AN: The story of the originals in New Orleans but with a teenage Hope instead of a pregnant Hayley. She's still in the story though. All rights to the show and characters belong to the CW, I just changed them a little : D I hope you all enjoy!

Always and Forever

Over the course of my long life, I have come to believe that we are bound forever to those with whom we share blood. And while we may not choose our family, that bond can be our greatest strength, or, our deepest regret. This unfortunate truth has haunted me for as long as I can recall. – Elijah Mikaelson

Three days. Three days I have been held captive by the witches of the French Quarter. The only thing that they have told me is that they need me to lure someone back to town. They could have at least put me in a hotel or given me a blowup mattress with a quilt, and not hold me up in a cold cemetery with bones and corpuses everywhere with only a threadbare blanket. And there's no Wi-Fi!

I'm brought out of my thoughts when I hear Sophie, the witch that brought me here, and another with her. A man?

"This is sacred ground, which means vampires have to be invited in. But since I'm desperate, come on in. We can talk freely here."

"Then I suggest you start talking. What did your sister want with Niklaus?" Who is this guy and who's Niklaus?

"Isn't it obvious? We have a vampire problem and we need help. Marcel has an army backing him," who's Marcel? "The witches have been trying to fight back, we haven't had much luck. Until my sister Jane-Ann met a girl. A 15-year-old witch-werewolf hybrid passing through the Quarter. She has a special connection to your brother."

"What kind of connection?"

"About sixteen years ago a witch from a sister coven of ours was with your brother for a few months. He left, and a few weeks later she found out that she was pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl. The father of her daughter, your brother Klaus."

"That's impossible."

"Nothing's impossible, especially not when it comes to your brother. Think about it, they call him the hybrid, right? Bring her out!"

A few of the witches grabbed me and pulled me to my feet before pushing me through the gates. We turned the corner and walked up to Sophie and the man she was talking with. When he saw me he looked very shocked. I said the first thing that came to my mind.

"Who the hell are you?"

Elijah POV

As the girl Sophie spoke of approached me I was in complete shock. I could have sworn it was Klaus but I knew better. This girl was the spitting image of my brother from her blonde hair to her big blue eyes. When she asked who I was it brought me out of my thoughts. I turned to Sophie and glared at her.

"If you are lying to me…"

"I'm not. Look her and tell me that you don't see the resemblance." I looked back at the girl and knew immediately knew that Sophie wasn't lying. This girl was my niece, my family. I turned back to Sophie.

"Give us a moment please."

Normal POV

"So have they been holding you here against your will?" The man asked me while pacing the room. I was sitting on the only bench in the room that wasn't occupied by candles. I was fiddling with my mother's necklace when I answered him back.

"They lured me out to the bayou and grabbed me."

"Why may I ask were you there?"

"It's normal for my mom to take off for a few days. Witch business and all that, but she's never been gone for this long."

"How long has she been gone?"

"Almost a month. She used to live here as a kid so I figured maybe she took a detour to visit some old friends. When I got here I found Jane-Ann and asked her if she'd seen my mom. She said that she'd seen her head out to the bayou. Got there and Sophie and them were waiting for me and I've been here ever since."

"What has your mother told you about your father?"

"Nothing really. All she said was that he was special and that I was the same as him but also more. But that was all she would tell me. She said knowing what I was dangerous and could get me killed because my dad had a lot of enemies and they might use me against him."

"Your mother is wise. Perhaps if you knew my families, our families story you might understand better why she didn't tell you much about him. If I may?" He sat down beside me and placed his hands on either side of my head and closed his eyes. As he began his story I could actually see it happening, almost like I was there.

"In the beginning, our family was human. A thousand years ago now. Although our mother dabbled in the dark arts we were largely just a family trying to survive in a time where it was quite difficult to do so. And for better or for worse, we were happy. That is, however, until one night our youngest brother was killed by the village's greatest threat. Men who could transform themselves into a wolf during a full moon. Our family was devastated. None more than Niklaus. Desperate to protect the rest of us, our father forced our mother to call upon her black magic in order to make us stronger. Thus, the first vampires were born.

But with this speed, this strength, this immortality came terrible hunger. And no one felt this hunger more than Niklaus. When he killed for the first time we knew what he truly was. He wasn't just a vampire."

