Chapter 18 | The Birthday

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  "Rudy!" A blonde female called out as she walked out of her house. "Rudy," she whistled. "Come on! It's too hot to make me come looking for you." She bent down to pick up a toy and when she turned around Klaus and Mira suddenly stood behind her.

  "I'm so sorry. We didn't mean to scare you," Klaus apologised in a fake American accent. Mira side eyed him while biting her cheek to refrain from laughing at how horrible it was.

  "Can I help you?" The woman asked.

  "Yeah, our uh, our car ran out of gas a couple of miles back. I feel like we've been walking forever, yours is the first house we came to so we were just hoping we could use your phone?" Klaus replied politely.

  "Don't either of you have a cell phone?" The woman was apprehensive in the presence of the two.

  "Yeah," Mimi smiled innocently as she pulled out her phone from her back pocket, "but the batteries died." She showed her the turned off phone, her fake American accent being much more convincing.

  "I promise we're not a serial killer, we just wanna use your phone," Klaus reassured. Mira was really struggling not to laugh at that one.

  The young woman sighed, "Sure."

  "So, we can come in?" The male hybrid stepped forward with a hopeful gaze.

  "No," she shut down the idea, "I'll get the phone and I'll bring it out to you."

  Mimi rolled her eyes, dropping the nice facade, "Don't they say country folk were supposed to be trusting?"

The woman gave her a smirk, "I'm from Florida."

  "Well, that explains it," Klaus' real accent came back as he shared a look with Mimi before he grabbed the woman by the throat and compelled her. "Now show me a little southern hospitality. Sweet pea."

  "I bet you a hundred dollars that dog ran off to a house with air conditioning," a curly haired woman mused only to turn around and see her scared friend accompanied by Klaus and Mira. "What's going on?"

  "Don't be alarmed, darling. We were told Ray Sutton lives here," Mimi said, sweetly.

"He's almost never here. He's on the road mostly," the woman replied.

  "But I expect he makes it home, once a month," neither of the girls said a thing much to Klaus' amusement, "That's what I thought. Where is he now?"

  They once again don't give him an answer causing Mira to huff, "If you'd rather I make you tell me, let me warn you it will be quite painful."

  She looked between the hybrids and without a moment of hesitation she took off out of the kitchen. She screamed in shock when she opened the front door just to see Stefan standing there.

  Mimi and Klaus walk out - him still having a hold of the blonde girl. "I love it when they run," Klaus mused.

  "You were really going to leave your friend behind?" Mimi frowned playfully, "where's the loyalty?"

  "He's in Tully," the curly haired woman gave in, "It's near the border. A bar called Southern Comfort. It's on Highway 41."

  "Thank you my lovely." The Mikaelson turned to the hysterical blonde girl, "Now, may my friend come in?"

  "Yes," she cried. The other woman looked horrified as Stefan walked in.

  Klaus shoved the crying woman into the vampire arms, "Kill this one quickly." He then turned to the other female, "And make that one suffer. We'll be in the car."

  The hybrids walked out casually, Klaus grinning happily while Mimi rolled her eyes at him. They listened as the girls screamed for their lives.

  "You alright, love?" Nik asked in concern.

  Mimi nodded, "I'm fine." No she wasn't. She was thinking about the fact that she hadn't talked to any of her loved ones that she knew still resided in Mystic Falls. She had taken a page out of her brother's book and actually turned her phone off completely to free herself from the constant calls and texts. She hadn't turned it on in weeks.

  She knew she told them she'd see them soon, but as time went on, the longer she was away the thought of seeing them and then having to go their separate ways over and over again would just be far too hard. It was better for her to just stay away and let them live their lives.

  "Mimi," Klaus snapped her out of her thoughts, "are you sure you're alright?"

  Mira hummed, "just lost in thought. Sorry. What were you saying?"

  Klaus eyed her, not believing her one bit but he knew better than to push her, "we should get ready to head this bar to find Ray." The brunette nodded, tiredly which caused Klaus to put a hand on her back, "why don't you wait in the car. You look like you could use some rest."

