Pairing: Ric/Elena (M/f) hand

Prompt for Arkham_Alice from Ao3

Mikaelson Mansion

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Late Afternoon

Elijah found Klaus coming out of Wes and Aaron's new quarters grumbling.

"Problem, Niklaus?" Elijah smiled. He found the doctor to be interesting, but Elijah wasn't sure that he should be given free rein of the house so soon. Yet Niklaus did what he wanted these days.

"That young man is insufferable, the boy, not the doctor," Klaus complained. "Wes needs to rein him in or I shall do it myself! 'Didn't want to take a bath...' He smelled like a saloon!"

Elijah shrugged, "Tis not your problem right now. I am sure the boy will adjust. Plus, we will need his monies to support our venture here. Don't look at me that way, I will replace it in time..."

Klaus had never wanted for coin, but in the modern age, it wasn't as easy as compelling a landowner to sign over his fortune to the vampire. There were records now and legal ramifications, and taxes. Klaus would have to let Elijah take over the finances as Klaus had no patience for legal matters.
Klaus said, "We will drain the other Augustines' bank accounts, as we find them. Is it necessary for you to embezzle from the Whitmore child? It seems like an overreach."

Elijah wasn't sure what he was getting at.

"You never cared about such things before. Please let these matters to me. I will take care of our investments," Elijah noted. "You have other matters to attend to. Namely, Stefan and Damon...Damon has been sulking all day and dipped into the drink again. I did not say a word!"

Klaus put a hand on Elijah's arm, grateful his brother would look over the expenses. But Klaus wasn't looking forward to the situation with the brothers.

"Brother, you may say what you wish to my son. I am sure he will benefit from your guidance, as I oft have. As we all have, in fact, though Rebekah rarely heeded your wisdom, anymore than she listened to mine. Thank you for taking care of the financial matters, you know it gives me a head ache worse than that aneurysm spell that Garden district witch did on me a century ago," Klaus rambled. "Okay, I am off to heal this rift between brothers. Wish me good fortune."

Elijah smiled indulgently as his own little brother.
"You ought to be an expert by now, as we have all had our own issues. Just make it clear to Stefan that Damon will not ever do that again. And make it clear to Damon what the consequences are, if he does," Elijah said, walking away. "Now, I must relieve Rebekah, she is trying to do Play-doh with the children and I think she might have gotten some in her hair."

Klaus sighed and went to find Damon. He loathed the thought of hiding him, but he knew that the brothers needed to make up. But something was troubling him...Damon had seemed puzzled by his own reaction. Klaus decided to give Ric a call.

Gilbert Residence

Jeremy woke up from his nap with a start. He couldn't believe that he had fallen into such a deep sleep after Ric had paddled him. Remembering the punishment, he shifted and was surprised that his bottom seemed fine. Jeremy got up and examined his now white cheeks in the mirror before slipping on boxers and shorts. Maybe it was still a bit warm and there was a slight sore spot on his left cheek, but that was all.

He had dreamed of Anna, there was something mysterious about the dark haired girl. She was so different from the other girls at school and nothing like Vicki. Jeremy thought he should ask Matt how Vic was doing soon. He couldn't really see her in a rehab program. Many of the other burnouts who hung out at the graveyard had been through rehabs and laughed about it. Jeremy didn't miss that scene at all, he had never fit in there.

Rolling back on his bed on his stomach, Jeremy saw the old leather journal out of the corner of his eye on his bedside table. He picked it up and tried to find his place.

"I met Barnette and Giuseppe this evening. I saw the skepticism in their eyes when I showed them the compass," Jeremy read. A compass? Jeremy thought of that box Jenna had referred to. Hadn't Mrs. Lockwood been asking about something like that. He'd have to find that old box of stuff. It might be worth something. Jeremy flipped a few more pages, some of the writing was hard to decipher.

