The evening light streamed in through the windows and illuminated Alex's fallen body and the pool of blood that had grown under her. Her chest rose and fell unsteadily, her breath wheezing, and her body made small unconscious twitching movements, her nerve endings transmitting pain messages from all points of her body to her brain.

A moment later she woke with a gasp and sat up, moaning in pain instantly. Her head swam and she screwed her eyes shut against the light, her stomach roiling.

Be still my dear girl. Be still.

Alex slumped to the ground. Easy enough. She barely had the strength to sarcastically mind speak to her grams.

A few moments later she felt the pain and nausea recede and the throbbing in her head lessened.

Now my dear Alex, open your eyes and stand.

Alex took an unsteady breath and opened her eyes, wincing slightly, but rolled onto her knees and then moved slowly to her feet. Swaying, she lifted a hand and brushed her hair back from her face and frowned when her hand came away sticky.

Her stomach churned when she saw the dark blood on her hand and she recalled exactly how it had gotten there.

Breath Alex, and go clean yourself. You will feel better after.

Alex tore her eyes from her hand and nodded numbly, walking into the bathroom, leaving a trail of bloody footprints. As she stripped off her torn and bloody clothing the shower turned on, her grams using her powers to manipulate the water until it was nearly scalding.

Alex stepped beneath the water and shuddered; her gram was holding off the worst of the pain, but the heat of the water still stung her wounds. Alex's gaze was stuck on the red water swirling off her body and down the drain, unable to look away.

Her skin tingled and she looked down, surprised to see her wounds sealing. Grams?

Yes dear. You need to be strong if we're going to stop this murderer. Do not worry.

Alex nodded numbly and lifted her washrag to wipe her body clean. She hesitated, inches from her skin. She knew it wouldn't hurt, but she didn't want to relive what he had done…

Taking a shuddering breath she began scrubbing her skin and watched as the blood washed away. Her many wounds ached and pulled, and when she bent down to scrub her feet-how had blood gotten in between her toes?-her stomach churned in pain.

She scrubbed her hair and eventually the water ran clear over her body. The shower steamed and the air smelled of lavender and eucalyptus, refreshing and soothing. When she shut the water off and stepped out into the cool air, her skin prickled until her robe enveloped her body and a towel was wrapped around her hair.

Alex stepped up to the mirror and wiped away the condensation. A soft gasp escaped her.

Both of her eyes were blackened and a fresh angry looking red welt ran down her face from her hairline, down through her right eyebrow, across her eye and down her cheek, and ending by puckering her upper lip into a soft snarl.

Slowly she slid her robe from her body and dropped it to the floor, tears filling her eyes as she took in the sight of her body. Newly formed scars covered her from head to toe, and bruises had faded to an ugly yellow-green.

Her stomach turned and she lurched to the toilet, throwing up until there was nothing left in her. She cried painfully, wrenching sobs that left her breathless until she had no energy left and lay curled on the cold bathroom tile, staring at nothing.

She felt a soft sigh and then a gentle, ghostly hand on her face. Oh my dearest granddaughter. I wish I could have spared you from this. Antoine and I should have done something about Laurent long ago. Right now though, I need to ask you to be strong. I need you to stand up, dress, and contact the vampire's witch. They need to be warned. Then we need to leave.

Alex blinked and closed her eyes. She was so broken and tired…getting up sounded…painful. What about Elijah? And Hope? Will you just leave them to die? The small treacherous voice inside her whispered their names over and over again until she moaned softly and opened her eyes.

Rising to her knees, she bit back a wave of nausea and stumbled to her feet. After a moment her head cleared and the nausea dissipated. You have a minor concussion…or had I should say. For now, you know what you need to do.

Alex nodded faintly and moved slowly to her closet, stiffly pulling on clothes. She stuffed all of her clothing into her suitcase and packed her laptop and books into a carryon, stuffing her backpack full of extra clothing and necessities before turning to write a note to Freya.

Freya,

He's coming for you all. You need to break Hayley's spell and protect Hope at all costs. I'm coming. I don't know if I'll be in time. Ask the covens for help. If I do not make it, run.

Alex

She sent the letter in a ball of fire and gathered her bags, running down the stairs of the apartment to climb into the taxi that was taking her to the airport.