  Mira didn't have the energy to fight him so she let him lead her to the car and gently help her in. She grabbed a pillow she had brought and leaned on the door of the car, her eyes fluttering shut.

  Nik pushed her hair tenderly out her face, smiling as he admired her beauty. His smile only grew bigger when his eyes fell onto the locket she had started to wear a few weeks into their trip. He was shocked to see she had kept it all these years and when she had begun to wear it again but neither of them said a word about it. Silently agreeing to just leave it be.

  "Sleep well, my angel," he whispered.

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Mira woke up only to squeeze her eyes shut again when she saw they were still driving. She honestly hated being in a car for too long, especially with a brooding Stefan Salvatore.

Klaus being Klaus had compelled them a driver for god knows what reason considering they all knew how to drive. So Mimi was sitting in the back with her ex while Stefan sat in the passenger seat.

"Well, look who's finally awake," she heard Klaus from beside her. She realised her head had been on his shoulder although when she fell asleep it had been leaning against the door.

"How long is this drive supposed to be?" She asked as she groggily sat up.

"Not long now love. We're almost there," Klaus smiled.

Stefan turned in his seat to face the two, "what exactly is our plan for when we get there?"

"First we find Ray," Klaus started. "Then we compel the bar and start off by greeting him."

"Correction, I greet him," Mimi decided, which earned a look of confusion from Klaus.

He raised a brow at her, "why you?"

"Because he's a male, I'm a female," Mira explained, "do I really need to continue?"

Klaus narrowed his eyes, not liking the plan at all, "you know, I don't see the point in any of us greeting him. We could simply grab him, tie him up and torture him until he gives us information."

"Hush, Nik. We are doing this my way," Mimi concluded the conversation, "we all know that my plans work better anyway. Right, Stefan?"

Both hybrids turned their attention to an alarmed Stefan for an answer. They were both pretty terrifying when they wanted to be but one thing he had learnt during the time he spent with them was that - Mira Emberson was one person to never side against no matter what.

The Salvatore shrugged, facing the road again, "Mira's, right. Sorry Klaus."

Klaus could only glare while Mira smirked triumphantly.

"You're both bloody idiots," he mumbled.

Mimi tutted teasingly, "don't pout, Nik."

He then moved his glare to her, "shut up." Mimi and Stefan shared a look which caused them to chuckle and Klaus scoffed with an eye roll, hating that they were ganging up on him.

Stefan and Mira had surprisingly grown a little closer during their time away. Sure, neither of them fully trusted the other but despite that they seemed to get along great. Apart from the constant brooding Mimi enjoyed his company. Stefan had realised that Mimi wasn't all that bad, sure she could scare someone to death but she had a soft side and she protected the ones she loved no matter what. Still, they weren't friends but more acquaintances.

Stefan also came to the conclusion that she and Klaus were seemingly a match made in hell, even if they didn't know it. They were both as ruthless as each other.

"I hate both of you."

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Klaus and Mira stood outside of a bar called 'southern comfort' that Ray Sutton was supposed to arrive at waiting on Stefan to compel the entire bar.

"It's done," the brooding vampire said as he walked back outside towards the duo.

Mimi smirked when she watched a man hop out of a truck. The smell of wolf radiating off of him, "just in time to."

"Let's get on with it, shall we?" Klaus suggested, rubbing his hands together.

Mira was quick to pull him back from continuing his walk towards the entrance of the bar, "I'm pretty sure we already established that I was the one that was going to talk to him."

Klaus rolled his eyes, "and I'm pretty sure I said no," he rebutted.

The brunette narrowed her eyes, "it's funny that you say that like you actually have a say in the matter."

Stefan groaned, "Will one of you just go in?"

"Stay out of it," Mimi and Nik retorted simultaneously before going back to glaring at each other.

"You are not going in there to flirt with that wolf," Klaus argued exasperatedly.

"Aw, I know you want to be the only wolf I flirt with but I'm doing this for you," Mimi rolled her eyes, "no need to be jealous."

Klaus gave her an offended look, "I am not jealous," he gritted out lowly.

