Jeremy Mikaelson… What?: Part II

Hello, my lovely readers. It has been a very, very long time since I have been able to give this fic an update and I really hope you enjoy it. On with the show...

Tick. Tick. Tick. The round, black clock that was mounted on the wall kept time with Jeremy Gilbert's racing heart. Three days. It had been three whole days since Matt Donovan had disappeared, without a trace, from the Mystic Grill. Now, in time past, Vicki Donovan might have taken off. Or their absentee mother. Or even Matt's dad, who took off for parts unknown, years ago. But that wasn't Matt. Matt would have left a note; if he were going somewhere, or called, or, or, or something. Damn it...

Jeremy felt drained. As much as he wanted to concentrate on whatever historical tidbits Alaric Salatzman had to offer up this morning; Jeremy just couldn't concentrate. His heavy lids kept moving back to the door of the classroom.

At any moment, Tyler Lockwood would barge through the door with his usual swagger and he would announce that he needed Matt's homework. He'd shoot Jeremy a quick grin that would tell the story of how they had found Matt, safe and sound. Any minute now. Yup. Come on, Ty.

Then... Nothing. Just the sound of the clock tick, tick, ticking away on the wall. Blowing out a breath, Jeremy fell back in his chair and his eyes moved to the front of the classroom. Alaric was staring at Jeremy with a "pay attention" look. Forcing himself to sit up straight, Jeremy began to tap his pencil against his notebook to the rhythm of the clock's tick.

Cassandra White raised her hand and asked a question. She could be asking in English or French or Klingon. Jeremy did not understand her. He tried to decipher what she was saying, but it just came into his mind as an intelligible blur of words.

Choosing to give up on the task of listening to his classmate; Jeremy's gaze slid back to the door. No Tyler. Not yet. Shouldn't the Salvatore brothers have made one of their awe-inspiring rescues, by now? Didn't matter if Katherine Pierce, or Jabba the Hut, took Matt, the Salvatore brothers were on the case! Jeremy reminded himself to doodle them in spandex. Damon might break his neck, again, but it would be worth it.

Jeremy stiffled a laugh. To hell with Damon. That thought disappeared along with Jeremy's sense of humor when the door flew open. Tyler came in. His clothes looked wrinkled, like he'd slept in them, or had not slept at all, had, in fact, been out all night. His eyes held a wild look that Jeremy did not like and he got to his feet.

"Tyler?" Alaric looked at Tyler, who ran his hand through his hair.

After a long second of silence, Tyler seemed to become of aware of the students from the lower classes staring at him. He offered them a quick smile. Some of the girls smiled back, but they were too late because Tyler had returned his focus to Alaric. "Yeah. Hey, Ri-Dr. Saltzman. Matt's still out sick. He asked if I would pick up his homework."

This felt like a punch to the gut. All hope dissapated from Jeremy. To make matters worse, his classmates had seemed to lose interest in Tyler and were looking at him. Now that Jeremy realized he was standing up, he said, "Dr. Saltzman, I need to use the restroom."

Ric glanced at Jeremy. "Yeah. Sure. Don't be too long."

Jeremy nodded and walked past his classmates. He could feel some of them still looking at him. Some were still watching Tyler. The sound of Alaric opening his desk drawer and flipping through files as Jeremy passed Tyler, to get out the door, followed Jeremy.

Outside the hallway seemed so quiet. Compared to the sound of the clock ticking and the blood pounding in Jeremy's ears; this was library quiet. The door opened and Tyler exited the room. They walked down the hall together and around the corner.

"Nothing?" Jeremy said. His hand went out and found Tyler's hand.

Shaking his head, Tyler's eyes pooled with tears. "What if-"

"No!" Jeremy interrupted. He grabbed Tyler with his free hand, jerking the shorter man to him and wrapping his arm around Tyler. His hand slid onto the back of Tyler's head, into his hair. He pressed his mouth to Tyler's ear. "We'll find him. That's what we do."

Tyler pulled back. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears. "You're sure?"