Ignoring the looks people gave her bruises and scars; she negotiated a ticket back to New Orleans with only one layover in Baltimore. It was going to be an 8 hour flight, and by the time she arrived it would be just hours from Samhain.

She didn't have much time.

If Freya didn't break Hayley's curse, it would be permanent, and Hope would be without a mother.

If she didn't get back in time and stop Laurent, he would kill Hope, Freya, Elijah and everyone she cared about, including Cami.

Pacing in front of her luggage in the terminal, she earned curious stares from other passengers, but ignored them. As she turned back towards her luggage she let out a soft gasp. Sitting on top of her bags was a folded note, the edges smoking softly.

Snatching it up, she opened it and read it, choking back a whimper of joy.

Alex,

I have broken Hayley's spell and reunited her with Hope. We have taken your warning to heart, and I have added more barriers to the house. The covens refuse to help, Klaus has hurt them too many times. We are on our own. Luckily, my sister is in the body of a witch and has some talent. She came up with a clever spell to protect us and we have utilized it. The hybrids are here to protect Hope too, along with Marcel's people. Laurent will not find an easy fight.

Be safe Alex.

Alex sighed deeply and clutched the letter to her chest before tucking it into her backpack. The plane was boarding, and she would be facing Laurent soon enough.

Alex slid into the taxi and handed the man a fifty dollar bill. "Get me to the address I gave you in the next ten minutes and it's all yours" she told him. He raised a brow but nodded, pulling away from the airport curb and accelerating quickly.

Ten minutes later the taxi screeched to a halt in front of the Mikaelson compound. Alex thanked the man and dragged her bags into the entryway, stopping when she felt the strength of the magical barrier ahead.

"Freya?" she called out.

She knew someone would hear her.

Moments passed and there was a blur of movement ahead. A large figure stepped into the light and her stomach dropped.

Elijah

He stared at her, his gaze calculating. "What do you want with my sister?" he asked his tone not altogether friendly.

Alex swallowed hard and fought back the urge to cry. "I-uh, I'm a witch. She asked me to help with your defenses. For Hope."

He stared at her for another long moment and then nodded, "Follow me please." He turned and then paused, turning back to her to pluck her heaviest bag from her grasp and carry it easily. Alex stared after him as he continued walking.

Once again she fought back tears and wanted to kick herself for it. She couldn't be breaking down every time he did anything kind. Scurrying after him, she took a deep breath and steadied herself.

She followed him upstairs to the nursery, where Klaus, Hayley and Freya were gathered. Hayley smiled warmly at her and Alex was grateful that the curse binding her to a wolf's body had prevented her from having her memories screwed with.

Klaus gave her a dismissive look and waved a hand to Freya, "This half beaten woman is supposed to help us?" he asked mockingly.

Freya gave Klaus a quelling look, "You don't need to talk about her like that Klaus. She's already gone up against this man twice. He's scared of her. Now, can you leave us?"

Alex was impressed with the way she made it seem less like a question and more of a command. When Klaus sighed and nodded, she was even more impressed. Klaus ushered Hayley and Hope from the room, barking Elijah's name to drag him from the room, casting a look over his shoulder at the two women.

When the door closed behind them Freya stepped close to Alex and frowned, "You need to restore their memories. They need to understand exactly why they're fighting. This threat comes out of the blue and they don't know why."

Alex shook her head vehemently, "No Freya. If I do, Klaus will remember my threat to Hope and he'll just attack when Laurent does, and you'll all end up dead, along with me."

Freya grabbed her arm and shook her, "Alex. We could all die if you don't. They need to understand why this is happening!"

Alex pulled away and glared at her. "What should I tell them Freya? Huh? That it's all my fault? That if I had been better and smarter this wouldn't have happened? Because that's the truth." She shook her head and turned away. Her shoulders were tight with tension

"Freya…tell them that Laurent knew your Aunt Dahlia. They'll accept that he wants to harm Hope if it's about Dahlia."

Freya stared at Alex for long moments until the silence grew between them. Finally she sighed and nodded, "Okay. It'll be midnight soon. Samhain will begin. Do you think he'll attack then?" she asked.

Alex shrugged, "I have no idea what he'll do."

She stared out the window and looked up at the waning moon, her stomach tight with fear.

