the ground could open, he could still say please

[slavophile]

Comments

[braveandstupid]

I'm in Kansas, with a friend. I'm safe. Believe it or not, Katherine had my back until I got here.

[Which is something she never thought she'd say.]

I'm assuming you heard about the hit list?

[barely]

Ric and Jo are flying in today.

( Of course he heard about it. A contact was sent it. But, it was already in motion and he knew his sister was on the run. He just expected news before now. He can't blame her for running for her life. It's a smart change from high school when she stayed put and was determined to live her normal life around the chaos.

But, no, he had to go and stay with relatives in Denver. He still doesn't get that decision on his part, but maybe he just needed a break from the vampires. Didn't stop Kol from finding him. )

Wait - Katherine?

[braveandstupid]

She was at the hospital when the hunters started showing up. They were looking for both of us.

[So they didn't have much of a choice, but it didn't turn out as terribly as you may think. She's still not sure she'll ever forgive her for some of the things she's done to her, but maybe she doesn't hate her quite as much.]

[barely]

Was she there to see you?

( Where's the trick? He's not saying she planned it like that, like she was pinning it on Elena or trying to save herself, but he could see that. )

[braveandstupid]

She was looking for medical care.

[She does catch the sound of something happening in the bunker and goes to investigate while keeping him on the phone.]

Apparently she's a hunter now.

[barely]

I know. Hunters gossip almost as much as you and Bonnie and Caroline do. Her reputation's all over the place, but one thing everybody lands on is that she shouldn't be underestimated.

(She's taken to it like a duck to water. )

How was it being trapped inside a car with her?

[braveandstupid]

It actually wasn't bad. We even worked a case together.

[Is she still prepared for Katherine to stab her in the back when the need strikes her? Maybe. But there's a smidge more trust.

She wanders around to the front and spots the blond of her best friend's hair.]

Hey guys. Jer says hi.

[And then she turns back to the phone and steps away from the main conversation.]

Caroline and Ryan just got here.

[barely]

Are they together yet?

( Guess who gossips just as good as the girls! )

[braveandstupid]

Oh, yes! Did I forget to tell you? They hooked up at graduation.

[She's very happy for her friend, and it's nice to see Caroline happy after so long.]

[barely]

About time.

( He gets small pleasures hearing about the town of Mystic Falls. It's nicer sometimes to talk about the squishy emotions over squishy dead bodies, of which there hadn't been any -- until the hunters made their move. )

Can I ask which friend you're in Kansas with?

[braveandstupid]

[There's a brief pause for an awkward face that Jeremy can't see as she decides how to answer that question.]

Do you remember the Winchesters?

[barely]

Not personally. ( (5) Having been younger than Elena at the time, he was busier being obsessed with Vicki Donovan and then sneaking around with her by the time they had to split. ) Vaguely, if you're talking about the hunters with their reputation in almost ending the world. ( (7) ) Hunters also exaggerate.

[braveandstupid]

[She makes a face because yeah that might not all be a lie but Jeremy doesn't have to know that yet.]

Well, they had a kid at school so they came to graduation and Dean and I ... hit it off.

[Which is a polite way of putting that she and Dean are dating - you know your sister, Jeremy, she doesn't do anything half way.]

[barely]

So, we're taking out grandma's nice china, then.

( But, good for her. He's not judging. Elena tends to just go whole hog. Matt, Stefan, that Liam guy. Damon. They never mention Damon. )

[braveandstupid]

[She rolls her eyes.]

We're not quite that far into things.

[But Elena does fall hard and fast. Dean is new to this though, so she's trying not to spook him.]

We're still in the seeing where it goes phase.

[Though she did just meet his mom.]

[barely]

Hey, I'm all for that phase. That's all I did until I met Dawn.

( But, then he met Dawn. He never had a great romantic record what with blowing it with Bonnie twice. (Blowing it being cheating and then she yaknow "died" and was sent to the 1994 prison world. )

I'm pulling into arrivals. Does Ric need to know anything?

[braveandstupid]

Not that I know right now, but Caroline just got here and I think Bonnie got dropped off to meet a witch friend so if I hear anything new, I'll text you.

[She leans away, straining to hear what's happening in the other room.]

But it seems like something witchy may be afoot.

[barely]

So, no.

( Not until they have to. )

Stay safe, Elena.

( He expects the text. But, for now he signs off and dials Jo's number to find them by the right door number. )

[saveslives]

[She pulls out her phone and smiles when she sees Jeremy's name on the caller ID.]

Hey, Jer. We're on our way out to Arrivals.

[barely]

Just pulling in. Let me know what number you see when you're out.

( He hit the traffic light, so he has time to not have to drive past them and go around again. )

[saveslives]

Looks like ... five.

[She emerges through the door, assuming her husband is not far behind her, and looks up to confirm.]

Yep, five! We're out on the curb, so you should see us.

[barely]

( They're on the run, he's staying close.

For a spot check, he got a (9), so he sees them, but only after he passes them, and reflexively, he almost hits someone to his right as he tries to pull in front (7), but they miss (5). Jeremy is left in the dust by an angry horn but he's only one tower over as he shifts into park and steps out of the car.

He opens the trunk for Jo and Ric. )

I don't get it, drivers are usually much more chill in Portland.

( It's called poor driving, Jer. And you call yourself a hunter. )

[saveslives]

I'm sure they are.

[She smirks, before sliding her bags inside and then climbing into the back seat.]

You look good. Seems like the northwest is working out for you.

[barely]

( Look, he has his blindspots. Always have. This time, they're less metaphorical. Alaric climbs into the front seat as Jeremy climbs back into the driver seat. )

Everybody in?

( "Try not to kill us on the way out," Alaric dryly says, eyeing the other drivers.

Jeremy ignores him, turning his blinker on. )

Thanks, Jo. There's something different in the air, here.

( He left everything tragic back in Mystic Falls. The bad memories, everyone dying, Anna, Vicki, Jenna, Elena once -- It was all too much. Save for his sabbatical at the school and helping out Landon and Raf, he hardly ever goes back.

"You look good, Jeremy." Alaric relents, glancing back at Jo. See? It's fine. )

Yeah? You too, Ric. Rocking the no-shave look. I like it.

( "I didn't exactly bring my shaving kit," he says. )

What all did you guys get out with?

( Is there a restocking in order? )

[saveslives]

Mostly the basics. I barely got out of the hospital in one piece.

[Though it's a good thing she did, given all that rests on her shoulders.]

Have you heard from your sister? Last I heard she was on the road with Katherine.