"Great. I'm going in now. Don't worry, I'll be quick," she was in the bar before he could get another word in.

Klaus threw his hands up in frustration and glared at Stefan who had raised his eyebrows at him, "I am not jealous."

The brunette strutted in like she owned the place, heads couldn't help but turn towards her as she sat at the bar. From the corner of her eye she could see Ray next to her eyeing her just like every other man and multiple women in the place.

The bartender offered her a smile, "what can I get you sweetheart?"

"Just whiskey, thanks," she replied while pulling out some money.

"No, no, no," Ray interrupted. "Let me," he said as he pulled money out from his own pocket.

Mira offered him a sickly sweet smile, "thank you." She had to refrain from rolling her eyes at him not so subtly checking her out.

"It's no problem," he waved her off as the redhead bartender gave her a glass of alcohol. "What's a stunning lady like you doing in a bar like this all alone?" Mira didn't reply as she watched his hand inch closer to her leg.

She wasn't able to stop herself from grabbing his arm and snapping it, "did that hurt?" She asked innocently, "I bet you're very used to your bones snapping, aren't you Ray? At least once a month of course," she taunted in his ears.

"Who, who the hell are you?" Ray stammered out.

"Someone you should never try to put your hands on," her face hardened, making him cower slightly, "didn't your mother teach you better?"

"What do you want?"

Mira shrugged, "it's more about what he wants."

The wolf looked behind to her her head had gestured to see Klaus behind her with an angry glare displayed on his face. If he didn't need Ray for information he would have already been dead.

"Ray Sutton. I've been looking everywhere for you," the male hybrid stalked over, "We started in Florida, Pensacola. I met a young chap there who you used to work with before you moved to Memphis, now he directed me to two lovely young women. And they led me here, to you."

Seeing as Mira had finally let go of him, Ray had stood up from his seat, snapping his bones back in place, "I think I'll be going."

The brunette was quick to grab his forearm though, "what's the rush? You seemed to be enjoying yourself a minute ago."

Klaus faced him, "yeah, not so fast mate. You only just got here, now your type are very hard to come by."

Ray tried to walk in the opposite direction of the exes but he only bumped into Stefan who pushed him back. "I wouldn't do that."

"Vampires," Ray realised as he looked at the trio.

"You're swifty swift Ray. Yes, my friend here is a vampire. He compelled everybody in the bar so don't look to them for any help," Klaus said as Mira retook her seat. "Me and the stunning lady however, we're something else, a different kind of monster. I've got some vampire, I've got some wolf. Whereas Mira here, she's a mixture of a vampire and a witch."

"You're what?" Ray looked between the hybrids with wide eyes full of confusion.

Mimi rolled her eyes as she downed her whiskey, "it's quite a long story."

Klaus however chose to ignore her, "Hybrid's Ray, we're both. You see, I want to create more of me. Now you being the first werewolf that I've come across in many a moon, pun intended Ray! I need you to direct me to your pack. So, where can I find them, Ray?"

"You can't compel me, it won't work."

The female hybrid turned to face the men as she chuckled, "that's what's gonna make it fun."

Stefan looked between Mira and Klaus waiting for some kind of signal from either of them. Klaus gave him a subtle look earning a nod.

"Can you bring out the darts please?" Stefan asked the man behind the bar before turning to face the wolf, "Tell you what Ray, We're gonna play a little drinking game, something I like to call truth or wolfsbane," the vampire pulled out some wolfsbane, crushing the plant in his hand.

"Oh, this is gonna be so much fun Ray."

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  While Stefan dealt with chaining Ray up, Mira had gone in to order her now third drink whilst Klaus drank a beer.

  "So much for your plan working," Klaus spoke smugly.

  Mimi snapped her head towards him with a warning look, "my plan went smoothly considering I wanted his attention - which I got. It's just went south when he's hands we're getting too close for comfort. Would you I prefer I let him rub himself on me?"

  Nik narrowed his eyes at her before turning his head back to where the torture had begun, obviously having no comeback to that.

  "Hm, that's what I thought," she hummed.