"But I hope it happens quickly" she whispered.

Freya stared at her for a long time before sighing and leaving quietly.

Alex turned away from the window and went to sit in the rocking chair beside Hope's crib, gently picking up one of the girl's stuffed animals. Stroking the silky fur, she stared absently at it, rocking.

The sound of the door opening broke her reverie, making her look up to see Hayley standing before her with a tray of food. Hayley lifted the tray gently, a bare smile on her lips, "I thought you might be hungry after your flight."

Alex nodded softly, "I suppose I should be."

Hayley stared at her and then sighed, sitting down on the footstool in front of Alex, setting the tray on Alex's lap. "Why didn't you take my memories too?" Hayley asked.

Alex looked at her in surprise and then sighed, "I couldn't, magically speaking. Your curse protected you. But I wouldn't do that to Hope. She needed someone other than Freya who was strong enough physically to protect her. I needed you to remember."

Hayley nodded and then smiled hesitantly, "I never thought you liked me much."

Alex coughed softly, choking on her bite of sandwich. Smiling, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and shook her head. "Hayley…I like you a lot. I was just jealous of your relationship with Elijah."

Hayley's brows rose and a look of surprise darted across her face before resolving into a wry smile, "Well, you shouldn't be. What he and I had was over before it ever began. And he loves you more than he ever loved me."

Alex flushed but shook her head, "Not anymore. He doesn't even remember me anymore."

Hayley frowned softly, "Maybe not, but he knows something is missing in his life, and that emptiness is where his love for you is supposed to be. You should give him his memory back."

Alex sighed, "He'll hate me for what I put you all through."

Hayley smiled softly, "I don't, why should he?" she said quietly.

Alex frowned and looked troubled.

Hayley stood and tucked her hair behind her ear, smiling softly. "Do what you need to Alex. But trust Elijah. Trust all of us."

Alex nodded and smiled faintly at her.

Hayley closed the door behind her and Alex sighed, running a hand over her face, feeling faintly sick. She took small bites of the sandwich and soup until she couldn't eat any more, draining the water glass.

She stood and carried the tray to the door, cracking it open and listening. When she heard nothing but silence she walked quickly through the halls to the kitchen. The large kitchen was dark, but her steps were sure, familiar.

Setting the tray on the counter, she began to wash the dishes and set them in the drying rack, the menial task distracting her mind from the looming confrontation.

"Do you always do the dishes in the dark in other people's homes?"

Elijah's voice looming out of the dark startled her so badly she dropped the water glass.

The blur of motion that was Elijah catching the glass shouldn't have startled her more, but for some reason, it did. She stepped back, her heart hammering. Eyes wide, she stared up at him.

Elijah smiled softly and set the glass into the sink. "My apologies. I didn't mean to startle you. How do you know your way around the house so well?" he asked, suspicion furrowing his brow.

Alex's mouth dropped open, searching for an answer. "I…uh. I asked Freya." She smiled awkwardly at him and prayed he bought her lame answer.

He raised a brow but was cut off from saying anything else by the sound of a shout from the lower level.

They exchanged a look and a moment later he had fled from the room, a blur of motion. Alex ran after him, fear knotting her stomach.

She ran down into the plaza and came to a halt when she saw Laurent standing casually in the entryway, smiling as though nothing had ever happened.

Hybrids and vampires spread out through the room, a show of strength meant to intimidate.

Alex looked around for Freya and found her in the center of the room and crossed over to her quickly. Freya gave her a small smile and took her hand.

"Where is Hope?" Alex whispered.

"Safe, with her aunt and two guards. Hybrid and vampire" Freya whispered back.

Alex sighed in relief, but quickly turned her attention back to Laurent. She stepped forward away from Freya and glared at him, "You shouldn't have come here Laurent."

He smiled and shook his head, "Oh my dear Alexandrine, it's you who never should have come to this town. Then this lovely little family of originals wouldn't have to die and all the vampires with them!" He laughed, and Alex shuddered at how cold a sound it was, devoid of actual pleasure.

He lifted his hands and Alex flinched, preparing for attack. Casting his hands towards the group, Alex frowned softly when nothing appeared to happen.

A moment later the vampires began to frown, then groaned, clutching their stomachs as their eyes darkened with hunger. The hybrids shuffled back a step or two and watched them warily.