"Yes, babe. I'm sure." Jeremy kissed Tyler on the lips. It was a quick peck. Didn't want to blow Ty's cover today. Not with all the stress they were already under. But Tyler didn't seem to care because he grabbed Jeremy by the back of the neck and pressed a kiss to Jer's lips that made it hard to stop.

After several minutes, Jeremy gently pushed Tyler away. "We'll find him. Okay?"

Regaining his composure, Tyler took a step back and ran his hands through his hair. "Yeah. We will. We'll kick the asses of whoever took him. Then we'll party." He clapped his hands together. A genuine smile appeared on his lips.

"Looking forward to it. I've got to get back to class." Jeremy hesitated. "Meeting at the Salvatores,' after school?"

Nodding, Tyler said, "Yeah. If Stefan doesn't call one: I will. We need Matt back." The silent: "I need Matt" was in there.

"See you after school." Jeremy forced himself to head back to the classroom. Once inside its confines, he could barely hear the clock counting down the hours, because all he could think about was finding their new enemy, and making them pay for taking their friend.

~0~

Drip. Drip. Drip. The sound of blood falling onto centuries old carpet barely registered in Klaus Mikaelson's mind. Instead, he was busily working his way through Mathew Donovan's memories, dreams, and hopes, for a future he may not have.

There a number of moments that Klaus found tedious. Matt arguments with a sister named Vicki. His desire for his parents to return home. Not that Klaus didn't feel the tiniest spark of compassion, which he would vehemently deny to anyone who asked. He, too, had been abandoned by his parents.

What made Niklaus Mikaelson stay for so long in Mathew's memories was seeing Elena Gilbert through Mathew's eyes. He saw her grow from chubby infant to laughing child to young woman. He saw a deep connection that would carry on after death for these two friends.

Klaus also saw Jeremy Gilbert. He watched the parents, Miranda and Grayson, arrive with young Jeremy in Grayson's arms. The baby swaddled up in a blanket. Elena a baby herself curious about this stranger stirring Matt's curiosity. He saw another bond form between Jeremy and Matt. The bond of brotherhood.

Inhaling, Klaus watched Jeremy fall off his bike, into the street, one sunny morning. Klaus' heart raced, although he already knew the outcome. However, he did not know the story as Matt lost interest in throwing a ball to Elena and raced into the street. He scooped up Jeremy and carried him to the safety of the sidewalk as a car whizzed down the where the younger boy had laid.

As Jeremy grew up in Mathew's memory, Klaus could only watch in wonder. The boy's eyes, his hair, his smile... It was impossible. He must simply be a distant relation. However, that did not make sense to Klaus. He had traced her lineage. Astrid Jorgenson's line died the day she dove off the quarry's edge and let the winter's icy waters fill her lungs.

For a moment, Klaus was lost to time, and he left Mathew's memories, consumed by his own.

A recollection of the feeling of water biting into his skin. Rebekah's screams filling the air. "Ni-klaus! Don't! Please! You can't help her!"

Klaus bade his sister no attention. Instead, he continued his icy swim. Once at her side, he placed an arm around her. One shaking hand went to her face. Her once warm, tan skin had gone as blue as the ice that had formed crystals in her hair. He let out a howl as he clung to her form.

"Damn it, boy. Come here!" Klaus jerked, at first his father's growl, so close to him, and then at the feeling of Mikael's strong hands under his arms, as if he were still a child. "Let her be. She is dead!"

"No!" Klaus fought back, trying to resist. Klaus attempted to keep both a hold of Astrid's increasingly heavy body and to free himself from his father's grip.

Mikael let out a snarl. "When we arrive home, I will help you return to your beloved! Now, get out of this blasted water!" The bellow of rage would have made Klaus cower at any other time, but he was mad with grief.

"Let me go!" Klaus shouted. He flung up one elbow and sent it into Mikael's side. His father let out a shocked cry as Klaus' elbow made contact with Mikael's ribcage. Seconds later, Klaus found his head plunged beneath the ice-cold water. On instinct, he let go of Astrid's icy form. Then a hand wrapped around his throat and began to yank him through the water.