"'I saw her again today, the most beautiful woman in town with a name just as pretty - Pearl. She has a lovely young daughter, Annabelle. She helps her mother in the apothecary shop. I think I am most smitten. Mrs. Gilbert must never know of my true affections. We have a child now, I am no longer free to follow my heart, but Pearl has it firmly in her grasp,'" Jeremy read in surprise. "Dude, is about to step out. And Annabella...weird. Wonder if that is Anna's relative?"

Jeremy dialed the number for the girl he had met. She needed to see this herself. Hell, maybe they were distant relatives? The call went to voicemail and Jeremy hung up without leaving a message.

There was a knock on the bathroom door connecting with Jeremy's room. Only Elena used that door.

"It's open," Jeremy hollered, putting the journal aside.

"Jer, it's almost dinner," Elena said, looking uncomfortable. "Um, are you okay?"

Jeremy flushed, he didn't want to talk about what happened with Ric, but he figured Elena ought to know.

"Now, I am," Jeremy said with some embarrassment. "Well, it wasn't that bad. The worst was the talk from Ric about how much Jenna sacrificed for us. I had never really considered it before."
Elena leaned against the doorway, looking at him intently.
"Yeah, well, we haven't been the best kids lately," Elena admitted. "Face it, we never would have pulled half this crap with Mom and Dad. Was it really bad?"

Jeremy got up and threw on a hoodie.

"The paddle? Yeah, it stung, but I guess it was more embarrassing that I talked to Jenna like that," Jeremy confessed. "I knew Ric was kinda handy with weapons, but I didn't know he did freakin' woodwork, too. And never ever tell Jenna to 'fuck off!'"

Elena straightened up, "What? Jer, you didn't! Here I was feeling sorry for you. And by the way, that paddle was from Bonnie's house. Ric like asked her for it. But honestly, I can't believe you talked to Jenna that way! What got into you?"

Jeremy smirked, "I have no idea, but I like wrote her an apology note. I still have to call Lexi, Stefan's friend, for giving him the vervain to dose her. That also wasn't smart."

"No," Elena agreed. "It wasn't. So are you also grounded?"
"Yup," Jeremy confirmed, then he looked at the old journal. "But I really need to see my friend Anna. I found some strange stuff in this journal. I think Anna's ancestors were here before the founding."

"Give her a call," Elena suggested.

"I did but she's not picking up. I bet she's still at the library. Hey, could you cover for me for like 45 minutes?" Jeremy asked.

Elena looked behind her, "Um, you just said you were going to be on your best behavior! What if you get busted?"

Jeremy grinned, "I won't. I was taking a nap. Tell Ric and Jenna that you checked on me and I was still sleeping. They won't know. I'll be back before you know it."

Elena looked nervous, "I don't know, Jer. Can you really be back that fast?"

"Yeah, I'll climb out your window. You've done it a hundred times and never gotten caught," Jeremy prompted. "And I don't think Ric will bust my butt twice in one day. Anna is worth getting grounded over. I need to see her bad."

Elena bit her lip. "Okay, but go right now. The library is closing in an hour. I'll cover for you but hurry up. And if you get caught, you did it all on your own. Got it?"

"Got it," Jeremy smiled. He put on his shoes and fixed his hair. "How do I look?"

"Stupid," Elena quipped, smiling at his excitement over this girl. "But I do want to meet this mysterious chick. She must be something."

"She is," Jeremy said. "Don't lock your window. I hope that lattice holds."
Elena shrugged, "Stefan usually vamps me out, but when I climb back up, I've never had a problem. Just hang on to the vines, they are pretty strong."

"Good to know," Jeremy grinned. "Bye."

Elena rolled her eyes, "Just hurry up. I don't like this, but I can see you're determined to do this."

***
Gilbert Kitchen

Elena came into the kitchen smelling the aroma of spices and some kind of sauce.
"Smells good. Pasta?" Elena said.

