(jealousy, all consuming)

"Are we really doing this?"

"Of course, we are, kid. It's your nineteenth birthday!" Damon answered as he wrapped an arm around Margot's shoulders as he led her towards the club's entrance. Stefan sighed as he trailed behind the pair. 

"She's not even old enough, Damon." 

"Who gives a shit, brother? I sure as hell don't and I'm pretty sure Maggie here..." Damon paused as he glanced around. Margot had suddenly disappeared. "I lost her." 

The younger vampire sighed as he glanced around with his hands placed firmly on his hips before his nose scrunched in disgust. He let out a breath of air as he quickly walked over to the brick wall and pulled Margot off the blonde woman she was kissing. 

"Come on," Margot groaned as Stefan tugged her away by the collar of her shirt. "Such a buzzkill." 

"Exactly," Damon began as he walked back up to them before sending a wink to the same blonde woman only for her to quickly walk away. 

Margot smirked as the woman discreetly slipped her a piece of paper before scurrying off. 

"What was that?" Stefan questioned. 

"A number. And an address." 

Damon scoffed in annoyance, "Seriously? How?" 

"The LLM. Ladies love Margot." 

The two vampires rolled their eyes. 

— — —

A smile that reached Margot's eyes appeared on her face as she excitedly knocked on the front door of the Salvatore boarding house. Behind her, she could hear Klaus drive off as Elena opened the door.

"Margot," she greeted in shock.

The newly turned heretic smiled as she bounced on her toes, "Hey, Lena. Are you still the owner?"

Elena nodded in slight confusion before her eyes widened. "I'm so sorry, Maggie. I completely forgot. Come in."

"Thank you," Margot said with a smile as she entered the doorway. She felt her heart slow as Klaus' heartbeat could no longer be heard but she ignored the odd feeling and chose to lock it away.

"Where is my Da–" Before she could finish her sentence, she felt something sharp pierce her neck.

Margot gasped in pain as she reached up to her neck only to pull out one of Alaric's vervain darts. As the vervain flowed through her bloodstream, pain consumed her, causing her knees to cave in before she harshly hit the ground.

She stared up at Elena with hooded eyes, glancing down at the small gun she held in her hand. "Why?" Margot whispered as passed out.

"Grab her legs," Damon told Elena as he grabbed the heretic's arms. The pair dragged her into the basement before shoving her into an empty cell, one filled with vervain.

The older Salvatore sighed, he didn't want to do this but it was necessary. She was too close to Klaus. She was a liability just like Rebekah who lay daggered in the cell beside her.

Elena glanced down at her fallen friend. "How long until she wakes up?"

"We have until morning... That will give us enough time to kill Klaus without her getting in the way."

"... Does Stefan know?"

"No," he answered as he grabbed the human's shoulders. "He can't find out about this, Elena. He would let her out immediately and then Klaus will continue to taunt us, to taunt you."

"But Margot-"

"Margot will be fine. Besides, she's used to being locked up in basements."

— — —

All Margot could feel when she woke up was the harsh feeling of knives puncturing her lungs with every breath she took. She coughed harshly as her eyes met the vervain garden the Salvatore's kept in their dungeon basement.

The heretics' eyes widened in fear as she looked around hastily. She had never been alone in this part of the manor, Stefan had made sure that she had never once even stepped foot in the area.

She sat up slowly, taking in the dark walls that surrounded her as she took in a heavy breath. That breath led to a fit of coughs. Margot gasped painfully for air between coughs as tears threatened to fall from her sunken brown eyes.

Margot hadn't felt like this since she was human. It was like an asthma attack all over again, except this time, she didn't have her inhaler or her Dad to help her through it. She was all alone.

She quickly stood up, ignoring the way her vision turned black for a moment and the way her head spun before she ran over to the door and tugged harshly on the steel handle only for nothing to happen. A choked breath escaped her lips as she stared out the small barred window to meet his eyes.

"Damon."

"Hey, kid," he answered with a guilty smile as he stared at her through the bars.

"What-" she coughed, "What is this? Am I dreaming again?"

He stared at his shoes, "You woke up earlier than we thought you would. Guess we didn't put enough vervain in you, huh?"