When Klaus woke, he was lying inside his family's home. His mother knelt beside him. "I'm sorry, Niklaus." Esther had never approved of Astrid. His response was to roll onto his side and to close his eyes. If he could not die today; he would rather be alone with his memories.

"Niklaus, are you truly not done with the boy, yet?" Elijah's voice broke through Klaus' concentration.

Pulling his hands away from Mathew's temples, he leaned against the back of the couch with a smirk. "Actually, yes. Dinner?" His fangs came out and he leaned over to bite Matt. Surely the vervain was out of his system by now. Klaus had been bleeding the boy for three days.

A soft exhale and a tapping sound made Klaus pause. His eyes moved from Elijah, who was looking at a spot on the wall opposite him while his finger pressed against a folded newspaper.

With a sigh, Klaus straightened and strode over to grab the newspaper. His eyes flicked over the Mystic Falls Gazette, for mere seconds, before finding a headline that made him smile. "Hometown Hero: Mathew Donovan still missing in action." Eyes lifting to Elijah, Klaus smirked, "Brother, reading the sports section of a smalltown paper. Your standards have fallen."

Elijah straightened his tie. "People have noticed that young Mathew is MIA. Perhaps it is time that you bid you newest toy farewell and allow him to return to his life."

With a wide smile, Klaus shook his head. "Don't you find it strange that it doesn't say he is missing?" Slapping the paper, Klaus watched Elijah give the article a glance.

"I suppose, yes, it is strange. However, according to the locals, people disappear for any number of reasons in Mystic Falls. Wild animal attacks being the leading cause."

"Yes. Funny that." Klaus tossed the paper at Elijah, who groaned as he caught it. Turning on his heel, Klaus laced his fingers behind his back and allowed his eyes to wander the room. "Now, would it not be funny if Young Mathew's disappearance was being covered up by, say, his friends?" He whirled to give Elijah a long look, brows raised.

With an aggrieved sigh, Elijah folded his arms. "It seems you have something you'd like to share with me, brother?"

Speeding over, Klaus grabbed Elijah by the shoulders and allowed his brother into his mind long enough for Elijah to see Elena and Jeremy.

A gasp came from Elijah as Klaus let go of him. "Wait." He looked as confused as Klaus felt. "The boy looks like someone." His lips pursed as he became thoughtful. "Who is he?"

"The doppelganger's brother. It would seem," Klaus said.

Elijah still looked lost in thought. Therefore, he could not have seen what would come next. His eyes widened in shock as the dagger slid into his heart. He fell forward and Klaus caught him with ease. "I apologize, brother, but I need to do this part on my own."

Klaus moved Elijah onto the carpet. With a sigh, he moved over to the couch where Matt laid. Opening his wrist, he slapped Matt's cheek until the boy blinked and moaned. "Open wide," Klaus sang and then dribbled his blood into the boy's mouth. Once he'd finished feeding his new pet project, Klaus jerked Matt into a sitting position. He pressed his mouth close to Matt's ear and whispered to the boy what to do next. "Understand?" he asked.

Withdrawing, Klaus looked deeply into Matt's eyes. "Do everything I just told you."

Matt nodded, his eyes glazed. "Yes, sir." He got up and only paused at the sight of Elijah. "Is he okay?"

"Yes. Go!" Lacking patience, Klaus watched Matt go through narrowed eyes. Now, he just had to wait for the boy to come to him.

~0~

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. Dry leaves. So many dry leaves were under foot. Snow came down around him in waves. A branch scratched his face. But he had to keep going. Jeremy had to keep running. He had to follow the woman running ahead of him. She looked over her shoulder and Jeremy could read the terror in her dark eyes. Her hair blew about her face but he could still see her cheeks had gone red from cold, her lips turning a light blue.

"Please, Odin, hear me!" The woman muttered. "Save us." Then she ran further into the woods. Pausing, Jeremy saw another route and ran that way. He hoped to catch up with her. Try to talk to her. Ask her who was chasing her. Why he kept dreaming about her?