"Yeah," Jenna smiled, coming at Elena with a spoon of red sauce. "Try the sauce. I hope I didn't add too much garlic."

Elena blew on the spoon and tasted it.

"Good! Really good. Jenna, are you taking cooking lessons?" Elena chirped.

Jenna laughed, "No, it's April. She's a real chef."

April was cutting up tomatoes for the salad.

"That was my mom's recipe," April shared. "I haven't had it in years. Where's Jeremy?"

Elena started to set the table.

"Oh, I just checked on him. He's still sleeping," Elena fibbed. "I woke him and he said he'd eat later. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, let him sleep," Jenna said, pouring herself a glass of wine from an open bottle.

"Jenna, you are drinking! Do we get a glass?" Elena pressed, putting down the plates on the table.

"Nope. It was for the sauce, but I don't think I should let it go to waste," Jenna laughed.

"April, I thought your dad was against drinking," Elena blurted.

April's face fell a second at being reminded of her late father, then she perked up.
"Yeah, he was," April admitted. "But Mom said the alcohol got cooked away or something. I think she also drank it after, though."

Elena smiled, "She was a lot of fun, I can totally see her doing that. Okay, table is set. Need help?"

"Yeah, um, you can grate the cheese," Jenna said, giving Elena a grater and a block of parmesan cheese.

"Fancy," Elena noted, as Ric came in.

"Hey, ladies, having fun?" Ric said, kissing Jenna and patting April on the shoulder.

"Actually, this is nice," Elena said, looking around.

"I'm going to go check on Jer. He won't want to miss this feast," Ric commented.

Jenna's stomach dropped and she was about to stop him when Jenna said, "No, honey. Let him sleep. It's been a long day. You can wake him up after dinner. It's ready."

Jenna handed Ric a beer and they sat down to eat.

Ric moaned, "Oh, I am so stuffed! That was great. We should eat like this every night!"

"Yeah, if you do the cooking," Jenna joked. "No, you stick to the grill. I've had your so-called 'cooking.'"

"Well, I can clean up at least. You guys go relax," Ric offered, finishing his beer.

"Wow, I can see why you are marrying him, Jenna," April laughed. "He's a keeper!"

Elena checked her cell phone for the time and to see if Jeremy texted that he was back. Nothing.

Jenna got up and agreed, "Yeah, he's a good one. I think I'll take my wine up and take a bath. You sure you guys are okay here."

"We're good," Elena said. "I'll help you, Ric. April, you go and chill, you did enough."

"I might check out that show you told me about," April shared. "At my old school, we couldn't watch much t.v. I don't want to be out of the loop when I start at Mystic Falls."

"No, you don't," Elena agreed, starting to clear the plates. After Jenna and April left, Elena couldn't help but glance at the clock. She hoped Jeremy was back.

"You have a date or something?" Ric teased. "You seem like you are on edge."

Elena sighed, "Nah, I just thought Stefan might call. I don't love the idea of him being at the Mikaelsons."

Ric leaned back while drying a pot.

"Look, Damon is there," Ric added. His phone buzzed. "This is odd. It's Klaus Mikaelson. I better take it, if you'll excuse me."

Elena waited until Ric went to the living room and then dialed Jeremy's phone. It went to voicemail. Dammit.

Mystic Falls Public Library

Evening

"Hey," Jeremy smiled, tapping Anna on the shoulder. "I thought I would find you here."
Anna looked back and exclaimed, "Wow, I thought you forgot about me!"

"I tried to call you," Jeremy said. "I wanted to tell you that I was grounded...but then I found some pretty interesting stuff in that old journal."
"Jonathan Gilbert's journal?" Anna asked, trying to refrain from sounding too interested. "What it it?"

Jeremy sat down at the table and pulled the journal from his backpack.

"Read this entry! Remember how you said you had relatives who worked in that old drugstore, where my dad's office was? Jonathan knew them. Can you believe it?" Jeremy prompted, pointing to the entry.

