"Iris wake up we're here" Stefan nudged her awake, she had fallen asleep as they drove towards the mountains.
She groaned and stumbled out of the car, "Is it always so hot in America?" Iris asked slamming the car door behind her
"Not accustomed to our weather?" Stefan asked pulling Ray on to his shoulders. Iris scrunched her nose up and looked up feeling an arm drop on to her shoulders
"You'll get used to it love" he grinned cheerily, Iris shook her head and slid from his grasp. She gasped as he slapped her bottom "What the- ergh" she glared at him. Klaus simply smirked and walked off with Stefan on his heels
"Come on Iris" Stefan called over his shoulder, the annoyed raven head followed after him.
They had been walking for more than an hour and Iris was lagging way behind, the heat was getting to her, she wore a pair of shorts and a thin camisole but she was still boiling hot, the raven head stumbled over a rock and fell to her knees
"Aw come on" she grumbled under her breath, her knees were getting scratched up
"Need a lift love?" the hybrid crouched down in front of her
"No-" she replied and managed to get on her feet she yelped when he picked her up
"Hey what are you doing?" she shrieked trying to wiggle out of his hold
He rolled her eyes "If I allow you to walk at the pace you're going, we'll never get there before nightfall" he tossed her on to his shoulder
"Oh merlin, ok, ok give me a piggy back then, I don't want blood rushing to my head" she squeaked when he slapped her bottom "I swear I'm going to kick your arse if you do that again" she hissed, he chuckled and manoeuvred her around so that her front was flushed against his back.
Iris wrapped her arms around his neck and felt one of his arm slid underneath her thighs to hold her up, while his other hand grasped a bottle of beer.
"I can't believe you actually brought a beer" she muttered
"Always be prepared love" she giggled "you sound like you were a boy scout-"
"Not me, but I had the pleasure of sucking one dry-" she thumped the back of his head
"Ok ew, so not needed to know that" she muttered resting her chin on her hand that was placed on his shoulder, he finished his drink and chucked the empty bottle down,
"Hold on tight" he warned and felt her grip tightened as he zoomed forward and caught up with Stefan.
Stefan cocked an eyebrow seeing Iris's position
"I fell" was her simple reply; he chuckled and shook his head. He had noted that the raven head was lagging behind.
They trekked through the woods, once again Klaus was hyper aware of Iris's soft breath against the shell of his ear, she had no clue what she was doing to him.
"You ok? Is Ray getting heavy?" Klaus asked Stefan, Iris rolled her eyes knowing that the hybrid was goading Stefan
"I'm fine" Stefan replied "Is Iris getting heavy?"
"Are you calling me fat?" Iris frowned; Stefan smirked and shook his head
"I'm just saying, she's as light as a feather but still, I wouldn't mind carrying her"
Klaus glared at him "she's perfectly fine"
"Hmm, but I bet she would prefer it for me to carry her" Stefan was winding up the hybrid, Iris gasped feeling his grip on the bottom of her thighs tighten
"No offence Stefan but you've got blood all over your back" Iris scoffed.
"You sure about that? We've been walking for quite some time now, do you need some water or a little sit down?"
"Stop being a prat" Iris muttered and shifted slight, Klaus simply chuckled
"You know I get that we're stuck together" Stefan commented, Iris felt as if she was slipping slightly but Klaus used his other hand and slid it under her thigh holding her more securely "Maybe we can just skip the chit chat that'll be great" Stefan finished off,
"So much brooding" Klaus said "your self-loathing is suffocating you my friend"
"Can you blame him? You're the one dra-"
"We made a deal" Klaus silence her, she huffed and rested her chin on his shoulder
"And maybe it's because I'm a little tired from hunting werewolves?" Stefan commented
"We've been at this all summer" Iris added on truth be told she wanted to return to Mystic Falls, she had a home there, and friends but yet again she felt a pull towards Klaus and for some unexplainable reason felt something for him.