A sudden scream of pain made him stop. It was close. It was her. "Astrid, you shall only make things worse. Allow me to help you." The voice that called to Astrid was calm. Another woman appeared. Her long blonde hair swirled around her and she was wearing a long coat made of furs. She carried another coat folded in her arms. "Please, Astrid..."

"No! Esther, leave us be!" Astrid shouted.

"No one will help you, child. Only I can save him."

Jeremy moved toward Astrid's voice. He found her hiding behind a tree. She'd fallen and cut her leg. She seemed to bleeding heavily from the wound. Her eyes went to the sky. "Here my plea!" she begged, her hand going to her middle. Then he knew, she was pregnant.

"Do you want Niklaus to find you torn apart by the wolves?" Esther called. She was getting nearer. "Do you want him to bear the weight of seeing what your love has wrought? Don't be foolish. This is not a safe world. I can save him. I alone."

With a deep breath, Astrid forced herself to her feet. "I am his mother!" She turned to face Esther.

Esther narrowed her eyes. "Then you know you will do what is best for your child. As I will do what is best for mine."

Head held high, Astrid's chin thrust out. "You will have to take me by force, witch!"

With a sigh, Esther nodded. "As you wish." She held up a hand and then clenched it into a fist. The girl fell to her knees. Her hands clawed at her throat as she began to cough and pant, her eyes wide. "You can stop this." The witch sounded bored as she said this. Her head cocked to the side as she spoke.

There was no answer from Astrid, who collapsed into the snow. Her body limp.

A wolf came out of the woods and nudged Astrid's body with its muzzle. The wolf from Jeremy's dream. When she did not respond, it lifted its nose and howled. Other howls could be heard in the distance. The moon rose high as another figure, a woman with a look of remorse came forward to stroke the wolf's fur. "I told, you, Niklaus, your love would be dangerous. Come now, we must go. This is not our time."

"Wait!" Jeremy called out. "Wait! Who are you?"

The woman turned to give him a kind look. She stepped through the snow and stopped in front of Jeremy. Her dark hand moved to stroke his cheek. "Jeremy? What a lovely name. She loved you. Know that. But let the past stay buried. It is safer that way. For all of you." She moved away even as Jeremy tried to grab her arm, stop her, but his hand went through her.

"Jeremy. Jeremy! Jeremy, wake up!"

Dazed, Jeremy's eyelids lifted to find Elena sitting beside him on the couch. His hand passed over his face. "Elena, what time is it?"

"After six. Lil' Gilbert," an impatient reply came from the corner of the living room.

Just what Jeremy wanted to wake up to. "Damon?" Was he still dreaming.

"No. Your fairy godmother. We got some leads on Matt. We're splitting into groups. You, Blondie, and Dog Breath are going to be part of a group. Ric, Lena, and I, will be on Team Awesome. And Stefan is going to stay at home and wait for us by the phone. Aren't you, Stefan?" Damon shot Stefan a dark look.

Stefan sat in a chair. Now, he sat up and Jeremy could see that he was injured. "What happened to you?" Jeremy asked.

Shrugging, Stefan said, "Ran into a new witch, who didn't like my questions. But I'll heal. He fell back in the chair. The burns on his arms were healing. But it looked like it might take a couple of hours.

"Too bad you didn't have Bon Bon with you. Could have made it a real witch fight."

"Shut up, Damon," everyone else said.

Damon smirked. He opened his mouth to say something else annoying when the doorbell rang. "Speaking of," Damon sped to the door and then popped his head around. "Did anyone order witch?"

Bonnie Bennett came in with her grimoire. She gave Damon a scathing look before moving past him, without comment, and headed toward Stefan. "I brought something to help with that." She nodded at Stefan burns.

"Thanks, Bonnie." Elena got up and tugged at the bottom of her long-sleeved t-shirt. "Jer? Are you ready?"

"Yeah." Jeremy got to his feet. He exchanged a quick nod with Bonnie before he headed to the door.

~0~

"Are you sure this is where Bonnie said Matt might be?" Caroline asked for the tenth time. She tilted her head to look doubtfully up at the sky. "And is it getting closer to the full moon. I SO do not want to get bitten tonight."

