Jeremy and Elena were sitting in the living room watching TV. Jeremy was flipping through the channels while staring at the large flatscreen mounted on the wall. "You know, I'll never like living with Klaus, but I could definitely get used to the perks."
Elena snorted in response.
"Mom and Dad would hate this though," Jeremy said.
"Well, Mom would be glad to know that we're at least safe. Dad would definitely lose his mind though. Then again, Dad would've probably lost his mind just knowing that I used to date a vampire. From what I know, he hated vampires as much as John did. We can't think about that though. They're gone. We have to do what's best for us, and for right now at least, this is it," Elena said.
"I know. It's just hard knowing how much they'd hate it," Jeremy said.
"They'd want us to be safe. That's what we should think about," she said.
Just then, Elijah walked in with Klaus and Rebekah right behind him. "This is where I was hoping to find the two of you. We need to talk for a few minutes.
Jeremy turned the TV off, and he and Elena reluctantly gave the originals their attention.
The originals all took seats around the living room. Rebekah sat next to Elena, while Elijah and Klaus sat on the other side of the large sectional, near Jeremy. "The first thing you should know is that I've filed the guardianship paperwork, so you'll be able to return to school on Monday. Rebekah will be joining you," Elijah told them.
"That's great," Elena said. She was ready to get back to a normal routine, as much as possible anyway.
"Elena, on the off chance that Stefan also returns, I'd like you to do your best to stay away from him," Elijah said.
Elena stiffened a bit. She hadn't considered the possibility that Stefan would return to school. She didn't want to see him. She wasn't exactly afraid of him, but she couldn't stand the idea of being around him either.
Rebekah gently took ahold of her arm. "He won't get near you."
Elena smiled appreciatively. "Thanks."
"If he tries to speak to you, you'll tell us," Klaus said. It was not a question. He expected to be informed if the little bastard went near her.
Reluctantly, Elena nodded. If there was any way to avoid it, she probably wouldn't tell him if that happened, but he didn't need to know that. She was frankly just hoping it didn't happen.
"Next, there are some expectations that we'll expect you both to meet," Elijah said.
Jeremy glared at him a little. He didn't feel like a bunch of old vampires that barely knew him had the right order him around. "You think you can tell us what to do."
"Given that I am, as of today, your legal guardian, yes, I do," Elijah said shortly. "Now, as I said before, I will not judge either of you on the past, but going forward, there are some reasonable rules that I will expect you to follow. One is education. I expect you to do reasonably well. At the very least, I expect you to try your best. If you are struggling with something, come to one of us, and we will help you or provide you with a tutor," Elijah explained.
"What's reasonably well?" Elena asked. She didn't think she'd have much problem meeting his expectations in most subjects, but she still needed to know what he expected. Jeremy could very well have a problem though.
"I'd like to see nothing less than B- average. However, I'm going to be keeping a close eye on your progress for the next couple of months. If I see that you're trying your best, I won't penalize you. I will see to getting you help. However, as I said, I'd like you to come to us if you know you're struggling," Elijah said.
Elena nodded. She had no problem agreeing to that. In fact, it just might do Jeremy a lot of good. She had been struggling to get him to take school more seriously. Maybe having stricter guardians, who also believed it was important, would help. "It's not unreasonable, Jer."
Jeremy didn't agree, but he didn't argue either.
"The next thing I want to discuss is behavior in school. Jeremy, you've been known to get into a lot fights. Again, I won't reprimand you for the past, but I will expect better in the future. Now, if someone attacks you, I won't ask you to do nothing. You can defend yourself, but I won't be happy if I'm called because you instigated a fight. Do you understand me?" Elijah asked in a firm tone.
"Fine," Jeremy said somewhat tightly. He thought it was pretty hypocritical that he was being lectured about violence from beings that had murdered countless people, but there wasn't much he could do about it.
"If someone attacks him, it will be the last time they have use of their hands," Klaus said threateningly.
"Niklaus, I am trying to discourage violence," Elijah admonished before turning back to the children. "Next, there will be drug use, and no alcohol outside of the house," Elijah said.
"Wait, you'd let us drink in the house?" Jeremy asked in surprise.