Anna read silently a minute, looking intently.

"And he mentions this compass," Jeremy went on, pointing.
"I see that," Anna conceded. "Um, Jeremy, do you happen to know where the compass is?"

"No, but there is a box of old junk in our basement," Jeremy commented. "I can check, but I don't see what the big deal is...It's just an antique, right?"
"Right," Anna said. "Jeremy, I think there are some things I need to share with you. Do you consider yourself open-minded?"

"Yeah, sure," Jeremy said, unsure of where she was going with this.

Anna gulped, pushing the journal way.

"Okay, well, I'm not really homeschool," Anna started.

Jeremy looked at the wall clock and said, "Okay..."

"I was born in the middle of the 1500s. I don't know what year, the calendars change, but...I'm over 500 years old," Anna said softly, unable to meet Jeremy's gaze.

"Then, y-your a v-vampire," Jeremy stammered in disbelief.

"You know about vampires?" Anna exclaimed.

"Anna, this is Mystic Falls," Jeremy chuckled. "We're surrounded by them. Why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't know if I could trust you. And my mother was Pearl," Anna confirmed.

"Oh cool, so you knew my family was back?" Jeremy said, thinking things were starting to make more sense.

"Yes, but it didn't go well," Anna reported sadly. "My mother got trapped in the tomb. She is still in there. I've been trying to get her out since 1864. I need your help."

Jeremy swallowed hard. "Yeah, of course, but I thought they opened the tomb to find Katherine, but she wasn't in there. Anna, they closed the tomb for good."

"I know," Anna said. "And Katherine betrayed my mother, her dearest friend to save her own skin. I can't let her rot in there any longer. You have connections now. I will do anything."
"Bonnie's grandmother died closing the tomb," Jeremy recalled. "I don't think it can be opened."

"Can you try? For me? I'll do anything," Anna pleaded.

"Would you turn me?" Jeremy joked.

"Yes, if that is what you want," Anna replied seriously.

"What? Really? I was just kidding, but maybe...," Jeremy considered. He always wondered what it would be like.

"I'll give you my blood. Anything you want, but I need that compass," Anna explained. "It's not just any compass, it's magical. It can point to vampires and the magic in it is strong. It could be removed and made into a magic weapon. If no one will help, things might get ugly."

"Wait a second, these are my friends you are talking about," Jeremy said, getting angry. "You can't have the compass if you are going to attack people with it."

Anna frowned, "I tried to get in your house, but I need to be invited. Invite me, Jeremy."

Jeremy grabbed the journal and stood up.

"I need to think about this," Jeremy fumed. "You were just using me this whole time!"

Anna burst into tears.

"No, I do like you Jeremy, but this is my mother," Anna pled. "What would you do to see your mother again? Don't turn your back on me!"
Jeremy snapped, "I think to think about this. I risked a lot coming here because I wanted to see you. But I think I made a big mistake."

An announcement came on saying the library was closing.
"Jeremy, wait, I could have compelled you, but I didn't," Anna tried. "I'm all alone and I have no one. Just you."

"Yeah, well, if this is how you treat friends," Jeremy mused. "It's no surprise. Don't call me, Anna or Annabella, I'll be in touch."

Jeremy trotted out, realizing that he just put himself in danger. He started to jog home.

Gilbert Living Room

Elena and April watched some dumb comedy as April laughed hysterically.

"You ready don't get out much, do you?" Ric guffawed, looking at the teen over his reading glasses. He was reading through an old book on esoteric covens from his library. He made some notes on the back of an old lesson plan. Ric was finding out more than he ever wanted about the Travelers and a few other covens that sounded frightening.
"Nope," April agreed. "Can we watch another one?"

"Suit yourself," Ric said. "I'm heading up to make a phone call."

"Ah, Ric," Elena said, thinking to stall him. "Can you look at my tires? The back one is kinda low."