  They turned their attention back to the wolf and vampire. Ray was now chained to the wall, and was being used as a dart board. Stefan had been stirring the darts around in a glass of wolfsbane. The vampire went up and pulled one of the darts out of Ray's neck, showing no emotion at all.

  "Ray, you can end this right now. Just tell me where your pack gathers for the full moon," Stefan tried to persuade.

  "I can't," Ray whimpered out.

  "I know, I know. You live by code and all that, but see their not gonna let me stop until you tell me," Stefan gestured to the hybrid exes behind him, "And I do whatever the say so, that's the way it goes around here."

"Their insane," the wolf wheezed out, earning smirks from the hybrids.

Stefan's shrugged with a look of indifference, "yeah, I know."

  Suddenly a dark haired woman walked up to Klaus and Mira couldn't help but narrow her eyes at her.

  "Hello mister Klaus," the woman greeted, "I have some more information for you. You told me to tell you if I saw anything. I saw that guys spotted Damon at the farm house. Also two girls were lurking around as well, a blonde and a redhead."

  Mimi's eyes widened slightly as a frown took over her face. They weren't giving up.

  "Well, thank you Claudine. You'll just tell your friends to keep up the good work or they're gonna watch her," Klaus smiled as Claudine hurried off.

  Stefan comes over, obviously overhearing the conversation, "My brother's still on our trail?"

  "He's getting closer, as are Mimi's friends. I'm gonna have to deal with that," the hybrid declared.

  Mimi stood quickly from her seat, "hold on. First off, you're keeping tabs on my best friends without telling me and now you're going to 'deal' with them?"

  "Well, you obviously don't want to be found considering you having taken their calls."

  Mira shook her head, "that's besides the point. You're not gonna hurt them, Klaus or I swear to god."

  Klaus sighed as he rubbed his temples, it was a lot harder to argue with her then he remembered, "fine. I'll leave your friends be. But I still need to deal with Damon."

  "No, no, no," Stefan protested as he grabbed Klaus' arm, "Let me handle it."

  Klaus raised a brow at him, "Why should I let you leave?"

  "Cause, you'll know I'll come back."

  "Do I?"

  Stefan shrugged, "You saved my brother's life; I'm at your service."

  The male hybrid rolled his eyes, "oh, it all sounds so tedious and indentured. Aren't you even having the least bit of fun?" He grinned while gesturing to Ray.

  "So much fun," Mimi smirked sarcastically.

  Stefan ignored her, "I'll make sure that my brother doesn't bother us any more," he concluded and made his way to the exit.

  Klaus turned to Mira who had retaken her seat at the bar with a solemn expression, "aren't you gonna go talk to your friends as well?"

  Mira shook her head, "nope."

  "Why?"

  "There's no point, they're as stubborn as me, there wouldn't be any convincing them to give up if they don't want to. Besides, if I saw them I'm not sure that I'd be able to walk away."

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  Ray was now laying on the pool table, breathing heavily. He had finally given Klaus the information they were looking for and now the hybrid was about to turn the wolf.

  "Okay, it's a three step process, Ray. This is step one. I want you to drink from my wrist," Klaus explained as he circled the pool table.

  "I already told you where to find the pack. What more do you want from me?" Ray questioned.

  "Have you not been listening at all this entire time?" Mimi retorted in annoyance.

  "I have great plans for you," Klaus said before cutting his wrist and feeding Ray his blood. "He'll thank me for it later, huh," he chuckled.

  "I wouldn't if I were him," Mimi remarked.

  "Would you stop with the commentary?" He asked exasperatedly

  "would you stop with the commentary?" She mocked in a deep voice, "No I won't."

  He rolled his eyes as he looked down at Ray, "There we go, attaboy!"

  Mira's attention turned to Stefan who had just entered looking more depressed than when he left. "Welcome back," she slid him a glass to which he downed instantly, nodding his head in thanks.

  Klaus removed his wrist from the tortured wolfs mouth and Ray was quick to ask, "What are you going to do now?"