"He was also a werewolf. That's how it works. It isn't activated until you take a life. Usually anyway." I mumble the last part to myself but I knew he heard me.

"What do you mean? Are you saying that you were born with it triggered?" I nod.

"How is that possible?"

"From what my mom told me there are many types of hybrids and each one with their own quirks because the traditional rules of nature don't apply to them. Witch-werewolf hybrids are born with curse triggered regardless of the killing rule but we can also control the change." He smiled at me before he continued with his questioning.

"How does your mother know all of this?"

"Because she's also one. Her mother was a witch and her father was a werewolf. Never met them though, they died before I was born." I paused for a second before I continued.

"Your brother, Niklaus, he's my father isn't he?" He looked at me for a long moment before he finally answered.

"Yes, he is."

"But how is that possible? Vampires are dead they can't have children."

"Yes, that is correct but even you said yourself that most of the rules of nature don't apply to you. The same with your father."

"So if he's half werewolf, does that make you one too?"

"No. Besides Niklaus the rest of my siblings and I are just vampires. You see Niklaus was the result of an indiscretion that our mother had hidden from us all. An affair with a werewolf like yourself. Infuriated by this betrayal our father forced our mother to cast a spell that would suppress Klaus' werewolf side. Denying him any connection with his true self."

"Your dad sounds like a dick. No offense." He just laughed.

"Well now that you know your families story, what my I ask is your name?"

"Hope."

"A beautiful name. Why did your mother choose that name if I may ask?"

"My mom resigned herself with the fact that she may never have children. Most people are scared of hybrids even if there not part vampire. That's why she never told anyone about her wolf side unless she had to. But when she found out that she was pregnant with me she was hopeful again. She used to call me her little bit of hope, hence the name Hope." He smiled.

"Well, my name's Elijah. But if you want, you can just call me Uncle." I just smiled at him.

"So, quick question because I want to understand what I'm being thrown into. Is it true what the witches say about your brother? That he's a notorious psycho? Because if he is I would really like to know so I don't piss him off. Or better yet maybe I'll just run for the hills." I asked him, half playful and half serious. He just smiled at me in amusement.

"No I don't believe that you'll have to run for the hills. I cannot excuse his behavior but you must understand, our father hunted him, hunted us for centuries. Every time we found a moment of happiness we were forced to flee. Even here, in New Orleans, where were happiest of all. Not long after your father broke the spell which prevented him becoming a hybrid, he defeated our father. I thought this would make him happy, he was angrier than ever. I wonder if you, as his only child, might bring him happiness. A way to save him from himself. Bring him hope again." We were interrupted when Sophie walked in the room.

"Huh. I'm glad you feel that way, because we need your help."

"What precisely is it that you want and what is it that it has to do with this child?"

"We want to run Marcel and his vampires out of town. Klaus is the key. Everything Marcel knows about being a vampire he learned from Klaus. Marcel trusts him, looks up to him. He won't see the betrayal coming."

"Yes well as I'm sure you're aware, my brother Niklaus doesn't like to be told what to do." Sophie smiles slightly.

"That's why I brought you here. Marcel drove the werewolves out of town, decades ago. Do you really think that he's gonna welcome a hybrid child to the neighborhood?" Sophie scoffs. "Convince Klaus to help us and no one has to know about the newest member of the Original Family."

"That sounds remarkably like blackmail."

"Like I said, I'm desperate." Elijah looks at Sophie for a long moment before he smiles.

"Well then, I've got my work cut out for me don't I."

"No, that's impossible." Well he's certainly open-minded.

"I said the same thing myself."

"This is a lie. You're all lying. Vampires cannot procreate!"

"But werewolves can," Sophie all but shouted, "magic made you a vampire, but you were born a werewolf. You're the Original Hybrid, the first of your kind. And this child is one of nature's loopholes." It was quiet for a moment before he turned and began yelling at me.

"This little witch knows that I'm not her father ADMIT IT!" I know I said that I would try not to piss him off, but with everything that's happened to me so far I just couldn't take it anymore. So I let my emotions out and began yelling back.

