Pairing: George/Nessie Singerman (M/f) bath brush, mouth soaping

(Characters created by Jazmine F. from . Thank you!)

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Mikaelson Mansion

Afternoon

Wes examined Damon carefully. It had been a while since he used his black doctor bag, but it all came back to him. He put the thermometer away and looked at his patient in concern.

"Damon, I need to check your throat," Wes said evenly. He didn't know how he felt about all this. For days, he had thought Klaus would kill him slowly. Then, he was a blood donor. Now, he didn't know what he was.

Klaus hovered and then went over as Elijah came in.

Wes lightly felt Damon's throat and frowned. That was odd...

"Go away," Damon croaked, pushing the blond doctor's hands away from his throat. Wes obeyed, he didn't want the vampire, or wolf, or whatever he was to get more upset and raise his blood pressure.

"It's interesting. His lymph nodes are swollen," Wes reported, turning to Klaus and Elijah. "I've never seen that in a vampire. Ever."

"You should know, torturer," Damon hissed, writhing in his bed.

Klaus vamped over and tried to get Damon to take some water. He was throwing up any blood they gave him. Damon waved him off.

Klaus leaned over and wiped his forehead.

"There, there, Son. No one will ever harm you again," Klaus cooed. He was even more concerned now as Damon came in and out of reality.

Elijah stood tersely a few feet away, watching his brother comfort his son, asking, "Do you think it was spoiled blood? He said he drank some out of the cooler..."
Wes shook his head. "No, that can make a vampire vomit, but not give them these symptoms. I think the cause is...magical. There are few pathogens that can affect a vampire. The blood heals all of them."

Wes shifted uncomfortably. He only knew that from injecting vampires with a motley cocktail of horrors.

Elijah slammed down his hand on the dresser.

"Dammit, more mischief from the Travelers?" Elijah cursed.

Wes held up his hands. "Sorry, that's not my area of expertise. I don't quite understand how the magic would work here. You will have to call a witch. Now, please call me if his condition worsens, but in truth, I do not have any treatments."

"A blood transfusion?" Elijah prompted. It was hard to see his brother so worried. Elijah's eyes fell on his nephew. The boy looked pale and young, vulnerable.

"I don't think that would work," Wes reported. "If it is some kind of hex or curse, it won't help at all."

"Very well. Thank you for trying. I know you are anxious to see to Aaron," Elijah said, thinking about his own children. Sage and Finn had been looking after them, even taking the whole group to the pet store and the vet.

"Yes, he wanted me to go with him to get some paint for his new room. He doesn't care for the shade of pink the former maid chose," Wes explained. "Also, I can pick up dinner while we are out. I don't think anyone will have time to prepare a meal."

"That is very thoughtful of you," Elijah expressed. He fished a wad of bills from his jacket, apologizing for how crumpled they were. "I am sorry, I am rather out of sorts right now."

In truth, between the throbbing in his rear end and the illness with his nephew compounded by the smell of those dogs, he was fragmented. They had gathered up the other dogs they could find and had taken them to a no-kill shelter with a hefty donation. They also had looked for more cave vampires, but turned up no one.

"No matter," Wes said, he had indeed noticed Elijah was distracted. "We'll stop at the Grill. I think they have a special tonight on pizza."

"That would be fine," Elijah said, turning to see Klaus crawl into bed to hold Damon.

Klaus looked over, "He's having nightmares."

Klaus spoke softly to him as he wiped off Damon's forehead.

Wes left and Elijah walked over closer.

"Let me get you some blood, Niklaus. You cannot let yourself get overwrought," Elijah said. "I'm calling Lucy to come over. There has to be some spell she can try."

"How are you holding up?" Klaus said, holding Damon in his arms and stroking his hair. "Finn had you over a barrel. He wasn't holding back."

Elijah grimaced, "He spoke to me about my actions. I'll talk to Stefan after I get you your blood. I don't think we should use anything in Damon's refrigerator, not if it is tainted."

Klaus nodded and shut his eyes as he pulled Damon closer to him.

"He's sick, Elijah. I can feel his life force ebbing," Klaus stated hollowly, holding Damon tenderly. "Call the witches."

Elijah bowed slightly and went to do his duties. He thought he might have another idea, but he wasn't sure if it would work.

Singerman Residence

Afternoon

When Nessie finally got home after dawdling on her way back from the school, her father was waiting for her.

George Albert Singerman was a big man with a salt-and-pepper beard and an honest face.

"Vanessa Lorelai, you best have a good excuse for being late. I just called the school looking for you!" George exploded, stomping over and taking her back the arms.

"Daddy, I was just helping my teacher! If you let me have a mobile phone, I could have called," Nessie screeched.

"You forgot about your sister, didn't you?" George prodded.

