Thank you everyone for your reviews, I can't tell you how great it is to read them.

The opening dialogue of this chapter is pulled directly from The Originals 2x07. I found the scene so moving and perfect that I couldn't bring myself to change any of Klaus's speech. The words pulled from the episode are italicized.

Enjoy. I look forward to your responses. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own The Vampire Diaries or The Originals. I'm just enjoying dropping Elena in New Orleans.

Elijah's inner child was running through an endless forest from the monster he had become over the centuries. Exhausted he dropped to his knees when he heard his brothers voice. "We were innocent once Elijah. This blood lust was forced upon us by our parents. Turning us from prey to predator." Suddenly Klaus appeared in front of a teenage Elijah, "We're the demons lurking in shadow; we are the savage villains in fairy tales told to children, but not for my child. Not for Hope, in her story we are the knights in shining armor. Without you by my side I don't think I could survive my own love for my daughter. I need you, I need you brother. The monster in me can only be checked by the monster in you. Only together can we defeat our demons and save our family." Klaus placed a stake in the teenage Elijah's hand and disappeared from the dream world. Elijah's innocence came face to face with the monster he kept hidden behind a door in his mind, the monster that wore his face covered in blood. When it approached he drove a stake through it's chest.

Elijah awoke with a start taking in his surroundings. Standing next to him with raw emotion evident on his face was his brother Niklaus. He felt a weight on his hand and looked to his right, the sight that met his eyes made his undead heart skip a beat. There sitting in the chair with her head on the bed and his hand in hers was Elena sound asleep. His brother spoke in a neutral tone, "She has not left your side since she pulled you from the tomb mother had you imprisoned in." Elijah replied in a sad tone, "Her compassion is a gift that she shares, even with those who are undeserving of such acts." Klaus spoke with sincerity, "Dear brother, her compassion has nothing to do with it, I've always known you to be a fool when it comes to the fairer sex, but never have I known you to be blind. How do you not see what is so easily visible to others?"
Elijah spoke firmly, "Not now Niklaus, this is not a conversation I can have after the memories I've uncovered." Klaus gazed at his brother in concern before speaking, "What lies has our mother planted in your head Elijah, you mustn't believe her illusions. She will do and say anything to achieve her goal. Even resurrecting the dead." Elijah looked at his brother and saw the pain and sadness on his face, "Who do you speak of Niklaus?"

Klaus exhaled a shaky breath, "I spent the day with my father...my real father. Esther brought him back the dead believing he could convince me to renounce vampirism. The thought of what I could be had I been raised by him, had I been nurtured. This was his." Klaus handed a leather portfolio to Elijah instead was a sketching of Klaus as a child. "He knew about Hope, and I wanted to trust him. More than anything in the world I wanted too, but I couldn't be sure and I could never forgive myself if something happen to her because of my selfish desire for a father. So I killed him, without hesitation I killed him."

Elijah was stunned silent for a moment before he found words, "You killed him for Hope," Elijah paused and grasped his brothers hand, "whatever innocence remains we must protect at any cost."

Klaus looked the the girl asleep next to his brother, "Do you trust her brother?" Elijah looked thoughtful for a moment, "I do, but I do not wish to drag her into our war. After everything she's been through at the hands of our family I wish her a peaceful existence away from this turmoil."
Klaus shook his head and smiled ruefully before replying, "If my contacts in Mystic Falls are correct her life was anything but peaceful even without our family's presence. It appears as though the plight of the doppelganger never ceases."

Elijah replied, "I take it that means she told you of Ms. Forbes condition."

Klaus merely nodded before continuing, "If our enemies could see us now dear brother, two of the most feared creatures in existence, completely entranced with two baby vampires."

"Speak for yourself Niklaus, while my fondness for Elena has always been known I would not liken it to your obsession with Ms. Forbes," Elijah spoke in agitation at his brothers observation about Elena.

Klaus let out a dry laugh, "Of course not brother, where I have been upfront about my intentions with sweet Caroline for quite some time you hide behind your honor and cool facade in regards to the darling doppelganger."

Elijah spoke with some annoyance in his voice, "She has a name Niklaus, would you please stop referring to her as the doppelganger. She is more than just some magical oddity, and seeing as she is the last of her line, the doppelganger curse ends with her."

Klaus smirked, the emotionally charged atmosphere of the moment dissipating to the teasing banter of two brother, "You claim not to feel for the girl, yet you are awfully quick to defend her brother. However, I will not push you at the moment, I only wish to gauge your trust of the girl. When she awakes her and I are due to finish a conversation. Can we trust her not to betray us?"

Elijah had a wistful expression when he spoke, "The question is not whether we can trust her, after the last few days she has proven herself trustworthy. The question is should she trust us, we've brought nothing but death and destruction to her world."

With that statement Elena began to stir from her slumber. Upon sitting up she realized she was not alone in the room and looked to Klaus then to the conscious Elijah. Her face lit up in what was easily the most radiant smile Elijah had ever seen directed towards him.

Klaus spoke in a mocking tone, "You know for a vampire your senses seem to be lacking, I've been in here for quite a while conversing with my dear brother with you none the wiser. What if I had been an enemy?"

Elena looked sheepishly between the brothers, "I didn't mean to fall asleep, I'm not as old as dirt like the two of you, and I haven't slept or eaten since arriving in the quarter. It must have finally caught up to me."

At the news that she neglected taking care of her basic needs in her worry for his well-being he felt a tug at his undead heart, he truly did not deserve the compassion and care of the girl before him.

Klaus spoke, "Well if that's the case allow me to rectify the situation. Follow me and we'll get you some blood. We can discuss the issues with sweet Caroline while my brother makes himself decent."

Elena hesitated and looked to Elijah to reassure her she would be safe with Klaus. He nodded his head and she steeled her shoulders and stood from her chair. Finally noticing that she still held Elijah's hand in her own. She looked down at their joined hands and Elijah gave her hand an encouraging squeeze.

She set her gaze on Klaus, "Lead the way," and the two proceeded to leave the room.