  "It's time for step two, Ray," Klaus told him but didn't get the chance to kill the wolf because Mira raised her hand in a bored manner, - purple coating her irises and a small amount of energy escaping her fingertips as she made a simple hand movement which snapped Ray's neck.

  Klaus gave her an annoyed look to which she shrugged out, "you and broody over here got to do the torturing, I deserved to have some fun."

  Klaus couldn't stop himself from smirking as he turned his attention to Stefan, "You're back."

  "Did you doubt me?" The vampire queried.

  "Not for a second."

  Mira raised her hand slightly, "I did."

  "Well, I knew you'd pass the test. You still care for your brother, for your old life."

  Stefan shook his head, "Nah, I don't care about anything anymore."

  Mimi laughed, "don't lie broodster, we all know it's an act."

  Klaus nodded in agreement with his ex, "You put on a good show Stefan. I almost believe you. Let's hope, for your brother's sake, he does." Nik leaned down to whisper in Stefan's ear, "You never stop caring about family, do you? But, every time you feed, the blood makes it easier to let go."

  Mira sighed, "alright, I need some air and a break from you two for a little while." She could feel their eyes on the back of her head as she walked outside.

  She took a deep breath as the cold night air hit her skin. She was feeling suffocated a lot recently. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and waited for it to turn on. It would be the first time in weeks that she had gone through it.

  There were almost hundreds of texts and missed calls. Some from Elliana, Caroline, Matteo, Adelaide, even Damon. She couldn't stop herself from listening to the voicemails.

  "Hey," the voice of Caroline came through, "I know you probably won't listen to this but I just needed someone to talk to. And since the one person I want to speak to isn't here all I can do is leave a voicemail. Adelaide isn't really speaking to me or anyone for that matter. I know I said I'd look out for her but she's shutting everyone out."

  The voicemail cut off before Mira could hear anymore. With great hesitation instead of listening to her voice message Mimi hit Adelaide's contact and waited as it rang.

  "Mimi?" A tired voice spoke. Mira didn't have the courage to reply. "Are you there?" Adelaide asked, only to sigh when she didn't get an answer. "I'm barely coping without you, Mims. None of us are. Especially since you won't answer or reply to any of us. I know what you're doing, shutting us out, pretending to be okay. But I know you aren't because neither am I."

  Mira felt a tear run down her cheek as she listened to her best friend's words.

  "You might not be okay, but you're strong enough to get through it, Mims. I'm not going to beg you to come home because that isn't fair of me but just know that I won't stop until I find you. And know this, I am going to kick Klaus Mikaelson's ass for taking you away." Adelaide smiled when she heard a teary chuckle come from the other line. "And remember, I love you."

  Mimi couldn't take anymore so she pulled the phone away and hung up. Wiping her tears in frustration, calling Addie wasn't a good idea but it bought her some peace.

  Mimi was angry at herself because she was enjoying her time with Nik. Sure it would have been better to have the ones she loved with her but her life felt more carefree than it had in a while. She was also learning to control her newfound powers which wasn't exactly easy getting used to.

  She just wished her best friends and brother would stop searching and try to live their lives a little without her. It made her heart ache knowing how hard they were trying to look for her whereas she was enjoying herself. It didn't feel fair.

  "Mimi," she heard from behind her. She turned around with glistening eyes as she faced Klaus. He could only frown as he saw the pain in them. She shook her head, biting her cheek as she tried to stop any more tears from escaping.

  Klaus knew she wasn't not in the mood for talking so he stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. He whispered sweet nothings in her ear as she clung to him for dear life.

  He caused this, he knew that. He took her away from her new family and it was because he was selfish. He wasn't afraid to admit it but what he was afraid to admit was that he was scared. Scared to leave without her and he wouldn't see her again - scared to lose her, just like everyone else who loved her.

  Everyone seemed to need Mimi because she may have had a dark side but she still brought light into people's lives. Her love was something else. Because despite everything she had done and become, that pure nature she once had when she was human was still in there.

  "I'm sorry, love," he mumbled into her hair.

Welcome to season 3 my lovelies :)

- Kaylee