Pairing: Klaus/Enzo (M/M) brush, [brief, interrupted]

only: Thanks for the insightful comments. This system won't let me respond to more than one. I am reading them all.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Mystic Falls High School

Morning, Before Classes

Wes had asked Finn to make sure that Aaron made it on the bus that morning for school. He thought after the late night that the boy should be able to sleep in. Finn had agreed readily.

After watching how good Sage and Finn were with Ava and the twins, he thought that he'd ask him to be Aaron's guardian that evening.

"Hey Dr. Maxfield, whatcha up to? Need any help?" Nessie asked, hanging around Wes' classroom door.

"Ah, hey, Nessie," Wes replied, with a warm smile. "You are here early."

"Yeah, I had my dad drop me off early today. I thought Aaron would be here with you...," Nessie said, looking around for the blond teen.

"No, I thought I should let him sleep in and I needed to prep for the experiment today," Wes explained. "But if you're game, you could correct those quizzes for me. They are on my desk."

"Oh, sure," Nessie replied in surprise. "I know you are used to having teaching assistants and stuff at the college."
"Yes, I didn't know how good I had it there," Wes confirmed. "And of course, I'll give you some extra credit points. Not that you need it, but I do appreciate the help."

"Sure. I like to help. It's fun. You mind if I put my headphones in?" Nessie asked, gathering the tests and a marking pen.

"Of course not. I'll be back in the office if you need me," Wes said, carrying the lab materials with him.

Nessie looked up, her multi-colored eyes puzzled. Why was he taking all that stuff in his office? Hmm, the slightly-built teacher was an odd guy, brilliant, but a little strange. Her father James had always taught her to follow her intuition and trust her gut. Her gut told her that Dr. Maxfield was up to something. Nessie walked over and looked at some of the chemicals Dr. Maxfield had been using.

"Cytotoxin?" Nessie whispered, leaning over to look at the vial left on the counter.

"Oh, don't touch that!" Wes exclaimed, picking up the vial and sticking it in his lab coat. "Um, the lesson I was planning might not be ready today. I might have to re-adjust."

Nessie smiled, "Sure. I'll just be over here if you need anything."

"You can sit at the desk," Wes called back to the teen.

"Really?" Nessie asked. "Cool." But Wes had shut his office door. What was he up to? Nessie was no expert, but she knew that substance came from the most deadly snakes in the world: cobras and adders. Why would it be in a high school chemistry lab? And what was Dr. M. planning to do with it?

Library

Tyler and Matt came into the library to find Dorian.

"Hey, guys," Dorian said, as he shoved another outdated book into the boxes destined for storage. "I thought I was alone here."
Tyler cleared his throat.

"We just wanted to apologize for being idiots at study hall," Tyler said uncomfortable, looking at the teacher. He elbowed Matt when he didn't say anything.

"Yeah, we kinda got into trouble for it. It's just that Gilbert, well, let's just say he disrespected my sister and I was mad," Matt said. "But Coach Wineman chewed us out and um, so did Tyler's Uncle Mason. Sorry."

Dorian smoothed his mustache, surprised at the apology.

"It's okay, guys. I just hope you work it out with Jeremy. Fighting just doesn't get you anywhere, okay? But if you need to talk, I'm here," Dorian said with a calm smile.

"Thanks, Mr. Williams," Tyler said. "You're friends with Mr. Saltzman, right?"
"Yeah, we go way back," Dorian smiled. "And if somethings going on with Jeremy Gilbert, then Ric should probably know."
Dorian looked at Tyler meaningfully.

"Yeah, well, we'll consider it," Tyler said, readjusting his back pack.

"Okay, then, I'm going to haul this stuff to storage," Dorian said, lifting one of the heavy boxes.

"Need a hand?" Matt asked, nudging one of the boxes with his sneakered foot.

"Yeah, actually, that would be great," Dorian said as Tyler picked up the bigger box. Matt grabbed the last smaller one.

"He's kinda weak," Tyler joked, ramming Matt a little with his box.

"Watch it, man. Some of us are human around here!" Matt snapped, almost losing his balance. He looked at Dorian in alarm.

"It's okay. I, ah, know. Okay? I used to study supernaturals and Mystic Falls history myself," Dorian revealed.

"Oh," Tyler said, exhaling. "Good. Is that how you met Ric? I know he was a hunter before he was a history teacher."
"Yeah, actually, I was a hunter for a time. But research is more my thing," Dorian explained, bumping the automatic door opened with his hip. "It's right down this hallway."
Dorian led them to the metal door and set down his box.

"I have the key in here somewhere," Dorian said, unlocking the door. "Just a warning, it reeks in this storage passage."

Dorian went in and flicked on the fluorescent lights.

"Whoa! I never knew this was here," Matt gasped, taking his small box through the doorway.