Nessie's face fell and she saw little Jessica curled up on the arm chair, one that had brought from their old house, looking up at her with scared eyes.

"Oh Jess, I'm sorry...," Nessie exclaimed, as she approached the child, she scampered off. Father and daughter stared at each other as they heard the door slam shut.

"She got off the bus and there was no one here," George reported. "Luckily, that Mrs. Sampson from next door came out and got her and called me at work."

"Daddy, I just forgot. I know you told me a million times, but my chem teacher is also new and he asked me...," Nessie drifted off as she said no compassion on her father's face.

"Nessie, I begged you to do this one thing for me," George said. "I had to ask Sheriff Forbes for time off on my first day. How do you think that makes me look?"

Nessie looked down. "I don't know. Like a single dad?"

"Since I can't trust you, I ended up hiring Mrs. Sampson to get you girls off the bus everyday," George informed his oldest. "She will help you get a snack and start your homework."

"No! I don't need a babysitter," Nessie whined, pushing her curly pink and black hair behind her ears. "I'm fourteen."

"Clearly, you do. You act like a small child half the time. I let you dye your hair and wear the clothes you wanted, but when I ask for one thing, you let me down," George shared wearily. "I would ground you, but I know how you just do as you please anyway. Maybe I ought to do something else?"

Nessie's eyes sparked daggers.

"Screw you, 'George'! I didn't want to move here and I sure as hell don't need to take care of your love child," Nessie snapped. "Watch your own kid."

"Nessie, that's not fair. She's your sister," George said firmly.

"Too bad your wife left you, but it's not secret why. She probably couldn't take your nagging anymore either," Nessie yelled. "I can't do anything right, can I?"

George was taken aback, his wife had left when Jessica was three, to pursue an acting career. They had barely heard from her since.

Six year old Jessica was lingering in the hallway.

"Is that why Mommy left us?" Jessica asked in a small voice.
George scooped her up.

"No, honey. Don't listen. Your sister is just angry. Go play in your room so I can have a talk with her in private," George said, carrying the girl to the shared bedroom.

Nessie tossed her bag on the floor and went to the bathroom. She scrubbed off some of the heavy goth make-up she preferred. When she came out, her father was standing there.

"What?" Nessie said.

"This conversation isn't over. You mentioned Jeanie, your ex-step mom, why she left had nothing to do with this family. It had everything to do with her and her career. I've been giving you leeway for three years now to get over it, but that ends today," George warned. "For disobeying me and your behavior, you're getting a spankin'."

Nessie threw back her head and laughed, "Ha, that's funny. I'm too old. You are crazy. And leeway? You're like the strictest dad ever! I can't even do anything without you freaking!"

George advanced on her and pulled her back into the bathroom.

"That's not true at all! Nessie, I just don't want you running wild. I thought you were more mature," George agreed. "But I was wrong. We are in a new town and starting a new leaf. No more of this fighting and arguing. You do as you are told or you get your behind warmed up, just like I did when I was a kid. Now, put your hands on the sink and bend over."

Nessie sneered, "No way, Daddy. I'll c-call..."
"What? You gonna call the police? I happen to know plenty of them spank to keep their kids out of trouble and jail. We see too much of young people going down the wrong path with terrible attitudes. I see it in you and I blame myself," George lamented. "Now, bend over or I'm gonna light up your fanny before school tomorrow, too."

Nessie shuddered, realizing her dad was serious. Jeanie had always done the spanking and when she left, spanking went out the door with her. George was too bereft to focus on his children for months and he certainly didn't have it in him to punish them. After all, they had lost their mom, Nessie, two moms, in a sense. He did nag Nessie and make sure she was safe, but apparently he had been too lenient. That was done.

"No, Daddy, I will be good," Nessie chirped. "Don't."

George frowned and reached over and grabbed the round, wooden bath brush that hung from the shower head. He leaned Nessie over the counter and flipped up her short black flouncy skirt. Underneath, she wore sheer tights.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

"AHHHHHH," Nessie screeched, tears streaming down her face. "Ouch! Ouch! Fuck!"

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

George's eyes widened, "What did you say?"

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

He grabbed the bar of Ivory soap from the dish and started to scrub it into a clean, white wash cloth.

"Open up," George demanded. Nessie started to cry louder and turned her head, clamping her mouth shut. George yanked down her tights and was alarmed to see she was wearing a black lace thong.

"What the heck is that? Where did you get that?" George demanded, using the flat edge of the brush to paddle the center of each check.

Whap! Whap!

"AHHHHHH. Noooooo, D-Dadddy!" Nessie exclaimed, marching in place and trying to protect her bottom. George yelled at her to put her hands back on the counter or he would pin them to her back. With effort, she bent again.

Whap! Whap!

"I asked where you got them panties or whatever they are!" George repeated, paddling her randomly as she wiggled her behind.