"Vervain?" she looked at him confused. "Why am I in the basement, Damon? You- You know I hate places like this."

Damon stayed silent as he passed her an old inhaler that had been in her bedroom. "Not sure if those things work on vampires but, uh... You might need it. Try not to freak out too much... not sure how much air's down here."

"No..." she whimpered as she stared at him, shaking her head as tears slipped from her eyes.

"Sorry, Maggie. I really am, but we gotta take down Klaus and we can't do it if you're with him."

"So, what's your plan, huh? Are you going to keep me locked in the basement for the rest of my life? Samuel already tried that and it didn't work out. Come on, Damon. Just let me out– please?" she asked, her voice breaking at the end.

Damon moved to walk away but before he could, she reached through the bars and gently grasped his shoulder. "Damon? Damon, please don't leave me in here!"

Her screams, however, did nothing to stop him. He shrugged off her hand and kept walking away. She was alone once again, stuck in a never-ending nightmare as she leaned against the metal door.

It seemed as though Damon had taken a page out of her father's book. That page consisted of a single sentence, 'lock the teenage girl in the basement and hope for the best'.

By the time 3 am rolled around, the vervain had left her system entirely. She immediately stood, regretting it as her vision went black once more. She quickly recovered though before pulling at the door.

It didn't budge.

It was like she was a child all over again. Except this time, she had an unlimited supply of magic to bend the metal into nothing but a small ball.

She grinned slightly as she walked out of the cold cell, not seeing a daggered Rebekah laying in the cell next to hers as she ran out of the boarding house.

Margot ran as fast as she could with the little strength she had. Eventually, when she had grown tired she stopped only to see a large mansion in front of her.

All the lights were turned off except for a single one that sat by the entrance, illuminating the door in a golden glow.

The house felt different; safer if that were possible.

She slowly walked up to the door, seeing a small 'n.m' engraved on the knocker. She smiled unevenly, tears still threatening to fall as her pointer finger traced the lettering, only he would be extravagant enough to engrave his initials on the front door.

She listened in, trying to hear a heartbeat only to hear nothing but pure silence. He wasn't home, and nor was Damon which meant their plan was still underway.

Margot took a breath in before she opened the door. It was unlocked. For an all-powerful hybrid, he was quite stupid.

She entered the house quickly and saw multiple expensive jackets hanging from a coat rack along with an array of shoes neatly lining the ground.

One would assume it was just some rich guy's home, Margot, however, knew differently. Firstly, no one in Mystic Falls was rich enough to own a Prada jacket, let alone seven. Secondly, only he would be extra enough to have his name sewn on every tag.

She now knew why the home felt safe. It was because he made her feel safe.

She could still feel how cold the basement was as she walked into the hybrid's kitchen. There wasn't much in there, just a few necessities.

Her body worked on autopilot as she pulled out the flour, eggs, milk, and butter.

People worked under stress in odd ways. Some cleaned, some threw themselves into work, some literally threw things and Margot? Margot stress baked.

50 cupcakes, 3 dozen cookies and 1 cake later she was lying on the floor, crying her eyes out surrounded by red velvet cupcakes when the door opened. But she didn't even hear it. It was safe to say her mind was a tad jumbled from the past hours.

Klaus had just gotten home after a tiresome evening of multiple attempts on his life. He was properly surprised to see the lights turned on in his home, even more so when he found Margot covered in flour, surrounded by desserts as she sobbed in his living room.

He had never seen her cry. Not like this at least. Nor had he seen that many cupcakes even in all his years.

"Love?" he started as he moved closer to her, completely forgetting the past events of the night as her tear-filled eyes met his for a split moment.

"Hey, Nik," she whispered as she stared up at the ceiling, a fresh set of tears falling from her sparkling eyes.

"What's wrong, love? I thought you were coming to be my date tonight... Damon told me you weren't feeling well," the Original spoke as he moved to sit beside her, moving her head so she was leaning against his shoulder with her legs resting on his lap.

She stared up at him. "You have pretty eyes," she whispered.

He smiled softly as his hand came up to brush away her tears. "You have pretty eyes too, love. But they're even prettier when you smile." Her lip twitched upwards slightly causing him to smile proudly. "That's my girl."