"Yeah, this looks out and smells old," Tyler said.

Dorian chuckled, "Yeah, tell me about it. We should probably just chuck these books in the dumpster, but they seemed to keep everything around here. It's right down the hallway."

Dorian walked to a small storage closet with shelves.
"Just set them in there," Dorian directed, as he set down his box.

Tyler sniffed, although he was no longer a full werewolf, his senses were sharp.

"Ugh, you said no one has been down here? I smell body odor and old water," Tyler heaved. "What's down that hallway?"

Dorian shrugged, "I have no idea. There's another metal door. I tried to open it with the key, but it was rusted shut."

"Want me to give it a try? It's a full moon tonight, I might be strong enough," Tyler determined.

Dorian checked his watch in the dim light.

"Yeah, why not? It's still early," Dorian said.

Tyler and Matt found the old door. Tyler tried it and it wouldn't budge.

"Want me to try to rip it off?" Tyler asked.

Dorian laughed, "Nah, it's tempting, but that might be too obvious. I'm sure it's just an old pipe leaking."

"Yeah, probably," Matt said, dusting off his hands. "Let's get out of here. This place is giving me the creeps."

"Me, too," Dorian agreed. "Me, too."

Mikaelson Mansion

Kol yawned and stretched and then jolted as he looked at the clock in the room. Enzo was still sleeping in the other twin bed that had been arranged for him. He had no reason to get up this early every day, in the damn darkness.

"Shite," Kol cursed, trying to get up. As he did, he recalled his injury from the night before, feeling his neck. Finding himself healed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Stefan came out of the bathroom, brushing his teeth.

"Relax, man. Elijah said you don't have to go to school today," Stefan shared, going back to spit into the sink.

"Really? I don't even remember coming up to my bed," Kol admitted.

"Yeah, Elijah carried you up. I think Lucy did a sleep spell on you," Stefan said, wiping his mouth with a towel.

"Ah, nice," Kol said. "And the little witch, Ava, sucked the poison out of me?"
Stefan nodded, "That's what I heard. Um, Kol, I got busted doing your homework last night. I left it on the desk as I only got like two problems done before Finn came in."
"Busted? Oh, bloody hell, how did ya get caught?" Kol asked, carefully getting up. He looked into the mirror and was relieved he looked the same. The venom had given him terrible visions.

Stefan looked at the clock.

"Ah, I gotta run or we'll going to miss the bus. Basically, I just got hollered at," Stefan shared, putting on his shoes and fluffing up his hair. "And I think you were pretty much otherwise engaged last night. Don't sweat it."

Stefan didn't want to admit that he had quickly confessed everything to Finn. There was something in the man's gaze that made him want to be honest. He even felt ashamed at the deception, he should have told Kol no from the start.

Stefan waved and grabbed his school bag and left.

"'Don't sweat it,'" Kol fumed. "Easy for him to say. Best go face the music."

Enzo groaned, "Are you talking to me?"
"Nay, I am talking to myself," Kol reported. "Best get up."
"Why?" Enzo asked, opening one eye.

"'Cause I am probably getting hided here soon," Kol grumbled. "And I do not wish for an audience."

"I should probably see how Damon is doing," Enzo said, getting up. "He feels terrible about last night."
Kol frowned, "That was not really his fault. Now, Bonnie, on the other hand..."
Enzo sneered, "It wasn't her fault either, Kol. She's only been doing magic like a year. What were you thinking?"
"That I was helping-clearly," Kol went on, rubbing his neck again. "But I learned my lesson, mate. And whatever you do, don't let Damon bite you."

"I wasn't planning on it," Enzo chuckled. "But seriously, Kol, when they brought you in, I thought you were a goner. You were ranting and covered in blood."
Kol hugged himself, shuddering at the memory.

"That venom must have hit my bloodstream fast, I barely remember any of it. It felt like there was acid in my veins," Kol drifted off.

"Come, let's go see Damon. I'm sure he'll be happy to know that he knocked an Original off his arse," Enzo joked.

"Ha, very funny. I am still his uncle," Kol said slowly. "And I best check on my school work lest I do get a thrashing for skipping it."

"Better you than me," Enzo snarked.

"Oh, you will foul up soon enough," Kol predicted after Enzo stepped out. "Just you wait."

Damon's Room

Klaus woke up and went back to his room to shower and get cleaned up. He brought Damon a blood bag and a cup of coffee.

"Son, come now. It's time to rise," Klaus said, pulling open the blinds and the curtains. He stood at the balcony admiring the view. Then, he recalled how Damon had seemed on the verge of fleeing last night.

"I didn't have any nightmares, for once," Damon said, opening his eyes.

