You didn't go far. After all, you still had a pack to save. You left because you were hurt and didn't want to hear Ric and Damon's excuses when they realized that outweighed your anger. Assholes. In actuality, you didn't really leave at all. You simply made your way around the house and sat in a chair beneath the open window so you could still listen to the conversation. You sent several texts while you listened to Ric and the Salvatores explain all about the originals and hybrids. The pack was justifiably concerned that Klaus had set his sights on them.

"I really think the best thing for you all to do is just remain calm. Leave Klaus to the three of us. We're used to dealing with him," your brother offered.

You snorted in disbelief. You wouldn't consider anything they did 'dealing' with the hybrid.

"You can't just expect us to stand aside and do nothing. It's not exactly our style," Chris argued.

"Well, that explains how Y/N fell in with you then," Stefan said.

"Be that as it may, baby brother," Damon interrupted. "I think we can safely speak for Y/N when was say that she would be happier if you all just let us handle it."

You typed out a quick text on your phone. A moment later a sudden burst of laughter came from inside followed by a "Y/N says you're a fucking idiot."

"Stiles," his dad corrected immediately.

"Well, she did. Look."

Several voices started speaking over each other and you turned your head when the back door opened. Chris stuck his head out to smirk in your direction. "Why don't you join us if you're going to pitch in your two cents anyway?"

You sighed dramatically and got to your feet before grinning at him.

"You really thought Stiles was the best choice for that message?" Chris said lowly as you stepped past him.

"If it makes you feel any better, I meant to send it to Scott."

He licked his lips and shook his head as he placed a hand on the small of the back. The two of you stepped into the living room and everyone immediately quieted down. "Thought you left," your brother said after a moment.

You shrugged. "Thought you weren't an asshole, so I guess we were both wrong."

Melissa grimaced. "Can we tone down the language? They're still kids."

"Really, mom?"

"Don't mom me, Scott McCall. God help me, but there has to be some decorum around here."

"We should have rethought the guest list then." Your words may have been for your boyfriend but you made sure you were loud enough for the pack to hear. Their laughter eased some of the tension that had been clouding the air since you arrived with the vampires in tow.

"Y/N," Scott said getting everyone's attention. "You know everyone on all sides of this. What do you think we should do?"

You pursed your lips. "I think we should all just take a minute to breathe here. We don't even know if Klaus is in town yet. I'm waiting to hear back from some people so we have a better idea of what's going on with him. Ric, I'm not going to tell the three of you to go home, but I am going to tell you to stand down. At least for now."

"And if we don't?" Of course, it was Damon who spoke up.

"Did I mention I'm the Sheriff around here?" Stiles' dad piped up.

"Or that I'm fully stocked on vervain?" you added.

Damon took a step back to lean against the wall behind him. "Fair enough."

"As for the rest of us, the pack stays together. That means everyone. Us non-werewolf types are probably safe to go about our usual business, but stay with someone. That means no solo patrols, Sheriff. No late night shifts in mostly barren areas of the hospital, Melissa. Deaton, I'm going to assume you have your own array of protections. Use them."

"And what are you going to do?" Derek asked.

"I'm going to buddy up with the resident hunter and find us a hybrid."

***

Surprisingly it was Klaus you heard from first. And instead of responding to your message asking him what he was up to lately, he'd sent a text that said simply: What on earth are you doing in Beacon Hills, love?

You tossed your phone to Chris and he snatched it out of the air. "Guess that answers the question of whether or not he's in town."

He read the message and handed your phone back. "What do we do now?"

"Now we ask him the same question."

After some back and forth, Klaus agreed to meet you at a diner in town so the two of you could 'catch up'.

You sat your phone on the table beside you and looked at Chris. "I think it's better if I go by myself."

"Absolutely not."

"Chris—"

"You said it yourself. The pack stays together. Even us non-werewolf types, as you put it, stay with someone."

The silence stretched as you contemplated your choices. "Fine, but just you. And try not to let Klaus get under your skin. He can be irritating to put it mildly."

***

You and Chris arrived at the diner at the appointed time and you were unsurprised to see Klaus waiting for you in a corner booth. A glance around told you that was probably a good thing as the place was packed. The hybrid smiled as he met your eye. He stood and opened his arms for a hug. "It's good to see you, love. Mystic Falls is too quiet without you."

You huffed a laugh and slid onto the bench next to Chris. "I find that unlikely, but thanks for the sentiment."

He sat and turned a tight smile on your boyfriend. "And who is this?"

"Klaus, my boyfriend Chris Argent. Chris, Niklaus Mikaelson, the original hybrid."