It was silent for a few minutes. Margot had been focusing on the man's heartbeat as she tried not to cry.

"What happened tonight?" he asked, his voice soft as his fingers ran through her hair, moving the stray strands away from her face.

"They- They locked me in the basement..."

His lips parted slightly as anger filled his senses. Margot had never told him much about her childhood but if he knew anything, it was that Damon knew better than to lock her away.

She sighed as she wiped her fallen tears away. "I shouldn't be crying. I'm an adult. A stupid basement shouldn't affect me anymore– I'm sorry for coming. I, uh- I'm gonna go back ho- home."

Before she could leave the comfort of his arms, he stopped her, tightening his grip on her. "It's not stupid, love. What happened to you is not stupid, it is a tragedy and they are not worthy of your love if they were willing to put you through your trauma all over again."

She stayed silent, focusing on the gentleness of his touch as his fingers traced partners on her skin. He had done this multiple times before but this time was different.

The feeling of his skin against hers calmed her. If anything it was just his mere presence that calmed her.

She slowly moved out of his hold, quickly adjusting herself to be sitting in his lap as she buried her head in his neck. Her arms had made their way around his back as she gripped his shirt.

"I'm really happy I met you, Nik," Margot whispered as she closed her eyes, quickly falling into a dreamless sleep.

He smiled softly, his hand holding her waist, the other holding the back of her neck as he stood up and walked into the bedroom he had prepared for her only days before. "I'm really happy I met you too, Margot."

He gently set her on the bed before covering her with the grey duvet. The bed was warm already. He had known she hated the cold and installed a heating blanket which turned on every night at exactly 8 pm.

He leaned down, placing a kiss on her forehead before standing up, about to leave the room but before he could she grabbed his hand. "Don't leave me," she whispered, her eyes still closed as she fought sleep.

He smiled slightly as he slipped off his shoes before sliding into the spot beside her.

It felt like it was meant to be. Margot had quickly moved over to his side, her arm had sprawled across his chest as her head rested on his shoulder.

Through all of their time together, they had yet to actually sleep in the same bed. This was different. It was just Klaus and Margot. No sex, no stress, no supernatural dilemas.

Just Klaus and Margot.

The lovers who were yet to be lovers.

— — —

When Margot woke, she was alone. The bed was warm as she reached over to where Klaus once was. Her eyes opened in confusion only to see a small note with a coffee cup sitting on the nightstand.

She grinned slightly as she grabbed the cup, noticing a few ice cubes floating inside. It was his attempt at making an iced coffee. Cute.

She took a small sip of it, grimacing at the sheer amount of sugar he had put in it before swallowing it as she grabbed onto the note and read the words he had written in his annoyingly perfect handwriting.

'Good morning, love,

I'm sorry for leaving without a goodbye, however, I should be back within the hour. Your uncle and I need to have a little chat about manners. I had one of the hybrids cook you breakfast, it should be ready by the time you wake. If you hear from your father, let me know, he has put me in a bit of a tough position with my family. Feel free to stay as long as you like.

With love,

N.M'

She smiled slightly at the letter. She could practically hear her uncle's screams from across town.

By the time she had eaten her breakfast made by a lovely hybrid named Luke, showered and gotten dressed, Klaus had once again walked inside.

The Original was of course covered in blood, a look Margot had gotten quite used to over the last few months.

"Good morning, love," he greeted happily as he walked into her bedroom where she was still in bed, reading one of the books she had stolen from what she had assumed was Elijah's bedroom.

She sent him a smile as she set the book down after she carefully put a small piece of paper between the pages. Elijah would kill her if she creased a page. It was a limited edition.

"Morning, Nik. How was the torture session?"

He smirked as he gestured to the blood that was scattered on his face and clothing, "Quite wonderful. Very insightful. Did you enjoy your breakfast? I wasn't sure what you would want so I had them make an assortment."

His awkwardness amused her. "It was lovely, thank you, Nik. But you really didn't have to do all this," she said as she gestured around the bedroom he had created just for her.

"Of course I did. We're friends..."

"Friends with benefits don't usually give each other rooms filled with everything one could ever need, Nik."

"Well, I could give the room to Rebekah if you'd like."