Iris looked up and saw a group of campers
"Thanks to our friend Ray we found ourselves a pack" he gently dropped Iris on to her feet she reached out and grabbed the back of his shirt to steady herself, he looked over his shoulder and sent her a wink. Iris lightly slapped his arm and moved so that she was standing beside him, she watched as Stefan moved forward and placed Ray on the ground, she was aware of everyone gathering around to watch
"Ray" a woman shouted dropped to her knees beside the dead werewolf, the woman looked her eyes roaming all three of the strangers, Klaus moved forward "Who are you?"
"The important questions is who am I? please forgive the intrusion-" Damn Iris thought that hybrid was sure charming "My name is Klaus" the raven head witnessed that panicked looks being exchanged between the girl and the blond guy, the man pulled the girl up and backed away
"You're the hybrid" she stated fear evident in her voice.
"You've heard of me" he smirked "fantastic"
Iris licked her lips nervously and glanced around thinking there was so many wolves here she took a step back seeing all the looks that Klaus was getting.
Iris was sitting on a log between Stefan and Klaus, her eyes darted down to Ray who was lying on the dirt covered ground a couple of feet away from her, she tucked in a stray curl behind her ear, Stefan grabbed her hand seeing the look on her face, he could tell she was on edge not knowing what Klaus was about to do.
"It's fascinating actually" Klaus explained "a werewolf who isn't beholden to the moon, a vampire that doesn't burn in the sun" the girl sent Iris a look but the raven head looked away, not wanting to see the fear in the other girl's eyes "a true hybrid" Klaus finished off, just then Ray gasped and shot up, causing the campers as well as Iris to jump.
"Excellent timing Ray, very dramatic" Iris sent him a dirty look and went to move towards the recently revived werewolf but Klaus grabbed the back of her top and pulled her back "Stay here" he hissed, she glared at him and looked back over to Ray
"What's happening to me?" Ray panted turning so that he was on his hands and knees.
"Stefan" Klaus called
The vampire nodded, Iris bit down on her bottom lip seeing Stefan looking around at the group "Are any of you human?" he walked over till he was standing over Ray "your friend here needs human blood to complete his transition into vampire, if he doesn't get it he will die"
"Doesn't take much" Klaus commented idly twirling one of Iris's curls, "Just a sip"
"Why not her? She's not a vampire" one the men called out gesturing to Iris
"Oh no, she's mine, plus as Stefan suggested he needs human blood" Klaus smirked, Iris glared at him
"I'm not yours" she hissed at him, he tugged her curl harder causing her jaw to clench
"You are" he said possessiveness coming out from him in waves.
He then stood up "anyone? A boyfriend? A girlfriend? Along for the ride" no one moved, Klaus turned his gaze onto the man who asked about Iris "You" and without further ado he blurred forward grabbing the human by his arm and bit down on it and then threw him to Stefan, who slammed the human down, Iris gasped and shot to her feet as the woman ran forward
"No-"but Klaus grasped her by her neck.
"Stefan" Iris warned but he ignored her
"You don't drink it Ray I will, but the problem is I don't know how to stop" Iris saw ray eyeing the gory wound, she then looked over to Klaus
"There's a new order sweetheart, you join us or you die" he offered grasping onto the side of her face, Iris saw the disgusted look from the woman
"I'd rather die than become a vampire" she hissed. Iris breath hitched when she saw the veins around Klaus's eyes darkening
"Wrong choice" he then bit down onto his own wrist and shoved it against her mouth forcing her to drink, Iris glanced over to Ray and Stefan and saw that the soon to be hybrid had succumbed to his blood lust
"She'll thank me for that later" Klaus chuckled Iris saw him plunging his hand into her chest and pulled it out dropping her to the ground. He turned around Iris gut clenched at the sight of his bloodied hand and saw him lick his fingers, his eyes were a golden hue
"Ok who's next?" he asked with a grin on his face that showed his fangs.