"Sure, but can I do it tomorrow? I'm bushed. Klaus has me doing some research for him," Ric noted. "I think I found something. I need to call him back."
"Okay," Elena said anxiously. Ric called Klaus as he headed upstairs. Elena cocked her head to listen, but couldn't hear much. Something about a coven in the west?

April asked, "What's up? You seem nervous."

"Oh nothing," Elena said, but a moment later, she heard Ric yell.

"Elena, can you come up here please?"

Elena cursed under her breath. "Coming!"

Ric was at Jeremy's bed, uncovering the pile of pillows that he had set up.

"Want to tell me where your little brother is?" Ric pressed.

Elena stammered, "Um, he was here when I came down to dinner." That was sort of true.

"I may not be a vampire, but I can tell when someone is lying to me. Let's see if your window is open," Ric said roughly. He turned and went into Elena's room to find her curtains pulled back and the window wide open. Ric looked down.

"Oldest tricks in the book," Ric grumbled. "Now, where is he?"
Elena wrung her hands. "Look, Ric, I don't know."

"I just had to call Klaus and tell him that maybe Damon and Enzo are still under some kind of Traveler spell. They are bad people, Elena. This town could still be crawling with them. The last night we need is for Jeremy to be out and get possessed by some witch!" Ric pointed out angrily.

"Ric, that's ridiculous," Elena deflected. "I'm sure he just went out to get some fresh air. You know Jeremy had a kind of bad day."

"Bad day? It that what we are calling it," Ric said, his voice rising, although he was fighting panic.

"I said I don't know where he is," Elena said, doubling down. She couldn't admit that she had lied, she needed her car. Plus, she didn't want to end up grounded.

"Fine," Ric said, grabbing her arm. He dragged Elena over to the bed and flipped her over his left knee. "You tell me now or I'm going to spank it out of you, young lady. This could be serious!"

"Stop, Ric," Elena heaved, trying to fight her way up. But Ric was too strong, he clamped his right leg over her kicking legs and brought his large hand down on her bottom.
Slap! Slap!

"Ah, fuck, R-Ric!" Elena wailed. "Stop!"

Slap! Slap!

"Tell me or these shorts are coming down," Ric warned, popping her bottom harder.

"Fuck you. I don't know!" Elena shouted, throwing her hand back to protect her backside.

Ric pinned her hand with his left and peeled down her shorts and panties with his right hand. He hadn't meant to bare her bottom, but now that it was done, he ran with it.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

Elena shrieked at the gust of cool air hitting her behind. The smacks stung and she sobbed louder.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

"H-He w-went to m-meeet A-Anna at the l-library!" Elena conceded in a sob.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

Ric spanked her firmly another minute.

"How long ago?" Ric pressed.

Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!

"B-Before dinner!" Elena shrieked, her bottom was flaming.

"Ric, what's going on?" Jenna asked in alarm. She heard the ruckus and got out of the bath. She was dripping and still in her towel.

"Jeremy snuck out again," Ric said, still spanking Elena.

"Okay, that's enough," Jenna determined. "Let her up."

Ric stopped the punishment and pulled up Elena's underpants and shorts, standing her on her feet. She hopped up and down rubbing her bottom and then put her hands on her face.

"I'm s-sorrry," Elena moaned. "He s-said he'd b-be back s-soon."

Ric looked at Jenna.

"I'm going to go look for Jer in my car," Ric said firmly. "Can you take care of her?"

"Yes, I have this," Jenna said, pulling Elena in her arms. "Go, bring him home."

Ric noticed that Jenna didn't seem happy with him, he felt a wash of guilt. But the important thing right now was finding Jeremy.

Mikaelson Mansion

Evening

Klaus walked in when Damon was telling Enzo and Kol about his car.

"...So that's why she's my baby," Damon grinned. "And we've been together ever since."
"That was kind of Miss Bennett to take pity on you," Enzo said.