Margot smirked, "Well make sure to do a good sweep of the room. Wouldn't want your little sister finding the mass of sex toys you have hidden all around."

He tilted his head, glancing over to a loose floorboard which held a few ropes beneath it. "You can keep the room. Besides, we aren't normal friends with benefits, love, I like to believe we are friends outside of our arrangement."

"Friends, huh?" she asked with a small smile on her face as she walked towards him, her eyes staring up into his as he looked down at her.

He was a goner and they both knew it. A single look from her could and would melt him.

"Fr- friends," he stuttered as his hands moved to play with the clothing that covered her waist.

"Is that all we are, Niklaus?" she asked, her hands moving up to play with his hair. She had forced him to grow it out, letting soft curls replace what were once awfully styled short ones.

She had also forced him to stop using gel. She hated not being able to run her fingers through his hair.

"Is that all you want us to be?" Klaus asked quietly, his voice so soft that if she weren't a vampire, she was sure she wouldn't have heard it.

The question shocked her slightly. She wasn't expecting him to be so forward. She hadn't dated anyone since Brie and even then, they weren't technically dating. What she and Brie had was a similar arrangement to hers and Klaus'. Without the murder, of course.

"What do you want?" she asked, unable to come up with a response.

He breathed out nervously, his finger moving a strand of hair away from her face. "I like you, Maggie. I like you a lot more than I should."

A bright smile appeared on her lips. "I like you too, Nik. A lot more than I should."

— — —

Klaus had later informed Margot of the events of the night before and how Stefan had stolen his coffins. What a dick.

Margot, of course, called her father and she was currently yelling at him while Klaus sat in the corner with a scared expression.

"You fucking asshole, Dad. What the fuck kind of shit was that? You have your fucking humanity off now, huh? Do you think your fucking invincible? Well, your fucking not, I can tell you that, you fucking goddamn moron. I get that you are a stupid ass fucking ripper now with no bloody brains but that does not mean that you get to act like a headless fucking chicken."

She continued to go off at Stefan for the next hour and in that hour, she taught both Klaus and Stefan a vast new language that consisted of only swear words in three different languages.

And eventually, after an hour and a half, Stefan fessed up and gave Klaus his coffins back.

What could he say? Margot was a very scary woman when she wanted to be.

In Margot's mind, they were a bunch of children. They acted as though they were fighting over their favourite toy, that toy being Klaus' siblings. A bit odd if you ask her, but hey, she didn't judge. She did judge though, very much so.

Later that night, multiple bangs woke the heretic up. A little something to be known about Margot is that she hates to be woken by loud noises. She gets very cranky.

"I swear to fucking god I will kill you for waking me up," she threatened as she walked down the stairs, grasping the baseball bat she kept hidden in her room.

Her eyes, however, widened as she walked into the living room and immediately dropped the bat before running over to the man. "Elijah! Finally, the hot one is back."

Klaus stood across from the pair there with his mouth opened in shock as he watched Margot and Elijah hug. "I thought I was the hot one..."

"You're mediocre compared to your siblings," she answered as she let go of the suited man. "You should change. Your suit looks like shit."

"Margot, lovely as ever, I see," the Original greeted, glancing down at his suit and seeing a tear in it from the stab wound. He paused before he left, "Were you- were you planning to take me on with a bat?"

She grins as she picks the weapon back up, swinging it around playfully before resting it on her shoulder, "Yeah. I thought it'd be fun. Wanna test it out?"

The pair glance at each other before looking at the hybrid who stood in the corner with a fearful look. "No. Love, don't."

Margot smirked as she looked to her left and met Elijah's playful stare. "I think we have consent, Lijah."

He grinned. "It appears we do, Margot."

— — —

Margot sat with her arms crossed as she glanced around the table. Stefan sat across from her with a grumpy look while Damon wore a nervous expression as he sat on the furthest seat from her.

Both Klaus and Elijah wore neutral expressions as they discussed the terms of their newfound agreement after Stefan had promised to return all of the coffins that night.

"That's the spirit. Isn't it nice? Five of us dining together? Such a treat. Is this what you had in mind when you pulled the dagger from my brother?" Klaus asked from his seat next to Margot, gently holding her hand beneath the table as Damon continued to stare at her.