Iris groaned she had gone back to sitting on the log as Stefan and Klaus dealt with the werewolves
"There" she looked up and saw Klaus had finished giving the human blood "you'll be as good as new" she stood up and grabbed a bottle of water from one of the knapsack and dropped down beside Klaus "You relax ok mate? We're going to need you when the rest of them wake up"
Iris lifted the man's head and pulled it on to her lap,
"What are you-"
"You just stuff him full of your blood, I think he'll need something to wash that down with, don't you?" she asked and didn't bother to look at him as he stood up, Iris unscrewed the bottle lid and poured the cool liquid down his throat
"There" she uttered softly and stood up when she saw his eyes were beginning to close. She turned around so that she was facing Ray who was shaking and rocking back and forth, Iris frowned something was wrong with him.
"They're all dead" he shook
"Well his through his transition, he should be feeling better soon" Klaus commented, but Iris doubt that
"So is this your master plan?" Stefan asked leaning against a tree with his arms folded across his chest "build an army of hybrid slaves?"
"No, not slaves, soldiers" Klaus replied "Comrades" Iris brought her gaze on to Klaus
"Soldiers? Why would you need that?" she asked folding her arms across her chest
"For what war? Might I ask?" Stefan asked just as interested as Iris was.
"Well you don't armed yourself after war has been declared, Iris, Stefan, you build your army so big, that no one ever dare picks a fight"
"What makes you so sure that they'll be loyal?" Iris asked looking at him, her eyes darted back to Ray, something was definitely wrong
"It's not difficult to be loyal when you're on the winning team" Klaus smirked and looked over to Stefan "that's something you'll learn once you shake off that horrible depressive chip off your shoulder" he drawled
Stefan chuckled; Iris took in a deep breath
"So that's why you're keeping me around?" the raven head was barely listening her attention was focused on Ray who had blood tears dripping from his eyes, she moved forward "to witness my attitude adjustment?"
Klaus followed Iris's gaze and saw that she was intently looking at Ray; he dropped down beside the wolf and grabbed his face looking into his eyes.
"You know why I am keeping you around, once I've decided when I want you to know" she saw him looking into Ray's mouth
"Something's wrong" Iris announced seeing Ray's face and crouched down in front of him
"Ray" she called softly, lightly cupping his cheek bringing his eyes to hers, he gasped she canted her head to the side, Stefan crouched down beside Iris
"That shouldn't be happening should it?" Stefan asked
"You think" Klaus frowned as he stood up, Iris remained by Ray's side and had taken Klaus's spot on the log, whilst the Hybrid stood a couple of feet away from them
"You said I was going to feel better" Ray shook folding his arm across his chest "why doesn't it feel better?"
She looked over to him and saw that he was just as stumped as they were.
"Some master race" Stefan commented
"You're being a smart arse" Iris drawled concerned for the werewolf.
"Lose the attitude" Klaus snapped at him. Just then the woman who he had turned earlier gasped shooting awake "Derek" he called the compelled human "come feed your girlfriend" the man abruptly stood up holding his arm out.
Iris tensed hearing a growl coming from Ray his eyes were focused on her
"What the-" she screamed when he tackled her to the ground, she felt her back slammed against another loge "Ray don't" she saw his fangs lengthening but as quick as he tackled her he was gone, she gasped seeing Klaus standing over her, he grabbed her around the waist and pulled her up. He gave her a quick once over and saw that she was unharmed; Ray let out a growl and leapt over a few trees
"Go get him" he ordered Stefan.
"Klaus-"
"Stay here" he told her and he was gone, Iris looked around and saw the compelled human going around giving his blood, she jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder and was relieved when Klaus had returned
"Something doesn't feel right" she told the hybrid seeing the werewolves gasping for breath
"Relax love, you'll see" he smiled and tugged her away from them.
Night had now fallen and Iris hadn't moved far from Klaus's side, knowing that he would protect her. She was sitting on a tree stump hugging herself and could hear the fire crackle a couple of feet away, she looked away seeing Klaus biting into the compelled human's neck ending him.