"Hey! I've been held for days in a freakin' alligator bayou and a freezing cold cemetery because they think I'm some magical miracle child, who was only passing through the Quarter to find her mom – whom I still haven't been able to find because of Sophie – and they think that I'm your kid. Believe me I'm not happy with this predicament either buddy so get in line. And besides, if I even had the slightest idea of who my father is don't you think I would have fessed up by now!"

I was panting by the time I finished. I guess I really needed to get a few things off my chest. I looked up at Klaus' face – man I hate being only five feet tall – and I saw pure shock. The same expression was on Elijah's face. I'm guessing most people don't stand up to him and the ones who do are either very brave, very stupid, or they have a death wish. Three guesses on which category I fall under. After a moment, Sophie collected herself and continued where she left off.

"My sister gave her life to perform that spell to confirm that this child is yours. Because of Jane-Ann's sacrifice, the life of this girl is now controlled by us. We can keep her safe, or we can kill her." My head immediately shot up and stared at her in shock along with Elijah. Sophie must be brave because the next thing I know she's gets up into Klaus' face.

"If you don't help us take down Marcel, so help me, Hope won't live long enough to turn 16."

"What?" I shout at Sophie.

"Enough of this. If you want Marcel dead he's dead I'll kill him myself," Elijah says as he starts to walk out.

"No! We can't. Not yet. We have a clear plan that we need to follow and there are rules." Klaus slowly turns to look at Sophie with rage all over his face.

"How dare you command me? THREATEN ME! With what you wrongfully perceive to be MY weaknesses! THIS is a pathetic deception; I won't hear any more lies."

"Niklaus!" The brothers look at each other for a long moment before Elijah continues. "Look at her."

Klaus stared at me for a long moment. There was something in his eyes but I couldn't describe it. As quickly as it appeared it disappeared just as quickly. Then his face hardened as he turned back to Sophie and Elijah.

"Kill her. What do I care?" Then he walked out. Elijah comes up to me, puts a hand on my shoulder, and looks at me."

"I'll fix this. I promise," he turns to Sophie, "no one touches the girl." He turns to look at me for another moment before walking out to follow his brother.

"Marcel and his vampires are out of control. Something had to be done." Sophie and a woman named Agnes were fighting about the whole vampire thing and I was just leaning against the wall with Hayley trying to tune them out. From what I found out, the witches had taken Hayley as Plan A to get Klaus' attention but once they met me they changed their plans.

From what I could tell the witches weren't keeping Hayley hostage anymore but she decided to stay with me to keep me safe. Apparently, my mother knew a lot about Hayley's family and she was gonna help me find her. I know that she was only helping me because my mom had info on her family, but I was happy to know that I wasn't the only one looking for her now.

"And the solution is to bring in more vampires?"

"They aren't just any vampires Agnes, these are the Originals."

"What makes you think that you can control the Hybrid?"

"She can't." I turned my head and found Elijah standing a few feet away from Hayley and I. He looked at me and smiled for a moment before turned his gaze to Hayley. They stared at each other for a long moment before he cleared his throat and continued.

"I'm not entirely certain that I can either. But now that your coven has drawn his eye I have a question. What prevents my brother from murdering you instead of cooperating?" Sophie just smiles. She walks over to one of the alters, grabs a doll and pulls a pin from it.

"It's laced with vervain and wolfs bane." She stabs her hand with it and immediately I feel a burning sensation in the palm of my hand.

"Ow!" Elijah and Hayley turn to me to try to understand my outburst. I look down at my hand to see blood coming from the wound. I immediately understand what's going on now. I looked up at Sophie in shock.

"You linked us?"

"Yes," She turned towards Elijah, "the spell my sister performed, the one that got her killed, it didn't just confirm that Hope is Klaus' kid, it linked me to Hope so anything that happens to me, happens to her. Which means her life is in my hands." Sophie paused for a moment before continuing.

"Klaus may not care about his own child, but it's very clear what she already means to you. If I have to hurt Hope, or worse, to ensure that I have your attention, I will." Elijah menacingly walks toward Sophie and you could tell that he was angry.

"You would dare threaten an Original?"

"I've got nothing to lose. You have until midnight to get Klaus to change his mind."