Damon glanced at him as he took a sip of wine. "Well, I knew how he felt about you, so I figured the more, the merrier."

"Well, Elijah and I have had our share of quarrels over the century. But we always make it through," the hybrid said as he squeezed Margot's hand, silently reassuring her that he was with her.

Stefan scoffed, "Kind of like you and Rebekah, right? Where is she, by the way? Last I checked she was still daggered because you were afraid to face her."

"If you're referring to the fact that Rebekah knows I killed our mother, I've already come clean to Elijah."

"Hey, Stef, remember when you killed Dad?... And Margot's. Might want to dial down the judgment until dessert."

"We're here to make a deal, Damon. Doesn't mean we need to kiss his ass for seven courses," Stefan argued. He was still pissed over Margot and Klaus's arrangement, not to mention the whole summer he was forced to spend with said hybrid.

"I'm just saying we have a long evening ahead of us. Pace yourself."

Elijah sighed at the brother's quarrel, "Stefan. Where is the lovely Elena tonight?"

"I don't know. Ask Damon."

The hybrid had to cover his mouth to stop himself from laughing at the angry banter, "I'm sorry, you've missed so much. Ah, trouble in paradise."

"One more word about Elena and this dinner's over."

Klaus sent Stefan a playful grin as he held a finger to his lips.

Damon stared at his drink awkwardly, "You know what, probably best just to keep Elena in the do-not-discuss pile."

"You're probably right," Klaus agreed.

"Yeah."

Klaus nodded, "Then I guess you'd like to keep the whole basement situation in the do-not-discuss pile as well?"

Damon's eyes widened. Stefan's head whipped to face his brother, "What's he talking about?"

Damon's eyes glanced at Margot who stared at him with an unreadable look. "Nothing. He's just trying to get under my skin."

Stefan glanced at his daughter. He recognized the look on her face. He hadn't seen it in years, not since the day he rescued her. Damon had done something stupid again.

He nodded, though. He knew this dinner was important so he wouldn't say anything about it until later.

Elijah clasped his hands together. He could practically feel Stefan's gears turning as he attempted to figure out what had happened. "So, why don't we move this evening along and discuss the terms of this proposal?"

"That's very simple. Klaus gets his coffins back, in exchange, he and the Original extended family leave Mystic Falls forever. Me, Stefan, Margot and Elena live happily ever after. No grudges."

"The deal sounds fair, brother."

"I don't think you understand. Margot comes with me and Elena's doppelgänger blood ensures that I will always have more hybrids to fight those that oppose me. I will never leave them behind."

The hybrid stood, "Let's say I do leave them here, under your protection, what then? How long before one of you turns Elena into a vampire? Or worse, how long before she dies caught between your feuding? And Margot, you don't seem to give two shits about her, Damon. You didn't think twice when you pulled that nonsense only two nights before. The only reason I'd even consider leaving her here is if she wanted to stay and for Stefan."

Damon glanced at his brother with a weak look. Stefan was getting more and more pissed with every moment.

"I'm gonna get some air," the blue-eyed Salvatore said before quickly walking out, Elijah following behind him.

With them gone, Stefan stared at Klaus and Margot. "I believe it is time we speak about your little arrangement with my daughter."

The hybrid smiled, "Our arrangement is over, actually."

"Over?" Stefan asked as relief flooded through him.

Margot stared at her father as she revealed her and Klaus's interlocked hands. "We– We're together now, Dad."

Stefan was silent.

"Dad?"

The vampire's hand came up to rub his forehead. The act, however, did nothing to stop his oncoming headache.

"You gonna be okay, Stefan? Do you need a bucket?" Klaus asked, showing the slightest amount of sympathy for the man. However, he really just didn't want vomit on his new carpet.

He shook his head, unable to meet the hybrid's eyes as he looked at his daughter. "And you're happy? This isn't to keep us safe? You actually want this?"

Margot nodded as she moved to sit by his side. "I'm happy, Dad. The happiest I've been in a while."

Stefan slowly nodded before he turned to look at Klaus, "She's allergic to peanut butter. And she's asthmatic so keep an inhaler on you at all times. She hates strong scents, they give her headaches and she hates the dark so keep nightlights in every room–"

Klaus grinned as he held up a small inhaler that had been in his pocket, "Already got it covered. Just in case, right?"

