Book Two: Aquiver (A. Saltzman)

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Klaus crouches in front of Diana who sleeps propped up against the wall in the bedroom. He tilts his head and reaches out to touch her face. The second his fingers graze over her skin, she jerks awake, sees him hovering over her and goes to throw a headbutt at him, he grabs her face to stop her, he gives her a look. She takes a breath trying to calm down because she knows he's not going to be the nicest about it if she doesn't behave herself.

"What did you do?" she asks him.

"What needed to be done," he tells her as he brushes his fingers over her cheek, she turns her head slightly away from him. "I'm in a good mood" he warns her. "Try not to spoil that" she looks at him, turning her face back to him. He continues to touch her face. "I can see what he sees in you" He states. "You're a pretty little thing" he leans back. "I'm going to let you have a shower" He offers as he unlocks the cuff around her ankle. "Get you some clean clothes...some food, doesn't that sound nice?"

"Yeah" she whispers and nods as tears stream down her cheeks. 

..................

Klaus/Alaric is at the door with Maddox. Katherine is making coffee, she keeps glancing over at them.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," Maddox tells Klaus who nods.

"Yes, do hurry. I'm anxious to get out of this body. And if you get hung up, call me. You know how impatient I get." Maddox leaves. Klaus/Alaric closes the door, Katherine moves towards him with a coffee mug. 

"Where is he going?" She holds out her coffee for Klaus.

"To retrieve me. So I can get out of this bad hair-do."

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Klaus?"

"Well, the full moon is almost upon us." He answers and puts the moonstone on the table. Katherine looks at it. "I've killed the witch, I have the moonstone, and the doppelgänger is waiting in the wings. Ohh, I am ready to break this curse."

"And why would you do that here? There are so many people that would try to stop you."

"Because I have to. It's the birthplace of the doppelgänger."

"I didn't realize that was a requirement."

"Well, how could you? You betrayed me and fled England before I could give you the details, Katerina. But I did find your birthplace and I slaughtered your family. So I guess we're cool. Let's just hope that Elena isn't as stupid as you were."

"She won't run. She'll die before she lets anyone that she loves get hurt." Katherine points out, Klaus looks back into the bedroom where Diana is sleeping.

"And that's exactly what I'm counting on." He agrees with Katherine. "I have her sister...." he turns back to Katherine. "Insures her cooperation" He then compels her. "You can't leave until I tell you to." He leaves, Katherine lets out a breath and looks at Diana. Katherine knows that if anyone can stop Klaus, it's her, but she is no use being stuck in here.

.................

At the Gilbert Residence, Jenna opens the door for Stefan and he walks in. She returned that morning from campus to an empty house, so-called Stefan for answers.

"Hey, Jenna. Thank you so much for not going to the Grill." Stefan tells her.

"Um, Stefan..."

"No, listen. I can explain." She looks over Stefan's shoulder. He turns around. Klaus/Alaric's there.

"Hi, Stefan. How's it going?"

................

A little while later; Klaus/Alaric is chopping some food with a big knife whilst Jenna and Stefan watch at him.