Prank Night Fall Out

24. Bonnie's Balm

Pairing: Elijah/Kol (M/m) belt/hand

Damon's Room

One Day Later

Klaus found Stefan and Rebekah in Damon's room. The brothers were showing her how to play a game on an iPod.

"So I move the wheel and this moves?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes, there you go! Good," Stefan encouraged.

Klaus smiled from the doorway, "Hey guys, sorry to interrupt. Stefan, can I talk to you for a moment? In private?"

Damon looked up in alarm. Klaus assured him, "Don't worry. He's not in trouble. Now Kol, on the other hand..."

Rebekah piped up, "What happened with Kol?" Klaus had talked to Rebekah the night before and she said she didn't care if he was uncompelled. She realized he loved Elena and did not have feelings for her, nor her him.

"He can tell you later. Stefan?" Klaus prompted.

"Ah, coming," Stefan got up and followed Klaus to his bedroom. He had to admit, he felt like he was in trouble, though he had been behaving and didn't recall breaking any rules.

"Have a seat, Son," Klaus said kindly. He indicated the chairs or couch near the fireplace.

"Thanks," Stefan said nervously. "Are you sure I didn't do something?"

Klaus laughed, "No, I'm afraid I am the one who is in trouble over this one. Not you. Honestly, I don't know where to start."

Stefan prompted, "Mother always used to say 'at the beginning.'" Stefan had considered going to see Lily, but Damon was so hurt over the way she had treated them, that he didn't want to hurt him more. Stefan had always been closest to his mother.

"Okay, then. So in the 1920s, Rebekah and I moved to Chicago. We used to frequent this club where a lovely witch friend of mine would sing, Gloria. So one night, my sister and I were arguing and who do we meet? 'The Ripper of Monterey'....," Klaus said in an ashamed voice.

"But that is impossible," Stefan breathed, "I've never been to Chicago."

"Our father Mikael found us there and tried to kill us. I compelled you to forget. There is more, Stefan. You and Rebekah....," Klaus stood. He could not say more.

"You mean...," Stefan swallowed. "We were lovers? That's why I felt like I knew her, because I did."

"Yes, I am going to restore your memory now. You were a different person then, so was I. Are you ready?" Klaus asked.

"Yeah, um, I guess. I am kind of afraid this will change things," Stefan said. "Will it?"

"It might a little. You and I were close, but Stefan, you were a ripper at the time. Wild and free. I was not in a good place either. But you deserve the truth," Klaus said. He put his hands on Stefan's head. "It is time, Stefan. Remember Chicago. Remember it all...."

Stefan blinked and leaned back in the chair. The memories came back in a flood: the jazz, the smoke, the champagne towers, and the feast of blood. Oh, the games he used to play. He taught Klaus how to....torture people.

Stefan grabbed his head, "I had an apartment there, by an all girls' school. I would write the names in the...."

Klaus finished, "Closet. Just like I stole my victims' letters and diaries. You took their names and wrote them on that wall."

"The first was always my father, but Klaus, there were so many more...," Stefan stood on wobbly feet. "I need a drink!"

"I'll get you some water, or would you prefer your blood?" Klaus asked patiently.