Stefan nodded. "You'll take care of her?"

"With my life, Stefan."

He sighed before standing, holding out his hand. A small grin found its way onto Klaus's face as they shook hands.

Stefan pulled the hybrid in before whispering in his ear, "If you hurt my daughter I will kill you. I don't care if it takes a thousand years, I will do it."

Just then, Damon and Elijah entered the room.

"What do you say, Klaus? It's time for you to put something on the table. We've made our offer, now you counter."

"Okay. I offer Elena's future happiness. You see, what she needs right now is to get rid of you lot. And to fall in love with a human, maybe that nice football player, you know the blond one?"

"Matt Donovan? Really?"

"Yeah, why not? They'll marry, live a long and fruitful life, and pop out a perfect family."

"And continue the Petrova bloodline. Every few hundred years, you'll have a new doppelgänger to drain and never run out of hybrids, right Klaus?" Damon concluded, slightly confused by his brother's newfound silence.

"Consider it a small return on my investment in her well-being. See, after you hand me back the coffins, I'll ensure her safety for the rest of her natural life. You know it's what's best for her. So, what do you say Stefan, hmm? Do we have a deal?"

Stefan stood once again, moving closer to the hybrid.

"What are you doing?" Damon questioned with wide eyes.

"Nice try, Klaus. But no deal."

The hybrid grabbed onto Stefan's arm before snapping the bone in half, holding him to the ground as he sent an apologetic look to Margot.

Elijah grabbed onto Damon, holding him against the wall, stopping him from aiding his brother.

"Bring me my coffin before I break every bone in his body," Klaus threatened. He was bluffing. Margot knew that. Even Stefan knew it.

"I'll get it," Damon breathed out.

"Go with him, brother. You keep him honest. And when you return, I will make good on my promise to you and I will hand over our family."

Stefan grunted as his brother left once again, "Go ahead and kill me. I know you'll do it when he comes back."

The hybrid sighed as he let the vampire go before handing him a glass of blood. "I wouldn't do that to Margot. I may not overly like you but I know she loves you. I couldn't take away her father."

Stefan grunted once more as he stood, grabbing the glass of blood before downing it as he stared at the hybrid. When his arm had healed he moved to stand away from Klaus, his eyes moving to stare at his daughter.

To Klaus and Margot's surprise, Elijah entered the room once again before Margot could speak, this time with a female servant holding a metal tray covered by a cloth.

"Elijah...why haven't you left?"

"Where are your manners, brother? We forgot dessert," his hand came up to the tray before taking off the cloth revealing three silver daggers.

"What have you done?"

"What have you done? You see, I've learned not to trust your vulgar promises, Klaus. We're doing this on my terms now."

A man with chocolate brown hair entered the room in what looked to be clothing from the 1800s. He was cute. Baby face.

"Kol," Klaus muttered as he stared at the man.

"Long time, brother."

Before Klaus could move, another man walked in and stabbed a knife into the hybrid's hand.

"Finn," he groaned. He went to speed away however he was stopped by a blonde woman. "Rebekah!"

Rebekah grinned as she stabbed a dagger into her brother's chest, "This is for our mother."

As Kol and Finn restrained Nik, Elijah looked at the three Salvatores. "You're free to go. This is family business."

"Love?" Klaus muttered, staring at her.

Margot looked at him for a moment with a sympathetic look before she turned to face Elijah, "You won't kill him, right?"

"Only temporarily maim him," Elijah reassured with a smile.

She glanced over at the hybrid who was on his knees. "I'll see you tomorrow, Nik. I need to have a talk with my Dad..."

The hybrid nodded weakly. He knew they needed to talk. "I'll call you," he said as Kol stabbed him.

She smiled slightly, ignoring the blood that was seeping out of his chest, "I might answer."

As she walked out, Kol stared at her, "She's pretty. Is she your new girlfriend, Nik?"

The hybrid groaned, "Shut up, Kol."

Kol and Rebekah glanced at each other, "I think we should steal dear Nik's girlfriend, don't you, Bekah? It'd be good revenge."

