Pairing: Ric-Jenna/Jeremy (MF/m) paddle

Travelers' Former Camp

Monday, April 2, 2012

Night

Bonnie leaned over and looked closer at the Traveler woman's dark hand. Something had caught her eye and glinted in the dancing flames of the dying bonfire. It was a ring, Bonnie realized. As she went to slip it off she noticed with a gasp that the hand was no longer attached to a body. The dogs had fed well finally.

"What do you have there?" a low voice with a British accent asked.

Bonnie worked the ruby ring off and looked up at Enzo. He had dumped the first body on the fire. They all had to burn. He seemed to be enjoying the scene.

"Nothing," Bonnie said, wiping the ring off on her shirt. "Just a ring. Pretty, huh?" Bonnie held up the ring, there were symbols around the red gem.

"Not as pretty as you," Enzo grinned.

Bonnie rolled her eyes and turned away quickly. She wasn't in the mood and who was this guy anyway? Enzo jogged to match her steps.

"You don't fancy compliments?" Enzo prodded.

Bonnie stopped short and replied, "Look, I'm sure you're a nice guy but it's been a shit night. I just hope all this crap with the Travelers is over. I've never seen anything like this."
Enzo nodded, "Aye, that was really mad! How about those dogs? Look at them now, as calm as lambs. You'd never know they were tearing apart-."

"Okay, well, see you later. My cousin is waiting for me," Bonnie said pointedly.

"Oh, yeah, I see," Enzo said lamely. "Say, do you ever go out? Like to, um, eat?"

Bonnie smirked, "Yeah, I am human so I do eat. Do you?"

Enzo nodded, "Oh, indeed. We do still have stomachs and all that. May I call upon you at your home?"

Bonnie looked at Lucy and saw she was laughing at something Kol said, as he siphoned gas from one of the Traveler vehicles. They wouldn't need them again.

"Are you asking me out?" Bonnie asked puzzled.

Enzo picked up a leg from the ground and tossed it on the bonfire which was burning higher now.

"Aye, if you'll have me," Enzo said.

"I'll think about it. I'm kind of busy," Bonnie determined.

"Right. So you didn't say 'no'...Do you have a telephone?" Enzo pressed.

Bonnie laughed aloud at that.

"Yeah, everyone has a phone," Bonnie said, continued to walk. She slipped the ring on her finger and fiddled with it. "How about I'll call you?"
Bonnie didn't wait for a response or hear Enzo say, "But you don't have the number..."

Damon clapped him on the back, he was gathering up bodies, too.

"Hang on there, soldier," Damon said. "Don't rush it. Bonnie could roast you like a marshmallow. Leave her decompress. We have plenty of work to do here. How about you get some sticks?"

"Sticks?" Enzo said, watching Bonnie get into the vehicle. "Right."

Damon tossed another body on the fire and muttered, "Phasmatos Incendia."

To his surprise, the fire blazed up markedly. He had been flipping through some of the grimoires at the house. That was an easy one.

"Hold up. I've got some petrol," Kol shouted.

"I don't need gas. I've got my magic," Damon called back with a smile. He felt invigorated now that Markos was out of him. He didn't remember much, if anything, except at the end, when the Traveler leader was weakened. Then, he was able to fight back. Damon felt invincible now.

Rebekah was walking with Julian a distance away from the bonfire with an array of different dogs. He ran over at the sight of the flames.

"Damon, that was neat. Can you do it again?" Julian begged, several of the now tame dogs following him.

Damon did and the little boy hopped up and down.

"Julian, I said stay away from the fire," Rebekah chided, running a hand through her streaked hair, now blond with pink. She saw the carnage and picked him up quickly. "Damon, this isn't a place for a child."

Damon said the severed head she was eluding to and nodded.

"Yeah, sorry," Damon muttered, eyeing her new hair color without comment. "We should be done in a few minutes. Julian, what dogs are you taking?"

"All of them," Julian responded, twisting in Rebekah's hold to look at him. "They want to come to our house."
Damon barked out a laugh, "We will have to build a kennel."
Rebekah started to walk to the car, holding Julian tightly.

