Family Above All

43. The Wind in the Willows

Pairing: Pearl/Vicki (F/f) spoon, hand

Non pairing prompts of Klaus and Damon for DarkAngel11278 and Chanelle (AO3) and someone also requested Klaus sleep in Damon's room. (Sorry, I'm having trouble keeping up with the prompts.)

"Home! That was what they meant, those caressing appeals, those soft touches wafted through the air, those invisible little hands pulling and tugging, all one way."

-Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows (1908)

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Mystic Falls Police Station

Afternoon

Mason Lockwood saw his reflection briefly and yanked open the heavy glass door of the police station. He had done the wash yesterday, but forgot to take his clothes out of the dryer. His blue plaid shirt looked rumpled, compared to the officer who was sitting at the reception desk.

Mason smiled awkwardly, he hadn't been here since he got busted for a drunk and disorderly charge years ago.

"Help you, sir?" the office asked, looking bored.

"Ah yeah, I'm here to see Sheriff Forbes. Mason Lockwood," Mason said, signing in on the clipboard. "I had called."

"Oh yeah, she's waiting for you, sir. Go on back. It's-," the man started to explain.

"I know," Mason said grimly. "Thanks."

Mason walked a short distance down the hall and found Liz at her desk. A big, tall deputy was leaning against a file cabinet.

"Hey, Mason. Welcome back to town," Liz said warmly, rising from her chair. She indicted the other man, with a hand gesture."George Singerman, meet Mason Lockwood. He's the Mayor's little brother."
The men shook hands and George took his coffee cup and headed out for patrol.

"He's new," Liz explained, shutting the door. "From Richmond. You said it was urgent on the phone."
Mason looked down and saw the pictures of Liz and Caroline on her desk.

"Um, I'm not sure what's going on, but my brother and Carol have been MIA. She called and asked me to look after Tyler, but I haven't heard from them since. Do you know where they are?" Mason asked, picking up a frame and then settling it back down.

Liz bit her lip and indicated that Mason should sit. He did.

"Ah, about that," Liz said with a frown. "I know you had some kind of falling out with Charles, but you are still a Founding Family member. I guess you have the right to know."
"That sounds ominous," Mason said, shifting in his chair. "Are they in danger?"

Liz pulled out a file from her desk.

"In short, yes. You know that the Council is also tasked with keeping the town safe, right? But did you know from what?" Liz asked, flipping out the folder slowly.

"Vampires," Mason said carefully.

"Yes," Liz confirmed. "Usually, when a member is inducted, we give them a run down about the real town history. Though, most family members are aware, only the Council activity defends the town. Had you stayed, you would have received an invitation."

"I did, but I threw it away and took off. I figured that I had my inheritance and I was free after the old man died. Didn't realize how fast I would blow it. Charles warned me, but I was a stupid ass kid. I thought he was trying to control me. Make me like him...Liz, what happened to them?"

Mason was worried now, he felt himself sweating.

Liz pushed the file towards him.

"The Augustines happened. Charles and Carol didn't think we were doing enough to keep an eye on things. After a few more animal attacks a few years back, they joined a secret organization that actively hunted and studied vampires," Liz began. "I only knew about it because Liz told me before she left. She said if they didn't come back that I should give this to you."