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

"I s-stole them! Okayyyyy?" Nessie admitted, sobbing. "Don't spank me anymore!"

"Spank you? I'm gonna paddle your rump until you tell me every damn thing you've been up to, little girl. Things are a changin'. They don't put up with that kind of behavior in kids in this town," George fumed, he made Nessie bite down on the soap as he continued the paddling. He tried not to look at the black thong that his 14 year had stolen. Maybe she ought to wear it every spankin'? It would protect some of her modesty and remind her what happened to thieves, George pondered.

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

Whap! Whap! Whap! Whap!

When her normally pale skin was pink all over, George let Nessie spit out the soap and rinse.

"Now, we're going to have a long talk about what you've been up to. You told me you got all those crazy clothes with your babysitting money. Is that true?" George probbed.

Nessie wiped at her mouth as she could still taste the acrid soap in her mouth. George had her wash the remnants of her make up off and rinse her mouth once more. He carefully toweled off her face and kissed her on the head, unable not to forgive her, after staring into her sad and unique eyes.
"No, Daddy, I took it," Nessie confessed. "Sometimes I had the money, but stole anyway. I'm sorry."

George said roughly, "Pull up your tights. I bet that will keep the heat in and remind you to tell me the truth right now. Why did you do that, honey? Just why?"

Nessie moaned as she worked up the snug tights over her paddled bottom.

"All the way," George demanded. Then, he pulled her to him as he sat on the covered toilet and sat her on his knee, careful to let her small behind hang off the side.

"I don't know. You were working so much. Nana was always busy with Jess...My old friends showed me how to steal. They said if I got caught, you'd get us out of jail," Nessie sniffed.

George hugged Nessie to him.

"Honey, I never liked those friends of yours. I'm so sorry that I wasn't there for you and I let ya run wild," George admitted. "That's one of the reasons I took this job in Mystic Falls, to spend more time with you two. I love you both so much."

Nessie choked up. "I love you too, Daddy. I'm sorry I forgot Jess and stole. Do I have to return it?"

"No, we're not going back there anytime soon. But it's gonna be a while until I can trust you again. The babysitter stays and we're going back to strict discipline again. I know I failed you, letting you get away with too much and only yelling at you all the time. No more fussing, now you girls get one warning if you break a rule," George vowed.

"And then what? Daddy, I'm too old," Nessie whined, as he rubbed her back.

"You'll always be my baby girls. No, but it's one warning and then a spanking if you misbehave. You know I worry about you and your safety, that's my job. But my job is also to make sure you turn out to be a good person. Got it?" George asked, cuddling Nessie to him.

"Yes, Daddy," Nessie said. She looked so much younger and more innocent without the gothic make up. He didn't want to change her, but he also didn't want her going down the wrong path like so many other teens. George cuddled Nessie in the bathroom and opened his arm to Jessica when she came to the door crying. His girls were all her had left, he had to keep them safe.

Mikaelson Mansion

Late Afternoon

Elijah came out into the hallway after phoning Lucy, and just listened. He heard music from the room that Kol and Enzo were sharing, Stefan was staying in there now, too. It was large enough, but they had to sort out the room arrangements. There were a few smaller, empty rooms that were used for storage. Elijah didn't even want to think about how much more the previous owners had left behind.

"How's Damon?" Stefan asked.

"He's um, resting," Elijah shared. "But Stefan, he's rather ill. It may be more than spoiled blood. Lucy is on her way. I think she's bringing Bonnie."
Stefan frowned, "Then, it's a spell? God, Damon has been through so much. I should go check on him."

Kol and Enzo were leaning over Sage's laptop, listening to music.

"Kol, Enzo, may I speak to Stefan alone?" Elijah prompted.

"Ah, sure," Enzo said quickly. "The garage is almost done. I put most of the valuable looking stuff on the shelves. We probably are going to need more shelves."

"Thank you for taking care of that. I'll put a bonus in your allowance this week," Elijah said.

Kol looked up at Elijah, asking, "Are we in trouble for missing the bus? Wes didn't mind driving us home. And Aaron met a girl!"

"Oh, he did. Well, that's good. Maybe a friend will help him be more pleasant. He's a sullen boy, isn't he? No, you're not in trouble," Elijah stated. "But I do need to speak to Stefan."
Kol nodded, took the laptop, and followed Enzo out.

"Oh Kol, get Niklaus some blood, will you? He's running on fumes," Elijah said. "There's a pitcher in the refrigerator."

"Aye," Kol said, before shutting the door. He gave Stefan a sympathetic look. He could tell that Stefan was worried about Damon. But Kol also wanted to corner Rebekah and make sure she kept her mouth shut about today. He still felt bad about what happened in school, but if she talked, they were both in for a whooping. At least, he thought he would be, Rebekah would definitely get punished again for feeding off a human at school.