"But Uncle Finn can build anything!" Julian protested. "He told me that...Let me down, Auntie Bex!"

"Now, now, you are half-asleep. Shall I sing to you again?" Rebekah coaxed, singing a long she remembered from long ago.

A short distance away, Klaus and Elijah searched some of the tents and RVs.

Klaus found a water bottle and used it to wash his hands as they were covered in blood.

"This is Greta's blood," Klaus intoned. "Here, I mourned her death and she was in a different body the whole time. Why or how she got involved in all this is a mystery to me, Elijah. I knew she was searching for something, but maybe she was running away the whole time. Running away from me."
Elijah knelt to dig through a sheath of papers scattered on the floor.

"How much did you know about her? Her past, I mean," Elijah asked.

"Very little. I suppose I may never know. She said something to me about a New World Order," Klaus intoned, wiping his hands on a discarded shirt. "It seems this Markos wanted to bring Hell here to Earth."

"They were a cursed people, Niklaus," Elijah stated. "It must have drove them mad: the body jumping, the constant fleeing. Look at us with Father. If we hadn't settled in New Orleans, we may have broken, too."

Klaus sighed and looked around the cramped quarters. This was no way to live.

"We were broken when we left Spain. It was having a home again that healed us, being together, though I regret our many quarrels," Klaus said with feeling.

"Me, too, Brother," Elijah said. "But we still found happiness. We can do that again here. I noticed you are growing fond of Enzo. He's been a good lad. Of course, he's an impulsive hothead, but that can be dealt with."

"Speak of that. You chained up young Stefan? What madness caused you to do such a thing?" Klaus wondered, casting his piercing blue-green eyes on his elder brother.

"Oh," Elijah said. "He was not in a state to fight. Stefan was wild-eyed and too emotional. He wouldn't listen to reason. You saw him. He must have yanked those chains out of the very wall to escape."

"Or Finn let him out?" Klaus said evenly.

"Finn? Why would he do such a thing?" Elijah inquired.

"Because I took his choices away from him for almost a millennia. That was wrong. I see that now," Klaus said. "Stefan wanted to fight for his brother. Who are you to deter that?"
Elijah frowned, feeling defensive, "We barely had any room in the car? I didn't want him driving that race car and cause an accident!"

"Well, he made it here anyway, in that very car," Klaus reminded him.

"I'll speak to him," Elijah said wearily. "Let's gather up some of these papers. I don't know what language this is. Hopefully, this matter is null and void."

"Now that Markos is dead, the others should be gone," Klaus said with confidence. "They were making their last stand here and they lost. I only wish I could have somehow saved Greta...but they had my son."

"You must not pay here any thought. Your witch chose her side and lost," Elijah said firmly. "And I will probably have to deal with Finn...We had a bit of an understanding."

Klaus' eyes lit up with mirth. "Oh, you're going to get a proper hiding. I've no doubt of that."

"Well, you don't have to be so happy about it," Elijah fumed. "I should have just compelled him!"
Klaus shook his head, "No, Elijah, that is not the way. We have too much seen the ill effects of that. I am grateful you did not use your powers on Enzo. He, like all others, must have free will. If we are to prosper, it has to be on our own merits, not mind control. Do you not agree?"

"I do," Elijah said dryly. "Help me get all this. I need to get Julian home and into bed."

"And and don't forget the dogs," Klaus laughed. "I know how you love pets."

Elijah reddened, "Ah yes, well, it should be good for the twins to have real pets. Then, maybe they will stop hankering after skunks and mice. Remind me to clean out that attic. We need the space now."

"Ah yes," Klaus said, taking a stack of papers from Elijah. "We will."

Mikaelson Mansion

Somehow they had cleaned up the scene of the massacre, burning all the bodies and vehicles without detection. Some of the cave vampires had run off, but many had stayed and helped.

Stefan recognized Pearl. She was an attractive Asian woman, looking to be in her 40s. Her black hair was coated in dust and grime, but she had sharp eyes that seemed to miss nothing.

