bonnie shook her head. "That spell was very simple, this is much more complicated."

"Like the spell on the tomb?"

"Not that complicated."

Elena stayed silent for awhile, watching Bonnie's look of concentration. "How will you let Caroline know once the spell is down?"

"Send her a message. Like the one I sent you, when Rose and Trevor had you."

"Good idea ... Assuming she is still alive."

"Yes, otherwise, little difference would it make."

Elena sighed. "Don't go all Yoda on me now."

"I'm just saying that if she's dead, my spell will go unnoticed." Bonnie clarified. "But Klaus would not kill her. Especially not now that he's got something to lose."

"Yes, I hope you are right, "Elena said, but a part of her had stopped believing long ago.

(Break)

Caroline straightened her attire, thinking that hotpants and a tube top may not be appropriate in the middle of December ... Maybe a revealing Mrs. Claus outfit? She giggled at the idea, but doubted anyone in the house were in possession of such a costume. Maybe she could ask Rebekah to pick one up for her?

She knew, though, that the entire nakedness was becoming old news. She had now lost the element of surprise and soon had to find another way of getting on Klaus' nerves.

Maybe rude and obnoxious was the way to go? She could be both, if she wanted to.

She smiled on her way down the stairs and into the living room. He was sitting by the fire as usual, drawing in his scetch book. One thing was different, though, Claws was curled up in his lap.

He looked up briefly, as she entered. "Miss Forbes."

She did her best to sound chipper. "Good morning, Klaus."

He was drawing confidently again, keeping his eyes on the scetch book. "It's two in the afternoon."

She ignored the statement, raising an eyebrow. "What's with the kitten?"

"We have an understanding, "he answered cryptically.

Caroline sighed. So he had decided to be aloof and difficult? Well, she could be difficult, too.

"What are you drawing?" Not giving him time to react, she sped up beside him and snatched the scetch book out of his hands.

"Don't ... " He didn't get to finish. It was too late.

Caroline stared, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. "What is this?"

"I thought that was obvious, "he commented drily.

A familiar face, her own face, stared back at her with a secretive smile, but it wasn't the face she usually saw in the mirror.

This was a luminous being, radiating complete serenety. The skin was flawless, the hair was falling in perfect waves around her shoulders, the eyes large and sparkling.

"This ... this is wrong, "she found herself stammering.

"Whatever do you mean?" he inquired.

She shook her head. "No one is that beautiful."

She finally tore her eyes away from the paper, and looked down at him. His expression was completely nonplussed. "I just draw what I see."

"Seriously?" She handed the scetch book back to him, suddenly not feeling like turning the pages. He accepted it without comment, resuming his drawing.

She felt awkward for a minute, standing beside him, but soon got her senses back, moving over to the couch and taking a seat. The image kept haunting her, though, like a pleasant dream turning into a nightmare.

She suddenly realised that this hybrid, this murderous creature ... her enemy ... might actually feel something for her deeper than normal physical attraction.

She made a fist, suddenly feeling something crackling between her fingers. She looked down at her hand, seeing a balled up piece of paper. She smoothed out the paper, finding a few lines written in Bonnie's hurried handwriting.

'Disabled spell. Escape when you can.

You've got three hours.

-B.'

This was it! This was perhaps the only chance of escape that she would get.

She got to her feet, throwing the piece of paper on the fire, whatching it blacken and crumble.

Klaus made no comment, didn't ask her what it was.

She wrung her hands for a second, trying to think, but found herself unable to hold a thought. Abruptly, she spun around, walking into the hall briskly. She sent a look up the stairs, listening for Rebekah, but there was no sound.

As quietly as possible, she opened the front door. She stuck out a foot, testing the barrier, but there was none. Then she stepped outside, feeling the cool wind and winter sun on her face.

She prepared to run, as fast as she could, but something made her remain in place at the doorstep. Images rushed through her mind:

His sexy half smile.

His confusion as she had accused him of compelling a kiss out of her.

His refusal to take advantage of her, when she was drunk on Everclear.

The kitten resting in his lap.

The picture of perfection he had made of her ...

She never made a conscious decision, simply stepped back inside and closed the door.