The blonde woman grinned, "Oh, I already did, Kol. Nik, would you like to hear about what your girlfriend and I did while you were dead in the back of the truck? She's quite talented, you know? She can do this thing with her tongue, god it's–"

"Just kill me," Klaus pleaded. He did not want to know.

Rebekah smiled, "Maybe I should head over there now... Get a part two."

Kol smirked, "I'll come too. I'd like to see what this girl can do, you wouldn't mind, would you Nik? Elijah, you could come as well. We could make a day of it."

— — —

Margot kicked a stray rock as she and Stefan walked through the empty streets of Mystic Falls. Damon was long gone, already at home while the father and daughter chose to get a breather.

"How's your arm?" she asked after a beat of silence.

"It's fine..." Stefan paused as he glanced around the empty street, "What did Klaus mean when he mentioned the 'whole basement' situation?"

Margot shrugged, "Damon did something stupid again."

"I figured. What happened, sweetheart? You know you can talk to me about these kinds of things."

She nodded slowly as she looked up to the sky. It had started to rain, and a gentle mist hit her bare face, calming her slightly. "You know the night of the dance... the night you took Nik's coffins?"

"Yeah. Damon said you were sick. He told me you were in bed watching Family Guy, stuffing your face with chips and Oreo ice cream."

She almost laughed. It was a believable excuse. "Damon didn't want me to put a wedge in his plan so he and Elena vervained me and... locked me in one of the cells in the basement."

She whispered the last part but Stefan still heard it.

Rage practically swept over him as he stared down at her. "He did what?"

She stayed silent, choosing to focus on fiddling with the fabric of her t-shirt.

"Oh, baby," he whispered before he pulled her into a hug. She tried her best not to cry as she held onto him with all her strength.

It was no secret that Stefan Salvatore gave the best hugs. It was a fact, really.

"It- It was so cold, Dad," she whimpered, her head buried in the nook of his neck.

Stefan was in a state of shock. He couldn't believe his brother would do such a thing. Damon knew the details of the majority of Margot's childhood. He knew what her father had done to her, he knew how much it hurt Margot.

He couldn't believe the man he called a brother would do such a thing to his daughter. For a stupid teenage danger magnet at that. Sure, Stefan loves Elena, but this was his daughter. Margot would always come first, no matter what.

After a few minutes, they parted. Stefan, once again, stared down at her as he gently wiped away her stray tears. "How about we do something fun, yeah?"

She smiled, "Like what?"

"Remember that time in London?"

She grinned widely, a sinister look appearing in her eyes. "Really?"

He nodded. "He deserves it."

"And I can bring my bat?"

He nodded once again, "I'll even let you use some of Ric's weapons."

She was practically jumping in excitement, "We have to go back to Nik's! I left my bat there! Ooh, I should put some new nails in it... Will you help me?"

Stefan nodded, amused by her excitement as she turned back to face the Mikaelson home. They quickly sped to the mansion before knocking on the door.

Elijah answered with a confused look, "Margot? Stefan? I thought you left."

The woman nodded, "I forgot my bat. I need it for a special occasion."

The Original grinned at her as he stepped aside, letting the brunette inside.

"Who's getting tortured today?" the Mikaelson asked Stefan as Margot ran up the stairs.

"My brother," Stefan answered with a small smile.

"Ah, I see."

As Margot carried her bat downstairs, she saw Kol and Rebekah sitting in the parlour with a bloody Klaus. "You're not dead. That's good."

Klaus' eyes widened when he noticed the bat covered in nails at the end. "Why do you have Barry? I swear I didn't do anything this time, love."

She shook her head, walking over to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. "This is for Damon. Dad's letting me torture him."

The hybrid smiled at her words as his nerves died down. "Come back when you're finished. I believe we never had dessert."

She blushed at his words, glancing back at Kol and Rebekah who sat smirking at her. She quickly flipped them off before looking back at Klaus, "Sounds good."

Kol glanced at the bat she held in her hand, "Can I come?"

She nodded quickly, "I have an extra hidden behind that painting."

Klaus frowned as his brother grabbed onto the bat, "How many of those do you have hiding around?"

"Enough," she whispered into his ear before she and Kol walked out of the house with Stefan.

She had twenty-seven to be exact. Not that he needed to know.