Marcel stepped forward to command his young changelings. "Stay calm! If you want to eat something, eat the witch!"

The vampires turned hungry eyes on Laurent who simply smiled and spread his arms in a welcoming gesture.

Alex shook her head, "Don't!" she called, far too late, as young vampires began to launch themselves at Laurent. The moment they got close they seemed to hit a barrier, one that sent them reeling back in pain, their faces half charred, flames eating at their clothing.

Freya quickly used her magic to extinguish the flames, but not before two young vampires were killed. Laurent laughed and clenched his hands. The vampires in the room bent double, the hunger growing stronger.

Klaus and Elijah helped Marcel keep the younger ones from attacking the hybrids while Alex stepped forward, her jaw set. "That's enough of that" she murmured. She stood next to Freya and straightened her shoulders, looking up at the taller woman.

"Let's take down that barrier of his, shall we?" she said with a small grin.

Freya nodded, "You seem to enrage him the most, would you mind distracting him while I take apart the spell?" she asked softly.

Alex shook her head, "Not at all." She gave Freya a shaky smile and stepped forward, between the growling hybrids and the bloodthirsty vampires to stand just feet from Laurent.

He tilted his head to smile at her. "Finally coming to face me on your own?" he taunted.

Alex shrugged a shoulder, "Do you have my ring? I know it burned with you, but I never found it with your ashes. Did you go back for it? I figured you must have, little daddy's boy that you are."

Laurent's face twisted in rage and his voice was high and angry when he shouted at her. "How dare you! I hated that man. That ring is my birthright and you won't ever get it back!"

Alex sighed and shook her head, "I can see why he didn't want you to have it. Angry, hateful, spiteful. He probably never thought of you as his real child. That was my mother."

Laurent screamed in anger and threw a fireball at her. Alex calmly raised a hand and watched as it swirled around her, creating a column of fire that rose above her head and created a fiery cage around her.

After a few moments it burned away.

Alex had stripped off her button down shirt and stood in a tank top, revealing her scars, and her enchanted jewelry.

"Now Alex!" called Freya.

Alex ripped off her snake cuff from her bicep and tossed it at Laurent with a shout of a word. As the cuff twirled through the air the jeweled eyes sparkled and came to life, the metal twisting into skin, growing until it was nearly ten feet in length.

The hooded cobra slithered until it was at Laurent's feet and hissed loudly, rising to his face, its hood expanding in a threat of attack.

Laurent remained still but spoke. "What a delightful trick Alexandrine. Did your grandmother teach you that?" he asked.

Alex shook her head, "No, there were some lovely witches in Oslo who were eager enough to teach me tricks when they learned of what you did to my family and friends. Witches stick together."

Laurent chuckled softly, "Except here in New Orleans it would seem."

Klaus smiled across the room, the hunger and pain evident in his face. "That would be my fault."

Alex shot him a look, "Shut up." The last thing she needed was Klaus adding to this mess. To her surprise, he kept his mouth shut, but the look he gave her could have killed.

Turning her attention back to Laurent, she smiled softly. "I wouldn't try to use magic against it, or run. It's a dark magic creation. You will die."

Laurent sighed, "You seem to have forgotten I'll just jump bodies."

Alex raised a brow, "Oh, will you?" she said lightly.

He looked at her curiously and then stared at the snake, his expression wary. He stared at the cobra for a long time until he seemed to reach a decision. In a sudden movement he lunged backwards and to the side, escaping its reach when it attacked.

He pulled a knife and lunged forward, hacking at the body until it fell into two pieces. He stepped back, triumphant, covered in gore.

Alex clapped softly and smiled wryly. "Very good Laurent. I would step a little farther back though."

He looked at her warily and then down at the cobra's body. A second later both pieces of the body began to twitch. The headless piece grew a head, and the other piece sealed with a tail. They flopped for a moment and then hissed, turning their attention to Laurent.

His face grew pale and he stepped back, tripping over his own feet. Summoning fire balls, he threw them in rapid succession at the cobras, swearing when they did nothing more than agitate the snakes.

Glaring up at Alex he gave her a wicked grimace and made a vicious hand motion towards the vampires. There was a loud snarl, and a moment later all of them, including Elijah and Klaus launched themselves at the Hybrids.