(Break)

Darwin sat at the kitchen table, drinking from a mug, lost in his own thoughts. Jenna sat across from him and after a couple of minutes, he realised she was watching him with horrified fascination.

He smiled. "You can relax, Miss Sommers. It's tea."

She shook herself. "So you're not an ... an Original?" She tripped over the word, not comfortable with using it in that context yet."

"No." He sat the mug down on the table.

"And Elijah is your father?"

"Yes."

"How did that happen?"

He snickered. "You have to ask me that? I thought you were pregnant."

"What?! No, I didn't mean ... I wasn't ... Oh no!" She grabbed her head, as if trying to force her brain to formulate a whole sentence.

"Don't worry; I don't like to think about it either." He took another sip, hiding his half-smile with the mug. "Kol turned me almost seventeen years after he and the other Originals had been created. He didn't mean to, but I was ill and died with his blood in my system."

"Exactly how many Originals are there?"

"Kol, Rebekah, Finn, Elijah ... and Niklaus." He shifted in his chair, not knowing if he was allowed to mention Mikael and not really wanting to either. Luckily, she mistook his discomfort for being from the mention of Klaus.

"And this Klaus wants Elena?"

"Yes." This he could deal with.

"I'll kill him, "she said with such conviction that she almost frightened him for a second. "If he touches Elena, I'll find a way to kill him, impossible or not!"

He nodded. "I believe you. And now that we have to assume that Niklaus has the moonstone, I assure you; keeping her safe is our top priority."

He was about to say something more, when he heard the footstep of another human approaching. He got up. "Excuse me."

Alaric passed him on his way out, sending him a small smile. He crossed the hall and went into the library, finding Finn sitting alone, reading a book. The look on his face was one of pure fascination.

"Hi, uncle Finn."

The only respons was an undefinable sound.

Darwin read the title. "You're reading Harry Potter?"

"Yes, "Finn turned a page. "It's quite fascinating. Have you read it?"

Darwin sat down in a chair across from him. "Yes, several times."

Finn frowned. "Is it a true story?"

"Well, stranger things have happened, "Darwin reached out a hand. "Accio moonstone!"

Finn looked around in alarm, but nothing happened.

Darwin shrugged, smiling wryly. "It was worth a shot."

"Yes, "Finn snapped the book shut. "Anything to stop Niklaus ... In the end, the goal may justify the means as humans say."

Something in his eyes made Darwin shiver. "And what means would that be?"

Finn seemed about to answer, but then the front door was slung open with a resounding crack.

"What?! No welcome home party?!"

Darwin gasped, jumping to his feet and running into the hall. Kol was standing in the doorway, a look of mock hurt on his face.

Darwin slung his arms around him, squeezing him tightly. He felt like crying and laughing and yelling all at the same time. "Don't ever leave me like that again!"

"Well, you know me, "Kol said, grabbing his arms and trying to loosen his grip. "Can't make any promises."

Darwin heard Finn and Elijah moving up behind him.

"Ah, Kol, "Elijah said pleasantly without a trace of surprise in his voice. "I hope you had a pleasant trip, whereever you went."

"Not far. Not far at all." He finally succeeded in prying Darwin off of him, not really being one for hugs. He gave Darwing his most serious look. "I've brought someone with me, but she's not sure that you want to see her."

Darwin blinked. "Katherine?"

"Not exactly ..."

He grimaced. "It's not Rebekah, is it?"

"No no."

He was about to reach out with his senses to search for a new presence, when a tall woman stepped up behind Kol, who moved aside. She remained just outside, not having been invited in. Her expression betrayed no emotion. "Hello, Thorstar."

Darwin's mouth opened and then closed again. He was completely unable to comprehend, what he was seeing. It simply did not register. It was something that could not happen in the world he lived in.

"And who would this be?" His father's voice seemed to be coming from afar, but it was familiar and right and it cut into this absurd nightmare, returning the use of his senses to him.

He shook his head slowly. "Mother ..."

AN: For the full story about how Darwin was turned, see 'Thorstar: My Death.'

... Well, not sure what will happen next yet, but I'm forseeing that certain forces will collide.