Iris tensed feeling the turning hybrids all moving around the campsite; she slowly got to her feet vaguely hearing Klaus's voice
"Your blood" one the werewolves uttered appearing in front of her, Iris's hand clenched around a thick branch "It sings to us" with that it fully vamped out and launched itself at Iris, she plunged the branch into the woman's stomach causing her to cry out.
"Back off" Iris stammered, she dove as another one launched itself at her. "Argh-"she gasped as now a man gripped her by her throat,
"I want every last drop" he hissed, she felt his fangs cutting into her skin. The raven head blindly reached out and grabbed a rock and smashed it against the man's face knocking him off of her.
She sat up and saw that Klaus was dealing with a few of them as well; Iris managed to get on to her knees but was shoved face first against the ground. She yelped feeling her nose smash against it, and felt a sticky liquid raining down from her nostrils.
"We want it" she tried to get up but felt more than one pair of hands on her holding her down.
"NO get off" Iris shouted and screamed when she felt fangs plunge into her back and her legs, "Stop, stop, stop" her eyes flashed gold and heard the all the wolves that had surrounded her scream.
She panted and felt her whole body throbbing, there were rivers of blood coming from her. She was wrenched onto her back and saw another wolf hovering above her, but before they could plunge their fangs into her, he emitted a choking sound and dropped face first beside her.
Iris looked up and saw Klaus standing above her
"Klaus" she breathed and hissed in pain as he pulled her onto her feet, he moved her hair away from her blood covered throat, she slumped against his allowing him to hold her, Klaus bit into his wrist and pressed it against her bloodied lips, she moaned feeling the rich liquid travelling down her throat, Klaus propped his chin on top of the crown of her head and peered around at the dead hybrids.
She rested her head against his chest and sighed when he pulled his wrist away.
"Come" he gripped her hand and took her to the log, Iris sat down next to him "What did they say to you?" he asked opening a bottle of beer
"Huh?" she looked at him confused, Klaus's eyes flashed
"When they attacked?" he snapped, she jumped
"Erm…that my blood…it sings to them" she replied, his brows furrowed at that. There was a moment of silence
"Klaus" she reached out to grip his hand but he wrenched it away
"Don't talk" he snarled, she could see that he was furious. Iris for once did as she was instructed.
"Stefan's back" she said seeing the vampire returning with Ray on his shoulders.
The vampire looked around the campsite and saw bodies littered everywhere, he saw Klaus and Iris, his brows furrowed in confusion seeing that she was covered in blood and from what he could smell it was her own.
There were numerous empty beer bottles next to the hybrid.
Stefan dropped Ray onto the floor and moved forward
"They went rabid, some of them I killed and some of them just bled out" Klaus said quietly talking for the first time since he had ordered Iris to shut up.
Iris eyes widen seeing Stefan clutching his arm, she recognised his wound as a werewolf bite. Her eyes glanced over to Klaus who stood up and slowly moved towards Stefan "In the end there all dead" Iris got on to her feet and jumped as he let out a shout and threw his bottle of beer missing her, he let out a cry of rage, she saw the look on his face.