Alex shouted in alarm.

Freya began to undo the spell, but not quickly enough. Blood fell to the ground. Screams filled the air.

The cobras struck Laurent, their fangs sinking deep into his flesh. He let out an agonized groan as they drug him to the ground, their powerful bodies winding around his limbs. The wounds blackened and welled with poison, necrotizing.

Behind her Alex could hear the sounds of battle. She stepped close to Laurent as the cobra's bodies slipped away and fell to ashes, the spell keeping them together ending.

Laurent glared at her, blood in his teeth as he hissed, "This isn't the end. I'll be back."

Alex smiled and crouched down, "I'm afraid this is the end for you Laurent. The moment you stepped through those doors, you were bound into your body."

He laughed, choking on the blood in his throat and spat at her. The globule of spit and blood landed on her cheek. Alex sighed and calmly wiped it away, shaking her head.

"You lie. Your family was liars and you are too" Laurent snarled.

Alex's hand moved and slapped him across the face before either of them could register the motion. His head rocked back and he stared at her in surprise. His laughter grated at her and she didn't restrain herself from slapping him again.

This time he saw it coming and snatched her wrist out of the air, gripping it tightly, painfully, despite the deadly venom coursing through his veins. His eyes glittered dangerously as he drug her down, pulling a knife out to bring against her throat.

"Still so stupid and innocent" he growled.

Alex grinned and kneed him in the groin, hard. His grip on her released instantly. She rolled away and stood adjacent to him, glaring. "And you still have balls. Shame I don't have my stilettos, give you a reminder of Oslo."

If it was possible, his face went paler.

Alex heard the growling and shouts of pain behind her increase and looked swiftly over her shoulder. She saw Klaus fighting three hybrids, Marcel against two, and Elijah against three more.

They were all bloodied and snarling with rage.

Freya looked desperate, her efforts to stop the spell not working.

Alex turned to glare at Laurent and found him trying to stand, barely on his knees, but making his way to his feet. She growled in anger and reached for her necklace, unwinding it from her neck.

At nearly five feet in length, silver and gold, it was a precious magical working. Wrapping it around her wrist and her hand, she whipped it through the air, snapping it onto the ground with a dangerous metallic hissing sound in front of Laurent.

He stilled and stumbled, falling to his knees.

Alex whipped the chain through the air and felt a sick satisfaction as it coiled around Laurent's torso, tightening instantly.

She had always considered herself to be a peaceful, calm person. Someone who liked to spend her time studying arcane knowledge and reading dusty books, spending long hours drinking tea and writing papers.

But now, as she used her powers to take the evil out of her world, this particular evil that had destroyed everything that had been good, she felt a thrill like never before.

With a whispered word fire raced down the chain and began to lick at Laurent's body. His screams drowned out the battle behind her.

A flick of her wrist loosed the chain from his torso.

His hand moved too quickly for her to see and something blazed through the air, burying itself in her stomach. She looked down to see his blade buried there. With a low groan she pulled it from her body and cast it aside.

Hate poured through her.

Another flick of her wrist sent the chain coiling around his neck, tightening until the life was chased from his body.

His body collapsed to the ground, the flames rising up, burning brightly as they ate his power.

The spell captivating the vampires and hybrids ceased.

The snarls and shouts ceased, leaving only the sound of the crackling flames.

Alex stood watching the remains of Laurent burn, her arms wrapped around her waist, lost in thought. A gentle hand on her arm made her flinch.

Freya stepped close and smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Alex shook her head and smiled faintly. "It's fine, I was just a million miles away."

Freya sighed and nodded, "I understand. What are you going to do now?" she asked gently.

Alex knew what she was really asking. Was she going to give everyone their memories back? She smiled sadly and crouched down; groaning softly as her wound ached, waving a hand towards the embers of Laurent's remains. She reached into them and pulled out her gram's ring, blowing off the ash and dusting it off gently on her shirt.

Showing it to Freya she murmured, "This is all I have left of my family. I had to kill the last piece of my family. Both of my parents were only children, and their parents were dead. I'm all that's left."

She slid the ring on her finger and sighed deeply, an aching sadness in her chest. Freya took her hand softly and Alex smiled faintly. "I already gave them their memories back, about ten minutes after the spell ended."