"See? I ought to tan your hide every night," Klaus quipped, picking up the silver hair brush and slipping it in his pocket. "Now, drink your blood. I believe you owe me some corner time, young man."
"Ohhhh," Damon moaned, as he sat up. "My backside is still sore. Wasn't that enough?"

"Damon," Klaus said with a warning look.

"Okay," Damon said, as he slipped out of bed. He realized he didn't have pants on. "Whoa!"
"Go to the restroom and then blood and corner. You don't need your trousers for that," Klaus directed.

Damon started to protest, but saw the brush in Klaus' back pocket as he turned to pour the blood into a glass. He gulped and trotted to the bathroom.

Damon came back into the room and dutifully drank the blood Klaus handed him.

"It might help your sore bum," Klaus smiled. "Okay, march. I think ten minutes should do it. I want you to reflect on why you are now bare bottomed and got spanked last night."
Damon grimaced, "Ugh, I just want to forget. Did I have to?"
"Yes, go," Klaus said firmly. "I'll tidy up."

Klaus pointed to the corner and Damon stomped over and stood with his face to the wall.

The door burst open and Enzo yelled, "Wakey..Wa-!"

"Did you ever hear of knocking?" Klaus snapped, glancing over at Damon, who had turned to see his old friend. "Face to the corner."

"What's he...?" Enzo stammered. Enzo's vampire eyes detected some pinkness on Damon's rear end, he felt incensed.

"None of your concern, young man," Klaus reprimanded. "Now, please, go."

"No! You had no right to beat him. Damon wasn't at fault, but anything it was your fault-pressuring him to help with the fucking wolf spell!" Enzo seethed.

"What did you say?" Klaus growled, his eyes blazing with rage. "Enzo, you do not know what you are speaking of?"
"Bloody, look at him! Damon, mate, you don't have to be treated like this!" Enzo roared.

Damon turned, "Enzo, it's not what you think-!"

Enzo pointed an accusing finger in Klaus' chest.
"You-YOU bastard!" Enzo said narrowing his eyes.

"That's it," Klaus said, he grabbed Enzo roughly and slammed the flat of his hand onto the seat of Enzo's slack.

"OHHH! What the-?" Enzo shrieked.

Klaus deftly removed the hairbrush and started to smack Enzo's rear sternly.
"You *crack* do not *smack* tell me *whack* what to do!" Klaus yelled, as Enzo threw his hands back. "Move them!"
"Dad, stop!" Damon begged, turning from the corner. "He means well!"

"Back to the corner or you will get another spanking yourself, mister," Klaus said, kicking out the desk chair with his foot. Klaus sat and leaned a struggling Enzo over his left knee.

Whack! Whack! Whack!

Damon slipped on his sweat pants, now folded on the dresser and tried to stop Klaus.

"He was just trying to protect me," Damon winced as the fabric scraped his behind. Enzo's panicked shrieks filled up the room, followed by the smacks of the magical silver brush.

Enzo raised up his head and tried to scramble up from the angry hybrid's lap. "Owwww! Bloody s-stop!"

"Not unless you learned your lesson," Klaus said, raising the hairbrush to continue paddling Enzo soundly.

"I said stop!" Damon hissed, his eyes turning orange. He focused and the next thing he knew the brush started to smoke.

"Ahhhh!" Klaus roared, dropping the brush mid-spank.
The silver brush tumbled to the carpet and burst into red and yellow flames as the silver melted.

Klaus pushed Enzo from his lap and stood up.

"What have you done?" Klaus gasped, watching the brush melt into the thick carpet.

Damon whispered the chant "Ah Sha Lana" and Klaus felt himself falling back into the chair. Then, he felt the pain in his head.

"Come on," Damon said, grabbing Enzo from the floor. He dragged him out into the hallway.

For a long moment, Klaus was blinded by agony...It was a pain affliction spell. Klaus held his head and then rubbed his eyes until the pain cleared.

"Wait, Son! Enzo, come back here," Klaus said, once he recovered, but they were gone. "Bloody hell!"

"What happened?" Finn demanded, as Klaus vamped into the hallway.

"Enzo...I can't explain now...Dammit, which way did they go?" Klaus demanded, breathing heavily.

"Downstairs. I thought I heard the garage door open," Finn said.

Klaus nodded and vamped down to the garage. The door to Klaus' secret storage room was ajar. He made his way down and saw that the last box of dark objects that they hadn't gotten to was gone. And so was his son.

Elijah came in.

"What happened?" Elijah breathed, looking around the dark room.

"Damon and Enzo...ran away. And they took a box of dark objects," Klaus said in a defeated tone.

Elijah frowned and looked around in confusion. "But how?"
Klaus sighed and went to the build-in shelf. He hit a hidden lever with his foot, but nothing happened.