"Caroline, I would tell you if I felt the change coming on," Tyler explained, for the tenth time. He walked beside Jeremy, with Caroline ahead of them.

Caroline gave Tyler a dubious look. "Oh, yeah, like in fifth grade, when..." She stopped talking, for once, eyes rounding. Then she cried out, "Matt!" Before Jeremy or Tyler could move; Caroline took off at a run.

Tyler was right behind Caroline. For once, Jeremy wished he was a supe; so he could catch up with them. He did, five minutes later. Matt was leaned up against a tree, in the wooden area outside town that they had been searching for the past hour.

"Hey, guys!" Matt looked suspiciously drunk. Or high. Or both. But Jeremy doubted that Matt had spent three days out in the woods after smoking a joint and drinking some beers. The blood on his clothes added evidence to this theory. "You found me!" He waved at them. "Man, I am so tired. Jer, can you take me home?"

Caroline and Tyler looked at each other. Then at Jeremy who shrugged. He'd never been the guy who gave people rides. He didn't have his license just yet. "Yeah. How 'bout I do the driving?" Tyler said, patting Matt on the shoulder.

"Will you?" Matt looked grateful. Then he tried to get up and started to tip over; Caroline caught him. "Thanks, Care. You're a pal."

Caroline rolled her eyes. "You did the same for me, once," she muttered. Tyler moved Matt's other arm over his shoulder and Jeremy led the way out of the woods. He couldn't help feeling like they were being watched. He got the same feeling he did when the wolf from his dreams watched him.

"Jer, you coming?" Tyler called.

Realizing he was still on the edge of the woods, peering into the trees; Jeremy nodded. "Yeah. I'm coming."

~0~

After Matt had been settled in his bed, Jeremy, Tyler, and Caroline stayed in Matt's room. "What do we do, now?" Caroline wondered, getting up to pace the floor. She had already gone down to get Matt a glass of water and some crackers. Moved the trash can closer to the bed; if he needed to puke. Fluffed his pillow. And was basically working at being the queen of taking of people. Or keeping herself busy.

"Someone should call the others to let them know we found Matt." Jeremy looked to Tyler, who looked at Caroline.

Caroline brightened. "Yeah. I'll be right back." Then she patted her pocket. "My phone's missing. I must have dropped it in the woods." She frowned, still looking for said phone.

Tyler got up. "I'll do it. Be back soon."

Matt's eyelids lifted. "Jeremy, I need to tell you something."

"Maybe it's downstairs..." Caroline said as she moved toward the door. "Did I drop it outside..."

"You need to go here." Matt pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Jeremy. Then he closed his eyes.

Jeremy opened the folded piece of paper. He didn't know this address. "Matt?" But Matt was asleep. Shaking his head, Jeremy left the room and closed the door. When he turned around, he found Caroline behind him. "Shit, Car-" Her hand slapped over his mouth. She held up a finger and then pointed at the floor, indicating Tyler. Holding out her hand, she took the piece of paper and read it. When she looked up, Jeremy shrugged.

With an eye roll, Caroline pocketed the piece of paper. She headed for the stairs and Jeremy went behind her. "Tyler, I'm giving Jeremy a ride to the Sheriff's station; so we can let my mom know that Matt is home safe."

"See you tomorrow!" Tyler called. "Yeah. They're going to see Sheriff Forbes," he relayed to whoever he was speaking to as Jeremy and Caroline left the house.

Caroline marched over to her car and Jeremy got in the passenger side. Once they were on the road, Jeremy said, "Do you think this is a good idea?"

"No. But you're not going in there alone. Look at what they did to Matt."

Jeremy decided to not argue with Caroline. If he told her: "No," she would tell Elena, who would bring one, or both, of the Salvatore brothers. Jeremy didn't want Elena with him on this adventure. He just wondered who K was. The last K had been Katherine, and he couldn't imagine much worse. Of course, the universe could surprise you.

Thank you for reading, liking, and following.

-J