Forever

Dumb Originals and their stupid rules

We were all seated on the couches, Klaus was pacing, and I was content to just let him do it, seemed the others were too.

Elena was staring me down like she wanted to say something.

Luckily she didn't.

Klaus was calm in that unsettling way Elijah usually was. He had a rather surface level temper, but this, this was different.

A quiet Klaus was a dangerous one.

He moved to stand behind the dining room chair I was sat on, gripping the top of it. "As you all well know, Drew was taken two weeks ago and returned to us early this morning."

I crossed my arms.

"We've been keeping away, just like Elijah told us to." Stefan got up and moved the the drink bar. "We weren't involved in her kidnapping."

"I know." Klaus' grip on the chair tightened and I could hear the wood creaking. Why were we here then? "Several of my hybrids have gone missing at odd hours, they return smelling like blood and booze."

"Sounds like they have a drinking problem." Damon took his glass from Stefan's waiting hand. "What's that got to do with us?"

"Come to find out." Klaus continued as if he hadn't spoken at all. "A few of them were responsible for Drew's disappearance."

"Who?" Elena leaned against her knees.

"That I don't know." His hand dropped to my shoulder. "She has been rather reluctant to disclose whom it was."

"Why?" Caroline tugged her jacket tighter around her and looked to me. "I mean you've got originals that'd go after them, why protect them?"

I chewed my lip. "Why are we here Klaus? You've got your answer."

"Not quite yet. The last place you were was here. You spoke to the Salvatore brothers and then you were gone."

So he did know.

"Drew told us you knew about it." Stefan glanced at me.

"Did she?"

My stomach dropped. "Klaus-"

His grip tightened. "I think that's enough, love. Right, well this has been a rather enlightening venture." He pushed me forward lightly. "Say your goodbyes for now. We have to get home soon. I'll wait outside."

It was a gesture of privacy, he'd be listening, but I appreciated it none the less as he left.

I threw a pillow at Stefan. "Did you have to tell him?"

"You lied to me."

"You were all avoiding me and I wanted to know what was happening. I didn't know the bloody truce was avoiding me!"

Damn that felt like it was such a long time ago. Between the torture and choking on my own blood, I hadn't thought about what I'd done before and now I had to deal with the fallout.

"Wait." Damon downed a drink. "I think I remember that. And then when you disappeared, Klaus came knocking on our door."

"You were drunk." Stefan told him bluntly.

"Why won't you tell Klaus?" Elena asked this time.

"I'm not protecting them." I feel like I'd already said it a million times. "I won't tell you and I won't tell Klaus. It was my kidnapping and I'll deal with it. I don't need anyone to swoop in and save me." Not when I'd begged for it every night.

They never came.

"Are they still threatening you? With all your protection?!" Caroline's eyes widened.

"That is nothing any of you need to worry about." I stood. "Why do you think Klaus is standing outside?"

Elena frowned. "You're different."

"What did you expect? I've got originals for in-laws. Say hi to Jer for me please and I'll see you when I see you." Maybe it was the post kidnapping pattern I'd come to know so well. But there was a certain numbness when it came to my siblings and supposed friends, Elena less than Jeremy.

I was closer to Jeremy.

"We need to have a girls night." Caroline stood as well. "I'll get Bonnie in on it too, I think we all need a little bit of normalcy."

Elena and I shared a look. "Text me when and I'll get the boys to lay off." If that was even possible.

"You have your phone back?" Caroline lit up. "That makes everything so much easier!"

I should go, I shouldn't keep Klaus waiting. "Doesn't it?! It was so annoying when I didn't have it. Would've been able to send a text saying I was okay." It gave me a sort of satisfaction that Klaus was probably rolling his eyes. "Anyway, just let me know and I'll be there."

"Yeah, of course! I'll get it all set up." Caroline clapped her hands excitedly. "It's been so long."

Her excitement actually made me feel a little better. "I'll see you later, Care." Now to go face the consequences of not telling Klaus sooner.

I'm sure he'd get Elijah in on it too. I was gonna get lectured again, wasn't I?

Dumb originals and their stupid rules.

They didn't say anything as I stepped out the door into the cool night air. Had it really been that long a conversation?

"Ready to go?" Klaus held his hands behind his back.

"Yeah."