Stefan stood up from his bed where he had been trying to finish his algebra. It usually calmed him down, but he had to see to Damon.

"I really should check on him," Stefan mumbled.

Elijah held up a hand. "And you may. I just wanted to apologize for chaining you up. I had no right."

Stefan was surprised, but said, "No, you didn't. Would you be kept from your family when they were in danger? Even if it meant your life?"

Elijah backside still throbbed and felt warm. He had to resist the urge to rub, before he answered, "No, of course not. I was just worried that you weren't thinking clearly..."
Stefan turned quickly and looked him in the eye.

"No, you were worried I would turn ripper!" Stefan accused.

Elijah nodded, "I will admit that was part of it. I had to bring Julian there. He's still just a child. I was afraid that the scent of blood would sway you. I see now that you are stronger than that. Can you try to forgive me?"

Stefan shrugged, "I will try. The truth is that I have to fight my urges every second, but I know my limitations. I have...slipped many times and I've regretted it every time. The names of my victims are always on my mind, but I would never let that stop me from helping Damon. Now, may I go? I think Lucy and Bonnie are here."

"Yes, of course," Elijah said. "Stefan, you know, that I do care about you and your brother. When we welcome someone into our home, they become family to us. We won't let any harm come to Damon or to you."
Stefan paused and extended his hand.

"Thank you, Elijah. That means a lot," Stefan said slowly. "Damon needs all of you. I see that now. For decades, he was alone. I wasn't there for him like I should have been. Now, I see that he was always trying to look after me, but he really needed someone to look after him."

"That's what we do here," Elijah added. "But it's not always pleasant. Finn had a very firm conversation with me about what I did to you. Like Damon, I tried to look after my siblings, but the toll of being in charge can weigh on one. I won't keep you any longer. Go to your brother."

Stefan raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anymore. Elijah was walking a bit more stiffly than usual. Surely, Finn didn't...Stefan vamped to Damon's room and didn't think more about it.

Damon's Room

Lucy and Bonnie asked Klaus and Stefan to move away while they examined Damon.

After a few moments, Stefan asked, "Well? What is it? Is it a hex?"

Lucy bit her lip and looked at Bonnie.

"I can't tell. His aura is black and obscured. There is something, but I can't see it clearly," Lucy admitted.

Bonnie took the cloth and wiped Damon's forehead.

"And he's sweating. I've never seen Damon with even a drop of sweat on him, even when the rest of us were drenched," Bonnie said evenly.

Stefan came closer, "Yeah, we don't really sweat ever. I've seen him sick from hangovers before, but nothing like this."

"Can we see that information about the Traveler grimoires?" Lucy asked Klaus.

"Yeah, sure. Ric sent it to me on my cell phone. I meant to print it out," Klaus said. "Please stay with him. I'll get it for you. Elijah and I also took a number of papers and documents from the trailers before we torched them."

Bonnie moved over so Stefan could sit on the bed.

"Stef, we'll figure this out," Bonnie reassured him.

"Yeah, I know. With not one, but two Bennett witches here, I have total confidence in you girls," Stefan remarked. "It's just he's been through so much."

"I know," Bonnie remarked. "I should call Elena. She'll kill me if I kept this from her."

"I think she got in trouble with Ric and Jenna," Stefan shared. "Didn't she say anything to you?"

"Oh, yeah, something about helping Jeremy?" Bonnie said. "Maybe I should wait."

Bonnie twisted the ruby ring on her finger, wondering what to do.

Damon shrieked suddenly and moaned.

"Oh my," Lucy said, backing up.

Bonnie looked down at her finger and whirled the ring again.

"Bonnie, that ring? Where did you get it?" Stefan prodded.

"From a Traveler corpse," Bonnie confessed. "I thought it was pretty. Let me take it off."

Bonnie tried to take the ring off, causing Damon to writhe and shriek louder.

"What the hell? It's stuck," Bonnie gasped.
Lucy took Bonnie's hand and touched the ring, but jerking her hand back quickly.

"Bonnie, I told you not to touch anything," Lucy chided, holding her own hand. "That thing shocked me bad."

"Fucking Travelers," Stefan cursed. "Well, I guess we better call Katherine and Nadia. Maybe they will know something about this. Try again, Bonnie."
Bonnie did and then shook her head. Damon let out a gasp, and Stefan tried to rouse him.

"Damon, buddy, you okay?" Stefan asked, shaking his older brother a little, but there was no response.

"I haven't tried to take it off since I put it on," Bonnie lamented. "And look, the stone is...glowing! It feels hot."
Stefan almost went to touch the stone. They was something hypnotic about it. Touch me, it seemed to say, but Stefan restrained himself. He had a bad feeling about this. A very bad feeling.