She looked over to where Elijah and Klaus were talking to Rebekah, comforting a fussing Hope and Hayley. Her eyes were sad when she looked back at Freya, "He hasn't come back over, and I don't think he's going to."

Freya frowned, "He's going to. He loves you."

Alex shrugged and groaned, her stomach wound aching painfully, and bleeding freshly. Freya looked at her, startled. Alex lifted her button down and her tank top to reveal the wound and Freya hissed, angered.

"You need to sit down! Let me heal you!"

Alex shook her head, "I'm fine standing, but I'll take you up on that healing." Her head was pounding; couldn't Freya just get on with it?

Freya frowned and shook her head, "Sit!"

Alex shook her head, "Just heal me!" Her head swam and black spots were forming in her vision…but was Elijah looking her way? She was pretty sure he was…

Freya sighed in exasperation and leaned in to heal her, a small ball of blue light forming in her hand.

Alex abruptly collapsed, her eyes rolling back in her head.

In a blur of motion Elijah was there, catching her before she hit the ground. He looked up to Freya, his face stern, "Heal her" he commanded.

Freya nodded and leaned in, concentrating until the wound on Alex's abdomen closed and the bleeding had ceased. A moment later Alex's eyes fluttered and she gasped softly, awakening to find herself in Elijah's arms.

He stood her up carefully and backed away, his face like stone.

Alex felt her stomach drop.

Reaching out tentatively she whispered, "Elijah…can we…can we talk?"

His gaze lifted from the ashes on the floor to meet hers, and she could see the anger burning there. Her gaze flinched from his.

"What would you like to talk about Alexandrine? How about we talk about you betraying my trust and removing my memories without my consent? Or putting Hope in unconscionable danger after you swore never to do so? Or for once again, bringing your fight to my family and nearly getting our friends killed?"

His voice was cold and angry, cutting her deeper than Laurent ever could have.

The truth was, she had done all of it.

She had just had hope that he would be on her side. That he would see she had no control over a madman attacking her and that the actions she had taken had been in their best interest to keep them safe.

She had hope.

And now, she felt it crushed inside her.

Freya laid a hand on Elijah's arm, "Brother, she did everything to protect us, it was the only thing she could have done, as she saw it." Elijah glared at Freya who glared back, "Elijah, look at her. See what that monster did to her."

Alex felt her stomach turn to hear Freya defending her. She shook her head and whispered, "No Freya, don't. Please. I'll go." She turned away and ignored Freya calling her name. It took her only a few minutes to gather her bags from the upper level, body numb the entire time.

When she came back down to the plaza the sight of the carnage struck her and she swallowed hard, fighting back the need to be sick at the scent of blood. It reminded her so strongly of what had just happened between her and Laurent.

Freya and Hayley walked her to the entry of the house, both of them with mirror looks of unhappiness on their faces. Freya took her hand and pressed a bundle of cash into it, ignoring Alex's shaking head.

"You will use this to go where you need to. Our family owes you."

Hayley nodded and handed her a slip of paper, "She's right. This is my phone number. If you need anything, you let me know. Let me know where you end up and I'll reach out to the packs, they'll keep you safe. Even some loners are loyal."

Alex bit her lip as her eyes welled up and nodded, "Thank you" she whispered. Both women nodded and gave her gentle hugs.

Alex grabbed Freya's hand and pulled an envelope from her pocket, handing it to her. "Give this to Elijah when he's ready, will you?" she asked softly.

Freya glanced over her shoulder at Elijah and frowned; "Why not now?"

Alex shook her head. "He has too much anger now. I hurt him too badly. When he's ready, give it to him. Maybe someday he'll understand and not hate me. I'd like for him to understand at least."

Freya looked at her sadly and nodded. Alex hugged her one last time and whispered, "Thank you."

She turned away and disappeared into the night, leaving behind everything and everyone she had ever loved, once again.

With every step she felt something inside her break.

AN: Hello my loves! I hope you enjoyed the long chapter! Unfortunately for our dear Alex and Elijah, things are not going to work out for awhile. So hang in there! Songs for this chapter; "Suitcase-Matthew Koma" "Paper Hearts-Canyon City" and "Battle Cry-Imagine Dragons". Please review, I would love love love to hear what you guys think of this chapter and the story!