"Miss Pearl, ma'am? I'm Stefan Salvatore. Do you remember me?" Stefan asked carefully. She was still weak and dirty, but no longer desiccated.

"Of course. I just saw you last week...Oh dear, what year is it? How long we were trapped?"

Katherine vamped to her. "Pearl? Oh, I did it. You are out of that filthy cave finally."
"Katherine. Thank God. Where's Annabelle?" Pearl demanded. "Where is my girl?"
"I'm sure she is fine. We'll find her," Katherine assured Pearl, slipping an arm around her. "Stefan, you wouldn't mind if we crashed at your place, would you?"

"Damon," Stefan yelled. "Over here!"

Damon trotted over and shook Pearl's hand.

"Miss Pearl, it's been a while," Damon quipped. "And you can blame Katherine for that!"

"What's going on? What year it it? Your c-clothing is...odd," Pearl stammered.

"It's 2012," Stefan finally shared.

"Oh my," Pearl said, staggering. "That long! I must see my daughter. Take me to her!"

"Now, Pearl, you must stay calm. You are weakened and in great need of a bath," Katherine said firmly. "This is my daughter, Nadia. We'll look after you. Damon, we need to stay at the boarding house."

"The boarding house! You have to be kidding," Damon protested with a laugh. Pearl glared at him and he cleared his throat.

Stefan cut in, "Of course. It's big enough. Gather the others, you can shelter there as long as you need to."

"Brother," Damon reprimanded. "We have a lot of nice shit in that house."

"Damon, don't be an ass! Where are they going to go?" Stefan rumbled, challenging Damon to argue again.

"Fine. You clean up the mess," Damon said, stalking off.

"Sorry about him," Stefan apologized. "Get the others. We'll come back to get you."
"We're near Fell's Church. I'm sure we can walk," Pearl said stiffly.

"Ah, there's a lot of roads now and vehicles," Stefan protested. "Can you just wait here and we'll get you all settled? Katherine will look after you and we'll get your daughter."

"Fine. Thank you for your kindness. I suppose my home and business are gone," Pearl shared. "And Mr. Salvatore, your estate is gone?"

"That old shack? Ha, yes, it's gone. Burned to the ground a century ago. But Damon built a fine house called the Boarding House," Katherine laughed. "But no worries. The Salvatores will put us up in grand style, like I am accustomed. Come, Nadia, we have a lot to do."

Nadia gave Pearl an apologetic smile and trotted after Katherine. Pearl called to her friend Harper and a few other vampires that were dazed and unsure of what to do.

"Please, gather around," Pearl said. "Some years have passed. We need to wait here until we are brought to a boarding house."

Mikaelson Mansion

Children's Room

Elijah carried Julian to bed with the two dogs he could not part with following eagerly. One was the large German Shepherd and the other a collie mix. He had planned to house them in the garage, but it was still littered with boxes. Plus, the dogs would not leave Julian.

Indy woke up.

"Where were you?" Indy said, before noticing the panting dogs. "Oh, Daddy, you got us puppies! Thank you! Thank you!"

Elijah smiled as he set Julian in the bed.

"Yes, these are very special pets. Julian will tell you about it tomorrow. I'm going to get them some food and water. Now, you two sleep on the floor, you hear?" Elijah directed at the dogs. When he came back with the water bowls and meat, the dogs were snuggled in the bed with the children. He sighed and settled in the chair to sleep. He would not leave them alone.

Klaus found Damon stripping in his room.

"Son, you sure you are okay?" Klaus said, leaning against the dresser and folding his arms.

"Yeah, actually, I feel great. Now so sure Stefan is happy with Elijah, but honestly, I'm glad he wasn't there to see it," Damon said, holding up his bloody tattered shirt. "It's been a while since I got stabbed."

Klaus took the shirt and threw it in the trash.

"I saw you stabbing Enzo with the blade. Did you say the words, just in case?" Klaus smiled.

"Yeah, Enzo can take it. He barely flinched. My magic is really kicking up. Did you see that fire?" Damon bragged.

