The Prince of Mystic Falls

5. Family Reunion

No pairing

Chapter Text

Jeremy went to the Mystic Grill after leaving the Lockwood mansion. He saw Matt, who was working and a few other old friends from high school. Everyone was happy to see him, but where was his family?

As he checked his phone and was able to leave, he saw Damon sitting at the bar. Damon seemed to be gulping down his drink and in a terrible mood. For Damon, that was saying something.

"Little Gilbert! Is that you?" Damon said, now standing in front of him.

"Wow, did I surprise you, Damon. I'm backkk..." Jeremy said sarcastically.

"Where the hell have you been? Your sister has been worried sick," Damon yelled.

"It's a long story. I, needed a break from this town, I got a job as an art assistant to a film director," Jeremy mumbled making up the story as he went.

"Ah, that sounds like bullshit...Someone ought to beat your ass black and blue, you little brat, your sister was a wreck," Damon whispered, grabbing Jeremy's ear and shoving him back out into the street.

"Damon, ouch. Stop. Where is my sister? Jenna?" Jeremy hissed trying to hold his ear.

"Jeremy! Is that you?" Bonnie shouted. "Elena, look, it's your brother!"

"Oh my god, Jer, we thought you were dead," Elena shouted in relief and shock, suddenly clutching to him. Damon was leaning against the wall with his arms folded glaring.

"I'm sorry. I just needed some air. I met this guy who hired me as his assistant. He's teaching me about art. I meant to write or call, but I didn't know what to say," Jeremy mumbled trying to breathe with his sister's arms tight around his neck.

Damon was mimicking, "I needed some air. Give me a break. I'm outta here."

Bonnie's eyes narrowed,"Jeremy, why didn't my locator spells work on you? It's almost as if you were shielded."

"Oh, we were...um, on a boat near the Bahamas," he lied.

"Who is this guy, your boss? We'd love to meet him," Damon added, now scowling.

"I thought you were leaving, Damon. Goodbye!" Jeremy smirked as the handsome vampire disappeared into the night.

"Jer, if you ever pull this shit again, I swear I will kill you myself," Elena warned.

"Actually, Elena. Things are going really well. My boss is paying me well and I'm staying at his house," Jeremy admitted.

"I'm going to call Jenna and let her know you are alive. Can we talk about this more at the house?" Elena said dialing her phone.

"Um, sure," Jeremy said, wondering if Klaus was going to be mad that he wasn't 'home."

***

Back at the Gilbert house, Jenna was there waiting. Jenna also fawned over her nephew. She said that Sheriff Forbes had also been on the case. It sounded like things had been hectic and stressful the few weeks he had been gone.

Stefan joined the party and also was glad to see Jeremy. He took him aside at one point and confronted him.

"Jeremy, what you did was cruel. We were really worried about you. I know a lot of things are going on around here that are not fun. I would like to know more about your new employer. Can he join us here?" Stefan asked.

"Um, sure. Let me give him a call," Jeremy said, pulling out his cell phone.

"Klaus, it's me. I need your help," Jeremy whispered into the phone.