"They must have jammed something in the other side," Klaus said dryly. "Elijah, I've lost him."
"Stop being dramatic," Elijah reminded. "What was behind that door?"

"The tunnels. They could be anywhere in Mystic Falls by now," Klaus fumed. "And it's all my fault."

Mystic Falls High School

Wes set his classes to watching an old video he had found in the previous teacher's things. He shut the lights out and went back to his office. He hadn't much time left.

Nessie opened the door and confronted Wes.

"Is there a reason that you put on a video on acids and bases when we've been studying the periodic table?" Nessie prompted. "And I would also love to know why you have cytotoxic. I may not have my PHD yet, but I'm not dumb, Dr. M. You are in trouble."
Wes sighed and put down the breaker.

"Nessie, I know you are just a kid, but I've seen your records. You are very intelligent, maybe too intelligent for high school. Did you ever consider just skipping and heading for college?" Wes asked with a wry smile.

"Nice try. I know you were a kid genius, a real one. Now, stop flattering me and answer the question. I want to help," Nessie said.

Wes leaned back in the chair and spun it to face her.

"I can't hide it from you," Wes said. "Look, I'm in a lot of danger. I got involved with some bad people and did some terrible things myself. Now, I have to pay and make sure that Aaron is safe. I am making poisons, not because I want to hurt anyone else, but for self-defense."

"Hurt anyone else?" Nessie asked, smoothing back her curly hair. Her eyeliner caked eyes were troubled. "What did you do, Dr. M.?"
"A lot and worse. I know your dad is a cop. Has he told you about the town? The truth?" Wes inquired, looking at her intently.

"About the vamps and stuff? Yeah, of course," Nessie said evenly.

"Well, I used to be involved with a group that tried to use their blood to cure humans. It works sometimes, but what I found mostly had no basis in science. It was all magic," Wes said. "I heard about the mayor and his wife fleeing. I think they were part of this, too. If they left, that means that they will be coming for me next."

"So why the cytotoxin?" Nessie asked, coming closer.

"I extracted it from venom containing digestive enzymes. The molecules as known as 'spreading factors'," Wes begun.

"Yes, I googled it. It caused pain, swelling, bleeding and blistering around the bite site...and then necrosis. The anti-clotting proteins cause wide spread bleeding and eventually total organ failure," Nessie rattled off.

"Yes, I don't know what they will come at me with. I need to be prepared. I am combining the cytotoxin with metalloproteinase. It should be legal for humans or...vampires," Wes confessed. "I need it in airborne form and something I can apply to bullets."
"And you found this in the chem lab?" Nessie pressed.

Wes smiled, "Nah, I got it out of my other lab, but I needed the equipment here to process the compounds. Look, Nessie, if I leave, I'll need you to look after Aaron for me. He's a good kid, he's just been through a lot."

Nessie wiped at her eyes.

"I guess I knew it didn't make sense that a brilliant scientist and doctor would be a high school substitute," Nessie sniffed. "But I'll take care of Aaron, I promise."
"Thank you. And Nessie, I meant it about you being smart. Don't waste it like I did," Wes pleaded.

"Why does this feel like goodbye?" Nessie asked.

"Because it is. I have to wrap some things up and arrange things for Aaron. Mr. Williams is coming to cover my afternoon classes. Aaron doesn't know yet that I'm leaving. Can you make sure he comes straight home on the bus? I told him but you know you doesn't listen to me half the time," Wes grinned.

"Half the time? Probably 1/10 of the time," Nessie quipped. "But take care of yourself, Dr. W. I really learned a lot in the short time we had."

"Oh, you already knew it all. Don't sell yourself short, Nessie," Wes said. "And take care of yourself, too. I wish I could have stayed."

Wes looked so sad as he stood up that Nessie enveloped him in a hug. Without saying another word she shut the door and let the doctor finish his poison. Now that she knew the truth, she wished she didn't.

Tunnels Under Mystic Falls

Enzo grabbed Damon's arm.

"Hey, where the hell are we? And where are we going?" Enzo gasped. It was pitch dark in the caves. Even vampires couldn't see without some light.

"I don't know where we are. Maybe under Fell's Church? Not all the tunnels connect, but we might be able to punch through a wall," Damon said, his voice sounded hollow and echoing slightly.

"We don't even have shoes on," Enzo grumbled. He rubbed his backside where Klaus had cracked him with the brush. It still throbbed. "Your dad has a strong arm, that's for sure."

"Don't call him that," Damon snapped, continuing to feel his way in the darkness. "Just follow me."
"Damon, I don't like dark places anymore," Enzo said in a small voice.

Damon reached out and grabbed Enzo's arm.

"Don't freak out on me, man," Damon soothed. "I think I see a light up ahead."

"I think I hear voices," Enzo whined. "Maybe we aren't the only ones in this tunnel!"