The final stroke of midnight hits and I start to worry. Neither Klaus nor Elijah has returned and now they were out of time. Hayley notices me starting to freak out and she tries to comfort me but it isn't working to well.

Sabine and Agnes walk back into the room and I just start to freak out even more.

"His time is up. What are you gonna do now Sophie?" Agnes asks her.

"I'm gonna do what I said I was gonna do."

"What? Kill the girl, kill yourself?"

"Like hell you are!" Hayley gets in front of me to shield me but it won't do any good, but it's comforting to know that she would at least try. Before Sophie or Sabine can do anything Agnes spoke up.

"The wolf's right. Klaus doesn't care about the child." Well thanks for that. It's not like we didn't know that already.

"I do." We all turn around and see Elijah walking in with a body. Scenting the blood I immediately realize that the body is Jane-Ann's.

"I bring proof of my intent to help you. The body of your fallen friend. Which I procured from Marcel himself" Elijah lowers the body to the ground and Sophie immediately crouches down to her sisters body.

"Jane-Ann," Sophie barely whispers.

"We should be granted peace. Klaus will agree to your terms. I just need a little more time."

"You had your time, it's past." Agnes sure is a stickler for rules. I really just want to slap her right now. Actually I wanna do more than that but beggars can't be choosers.

"Shut up Agnes!" Sabine yells. Maybe I won't slap Sabine. No I still might it just won't be as hard.

"For now, accept the deal. The girl and child remain unharmed or Klaus will kill you all. And I will help him."

The next morning, after Elijah got me from the witches, he brought me to the plantation where we would be staying until all of this was over. It was really big and really old, but there's a pool so that makes up for it. After showering and changing I started to roam the house, inspecting my new, temporary home. I was in one of the vast ball rooms uncovering some of the furniture when a huge cloud of dust hit me in the face and I start to cough.

"You alright?" Elijah asks from the doorway.

"Just dust. This place is ancient."

"Yes it should serve our purposes. It's a sanctuary from our business in the quarter. Has anyone asked you how you feel?"

"About what?"

"About finally meeting your father." I pause and think on it for a moment before I answer him.

"I…My mom never really talked about him, just vague stories. I never really had a father figure in my life and the few that I did either weren't good or died while was young. I guess, I don't really know how I feel because I never really had one and I don't remember the good ones that tried."

"I will always protect you. You have my word on that." I couldn't help but smile a little at that.

"And your noble uncle Elijah always keeps his word." We both turn to see Klaus leaning against the doorframe and Hayley a little way behind him.

"Is it done?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. Your underhanded deal worked quite well. Marcel was only too happy to accept my blood even as he accepted my heartfelt apologies. His man Thierry yet lives and I remain a welcomed guest in the French Quarter. My only concern now is this coven of impotent witches."

"I believe them to be honorable. They did release Hope and Hayley to me. Although they haven't been entirely forth coming. Marcel obviously has something they need. They don't want him dead, there must be a reason why."

"In addition to the secret weapon that controls the witches, Marcel has assembled a small army of vampires. Working together, we can destroy them from the inside." Elijah says while removing some of the sheets covering the furniture.

"And what of Rebekah? Has she stopped her pouting long enough to come join the fun?" Klaus asks his brother from his spot in the room.

"Huh, she has made her disinterest quite clear."

"One too many times dagered and shoved into a box I gather," Elijah scoffs, "or perhaps she doesn't share your unwavering belief that I can be saved." Klaus laughs slightly as he starts to pour himself a drink.

"Rebekah may surprise us yet. After all we all swore to the same vow."

"I hope that she stays far away. Because in my desire to reclaim this town to steal from Marcel that which he holds dear, I have realized one massive vulnerability. One weakness that Marcel can exploit." As he makes his way towards his brother, Klaus grabs something from the table but Elijah, who is too focused on fixing a lamp, doesn't notice.

"And what is that?" Elijah asks as he turns towards his brother. Klaus looks at him for a moment before answering.

"You," Then he shoves a dagger in Elijah's chest and Elijah lets out a gasp/scream. He begins to fall forward and Klaus catches him.

"Forgive me, my brother. There is no power in love. Mercy makes you weak, family makes you weak. And if I'm going to win this war, I have to do it alone."