Klaus sighed, "Yes, it was beautiful. I admit that I never felt it, but Kol has spoken about how drawing magic can be almost addictive. You must pace yourself, it can go badly if you don't know what you are doing."

Damon stood, flexing his arms.

"Yeah, I'll keep that in mind. Kol promised to help me, I'll take it easy. I really don't like the idea of Katherine in my house. I'm sure she'll screw someone in my bed the first chance she gets," Damon confided.

Klaus couldn't help but chuckle.

"She is a beautiful woman, but I suppose she is now an ally. Son, she helped save you. Without her knowledge, well, I don't want to think about it," Klaus said seriously. "I'm going to go pick up the rest of the vampires and take Katherine and her daughter to your house. I'll ask her not to burn it to the ground."

"Yeah, I'd really appreciate that," Damon said. "I never locked the place, but Stefan has the keys. There's blood in the freezer in the basement. Hopefully, those vamps don't kill a bunch of joggers tonight."

"I'll phone the sheriff and maybe she can put a few deputies on patrol. You sure you're alright?" Klaus asked, touching a smear of blood on Damon's chest.
"Yes, Dad, I'm fine," Damon said sarcastically. "Now, can I shower? Or do you want to give me a wittle bath?"

"You are wanting a thrashing, eh?" Klaus joked and grabbed Damon's face and kissed him on the forehead.

"I love you. You said Katherine can pawn all your valuables for shoe money, right?" Klaus grinned.

"Ha, very funny. Night," Damon said, turning to enter the bathroom he muttered, "Love you, too."

Klaus smiled to himself and shut his son's door. He was tired, but there was much to do.

Klaus drove back with Stefan's key to help get Katherine, her daughter, and Pearl and the camp vampires settled. He warned Katherine not to trash the place and gave her money for food and other essentials.

"Damon said there is blood in the cellar in the freezer," Klaus shared. To Pearl, Klaus explained, "You need not feed off of humans. They collect the blood now in bags. It tis much safer that way. In fact, I would ask that you keep everyone in the house. I will see that your daughter is brought to you."

Pearl nodded her understanding, smoothing her ragged full skirts. Her leather boots must have rotted away decades ago. "Thank you, Mr. Mikaelson. I'll keep this group in line. You need not worry about us causing a problem. But there were 27 of us at first, now only five. I am concerned about the others."

"I will call Sheriff Forbes and let her know," Klaus assured her.

"Her?" Pearl asked, looking at Katherine.

Katherine grinned, "It must be a descendent. Sheriff William Forbes is long dead."

"Ah, of course. I am just surprised it is now a woman," Pearl responded.

"Oh, dear friend, I have much to teach you," Katherine cackled. "Now, Klaus, do be a dear and find Annabelle. Her mother is eager to see her."

"Of course," Klaus said, bowing. "Excuse me."

The old Klaus would have bristled at her tone, but she had saved Damon, his son. He turned and went back to his SUV, it was filthy and he thought he would have to buy a new one soon. That smell of dogs and the camp vamps would never come out.

Klaus called Liz Forbes and told her about the cave vamps. Then, he called Ric.

"Klaus, it's the middle of the damn night," Ric hissed.

"Yes, I know," Klaus shared what had happened. "Pearl is looking for her daughter, Annabelle."

"Oh, the vampire that Jeremy met. Can I ask him in the morning? He has school. I have school in like a few hours," Ric said, exasperated.

"Of course," Klaus said, hanging up. It would have to wait a few more hours.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Gilbert Residence

Before School

Elena had spoken to Bonnie last night and was relieved that the Salvatores were alright. Bonnie told her that Enzo asked her out and asked what she thought. Elena had to admit that she liked the accent and Enzo wasn't hard on the eyes, but didn't really know him.

Elena had woken up obscenely early and figured she had more than enough time to write in her diary. She curled up on her big bay window and penned all of her thoughts and fears down. After twenty minutes, she slipped her diary back in her latest hiding spot behind her horse painting. She had been obsessed with horses and it had been a tenth birthday gift from her Uncle John. Now, they barely heard from him.