Stefan glanced over to Iris and saw that she had a frightened look on her face, he didn't blame her the hybrid was unpredictable
"I DID EVERYTHING I WAS TOLD" Klaus roared "I should be able to turn them, I broke the curse, I killed a werewolf, I killed a vampire, I killed Iris and she was brought back like she was meant to" he glanced over to her, Iris caught Stefan's eye "I killed the doppelganger-"Iris forced herself to remain calm so not give anything away
"You look like hell" he said, Iris eyes went to the bite mark on Stefan's arm
"You're going to heal him right?" the raven head asked but he didn't answer her
"The last I checked I'm dying" Stefan breathed; she could see the sweat marring his face. "you want to heal me"
Klaus remained silent, Iris chewed her bottom lip
"Klaus" she uttered "you have to heal him"
Klaus simply looked down at Ray, Stefan followed his gaze
"I had to take him down, I had no choice" Stefan took another unsteady breath "I failed you, I'm sorry" he approached the hybrid
"Do what you have to do" he stated, Iris tensed at that
"It should have worked" Klaus said and turned around moving back over to Iris, his eyes narrowed in on her, she looked away on her, Stefan tensed hoping that Iris didn't give anything away, she froze when he reached down by her leg and felt him ran a digit down her leg, he traced one of the blood trails
"You're not hiding anything are you Iris?" he asked, her eyes flashed over to Stefan who was tensed
"No" she choked out, he nodded and grabbed the bottle by her foot, Klaus stood up in front so he was towering over her. He cupped her cheek and looked in her eyes
"Ok" he turned around and walked over to Stefan, she saw him biting into his hand and poured his blood into the empty beer bottle he then held it out to Stefan
"Bottoms up" he commented, Stefan eyes glanced over to Iris who was watching the scene tense. He grabbed hold of the bottle.
"We're leaving" he walked pass both Stefan and Iris but stopped after the tree line and looked over at the dead bodies.
Klaus eyes glanced over Iris and Stefan "It appears you two are the only comrades I have left" and with that he walked away
"Iris-" Stefan called "are you ok?"
"I should be asking you that-" she dodged his question, her stomach was churning at the emotions rolling within her "drink it Stef" and without another word she ran after Klaus.
"Klaus" Iris called seeing the hybrid at the other end of the path "do you really want to go through that again?" she gestured back to the dead wolves "can you just be content that you're the only hybrid" she gasped as he blurred forward, his eyes were dark he plunged his hand into her raven locks and tipped her head
"You don't know what it's like-"she let out a bitter laugh
"What? You don't think I know what it's like to be lonely? I've been that way for most of my life, you're just being pathetic" she snapped
"I'M BEING PATHETIC?" she cringed it sounded bad the way it came out
"That's not what-" she screamed as he plunged his fangs into her neck, tears swam in her eyes, he pulled back and shoved her away with enough force to cause her to fall, "Klaus don't-"
"Do not utter those words again" he snarled grabbing her face she whimpered, his face softened slightly seeing the terrified look on her face, his bluish greenish eyes darted down to the bite mark on her neck "let me-" he went to raise he wrist and bit down on it, but she shoved his hand away, and scuttled backwards away from him
"No don't touch me" she used her hand to slow down the blood
"Iris let me help-"
"I don't want your help" she shouted "go away, you're just like everyone else you claim to care for me but you use me, then turn on me" she wiped away her tears, he went to move forward again
"I SAID NO" she screamed breathing heavily.
"Leave her" Stefan emerged from the trees
Klaus growled and grabbed the bottle from Stefan and once again poured his blood into it "make sure she drinks it, I'll be waiting by the car" he pushed the bottle into Stefan's hand and left but not before glancing over to Iris.
When the hybrid had gone, Stefan moved forward and dropped to his knees beside her
"Iris, what you said isn't true" he murmured gently brushing aside a few of her raven locks,
"What-?"
"I care for you, and I won't hurt you" he told her, she could see that he was being sincere "Ok?" he held the bottle out to her
"OK" she muttered and took hold of the bottle and swallowed down the blood. Once she had finished Stefan helped her off the ground, they walked hand in hand back towards the car.
"Go get two rooms" Klaus ordered Stefan as he pulled up to a motel, by tomorrow evening they should be in Chicago.
"What about Iris?" the raven head had fallen asleep in the back of the car
"You let me worry about Iris" Klaus snapped, Stefan glanced over to the raven head and left. Klaus climbed into the back of the car and knelt down beside her.