"Occasionally, but only with permission and under the supervision of Niklaus or myself," Elijah told him. He didn't trust Rebekah to be responsible enough to supervise.
"It doesn't seem to matter. You haven't let us go anywhere without one of you so far," Elena said.
"That will change soon enough. We just need to know that no one will try anything and that you're both safe," Elijah assured her.
Elena was pretty sure he was talking about her friends, and of course Stefan. "Okay.
"There's one more thing we have to discuss. The new house will be ready soon enough. When it is, Niklaus and I will stay there for a week to get our other siblings to adjust to this world," Elijah said.
"Wait, you're waking them up?" Jeremy said nervously.
"Yes. I personally don't see the rush, but Elijah insists," Klaus said. It wasn't really Kol he had much of a problem with, but Finn was only going to bring everyone down with his depression.
"This was always the plan once Mikael was taken care of. You know that," Elijah told his brother before turning to Elena and Jeremy. "I don't need to worry. They will not hurt you. They will have to adjust to being awake though, which is why you two will stay here with Rebekah until that happens. It shouldn't take more than a week."
"Wait, I have to stay here? I want to be there when they wake up," Rebekah protested.
"Rebekah, someone has to stay here with Elena and Jeremy. I will need Niklaus with me to keep them in control, especially Kol. You will see them soon enough. We will have eternity," Elijah promised.
"Fine," Rebekah said. She wasn't thrilled, but she understood why she was asked to stay behind. She would spend the time bonding with Elena and Jeremy, maybe even breaking Elijah's no drinking' rule.
"Can I ask a question?" Elena asked.
"Of course," Elijah said.
"Are you planning to turn us?" Elena asked.
Klaus scowled. "The oldest Salvatore idiot told her we'd force them to turn to keep them with us."
"I figured you were listening," Elena said.
"Naturally. And the answer is, no. We wouldn't turn you against your will," Klaus assured her.
"Really?" Elena asked, sounding skeptical.
"Elena, we were turned against our will. We wouldn't do that to anyone we cared about," Elijah said.
"Thank you," Elena said. It was good to know that she would at least not be turned by force.
"Your friends were right about one thing though. If you choose not to turn, you will remain with us," Klaus told her.
"I figured that," she said.
"Anymore questions?" Elijah asked.
Elena hesitated before speaking again. "I want to speak to Klaus alone for minute."
Elijah looked surprised, but nodded and stood up. "Very well. We will give you the room.
"Elena?" Jeremy asked in a reluctant tone. "It's fine, Jer. Give us a minute.
Jeremy didn't want to, but he got up and followed Elijah and Rebekah out of the room.
"What is it, love?" Klaus asked.
"I have to ask you something. I've tried really hard not to ask you this, but I have to know one way or another," Elena said.
"Ask your question, Elena," Klaus said. He was fairly certain he already knew what her question was.
"If I'd told you the truth before the sacrifice, would it have saved my aunt's life?" Elena asked. Elijah had told her that it probably wouldn't have, but Elijah wasn't Klaus. Only Klaus could tell her what he would've done.
"No, because I wouldn't have believed you, not with the little evidence you had. I would've assumed you were trying to save yourself," Klaus told her.
"You believed it when Stefan told you," Elena pointed out.
"Yes, because Stefan had less of a reason to lie. Yes, kidnapping a member of my family gave him leverage, but there were easier ways than making up such an unbelievable lie. I also allowed myself to consider the possibility based on mine and Elijah's history with Tatia. I wouldn't have done that the night of the sacrifice. Freeing myself from that curse was still important to me. So, no, I wouldn't have stopped with the evidence you had. But if I'd had sufficient evidence, I would've ended the whole thing. I wouldn't sacrifice a member of my family, not even to end my curse. I know it's not worth a thing to you, but I am sorry for your aunt's death. I'm sorry for the pain I caused you," Klaus said. He meant it. He didn't care about many people, but he cared about his family. That now meant Elena too.
"I can't forgive you," Elena said. She prayed one day she'd be able to because it would be a long, miserable life with him if she couldn't, but she couldn't now.
"I don't expect you to, but stop blaming yourself. There was nothing you could've done to stop me," Klaus said before standing up and leaving the room, knowing there was nothing more he could say to help her.