The two shook hands and when Chris would have let go, Klaus maintained his grip and leaned forward. "Y/N and I need a moment to catch up. Why don't you wait in the car for her to finish like a good boy, hmm?"

Chris pulled his hand away. "I don't think so."

Your friend turned his attention on you looking almost betrayed.

"Oh, don't even. Of course, he's on vervain. What do you take me for?"

Klaus spread his hands in a gesture of false innocence and gave a smile to match. "Well, I had to try. I do wish you had mentioned you were bringing a friend, Y/N. This makes conversation awkward."

You rolled your eyes. He was such a baby sometimes. "Let me help you out then, Klaus. The local pack is mine. You can't have them."

He looked stunned but for a minute and then he laughed. "Is that so? And what right do you have to claim them? You are no alpha."

You leaned back in your seat and tapped the table. You gave Klaus a cockeyed smirk. "I'm not, but he is." You gestured to the counter where Scott turned and gave a little wave.

The hybrid snorted. "He's a child."

"He's a true alpha. Even you have to respect that, Klaus."

"And if I don't?"

"You owe me," you reminded him.

"It was Kol you saved, not me, love."

You narrowed your gaze and raked your eyes over him. You knew him well enough to know that he was ready to leave your pack alone as soon as you claimed them. He just didn't like being told what to do. And he wanted to see just how far you would go. You also knew damned well he would have been devastated to lose his brother.

"You're not invincible, Mikaelson," Chris said.

"I'm pretty damned close, human."

"Argent. That's something more than human, I think. You weren't paying attention when I introduced the two of you."

"Fine. I'll concede he could make things difficult. That's all."

You shifted your gaze from him to look at the figure standing behind him in the hall. "He's going to make me list all the assets at my disposal, isn't he?"

"Are you really surprised?" the clipped voice answered. Elijah Mikaelson approached the table and pressed a kiss to your cheek before turning to his brother. "Do slide over, Niklaus."

Elijah offered Chris his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Argent."

Your boyfriend glanced at you with an arched brow even as he shook hands with his second original of the night. "Elijah is the polite one, but don't piss him off."

"You called my brother, Y/N? Do you think that was really necessary?"

"Correction. Brothers," Kol spoke up from his spot beside Scott. He offered you a smile and a cheeky wave.

"Hello, Kol," you greeted him while Klaus grumbled. You shifted your attention back to him. "I have a pack, Klaus. And it goes beyond what I've found here." After a beat everyone in the diner was turned to face your table. The pack, Deaton, the Sheriff, Parrish, your brother, and the Salvatores.

"And I feel it prudent to remind you that Y/N is the owner of the last white oak stake in existence. It's location undoubtedly known to her boyfriend, or her brother, in case something should happen to her," Elijah spoke up.

"Now, Elijah, that was just rude. Klaus was already planning on leaving my friends alone."

Chris shook his head beside you. He was either admiring your brazenness or wondering how you managed to not get yourself killed yet. You were betting on the latter.

"Quite right," Klaus said. "They aren't at all the right type of wolves anyway. Really, you worry too much, brother. I would never anger our dear Y/N."

Sure, he wouldn't. "On that note, it's time for us to leave." You stood and Chris quickly followed. "Elijah, Kol, coffee before you leave."

They both agreed and you dragged your boyfriend out of the diner.

You waited until you were halfway home before breaking the silence. "Was there anyone you didn't call to come to the diner?"

"Melissa. She's a good nurse but not very intimidating if you aren't a teenager."

You sighed. "Chris, I'm serious. We agreed, you and me."

"No. You said you and me. I did not agree to anything. If you recall, I said the pack stays together per your order."

"And if things had gone badly?"

"All the more reason for them to be there."

"Do you think I'd be able to live with myself if something happened to one of them because I was trying to talk sense into the original hybrid? There was a reason I didn't want them there." You didn't want to yell, didn't want to fight, but you'd been terrified when you walked into a sea of familiar faces.

"I'm sorry, but that's not your decision to make. You can't protect everyone all the time without expecting them to return the favor when you need it." His voice was quiet but firm. "I made sure they knew what was going on, the made their own decisions about what to do with that information."

"But why even give them the option, Chris? We could have told them everything after."

His hand settled on your thigh and gave a little squeeze. "Because I wasn't about to lose my favorite weapon, Y/N. I couldn't risk it, not now that I've found you."

You didn't even know what to respond to that so you just linked your fingers with his.

As you pulled into the driveway, Chris turned to look at you. "Speaking of weapons, what exactly is a white oak stake and why do you have it?"