He turned her face and gently pushed aside her matted hair "Iris" he bent down till his lips were by her ear, he inhaled her scent and his eyes darted over to the blood on her neck
"Iris" she hummed and shifted slightly. Klaus moved even more closely and pressed his lips against her jugular, his tongue darted out and lapped up the blood, Iris's brows furrowed and her eyes snapped
"What are you doing?" she sat up glaring at him, a smirk adorned his face
"Waking you up" he replied, she sent him a dirty look and went to open the car door but he grabbed her by the back of her shorts and tugged her back till she was in his lap
"Let go of me" she snapped, he sighed and gently gripped her chin stilling her movements
"Iris, I am sorry" her eyes widen surprised that the hybrid actually knew those words "but what you said, was rubbish, I would never ever turn on you" he uttered fiercely and caressed her cheek lovingly
"You wouldn't?" she asked softly, but was internally thinking, he wouldn't be like that if he found out about Elena.
"I wouldn't" he reiterated, her eyes darted up to meet his and saw his had flashed down to her full lips. He gently pressed his lips against hers, she felt a spark go through her, she froze when Klaus gently pushing her against the seat. One of her hands gripped his broad shoulder, when she felt his tongue seeking entrance, Iris pushed him back
"I'm sorry I can't" she rushed out of the car and slammed the door shut, she gasped when he appeared in front of her
"What's wrong love?" Klaus canted his head to the side, she went to move around him but he caged her in between his arms "don't tell me you didn't feel anything love"
Iris shook her head "I did and that's the problem" she said she held her up "I- this is too much, I- I'm feeling so many things for you, but I shouldn't"
"And why not?" he leant forward, she was getting flustered by his close proximity
"Because I- you're I don't know" she sighed "It's just that you, I know you but at the same time I don't"
"Iris we have known each over a thousand years ago"
"But that's the thing" her voice shook "my destiny has been written out twice or something, I came to Mystic Falls to leave the supernatural world behind, but I walked straight into another. Then I met Stefan and Damon and they treated me so well" she choked on a sob, he catch her fallen tear with his thumb "I just wanted one normal year you know? Just a normal year, I was meant to be a senior and-"she sighed wiping her face
"Is that what you want Iris?" before she could Stefan called out
"I've got the rooms"
"It doesn't matter with what I want" she muttered and ducked under his arm leaving behind a frowning hybrid.
"You ok?" Stefan asked holding out the room key
"I will be" she sniffed and took her bag off of him; she wanted to get rid of the blood and grime.
Iris sighed and sagged against the tiled walls, she ran her wet hands over her face and let the water wash over her, merlin she thought she was going to kiss Klaus back, and she wasn't disgusted far from it, she was actually feeling the opposite but she was confused. Iris knew her feelings for Elijah weren't like this, he made her feel like she had a older brother or even a father figure, but Klaus he made her feel alive.
There was a knock on the door "Iris? Dinner's here" she heard the hybrid
"Coming" she called back, and quickly dried herself off and pulled on her pair of shorts and camisole. Iris exited the bathroom and saw that Klaus was sitting on the couch, she sat down beside him and reached out for the huge plate of food, she cast him a curious look when he didn't grabbed the utensils for the meal
Iris placed the plate on her lap and grabbed the spare cutlery, she pressed it into Klaus's hand causing his eyes to snap up and meet hers
"You should eat" she uttered softly
"Are you concerned about my wellbeing?" he murmured and cut into the food and moved closer
"Just eat, arrogant prat" she muttered, his lips twitched in amusement and before she could blink he leant forward and pressed a kiss onto her cheek, instead of a harsh remark like he'd been expecting she instead sent him a small smile, but he saw it fade away as she glanced back down at the plate.
He needed to rethink things through he mildly thought, not wanting her to be disheartened he never wanted her to be disheartened.
AN:Thanks for the reviews and faves, and alerts
In this Chap, the hybrids didn't work out, Klaus took his anger out on Iris, Damon hadn't come across Iris, and Klaus is now having second thoughts about dragging Iris around with them
Net Chap: The trio are in the windy city, Iris meets Gloria, who reveals something to her about the prophecy and Iris sees Rebekah for the first time
So Please REVIEW