Love & marriage

The killer

"So, we're here because..." Charles asks as they approach a desolate place in modern day Italy. "Because we're going to find the man that tried to kill you when you were two." Klaus answers.

"The hunter?"

"Ding ding ding. We're looking for his sword. Find the sword, find the cure, and all vampire kind is safe."

"Where do you think the sword is?"

"Underground. That's why we need to dig it up."

"Us and what army?"

"This army!" Suddenly a bunch of compelled people come up to him. "You did not compel a bunch of people to dig up a sword."

"I did. Isn't it cool?" Klaus gets a phone call. "Excuse me." He goes apart and starts talking. Charles looks at the people digging. "I'd blame my numbing incompetence, but pointing fingers isn't going to help me, you're going to help me." Klaus says to Stefan.

"Well, he could be anywhere now."

"Think, Stefan. He took the hybrid's head which means he wants werewolf toxin."

"Which means he plans to stay in Mystic Falls to kill vampires."

"Which is a pity, as I'm half the world away digging up a dead hunter, you'll have no access to my blood and therefore, the antidote. Nevertheless, his tattoo is our only map to the cure, so your task is quite simple; find him, catch him, and above all, keep him alive. He's no good to us dead."

"Damon's been looking everywhere for him, if they cross paths..."

"You'll need to keep Damon in check."

"Be a lot easier if I could just tell him the truth."

"You trust Damon with the cure? I imagine he prefers Elena the way she is."

"Nice try, Klaus. But I trust Damon a hell of a lot more than I trust you."

"And I trust no one. Which is why my sister is lying daggered in a box. The more who find out about the cure, the more who will go after it. Nations have gone to war over less. You mark my words, tell one soul and I will throw the hunter's sword in the Mediterranean and we can end this quest right now. Am I understood?"

XXXXX

It's been hours and the people are still digging. "Don't you think you should at least give them a break?" Charles asks.

"What is this? Worker's union? Plus, they're compelled. Come back home after a long day thinking they were hard at work and not question a thing."

"To think I left Louisiana for this." Klaus gets another phone call. "You expect me to care about bloody hostages?" He asks Stefan. 

"Well, you should. Damon does. So does Caroline, Tyler, Elena. If any of them get to Connor, then you just wasted a trip to Italy. I can buy us some time, but Damon's getting antsy. So, if you want Connor alive, you better get your hybrids on board with my plan."

The sword has been successfully excavated. A man holds it up and brushes it off. He hands it off to another man. Klaus answers his phone nearby. "Hello."

"Hey, Klaus."

"Tyler! I hope you're not causing problems."

"I can do whatever I want. I'm not sired to you anymore."

"Fair enough. Although I do happen to know your little secret about your time in Appalachia. What was your friends' name? Hayley, was it? You probably prefer I kept that to myself. I'm sorry, mate. Are you going to answer or should I just assume you're back to being...how did you phrase it? Ah, yes, my little bitch." 

Tyler hangs up. "What did you call him?" Charles asks.

"Your mother hates me as is, don't make things worse."