"Oh, she wanted my damn car, it was her cousin who wouldn't let her," Damon said. "Right, Klaus? That witch Lucy is something else. I wish she wouldn't have done that spell on me, but someday I hope to return the favor."

Kol clapped Damon on the back, grinning, "You will, Nephew. I promise. Don't worry, Nik, Enzo and I were just leaving. Elijah is badgering me to start my studies tonight. Saturday night? Do you believe it?"

"Aye, knowing Elijah, I do. But thank you, Brother, for cooperating. Elijah has put the children to bed, he's in his study. I hope to hear this story of Damon's precious car someday soon," Klaus said lightly. "But for now, we have other matters to discuss. Enzo, would you stay a moment?"

Enzo nodded, "That witch, Lucy, did you happen to find out if she is single?"

"I've no idea," Klaus replied, as Kol left. "But we have other matters of importance to discuss. Have a seat, please."

Enzo sat on one of the chairs by the fire place in Damon's room. Aside from his time with Wes, being his lackey, he had rarely seen such grandeur. It was a far cry from his cell with the Augustines or the work houses of his childhood.

Damon put down his glass and also sat.

"Bad news?" Damon growled, frowning.
Klaus sighed, "I asked Ric to look further into Traveler spells. Not much is known, but I am afraid that you may be experiencing some residual magic. Can you two think back on when you were injected? Or after? Did you feel any other presences in your bodies?"

Enzo shifted, rubbing his chin. He replied, "There was a time right before the spell where I thought I had a voice inside my head. Then, it was gone."
Damon nodded, "Me, too. It wasn't a language I was familiar with. If I had to guess, it was Romanian or maybe something similar. But I can't recall the words, I was in too much pain."

Enzo interjected, "I thought Bonnie cleansed us of all spells and hexes? I think we would know it if we were possessed."

"She did, but if this dark magic is something else, she may not have had the power," Klaus stated. "I don't believe that you are possessed, but if someone was inside you then they may have left some of their emotions inside of you, so to speak. You may require the assistance of a very rare and dangerous witch. Have either of you ever heard of a siphon?"

"A siphon? No," Damon said. "What is it?"

"Something I have never experienced in a millennium," Klaus admitted. "According to Ric, there is a Gemini coven in Portland, or was. They seem to produce an unusual amount of twins. Some of them possess the ability to siphon or steal magic from others, but they cannot produce their own. They are so dangerous that many were expelled or destroyed as to not harm others."

"But we're fine," Enzo argued. "I don't see why we need any remedies from these dangerous witches. Do you, Damon?"

Damon side-eyed Enzo, "No, I don't. I feel...fine. Well, maybe a little odd, but I assumed it was the hybrid side of me. I get these bouts of anger and irritation out of no where."

Enzo cleared his throat, "I've been a little more amorous feeling, but in my defense, I have long been without a woman. But if I was almost possessed, it was a very horny fellow, I will admit that."

"Thank you, Enzo. That is very edifying and probably too much information. Please go find Elijah," Klaus directed. "I believe he wants to measure your academic prowess or something. I would say have fun, but..."
"Academic? I am lucky I can read," Enzo mumbled, as he left.

Damon smirked, "I taught him how to read when we were captured. It passed the time at least."

Klaus sat in the chair Enzo had just left.

"Son, I think this magic is affecting your mind. You may be feeling the residue of the soul that tried to take your body. Perhaps that is why you were so harsh with Stefan?" Klaus tried.

Damon stood up and paced, "I would love to say that was true, but how do we know?"

"We will not until we can have the dark magic siphoned out. Until then, you need to be more careful. Enzo, too," Klaus determined. "It could be nothing..."
"Or I could be fucked," Damon complained.

Klaus stood and grabbed Damon's arm.

"This is nothing we cannot deal with. Now, let's go speak to your brother. I think we've waited long enough," Klaus said firmly.