"Elena, April, Jer, breakfast," Jenna hollered from the first floor.

"Coming," Elena responded. She fluffed her hair and checked her make up in her large Victorian mirror and smiled. Jeremy pounded on her door.

"Did you finish it?" Jeremy asked, referring to his biology paper.

"Yep, here you go. I didn't print it, but you can do that at the library," Elena remarked, slipping a small black USB jump drive into his hand.

"Yeah, okay," Jeremy smirked. "I'll do it first thing. Thanks."

"Thank you," Elena said. "And I may have remembered something..."

"What? That you are butt ugly," Jeremy taunted.

"Funny. No, but I might have the unit test for that class. I also have my notes," Elena said in a sing-song voice.

"Really?" Jeremy questioned, his eyes wide. "How much?"

"Since you are out of cash, how about you do my chores?" Elena asked.

Jeremy scowled, "No way. I can hardly get my own crap done...What if I could find some money? Like $50?"

"Yeah, that would do it. I need a new dress for the dance," Elena agreed. "Get the cash and you got yourself an A or B in bio. They use the same tests every year."

"Cool," Jeremy confirmed. "But the test is Friday..."

"Sounds like a you problem," Elena called, going to get April and go down to breakfast.

Now, he just had to figure out how to get the money.

Kitchen

Jenna had made waffles and freshly squeezed orange juice, but Elena just drank her tea.

"Jer, don't forget your tea," Elena said, indicating the vervain drops.

"Yeah, okay," Jeremy said. He really had been forgetting, but he trusted Anna. He probably shouldn't have, but somehow he did.

"Sorry, Jenna. I have to grab and go. I promised Caroline I would help her with the dance committee. April, want to join? I think Rebekah said she would help out," Elena coaxed. She noticed that April seemed in awe of the beautiful blond vampire yesterday.

"Oh, nice. Rebekah is so much fun," April exclaimed. "Jenna, can I help you clean up?"

"No, hon, I'd do the dishwasher later. I actually have to meet with my adviser this morning. Crap, I need my laptop. Have a good day, kids," Jenna said, running upstairs to look for her bag.

April and Elena rushed out, leaving Jeremy alone. He would get a ride into school with Ric.

Jeremy stood to get his vervain and noticed Jenna's leather purse sitting on the counter. No, he couldn't. He knew she always had cash on her...Before he could stop himself, Jeremy was digging through Jenna's wallet. She must have had over $150 in bills. Jeremy took two twenties when Ric walked in. He froze.

"Hey buddy, hey, I have a question for...What are you doing?" Ric said. Jenna often told the kids to get money out of her wallet, so that didn't alarm him. It was the scared expression on Jeremy's face that gave him away.

"Ummmm...I n-needed some money," Jeremy stuttered anxiously, putting the bills back.

"Did you ask Jenna?" Ric demanded, getting more suspicious.

"Ah, no, I was about to," Jeremy said lamely.

"Jeremy, were you stealing money from Jenna's purse? Think very carefully before you answer as I'm going to ask her in a minute," Ric said calmly.

"Yeah, I was. Sorry, Ric, I just needed $50!" Jeremy exploded in frustration.

"Settle down," Ric said. "And tell me what you needed the money for? Are you on drugs again?"
Jeremy's face got red and he screamed, "I'm not on fucking drugs. I just needed...something."

Ric took a breath and got the wooden paddle off the top of the refrigerator. Jeremy looked at the back door, but it was too late. Without hesitation, he grabbed Jeremy, sat down on the bench at the kitchen table and leaned Jeremy over his lap.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

"Fuck, Ric, stop!" Jeremy hollered.

"What did you need the money for?" Ric said, continued to paddle the seat of Jeremy's tight jeans. Ric steadied Jeremy by gripping his belt and stretched the material even tighter over Jeremy's wiggling behind.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

"Owwwwww! Stop! I c-can't think," Jeremy exclaimed.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

"That's right. It's hard to lie under distress. Tell me the truth," Ric demanded, paddling Jeremy's bottom harder.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Pop! Pop! Pop!

