The Unknown Variable

Part 6

Klaus forced himself to relax, gritting his teeth as he watched the doppelganger and her little friends help the Bennett girl through her transition.

Anger. He could understand being angry towards Damon for putting her in this position.

However, even he knew that the only ones to blame for the current circumstances that had befallen them were themselves.

His boy had not gone out of his way to attack them.

No, he had acted in complete defense of his person, and yet, to this group of Neanderthals, he was unjustified in his actions.

Klaus barely caught the end of the conversation as he tuned back into the group plotting.

"...at the dance tonight. Ric's already a chaperone, so all we have to do is make it obvious that Elena is going. It might even draw Damon out so we can get ahold of him before Klaus does." Stefan seemed pensive as he spoke slowly, his words careful and calculated.

"We could have Elijah come and point him out to us. Besides, he might be able to help us with Damon. It's not like Damon is any match for him, and who knows, maybe Elijah will do us all a favor and kill him. Would save us the trouble of having to do it for ourselves." Elena ran her hands through her hair as she turned around from where she had been pacing to glance at everyone.

"How exactly do you plan to lure Klaus into the open?" Klaus was truly amazed at the audacity these children had.

They truly thought they were a match for him and that he would just let them use his blackbird as they saw fit.

He had been planning to wait to take Damon once he had finished the ritual and once he had handled his wayward older brother.

However, it seemed as if plans would have to change. Klaus knew that Damon could handle himself, but he was nothing if not protective of the boy.

He had not been able to defend him as he should for over a hundred years; Klaus would be damned if he had to wait any longer.

No, Damon would have to return to his possession much sooner than expected.

He may even be able to spirit his boy away to one of his other estates while he finishes everything he has to do in this town.

At the very least, it would give him peace of mind to know Damon was out of harm's way.

Besides, with Damon out of harm's way, Klaus could handle Stefan once and for all.

Ever since he had come to this town, he had done nothing but tried to hurt his brother at the whim of his girlfriend and friends.

He and his siblings may not get on, and certainly, he had put them into coffins, but he had never outright fought to harm them.

They were his to harm and berate just as he was theirs; no one else was allowed to do so, and any who even suggested would be met with swift vengeance.

On the other hand, his cub's brother stood here casually discussing orchestrating the elder's demise at the hands of another.

Klaus had been willing to be lenient with the boy when he had first arrived and give him the benefit of the doubt.

He had hoped that Stefan could be reasoned with so Klaus would not have to handle the threat that Stefan was to Damon.

It had become clear to him now that no matter how much Damon cared for Stefan, he would have to put down the threat that his boy's brother presented.

It was a pity that Stefan had changed so much from the vampire he had met during the 20's.

Rebekah would be sorely disappointed, but he was counting on Damon's presence to win her over eventually.

Damon may not be a child anymore, but Rebekah may still enjoy acting as an Aunt to the much younger vampire.

Only time would tell how his siblings would react to another addition to the family.

His train of thought was broken as the group, who had been silent for a period, finally spoke up.

"Bonnie was the plan originally...but, with her out of commission, we might have to ask Elijah if one of his warlocks is up to the task." Elena sounded uncertain, her face portraying the unease that had seemed to settle over her since the meeting began.

"And if they say no...." Klaus kept his eyes locked on the group as they exchanged looks.

It was clear they were unsure of what to do should his elder brother deny them help.

"Then, at the very least, we will know what Klaus looks like so we can bargain with or kill him later. We can't keep going through the day with our guards constantly up, hoping the person beside us isn't here for Elena. We need to know who we are up against." Stefan ranted as he pulled Elena into his arms, her back leaning against his chest.

"Might want to leave Damon alive if we are planning to have any chance of bargaining with Klaus." Caroline muttered.

"What? Am I wrong?" Caroline threw her hands up, frustrated, as everyone shot exasperated looks in her direction.

"Call Elijah." Bonnie nodded in Elena's direction, "Caroline and I will start getting ready for the dance. We'll just have to be fashionably late and leave when it's dark out."

Caroline and Bonnie immediately headed upstairs, searching for a room with no windows to get ready.

"Text Damon Ric. Find some way to convince him that he needs to come to this dance tonight. It may be our last chance to take him before anyone else can."

Stefan led Elena to the stairs as she held the phone to her ear, waiting for Elijah to pick up.

Klaus growled under his breath as he shot out of the house. The current circumstances weren't terrible, but he would have to deal with his buzzkill brother.

That was the last thing he wanted to do tonight.

At least he would get to see his cub tonight, and if he was careful, he would be able to grab the boy and get his brother out of the way.

Yes, he could make this work in his favor. All it would take is a little planning with Maddox, and everything would work out just fine.