"To buy a test! S-So I don't get a-a D in bio," Jeremy yelped. "Now, stop!"

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Pop! Pop! Pop!

"You were going to cheat?" Ric asked in shock. "What is going on with you?"

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Jeremy now burst into tears. The burn in his rear was worsening, but not too fierce yet.
"I hate it. I just have n-no interest in it. Elena was j-just helping me," Jeremy revealed.

Ric stood up Jeremy in shock.

"Elena was going to sell you the paper?" Ric asked incredulous.

Jeremy sobbed louder as he rubbed his stinging bottom.

"Riccccc, d-don't tellll her," Jeremy begged. Ric stood and was about to paddle Jeremy's backside more when Jenna rushed in.

"What's going on?" Jenna asked.

"He was stealing money out of your purse to pay Elena for a biology test!" Ric yelled, pointing with the paddle.

"Oh no, Jeremy, is this true?" Jenna said, going to her nephew and gripping his arms.

"Y-Yessss," Jeremy sobbed. "I-I'm sorry."

Jenna took the round paddle and turned Jeremy and spanked him several times on each cheek as Ric grabbed his hands.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

"Ahhhhh-Ohhhhhh," Jeremy said, marching in place as Jenna swatted him sternly with the light paddle. Now, his behind was on fire.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

"There. You two better go, but we'll discuss this more later. I can't believe you would steal from me," Jenna said in disbelief.

Ric said, "Oh, I almost forgot. Klaus called and your vampire friend's mother is out of the tomb. Do you know how to get a hold of her?"

Jeremy stopped massaging his rear and went to take his phone out of his bag.

"I have her number," Jeremy moaned, still sniffling.

"Call her and tell her that her mom is at the Salvatore Boarding House," Ric said. "We'll talk more in the car."

Jenna let Jeremy make the call.

"She's on her way," Jeremy shared.

"You sit on that sore butt and think about what you did, mister," Jenna reminded him. "But I still love you and we'll work this out. You screwed up, but it's not the end of the world, okay?"

Jenna hugged him and gave him a few pats on his bottom lightly.

"Okay," Jeremy said roughly. "I'm sorry, though."
"I know," Jenna said. "But we're still going to talk about this and maybe add on another punishment. I'm not sure you even felt that little paddle over your pants. Ric, is there a wood shop still at the school?"

"They call it tech now, but year. Dale Connors runs it," Ric said, gathering up his things and pouring his coffee with a dash of vervain in it.

"Ask him if he can make a bigger paddle for us. Or maybe Jeremy can do that during his study hall?" Jenna suggested wryly. "They used to drill holes in them for wind resistance when I went there...And you can feel that over your jeans."

"Whatever," Jeremy said glumly, looking down. Elena was going to kill him.

Jeremy frowned, took his backpack and said he'd wait in the car.

"How do you know?" Ric joked.

Jenna smirked and slapped him on the arm, saying, "I know." Then, she whispered, "Don't be too hard on him. I did the same thing to my mom."

"You cheated?" Ric asked. "Stole?"

"Oh yeah, and I stole tons of cash, but mostly from Miranda," Jenna admitted. "It may run in the family."

"Maybe I'll use that paddle on your cute butt," Ric mused.

"You try it and I'll kick your ass. I already got grounded tons for that stuff. I'm reformed," Jenna explained. "But what about Elena? She deserves a punishment, too."

"I'll see if I can catch her at school, before they get their stories straight," Ric said. "Do you think he even felt that?"

Jenna shrugged, "I doubt it. He should get an academy award for acting though."
"Maybe it's the guilt," Ric said. "I'll get him settled down in the car. But he needs to learn not to take the easy way out. I think I'll be sitting down doing homework with him for the foreseeable future."

Jenna leaned in to kiss Ric on the lips.

"Hurry, you're going to be late," Jenna said. "Love you."

"I love you, too," Ric said, picking up his bag, lunch, and coffee.